Flexible Color Electronic Paper Display Panel and Control Method

Abstract

The present application discloses an array substrate, a flexible color electronic paper display panel, and a control method, mainly relating to the field of display technologies. The pixel electrode layer includes a plurality of pixel electrodes, and the pixel electrodes correspond to pixel unit regions one by one. The first sub-pixel electrode is located within the first sub-pixel unit region, and the second sub-pixel electrode is located within the second sub-pixel unit region. The second sub-pixel electrode is located on the periphery of the first sub-pixel electrode. When the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state, the second sub-pixel electrode can be used to control the electrophoretic reflection layer within the second sub-pixel unit region to absorb light. When the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in an unbent state, the voltages of the first sub-pixel electrode and the second sub-pixel electrode are the same, and the electric fields within the first sub-pixel unit region and the second sub-pixel unit region are the same. Through the above design, it is possible to avoid the problems of color deviation and color mixing when the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of display technologies, and particularly to an array substrate, a flexible color electronic paper display panel, and a control method. Background Art

[0002] Electronic paper is a thin and ultra-light display that is relatively close to natural paper. It has high resolution and a large viewing angle and is usually used in electronic display devices. With the progress of technology, the technology of flexible color electronic paper display panels has made a breakthrough and will be widely used in more fields in the future.

[0003] However, in the existing flexible color electronic paper display panels, when in a bent state, problems such as display color deviation and color mixing occur due to the misalignment of the upper and lower substrates. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to provide an array substrate, a flexible color electronic paper display panel, and a control method, which can avoid color deviation and color mixing problems when the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state.

[0005] The present application discloses an array substrate for use in a flexible color electronic paper display panel. The flexible color electronic paper display panel includes an electrophoretic reflection layer. The array substrate includes an array substrate, and an active switch layer and a pixel electrode layer sequentially disposed on the array substrate. The array substrate further includes a plurality of pixel unit regions;

[0006] The pixel electrode layer includes a plurality of pixel electrodes, and the pixel electrodes correspond to the pixel unit regions one by one. The pixel electrode includes a first sub-pixel electrode and a second sub-pixel electrode. The pixel unit region includes a first sub-pixel unit region and a second sub-pixel unit region. The first sub-pixel electrode is located within the first sub-pixel unit region, the second sub-pixel electrode is located within the second sub-pixel unit region, and the second sub-pixel electrode is located outside the first sub-pixel electrode;

[0007] When the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state, the second sub-pixel electrode can be used to control the electrophoretic reflection layer within the second sub-pixel unit region to absorb light; when the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in an unbent state, the voltages of the first sub-pixel electrode and the second sub-pixel electrode are the same, and the electric fields within the first sub-pixel unit region and the second sub-pixel unit region are the same.

[0008] Optionally, the array substrate includes a display area and a non-display area. The non-display area surrounds the display area, and the pixel unit regions are located within the display area; the display area includes a first area and a second area, and the first area and the second area are respectively located on both sides of the center line;

[0009] Within the pixel unit region in the first region, the second sub-pixel electrode is located on the side of the first sub-pixel electrode closer to the second region. Within the pixel unit region in the second region, the second sub-pixel electrode is located on the side of the first sub-pixel electrode closer to the first region.

[0010] Optionally, the array substrate includes a display region and a non-display region. The non-display region surrounds the display region, and the pixel unit region is located within the display region. The display region includes a first region and a second region, and the first region and the second region are respectively located on both sides of the center line.

[0011] Within the pixel unit region in the first region, the second sub-pixel electrode is located on the side of the first sub-pixel electrode away from the second region. Within the pixel unit region in the second region, the second sub-pixel electrode is located on the side of the first sub-pixel electrode away from the first region.

[0012] Optionally, the array substrate includes a display region and a non-display region. The non-display region surrounds the display region, and the pixel unit region is located within the display region. The display region includes a first region and a second region, and the first region and the second region are respectively located on both sides of the center line.

[0013] The number of second sub-pixel electrodes in each pixel unit region is two, and the two second sub-pixel electrodes in each pixel unit region are connected. Within the pixel unit region in the first region, the two second sub-pixel electrodes are respectively located on the sides of the first sub-pixel electrode closer to and away from the second region. Within the pixel unit region in the second region, the two second sub-pixel electrodes are respectively located on the sides of the first sub-pixel electrode closer to and away from the first region.

[0014] Optionally, define the direction extending from the center line towards the first region as the first direction, and define the direction extending from the center line towards the second region as the second direction.

[0015] In the pixel unit region in the first region, along the first direction, the width of the second sub-pixel electrode gradually increases. In the pixel unit region in the second region, along the second direction, the width of the second sub-pixel electrode gradually increases.

[0016] Optionally, the active switch layer includes a first active switch, a second active switch, a first data line, a second data line, and a scanning line. The first active switch, the second active switch, the first data line, the second data line, and the scanning line are all disposed on the array substrate. The first data line and the scanning line are arranged in a crisscross pattern and define the pixel unit area.

[0017] The first active switch is connected to the first data line and the first sub-pixel electrode. The second active switch is connected to the second data line and the second sub-pixel electrode. The scanning line controls the opening of both the first active switch and the second active switch simultaneously.

