Reflective display panel

Abstract

The invention provides a reflective display panel. The reflective display panel comprises a pixel array substrate, a color film substrate and a liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer is arranged between the pixel array substrate and the color film substrate. The pixel array substrate comprises a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode and a third pixel electrode. The second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are adjacent to at least one side edge of the first pixel electrode. In one frame period, the voltage polarity of one of the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode is opposite to the respective voltage polarity of the other two of the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode. Three of a plurality of filtering patterns of the color film substrate, which are respectively overlapped on the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode, have different filtering colors.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display panel, and in particular to a reflective display panel. Background Art

[0002] To improve display quality, current reflective display panels are mostly driven by a dot inversion electrical architecture. However, this type of design has difficulty significantly improving the reflectivity and display contrast of reflective display panels. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention is directed to a reflective display panel having better reflectivity and display contrast.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a reflective display panel includes a pixel array substrate, a color filter substrate, and a liquid crystal layer. The pixel array substrate is provided with a plurality of display units. The display units include a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode, and a third pixel electrode. The second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are disposed adjacent to at least one side of the first pixel electrode. Within a frame period of the reflective display panel, the voltage polarity of one of the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode is opposite to the voltage polarity of each of the other two of the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode. The color filter substrate is provided with a plurality of filter patterns. Three of these filter patterns, respectively overlapping the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode of each display unit, have different filter colors. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the pixel array substrate and the color filter substrate.

[0005] In a reflective display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are respectively adjacent to the first side and the second side of the first pixel electrode. The first side is connected to the second side. The pixel array substrate is further provided with a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines. The plurality of data lines are arranged along a first direction and extend in a second direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. The plurality of scan lines are arranged along the second direction and extend in the first direction. The extension direction of the first side is parallel to the first direction, and the extension direction of the second side is parallel to the second direction. Within the same frame period of the reflective display panel, the voltage polarity of the first pixel electrode is the same as the voltage polarity of one of the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode, and is opposite to the voltage polarity of the other of the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode.

[0006] In the reflective display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are aligned along the second direction, and the first pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are aligned along the first direction.

[0007] In the reflective display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention, the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are aligned along the first direction, are offset from the first pixel electrode along the second direction, and are both adjacent to one side of the first pixel electrode.

[0008] In the reflective display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention, the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are aligned along the second direction, offset from the first pixel electrode along the first direction, and are both adjacent to one side of the first pixel electrode.

[0009] In a reflective display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are respectively adjacent to the first side and the second side of the first pixel electrode. The first side is connected to the second side. The pixel array substrate is further provided with a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines. The plurality of data lines are arranged along a first direction and extend in a second direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. The plurality of scan lines are arranged along the second direction and extend in the first direction. The extension direction of the first side intersects with the first direction, and the extension direction of the second side intersects with the second direction. Within the same frame period of the reflective display panel, the voltage polarity of the first pixel electrode is the same as the voltage polarity of one of the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode, and is opposite to the voltage polarity of the other of the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode.

[0010] In the reflective display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention, each of the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode has a reflective surface, and the outline of the reflective surface is a triangle or a diamond.

[0011] In the reflective display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are aligned along the extension direction of the first side, and the first pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are aligned along the extension direction of the second side.

[0012] In a reflective display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are aligned along an extension direction of the second side edge. The third pixel electrode is staggered between the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode along the extension direction of the first side edge and is also disposed adjacent to a third side edge of the second pixel electrode.

[0013] In the reflective display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention, the area of the reflective surface of one of the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode is different from the area of the reflective surface of the other one of the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode.

[0014] In a reflective display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are respectively adjacent to a first side edge and a second side edge of the first pixel electrode. The first side edge faces away from the second side edge. The pixel array substrate is further provided with a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines. The plurality of data lines are arranged along a first direction and extend in a second direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. The plurality of scan lines are arranged along the second direction and extend in the first direction. The extension direction of each of the first side edge and the second side edge is parallel to the first direction or the second direction. Within a same frame period of the reflective display panel, the voltage polarity of the first pixel electrode is the same as the voltage polarity of one of the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode, and is opposite to the voltage polarity of the other of the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode.

[0015] In the reflective display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention, the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are aligned along a direction perpendicular to the first side and the second side, and are offset from the first pixel electrode.

[0016] In the reflective display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are aligned along a direction perpendicular to the first side and the second side.