[0018] Optionally, the active switch layer includes a first active switch, a second active switch, a first data line, a second data line, a first scanning line, and a second scanning line. The first active switch, the second active switch, the first data line, the second data line, the first scanning line, and the second scanning line are all disposed on the array substrate. The first data line and the first scanning line are arranged in a crisscross pattern and define the pixel unit area.

[0019] The first active switch is connected to the first data line and the first sub-pixel electrode. The second active switch is connected to the second data line and the second sub-pixel electrode. The first scanning line controls the opening of the first active switch, and the second scanning line controls the opening of the second active switch.

[0020] The present application also discloses a flexible color electronic paper display panel, which includes a color film substrate, an electrophoretic reflection layer, and an array substrate. The electrophoretic reflection layer is disposed between the color film substrate and the array substrate.

[0021] The present application also discloses a control method for a flexible color electronic paper display panel. The control method for the flexible color electronic paper display panel is used in the flexible color electronic paper display panel. The steps of the control method for the flexible color electronic paper display panel include:

[0022] Detect whether the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state;

[0023] When the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state, control the electrophoretic reflection layer in the second sub-pixel unit area to absorb light;

[0024] When the flexible color electronic paper display panel is not in a bent state, control the electric fields in the first sub-pixel unit and the second sub-pixel unit areas to be the same.

[0025] Optionally, when the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state, the step of controlling the electrophoretic reflection layer in the second sub-pixel unit area to absorb light further includes:

[0026] When the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state, a positive voltage is input to the second sub-pixel electrode to control the electrophoretic reflection layer in the second sub-pixel unit area to absorb light.

[0027] Compared with the existing flexible color electronic paper display panel solutions, in this application, the pixel electrode is divided into a first sub-pixel electrode and a second sub-pixel electrode, and the second sub-pixel electrode is located on the periphery of the first sub-pixel electrode. Thus, when the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state, although the color resistors on the color film substrate are offset from the pixel electrodes on the array substrate, the offset color resistors will fall on the second sub-pixel electrodes in the adjacent pixel unit areas. At this time, by controlling the electrophoretic reflection layer in the second sub-pixel unit area to absorb light through the second sub-pixel electrode, the problems of color deviation and color mixing of the flexible color electronic paper display panel can be avoided; moreover, when the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in an unbent state, the voltages of the first sub-pixel electrode and the second sub-pixel electrode are the same, and the electric fields in the first sub-pixel unit area and the second sub-pixel unit area are the same, so that the problem of reduced brightness of the color electronic paper display panel when it is not bent will not occur. Description of the Drawings

[0028] The accompanying drawings included are used to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present application, which form a part of the specification, are used to illustrate the embodiments of the present application, and are used to explain the principles of the present application together with the text description. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the first flexible color electronic paper display panel according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the second flexible color electronic paper display panel according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an array substrate in an unbent state according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an array substrate in a bent state according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 5It is a schematic diagram of an existing flexible color electronic paper display panel;

[0034] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the bending state of an existing flexible color electronic paper display panel;

[0035] Figure 7 It is a plan view schematic diagram of an array substrate according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the first type of array substrate according to the first embodiment of the present application, including a first region and a second region;

[0037] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram of the pixel electrode of the first region of the first type of array substrate according to the first embodiment of the present application in a bent state;

[0038] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of the pixel electrode of the second region of the first type of array substrate according to the first embodiment of the present application in a bent state;

[0039] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of the pixel electrode of the first region of the second type of array substrate according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram of the pixel electrode of the second region of the second type of array substrate according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 13 It is a schematic diagram of the pixel electrode of the third type of array substrate according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 14 It is a schematic diagram of a control method for a flexible color electronic paper display panel according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 15 It is a schematic diagram of an array substrate according to the second embodiment of the present application.

[0044] Among them, 10 is a flexible color electronic paper display panel; 100 is a color film substrate; 110 is a color film substrate; 120 is a color filter layer; 121 is a color resistor; 200 is a common electrode; 210 is a protective layer; 300 is an electrophoretic reflection layer; 310 is a microcapsule; 311 is an electrophoretic particle; 312 is a colloidal suspension; 313 is an electrophoretic ink; 314 is a base layer; 315 is a microcup; 316 is a retaining wall; 400 is an array substrate; 410 is a center line; 421 is a first direction; 422 is a second direction; 430 is a display area; 431 is a first area; 432 is an intermediate area; 433 is a second area; 440 is a non-display area; 450 is a pixel unit area; 451 is a first sub-pixel unit area; 452 is a second sub-pixel unit area; 610 is an array substrate; 620 is an active switch layer; 621 is a first active switch; 622 is a second active switch; 631 is a first data line; 632 is a second data line; 640 is a scan line; 641 is a first scan line; 642 is a second scan line; 700 is a pixel electrode layer; 710 is a pixel electrode; 711 is a first sub-pixel electrode; 712 is a second sub-pixel electrode. Detailed implementation manners

[0045] It should be understood that the terms, specific structures and functional details disclosed herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, which are representative, but the present application can be specifically implemented in many alternative forms and should not be construed as being limited only to the embodiments described herein.

[0046] In the description of the present application, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, unless otherwise specified, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features; the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more. The term "comprising" and any deformation thereof means non-exclusive inclusion, and there may be or add one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, units, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0047] In addition, the terms indicating the orientation or positional relationship such as "center", "lateral", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. are described based on the orientation or relative positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the purpose of facilitating the simplified description of the present application, rather than indicating that the indicated device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be construed as a limitation to the present application.

[0048] In addition, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "coupled" shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or a communication inside two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0049] The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and optional embodiments.

[0050] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a first flexible color electronic paper display panel according to an embodiment of the present application, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a second flexible color electronic paper display panel according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in combination with Figure 1 and Figure 2 the present application discloses a flexible color electronic paper display panel 10, the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 includes a color film substrate 100, an electrophoretic reflection layer 300, and an array substrate 400. The electrophoretic reflection layer 300 is disposed between the color film substrate 100 and the array substrate 400.

[0051] The color film substrate 100 includes a color film substrate 110 and a color filter layer 120. The color filter layer 120 is disposed on the color film substrate 110. The color filter layer 120 includes a plurality of color resistors 121. Each color resistor 121 corresponds to a pixel unit area 450 one by one, and the orthographic projection of the color resistor 121 coincides with the orthographic projection of the pixel electrode 710. Exemplarily, it includes a red color resistor 121, a green color resistor 121, and a blue color resistor 121.

[0052] The flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 further includes a common electrode 200 and a protective layer 210. The protective layer 210 is located on a side of the color filter layer 120 facing away from the color film substrate 110. The common electrode 200 is located between the color film substrate 100 and the electrophoretic reflection layer 300. The pixel electrode 710 on the array substrate 400 and the common electrode 200 drive the electrophoretic reflection layer 300 to absorb or reflect light.

[0053] The electrophoretic reflection layer 300 can be a microcapsule 310 type electrophoretic reflection layer 300 or a microcup type electrophoretic reflection layer 300.

[0054] See Figure 1, Exemplarily, when the electrophoretic reflective layer 300 is a microcapsule-type electrophoretic reflective layer 300, the electrophoretic reflective layer 300 includes a plurality of microcapsules 310. Each microcapsule 310 is filled with electrophoretic particles 311 and a colloidal suspension 312. The electrophoretic particles 311 include black electrophoretic particles 311 and white electrophoretic particles 311. The white electrophoretic particles 311 are negatively charged, the black electrophoretic particles 311 are positively charged, and the colloidal suspension 312 is electrically neutral. When a negative voltage is applied to the pixel electrode 710, under the action of the electric field force, the black electrophoretic particles 311 move downward and the white electrophoretic particles 311 move upward, so that a white state is displayed when observed from above. When a positive voltage is applied to the pixel electrode 710, under the action of the electric field force, the black electrophoretic particles 311 move upward and the white electrophoretic particles 311 move downward, so that a black state is displayed when observed from above. Of course, color electrophoretic particles 311, such as red electrophoretic particles 311, green electrophoretic particles 311, and blue electrophoretic particles 311, can also be filled in the microcapsules 310.

[0055] See Figure 2 , Exemplarily, when the electrophoretic reflective layer 300 is a microcup-type electrophoretic reflective layer 300, the electrophoretic reflective layer 300 includes a base layer 314. A plurality of microcups 315 are provided on the base layer 314. The microcups 315 correspond to the pixel unit regions 450 one by one. The microcups 315 are filled with electrophoretic particles 311 and a colloidal suspension 312, or the microcups 315 are filled with electrophoretic ink 313 and a colloidal suspension 312.

[0056] It should be noted that when the electrophoretic reflective layer 300 is a microcup-type electrophoretic reflective layer 300, a partition wall 316 is provided between the first sub-pixel unit region 451 and the second sub-pixel unit region 452. The partition wall 316 divides the microcup 315 into two independent sub-microcups 315 to prevent interference with the first sub-pixel unit region 451 when controlling the second sub-pixel unit region 452.

[0057] This application also discloses an array substrate 400, which can be used in the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 described above. For the array substrate 400, the following design is provided in this application and is specifically introduced through several embodiments:

[0058] Embodiment 1:

[0059] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an array substrate in an unbent state according to the first embodiment of this application, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an array substrate in a bent state according to the first embodiment of this application, as Figure 3 - Figure 4As shown in the figure, the present application discloses an array substrate 400 for use in a flexible color electronic paper display panel 10. The flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 includes an electrophoretic reflection layer 300. The array substrate 400 includes an array substrate 610, and an active switch layer 620 and a pixel electrode layer 700 sequentially disposed on the array substrate 610. The array substrate 400 further includes a plurality of pixel unit regions 450.

[0060] The pixel electrode layer 700 includes a plurality of pixel electrodes 710, and the pixel electrodes 710 correspond to the pixel unit regions 450 one by one. The pixel electrode 710 includes a first sub-pixel electrode 711 and a second sub-pixel electrode 712. The pixel unit region 450 includes a first sub-pixel unit region 451 and a second sub-pixel unit region 452. The first sub-pixel electrode 711 is located within the first sub-pixel unit region 451, and the second sub-pixel electrode 712 is located within the second sub-pixel unit region 452. The second sub-pixel electrode 712 is located on the periphery of the first sub-pixel electrode 711.

[0061] When the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 is in a bent state, the second sub-pixel electrode 712 can be used to control the absorption of light by the electrophoretic reflection layer 300 within the second sub-pixel unit region 452. When the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 is in an unbent state, the voltages of the first sub-pixel electrode 711 and the second sub-pixel electrode 712 are the same, and the electric fields within the first sub-pixel unit region 451 and the second sub-pixel unit region 452 are the same.