[0017] In the reflective display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention, each of the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode has a plurality of sub-electrodes that are electrically independent of each other.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a reflective display panel includes a pixel array substrate, a color filter substrate, and a liquid crystal layer. The pixel array substrate is provided with a plurality of display units. The display units include a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode, and a third pixel electrode, each having a plurality of electrically independent sub-electrodes. The second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are disposed adjacent to at least one side of the first pixel electrode. The color filter substrate is provided with a plurality of filter patterns. Three of these filter patterns, respectively overlapping the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode of each display unit, have different filter colors. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the pixel array substrate and the color filter substrate.

[0019] In a reflective display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the pixel array substrate further includes a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines. The plurality of data lines are arranged along a first direction and extend in a second direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. The plurality of scan lines are arranged along the second direction and extend in the first direction. The plurality of display units include a first display unit and a second display unit arranged adjacent to each other along the second direction. The first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode of each display unit are aligned along the first direction. In the second direction, the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode of the first display unit are aligned with the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode of the second display unit, respectively. The third pixel electrode of the first display unit is offset from the third pixel electrode of the second display unit.

[0020] In a reflective display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the pixel array substrate further includes a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines. The plurality of data lines are arranged along a first direction and extend in a second direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. The plurality of scan lines are arranged along the second direction and extend in the first direction. The plurality of display units include a first display unit and a second display unit arranged adjacent to each other along the first direction. The first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode of each display unit are aligned along the first direction. In the second direction, the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode of the first display unit are aligned. The first pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode of the second display unit are aligned.

[0021] In the reflective display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention, the area of the reflective surface of one of the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode is different from the area of the reflective surface of the other one of the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode.

[0022] Based on the above, in a reflective display panel according to one embodiment of the present invention, two pixel electrodes are provided adjacent to at least one side of a pixel electrode of each display unit. Within the same frame period, the voltage polarity of one of the three pixel electrodes is opposite to the voltage polarity of the other two. In this way, the distribution density of two adjacent pixel electrodes with opposite voltage polarities can be reduced, thereby reducing the poorly aligned areas of the liquid crystal layer caused by the different voltage polarities between the two adjacent pixel electrodes, thereby reducing the dark-state light leakage of the reflective display panel. Therefore, the display contrast and reflectivity of the reflective display panel can be significantly improved. In a reflective display panel according to another embodiment of the present invention, each pixel electrode in the display unit is composed of a plurality of sub-electrodes that are electrically independent of each other, thereby increasing the number of display color levels of the reflective display panel and helping to improve its display contrast. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1is a schematic cross-sectional view of a reflective display panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic front view of a reflective display panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 is a front view schematic diagram of a reflective display panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic front view of a reflective display panel according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 is a schematic front view of a reflective display panel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 is a schematic front view of a reflective display panel according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 7 is a front view schematic diagram of a reflective display panel according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 8 is a schematic front view of a reflective display panel according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 9 is a schematic front view of a reflective display panel according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A front view schematic diagram of another modified embodiment of a reflective display panel;

[0033] Figure 11 is a schematic front view of a reflective display panel according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 12 is a schematic front view of a reflective display panel according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 13 is a schematic front view of a reflective display panel according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Description of Reference Numerals

[0037] 10, 11, 12, 13, 13A, 13B, 14, 15, 15A, 16, 16A, 16B: reflective display panels;

[0038] 100: pixel array substrate;

[0039] 101: first substrate;

[0040] 110: gate insulating layer;

[0041] 120, 130: insulation layer;

[0042] 200: Color film substrate;

[0043] 201: second substrate;

[0044] 210: coating layer;

[0045] CE: common electrode;

[0046] CEL: common electrode layer;

[0047] CP: conductive pattern;

[0048] CPE: capacitive electrode;

[0049] D1, D2, D3: direction;

[0050] DE: drain;

[0051] DL: data line;

[0052] DU, DU-A, DU-B, DU-C, DU-D, DU-E, DU-F, DU-G, DU-G”, DU1, DU2: display unit;

[0053] FP: filter pattern;

[0054] GE: gate;

[0055] LCL: liquid crystal layer;

[0056] OP: Opening

[0057] PE, PE1, PE2, PE3, PE4, PE1-A, PE2-A, PE3-A, PE4-A, PE3-A”, PE1-B, PE2-B, PE3-B, PE4-B, PE1-C, PE2-C, PE3-C, PE4-C, PE1-D, PE2-D, PE3-D, PE4-D, PE3-D”, PE4-D”: pixel electrodes;

[0058] PEa, PEb, PEc: sub-electrodes;