[0062] Simply put, when the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 is in a bent state, the second sub-pixel electrode 712 can be used to control the absorption of light by the electrophoretic reflection layer 300 within the second sub-pixel unit region 452, while when the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 is in an unbent state, the first sub-pixel electrode 711 and the second sub-pixel electrode 712 jointly participate in the display of the image.

[0063] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of an existing flexible color electronic paper display panel. Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the bent state of an existing flexible color electronic paper display panel, combined with Figure 5 - Figure 6As shown, taking the example where both sides of the flexible color e-paper display panel 10 are bent upward and the middle is bent downward, at this time, the color film substrate 100 will take the center as the base point, and generate stress to slide left and right on both the left and right sides relative to the array substrate 400, resulting in a deviation between the color resist 121 on the color film substrate 100 and the pixel electrode 710 on the array substrate 400 at positions away from the center line 410, causing the color resist 121 in one pixel unit area 450 to shift into another pixel unit area 450, thus resulting in problems of color deviation and color mixing.

[0064] Compared with the existing flexible color e-paper display panel solutions, in this application, the pixel electrode 710 is divided into a first sub-pixel electrode 711 and a second sub-pixel electrode 712, and the second sub-pixel electrode 712 is located on the periphery of the first sub-pixel electrode 711. In this way, when the flexible color e-paper display panel 10 is in a bent state, although the color resist 121 on the color film substrate 100 and the pixel electrode 710 on the array substrate 400 are offset, the offset color resist 121 will fall on the second sub-pixel electrode 712 in the adjacent pixel unit area 450. At this time, the second sub-pixel electrode 712 can be used to control the electrophoretic reflective layer 300 in the second sub-pixel unit area 452 to absorb light, which can avoid the problems of color deviation and color mixing of the flexible color e-paper display panel 10.

[0065] Moreover, when the flexible color e-paper display panel 10 is in an unbent state, the voltages of the first sub-pixel electrode 711 and the second sub-pixel electrode 712 are the same, and the electric fields in the first sub-pixel unit area 451 and the second sub-pixel unit area 452 are the same. Simply put, when the flexible color e-paper display panel 10 is not bent, the second sub-pixel electrode 712 and the first sub-pixel electrode 711 display together, which will not cause a problem of reduced brightness when the flexible color e-paper display panel 10 is not bent.

[0066] The width of the second sub-pixel electrode 712 is greater than or equal to the offset amount of the color resist 121 when the flexible color e-paper display panel 10 is in a bent state, and the area of the first sub-pixel electrode 711 is greater than the area of the second sub-pixel electrode 712, which can avoid the problem of too low brightness of the flexible color e-paper display panel 10 due to controlling the electrophoretic reflective layer 300 in the second sub-pixel unit area 452 to absorb light when the flexible color e-paper display panel 10 is in a bent state.

[0067] Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of an array substrate according to the first embodiment of this application, combined with Figure 7As shown, in each pixel unit region of this embodiment, the first sub-pixel electrode 711 and the second sub-pixel electrode 712 are both controlled by one scanning line 640. Specifically, the active switch layer 620 includes a first active switch 621, a second active switch 622, a first data line 631, a second data line 632, and a scanning line 640. The first active switch 621, the second active switch 622, the first data line 631, the second data line 632, and the scanning line 640 are all disposed on the array substrate 610. The first data line 631 and the scanning line 640 are arranged in a crisscross pattern and define the pixel unit region 450.

[0068] The first active switch 621 is connected to the first data line 631 and the first sub-pixel electrode 711, the second active switch 622 is connected to the second data line 632 and the second sub-pixel electrode 712, and the scanning line 640 controls the opening of both the first active switch 621 and the second active switch 622 simultaneously.

[0069] Among them, the first active switch 621 and the second active switch 622 can be single-gate type active switches or double-gate type active switches.

[0070] In this embodiment, by simultaneously opening the first active switch 621 and the second active switch 622 on the scanning line 640, whether the same voltage or different voltages are input to the first sub-pixel electrode 711 and the second sub-pixel electrode 712 can be carried out simultaneously, reducing the number of metal lines on the array substrate 400, reducing the design difficulty of the array substrate 400, and reducing the degree of mutual interference between different metal lines.

[0071] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the first array substrate of the first embodiment of the present application including a first region and a second region. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the pixel electrodes in the first region of the first array substrate of the first embodiment of the present application in a bent state. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the pixel electrodes in the second region of the first array substrate of the first embodiment of the present application in a bent state. As Figure 8 - Figure 10 shown, for the flexible color e-paper display panel 10 that is only bent upward on both sides and downward in the middle, the color resistors 121 in the pixel unit region 450 on the left side of the flexible color e-paper display panel 10 will shift to the left, and the color resistors 121 in the pixel unit region 450 on the right side of the flexible color e-paper display panel 10 will shift to the right. Therefore, the present application has carried out a targeted design for the flexible color e-paper display panel 10 of the type that is bent upward on both sides and downward in the middle of the flexible color e-paper display panel 10.

[0072] Specifically, the array substrate 400 includes a display area 430 and a non-display area 440. The non-display area 440 surrounds the display area 430, and the pixel unit area 450 is located within the display area 430. The display area 430 includes a first area 431 and a second area 433, and the first area 431 and the second area 433 are respectively located on both sides of the center line 410.

[0073] Within the pixel unit area 450 in the first area 431, the second sub-pixel electrode 712 is located on the side of the first sub-pixel electrode 711 closer to the second area 433. Within the pixel unit area 450 in the second area 433, the second sub-pixel electrode 712 is located on the side of the first sub-pixel electrode 711 closer to the first area 431.

[0074] Wherein, when the flexible color e-paper display panel 10 bends from both sides towards the middle, the middle position is defined as the center line 410.

[0075] While solving the color deviation and color mixing problems of the flexible color e-paper display panel 10, it is not necessary to provide the second sub-pixel electrodes 712 on both sides of the first sub-pixel electrode 711, nor is it necessary to design connection lines, which can simplify the structure of the array substrate 400.

[0076] Moreover, the display area 430 further includes an intermediate area 432, which is located between the first area 431 and the second area 433. Within the pixel unit area 450 in the intermediate area 432, since the color resistor 121 in the intermediate area 432 has a small offset, the second sub-pixel electrode 712 may not be provided in the intermediate area 432.

[0077] Of course, considering the display uniformity of the entire flexible color e-paper display panel 10, the second sub-pixel electrode 712 may also be provided in the intermediate area 432, and the second sub-pixel electrode 712 may be located on the left side of the first sub-pixel electrode 711, or on the right side of the first sub-pixel electrode 711. Of course, the second sub-pixel electrodes 712 may also be provided on both the left and right sides of the first sub-pixel electrode 711 at the same time.

[0078] Define the direction extending from the center line 410 towards the first area 431 as the first direction 421, and define the direction extending from the center line 410 towards the second area 433 as the second direction 422.

[0079] Since the deviation of the color resistor 121 is greater at positions farther from the center line 410, in the pixel unit region 450 of the first region 431 of the present application, along the first direction 421, the width of the second sub-pixel electrode 712 gradually increases, and in the pixel unit region 450 of the second region 433, along the second direction 422, the width of the second sub-pixel electrode 712 gradually increases.

[0080] This can avoid the problem of brightness loss in the pixel unit region 450 caused by using the maximum deviation of the color resistor 121 as the width of the second sub-pixel electrode 712 in the pixel unit region 450 near the center line 410, because the deviation of the color resistor 121 in the pixel unit region 450 near the center line 410 is smaller than that in the pixel unit region 450 far from the center line 410.

[0081] Moreover, it can also avoid the problem that the deviation of the color resistor 121 in the pixel unit region 450 far from the center line 410 is greater than that in the pixel unit region 450 near the center line 410. If the second sub-pixel electrode 712 with the same width as that in the pixel unit region 450 near the center line 410 is used, the region where the deviation of the color resistor 121 exceeds the second sub-pixel electrode 712 cannot solve the problem of color deviation or color mixing.

[0082] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of the pixel electrode in the first region of the second array substrate of the first embodiment of the present application. Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram of the pixel electrode in the second region of the second array substrate of the first embodiment of the present application. As Figure 11 - Figure 12 shown, if the flexible color e-paper display panel 10 is only bent downward on both sides and upward in the middle, the color resistor 121 in the pixel unit region 450 on the left side of the flexible color e-paper display panel 10 will shift to the right, and the color resistor 121 in the pixel unit region 450 on the right side of the flexible color e-paper display panel 10 will shift to the left. Therefore, the present application has made a targeted design for the flexible color e-paper display panel 10 of the type that is bent downward on both sides and upward in the middle of the flexible color e-paper display panel 10.

[0083] Specifically, the array substrate 400 includes a display region 430 and a non-display region 440. The non-display region 440 surrounds the display region 430, and the pixel unit region 450 is located in the display region 430. The display region 430 includes a first region 431 and a second region 433, and the first region 431 and the second region 433 are respectively located on both sides of the center line 410.

[0084] Within the pixel unit region 450 in the first region 431, the second sub-pixel electrode 712 is located on the side of the first sub-pixel electrode 711 away from the second region 433. Within the pixel unit region 450 in the second region 433, the second sub-pixel electrode 712 is located on the side of the first sub-pixel electrode 711 away from the first region 431.

[0085] While solving the color shift and color mixing problems of the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10, it is not necessary to provide the second sub-pixel electrodes 712 on both sides of the first sub-pixel electrode 711, nor is it necessary to design connection lines, which can simplify the structure of the array substrate 400.

[0086] Figure 13 It is a schematic diagram of the pixel electrode of the third array substrate of the first embodiment of the present application. As Figure 13 shown, the array substrate 400 includes a display region 430 and a non-display region 440. The non-display region 440 surrounds the display region 430, and the pixel unit region 450 is located within the display region 430. The display region 430 includes a first region 431 and a second region 433, and the first region 431 and the second region 433 are respectively located on both sides of the center line 410.

[0087] The number of the second sub-pixel electrodes 712 in each pixel unit region 450 includes two, and the two second sub-pixel electrodes 712 in each pixel unit region 450 are connected. Within the pixel unit region 450 in the first region 431, the two second sub-pixel electrodes 712 are respectively located on the sides of the first sub-pixel electrode 711 close to and away from the second region 433. Within the pixel unit region 450 in the second region 433, the two second sub-pixel electrodes 712 are respectively located on the sides of the first sub-pixel electrode 711 close to and away from the first region 431.

[0088] Simply put, whether it is within the pixel unit region 450 in the first region 431 or within the pixel unit region 450 in the second region 433, the number of the second sub-pixel electrodes 712 is two.