[0059] PX: pixel structure;

[0060] RS: reflective surface;

[0061] s1: first side;

[0062] s2: second side;

[0063] s3: third side;

[0064] SC: semiconductor pattern;

[0065] SE: source;

[0066] SL: scan line;

[0067] T: active element;

[0068] TH: contact hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

[0070] The foregoing and other technical aspects, features, and benefits of the present invention will be more clearly understood in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. Directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, and back, used in the following embodiments, are merely references to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0071] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a reflective display panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a front view schematic diagram of a reflective display panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The reflective display panel 10 includes a pixel array substrate 100, a color filter substrate 200, and a liquid crystal layer (LCL). The pixel array substrate 100 and the color filter substrate 200 are arranged to overlap, for example, along direction D3. The liquid crystal layer (LCL) is disposed between the pixel array substrate 100 and the color filter substrate 200. It should be noted that unless otherwise specified below, the overlapping relationship between the two components is defined along direction D3, and the overlapping direction will not be further described. In various embodiments, the reflective display panel 10 can be a fully reflective or transflective display panel.

[0072] The pixel array substrate 100 is provided with a plurality of display units DU, a plurality of scan lines SL, and a plurality of data lines DL. In this embodiment, the display units DU may be arranged in multiple rows and columns along directions D1 and D2, respectively, and each display unit DU includes four pixel structures PX. Direction D1 may optionally be perpendicular to direction D2, but is not limited thereto. The multiple data lines DL may be arranged along direction D1 and extend in direction D2, while the multiple scan lines SL may be arranged along direction D2 and extend in direction D1. Each pixel structure PX may be electrically connected to one scan line SL and one data line DL, but is not limited thereto.

[0073] The pixel structure PX may include an active device T and a pixel electrode PE electrically connected to each other. In this embodiment, the method for forming the active device T may include the following steps: forming a gate electrode GE, a gate insulating layer 110, a semiconductor pattern SC, a source electrode SE, and a drain electrode DE in sequence on a first substrate 101. The semiconductor pattern SC is arranged to overlap the gate electrode GE. The source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE overlap the semiconductor pattern SC and are in electrical contact with two different regions of the semiconductor pattern SC. In this embodiment, the gate electrode GE of the active device T may optionally be arranged below the semiconductor pattern SC to form a bottom-gate thin film transistor (TFT), but is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the gate of the active device may also be optionally arranged above the semiconductor pattern to form a top-gate thin film transistor (TFT).

[0074] Furthermore, the active device T may be sequentially covered with an insulating layer 120 and an insulating layer 130. In this embodiment, the insulating layer 120 is, for example, a passivation layer, and the insulating layer 130 is, for example, a planarization layer. It should be noted that the gate GE, the source SE, the drain DE, the semiconductor pattern SC, the gate insulating layer 110, the passivation layer (i.e., the insulating layer 120), and the planarization layer (i.e., the insulating layer 130) may be implemented by any gate, any source, any drain, any semiconductor pattern, any gate insulating layer, any passivation layer, and any planarization layer used in a reflective display panel, as known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the gate GE, the source SE, the drain DE, the semiconductor pattern SC, the gate insulating layer 110, the passivation layer, and the planarization layer may be formed by any method known to those skilled in the art, and therefore will not be described in detail herein. In this embodiment, the pixel electrode PE is, for example, a reflective electrode, and the material of the reflective electrode includes metal, alloy, metal nitride, metal oxide, metal oxynitride, or other suitable materials, or a stacked layer of metal and other conductive materials.

[0075] In this embodiment, the pixel structure PX may further include a common electrode CE, a capacitor electrode CPE, and a conductive pattern CP that overlap with each other. The common electrode CE is disposed between the first substrate 101 and the gate insulating layer 110. The capacitor electrode CPE is disposed between the gate insulating layer 110 and the insulating layer 120. The conductive pattern CP is disposed between the insulating layer 120 and the insulating layer 130. The insulating layer 130 has an opening OP, and the opening OP exposes a portion of the surface of the conductive pattern CP. The pixel electrode PE of the pixel structure PX is disposed on the surface of the insulating layer 130 and is electrically connected to the conductive pattern CP through the opening OP of the insulating layer 130. The conductive pattern CP is electrically connected to the capacitor electrode CPE through the contact hole TH of the insulating layer 120, and the capacitor electrode CPE may extend from the drain DE of the active element T, but is not limited thereto.