[0089] Exemplarily, within the pixel unit region 450 in the first region 431, one of the second sub-pixel electrodes 712 is located on the side of the first sub-pixel electrode 711 close to the second region 433, and the other second sub-pixel electrode 712 is located on the side of the first sub-pixel electrode 711 away from the second region 433. In this way, no matter whether the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 is bent forward or backward, the second sub-pixel electrode 712 can cover the offset color resistor 121, thereby avoiding the problems of color mixing and color shift.

[0090] Moreover, the two second sub-pixel electrodes 712 are directly connected, which can be achieved through vias and connection lines, so that there is no need to set up an additional active switch and data line.

[0091] Figure 14 It is a schematic diagram of a control method for a flexible color electronic paper display panel according to an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 14 shown, the present application also discloses a control method for a flexible color electronic paper display panel 10. The control method for the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 is used for the above-mentioned flexible color electronic paper display panel 10. The steps of the control method for the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 include:

[0092] S1: Detect whether the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state;

[0093] S2: When the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state, control the electrophoretic reflection layer in the second sub-pixel unit area to absorb light;

[0094] S3: When the flexible color electronic paper display panel is not in a bent state, control the electric fields in the first sub-pixel unit and the second sub-pixel unit areas to be the same.

[0095] Among them, detecting whether the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 is in a bent state can be achieved by setting touch electrodes in the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10. In this way, when the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 is bent, it will cause a change in the dielectric constant of the medium, and then cause a change in the capacitance value. The touch sensing capacitance value of the touch electrode will change. Therefore, it is possible to detect and judge whether the panel is bent by detecting the change in the touch sensing capacitance value.

[0096] And specifically, the first self-capacitance sensing method can be adopted: in self-capacitance sensing, each touch electrode works independently, and the capacitance between the touch electrode and the power ground is measured to judge the bent state. When the touch screen is bent, the capacitance value between the touch electrode in the bent area and the power ground will change. By detecting this change in capacitance value, the degree of bending and the position of bending can be judged.

[0097] The second mutual-capacitance sensing method: mutual-capacitance sensing uses a combination of a transmitting electrode and a receiving electrode to work. When the touch screen is bent, the mutual capacitance between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode in the bent area will change. By measuring the amount of charge received on the receiving electrode (which is proportional to the mutual capacitance), the bent state can be judged.

[0098] By dividing the pixel electrode 710 into a first sub-pixel electrode 711 and a second sub-pixel electrode 712, and the second sub-pixel electrode 712 is located on the periphery of the first sub-pixel electrode 711. In this way, when the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 is in a bent state, although the color resist 121 on the color film substrate 100 is offset from the pixel electrode 710 on the array substrate 400, the offset color resist 121 will fall on the second sub-pixel electrode 712 in the adjacent pixel unit area 450. At this time, the second sub-pixel electrode 712 is used to control the electrophoretic reflection layer 300 in the second sub-pixel unit area 452 to absorb light, which can avoid the problems of color deviation and color mixing of the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10.

[0099] Moreover, when the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 is in an unbent state, the voltages of the first sub-pixel electrode 711 and the second sub-pixel electrode 712 are the same, and the electric fields in the first sub-pixel unit area 451 and the second sub-pixel unit area 452 are the same. Simply put, when the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 is not bent, the second sub-pixel electrode 712 is displayed, which will not cause the problem of brightness reduction when the color electronic paper display panel is not bent.

[0100] Among them, S2: When the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state, the step of controlling the electrophoretic reflection layer in the second sub-pixel unit area to absorb light further includes:

[0101] S21: When the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state, a positive charge is input to the second sub-pixel electrode to control the electrophoretic reflection layer in the second sub-pixel unit area to absorb light.

[0102] By inputting a positive charge to the second sub-pixel electrode 712, the black electrophoretic particles 311 of the electrophoretic reflection layer 300 in the first sub-pixel unit area 451 will move upward, achieving the purpose of absorbing light by the electrophoretic reflection layer 300 in the second sub-pixel unit area 452.

[0103] Since the scan line 640 in this embodiment controls the first active switch 621 and the second active switch 622 at the same time, when a positive charge is input to the second sub-pixel electrode 712, the first active switch 621 will also be turned on. Therefore, when a positive charge is input to the second sub-pixel electrode 712, a display voltage needs to be re-input to the first sub-pixel electrode 711 as follows:

[0104] S21: When the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state, the step of inputting a positive charge to the second sub-pixel electrode to control the electrophoretic reflection layer in the second sub-pixel unit area to absorb light further includes:

[0105] S211: When the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state, a positive voltage is applied to the second sub-pixel electrode, and at the same time, a display voltage is applied to the first sub-pixel electrode to control the electrophoretic reflective layer in the second sub-pixel unit area to absorb light.

[0106] In this way, when a positive voltage is applied to the second sub-pixel electrode 712, it will not cause leakage of the first sub-pixel electrode 711, thus avoiding problems that affect the screen display.

[0107] When the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 is in a bent state, since the second sub-pixel electrode 712 controls the electrophoretic reflective layer 300 in the second pixel unit area 450 to absorb light, it will cause the screen brightness of the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 to decrease. Therefore, in this application, while applying a positive voltage to the second sub-pixel electrode 712, a display voltage greater than or less than the initial display voltage is applied to the first sub-pixel electrode 711, as follows.

[0108] When the initial display voltage of the first sub-pixel electrode 711 is a positive voltage, the display voltage is less than the initial display voltage; when the initial display voltage of the first sub-pixel electrode 711 is a negative voltage, the display voltage is greater than the initial display voltage.

[0109] Exemplarily, when the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 is not in a bent state, the voltages of the first sub-pixel electrode 711 and the second sub-display electrode in the current pixel unit area 450 are both the initial display voltage, for example, +10V.

[0110] When the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 is in a bent state, a voltage of +15V is applied to the voltage input of the second sub-display electrode in the current pixel unit area 450, so that the electrophoretic reflective layer 300 in the second sub-pixel unit area 452 absorbs light and is displayed as black. A display voltage, for example, a voltage of +8, is applied to the first sub-pixel electrode 711 to increase the brightness of the first sub-pixel unit area 451, thereby balancing the problem of the decrease in the brightness and contrast of the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 caused by the blackening of the second sub-pixel unit area 452.

[0111] Exemplarily, when the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 is not in a bent state, the voltages of the first sub-pixel electrode 711 and the second sub-display electrode in the current pixel unit area 450 are both the initial display voltage, for example, -10V.

[0112] When the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 is in a bent state, a voltage of +15V is input to the second sub-display electrode in the current pixel unit area 450, so that the electrophoretic reflection layer 300 in the second sub-pixel unit area 452 absorbs light and is displayed as black. A display voltage, such as -15V, is input to the first sub-pixel electrode 711 to increase the brightness of the first sub-pixel unit area 451, thereby balancing the problem of the decrease in the brightness and contrast of the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 caused by the blackening of the second sub-pixel unit area 452.

[0113] Moreover, since the offset of the color resistor 121 is greater at positions farther from the center line 410, in the pixel unit area 450 in the first area 431 of the present application, along the first direction 421, the width of the second sub-pixel electrode 712 gradually increases, and in the pixel unit area 450 in the second area 433, along the second direction 422, the width of the second sub-pixel electrode 712 gradually increases.

[0114] Therefore, when compensating the first sub-pixel electrode 711, when the initial display voltage of the first sub-pixel electrode 711 is a positive voltage, the display voltage is less than the initial display voltage, and along the first direction 421, the difference between the display voltage and the initial display voltage gradually increases.

[0115] When the initial display voltage of the first sub-pixel electrode 711 is a negative voltage, the display voltage is greater than the initial display voltage, and along the first direction 421, the difference between the display voltage and the initial display voltage gradually increases.

[0116] Thereby avoiding the problem that the first sub-pixel electrodes 711 in the pixel unit areas 450 at any position all adopt the same compensation voltage difference, resulting in the problem that the brightness of the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 becomes darker and darker near both sides, and improving the uniformity of the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10.

[0117] Embodiment 2:

[0118] Figure 15 It is a schematic diagram of an array substrate according to the second embodiment of the present application. As shown in combination with Figure 15 shown, different from the first embodiment, in this embodiment, two scanning lines 640 are provided, namely the first scanning line 641 and the second scanning line 642. The first scanning line 641 controls the opening of the first active switch 621, and the second scanning line 642 controls the opening of the second active switch 622, specifically as follows:

[0119] The active switch layer 620 includes a first active switch 621, a second active switch 622, a first data line 631, a second data line 632, a first scan line 641, and a second scan line 642. The first active switch 621, the second active switch 622, the first data line 631, the second data line 632, the first scan line 641, and the second scan line 642 are all disposed on the array substrate 610. The first data line 631 and the first scan line 641 are arranged vertically and horizontally and define the pixel unit region 450.

[0120] The first active switch 621 is connected to the first data line 631 and the first sub-pixel electrode 711. The second active switch 622 is connected to the second data line 632 and the second sub-pixel electrode 712. The first scan line 641 controls the opening of the first active switch 621, and the second scan line 642 controls the opening of the second active switch 622.

[0121] Compared with the solution of the first embodiment, in this embodiment, by providing two scan lines 640, the second sub-pixel electrode 712 can be independently controlled. When the flexible color electronic paper display panel 10 is in a bent state, a positive charge can be independently input to the second sub-pixel electrode 712, and a display voltage does not need to be input to the first sub-pixel electrode 711, so that while controlling the electrophoretic reflection layer 300 in the second sub-pixel unit region 452 to absorb light, the display of the picture will not be caused.

[0122] It should be noted that the limitations of the steps involved in this solution do not, on the premise of not affecting the implementation of the specific solution, determine the order of execution of the steps. The steps written in the front can be executed first, or can be executed later, or even can be executed simultaneously. As long as this solution can be implemented, it should be regarded as falling within the protection scope of this application.

[0123] It should be noted that the inventive concept of this application can form a very large number of embodiments, but the space of the application documents is limited and cannot list them all. Therefore, on the premise of not conflicting, the above-described embodiments or technical features can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments. After the combination of each embodiment or technical feature, the original technical effect will be enhanced.

[0124] The above content is a further detailed description of this application in combination with specific optional implementation manners. It cannot be determined that the specific implementation of this application is only limited to these descriptions. For those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this application belongs, without departing from the concept of this application, several simple deductions or substitutions can be made, and all should be regarded as falling within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A flexible color electronic paper display panel, characterized in that, The flexible color electronic paper display panel includes a color film substrate, an electrophoretic reflection layer, and an array substrate, and the electrophoretic reflection layer is disposed between the color film substrate and the array substrate; The array substrate includes an array substrate, an active switch layer and a pixel electrode layer sequentially disposed on the array substrate, and the array substrate further includes a plurality of pixel unit regions; The pixel electrode layer includes a plurality of pixel electrodes, and the pixel electrodes and the pixel unit regions are in one-to-one correspondence. The pixel electrode includes a first sub-pixel electrode and a second sub-pixel electrode. The pixel unit region includes a first sub-pixel unit region and a second sub-pixel unit region. The first sub-pixel electrode is located in the first sub-pixel unit region, the second sub-pixel electrode is located in the second sub-pixel unit region, and the second sub-pixel electrode is located outside the first sub-pixel electrode; When the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state, the second sub-pixel electrode can be used to control the electrophoretic reflection layer in the second sub-pixel unit region to absorb light; when the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in an unbent state, the voltages of the first sub-pixel electrode and the second sub-pixel electrode are the same, and the electric fields in the first sub-pixel unit region and the second sub-pixel unit region are the same.

2. The flexible color electronic paper display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The array substrate includes a display area and a non-display area, the non-display area surrounds the display area, and the pixel unit region is located in the display area; the display area includes a first area and a second area, and the first area and the second area are respectively located on both sides of the center line; In the pixel unit region in the first area, the second sub-pixel electrode is located on the side of the first sub-pixel electrode close to the second area, and in the pixel unit region in the second area, the second sub-pixel electrode is located on the side of the first sub-pixel electrode close to the first area; The flexible color electronic paper display panel is used to bend along the direction from the array substrate to the color film substrate on both sides of the center line.

3. The flexible color electronic paper display panel according to claim 1, wherein The array substrate includes a display area and a non-display area, the non-display area surrounds the display area, and the pixel unit region is located in the display area; the display area includes a first area and a second area, and the first area and the second area are respectively located on both sides of the center line; In the pixel unit region in the first area, the second sub-pixel electrode is located on the side of the first sub-pixel electrode away from the second area, and in the pixel unit region in the second area, the second sub-pixel electrode is located on the side of the first sub-pixel electrode away from the first area; The flexible color electronic paper display panel is used to bend along the direction from the color film substrate to the array substrate on both sides of the center line.

4. The flexible color electronic paper display panel according to claim 1, wherein The array substrate includes a display area and a non-display area, the non-display area surrounds the display area, and the pixel unit region is located in the display area; the display area includes a first area and a second area, and the first area and the second area are respectively located on both sides of the center line; The number of second sub-pixel electrodes in each pixel unit area includes two, and the two second sub-pixel electrodes in each pixel unit area are connected. In the pixel unit area in the first region, the two second sub-pixel electrodes are respectively located on two sides of the first sub-pixel electrode, one side close to the second region and the other side far from the second region. In the pixel unit area in the second region, the two second sub-pixel electrodes are respectively located on two sides of the first sub-pixel electrode, one side close to the first region and the other side far from the first region.

5. The flexible color electronic paper display panel according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, Define the direction extending towards the first region along the center line as the first direction, and define the direction extending towards the second region along the center line as the second direction; In the pixel unit area in the first region, along the first direction, the width of the second sub-pixel electrode gradually increases. In the pixel unit area in the second region, along the second direction, the width of the second sub-pixel electrode gradually increases.

6. The flexible color electronic paper display panel according to claim 1, wherein The active switch layer includes a first active switch, a second active switch, a first data line, a second data line, and a scanning line. The first active switch, the second active switch, the first data line, the second data line, and the scanning line are all disposed on the array substrate. The first data line and the scanning line are arranged in a criss-cross pattern and define the pixel unit area; The first active switch connects the first data line and the first sub-pixel electrode, the second active switch connects the second data line and the second sub-pixel electrode, and the scanning line simultaneously controls the opening of the first active switch and the second active switch.

7. The flexible color electronic paper display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The active switch layer includes a first active switch, a second active switch, a first data line, a second data line, a first scanning line, and a second scanning line. The first active switch, the second active switch, the first data line, the second data line, the first scanning line, and the second scanning line are all disposed on the array substrate. The first data line and the first scanning line are arranged in a criss-cross pattern and define the pixel unit area; The first active switch connects the first data line and the first sub-pixel electrode, the second active switch connects the second data line and the second sub-pixel electrode, the first scanning line controls the opening of the first active switch, and the second scanning line controls the opening of the second active switch.

8. A control method for a flexible color electronic paper display panel, characterized in that, The control method of the flexible color electronic paper display panel is used in the flexible color electronic paper display panel according to any one of the above claims 1-7. The steps of the control method of the flexible color electronic paper display panel include: Detect whether the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state; When the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state, control the electrophoretic reflection layer in the second sub-pixel unit area to absorb light; When the flexible color electronic paper display panel is not in a bent state, control the electric fields in the first sub-pixel unit and the second sub-pixel unit area to be the same.

9. The control method of the flexible color electronic paper display panel according to claim 8, characterized in that The step of controlling the electrophoretic reflection layer in the second sub-pixel unit area to absorb light when the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state further includes: When the flexible color electronic paper display panel is in a bent state, a positive charge is input to the second sub-pixel electrode to control the electrophoretic reflective layer in the second sub-pixel unit area to absorb light.

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