[0076] On the other hand, the color filter substrate 200 includes a second substrate 201 and a plurality of filter patterns FP disposed on the second substrate 201. These filter patterns FP may overlap the plurality of pixel electrodes PE of the plurality of pixel structures PX and have at least three filter colors. For example, in this embodiment, each of the filter patterns FP is adapted to pass red light, green light, blue light, or white light, but this is not limiting.

[0077] In this embodiment, a common electrode layer CEL and a cladding layer 210 may also be provided on the second substrate 201. The cladding layer 210 covers the plurality of filter patterns FP, and the common electrode layer CEL is disposed on the cladding layer 210. The electric field generated between the common electrode layer CEL and the pixel electrode PE is suitable for driving the plurality of liquid crystal molecules (not shown) in the liquid crystal layer LCL to rotate and form an arrangement corresponding to the direction and intensity of the electric field. By changing the arrangement of these liquid crystal molecules, the polarization state of light passing through the liquid crystal layer LCL is changed, resulting in a light output brightness corresponding to the arrangement state.

[0078] For example, in this embodiment, the four pixel structures PX of each display unit DU include pixel electrodes PE1, PE2, PE3, and PE4, respectively. These four pixel electrodes PE1-PE4 overlap four filter patterns FP having different filter colors (e.g., red, green, blue, and white). By individually adjusting the driving voltages of these four pixel electrodes PE1-PE4, the displayed color after light is reflected by the reflective display panel 10 can be changed. More specifically, each display unit DU constitutes a display pixel of the reflective display panel 10.

[0079] It is particularly noted that in each frame period of the reflective display panel 10, at least one side of any pixel electrode PE in each display unit DU is adjacent to two pixel electrodes PE, and the voltage polarity of one of the three pixel electrodes PE is opposite to the voltage polarities of the other two.

[0080] For example, in the display unit DU of the present embodiment, the pixel electrode PE2 and the pixel electrode PE3 are respectively adjacent to the first side s1 and the second side s2 of the pixel electrode PE1. The extension direction of the first side s1 is, for example, parallel to the direction D1. The extension direction of the second side s2 is, for example, parallel to the direction D2. The first side s1 is connected to the second side s2. During a frame period, the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE1 is the same as the voltage polarity of one of the pixel electrode PE2 and the pixel electrode PE3 (for example, the pixel electrode PE2), and is opposite to the voltage polarity of the other (for example, the pixel electrode PE3). Similarly, the pixel electrode PE1 and the pixel electrode PE4 are respectively adjacent to the two sides of the pixel electrode PE2, and during the frame period, the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE2 is the same as the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE1, and is opposite to the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE4. Similarly, the configuration relationship between the voltage polarities of the pixel electrode PE3 and the pixel electrode PE4 and their two adjacent pixel electrodes will not be further described.

[0081] From another perspective, in this embodiment, any two adjacent pixel electrodes PE of each display unit DU may be aligned along direction D1 or direction D2. For example, pixel electrode PE1 and pixel electrode PE2 may be aligned along direction D2, and pixel electrode PE3 and pixel electrode PE4 may be aligned along direction D2. Alternatively, pixel electrode PE1 and pixel electrode PE3 may be aligned along direction D1, and pixel electrode PE2 and pixel electrode PE4 may be aligned along direction D1, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0082] The electrical configuration and distribution of the four pixel electrodes described above can increase the distribution density of two adjacent pixel electrodes PE with the same voltage polarity, thereby reducing the area of poor alignment in the liquid crystal layer LCL caused by the different voltage polarities of the two adjacent pixel electrodes PE, thereby reducing dark-state light leakage in the reflective display panel 10. In other words, the display contrast and reflectivity of the reflective display panel 10 can be improved.

[0083] Some other embodiments will be listed below to illustrate the present disclosure in detail, wherein the same components will be marked with the same symbols, and the description of the same technical content will be omitted. For the omitted parts, please refer to the aforementioned embodiments and will not be repeated below.

[0084] It should be noted that the reflective display panels of the following embodiments have similar film structures except for the pixel electrodes. Figure 1 Therefore, for the illustration and related description of the film structure other than the pixel electrode, reference may be made to the relevant paragraphs of the aforementioned embodiment.

[0085] Figure 3 is a front view schematic diagram of a reflective display panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 The reflective display panel 11 of this embodiment is Figure 2 The difference between the reflective display panel 10 and the reflective display panel 10 is that the number and relative position relationship of the pixel electrodes of the display unit are different. Figure 2 In the reflective display panel 10 of this embodiment, the display unit DU-A includes only three pixel electrodes, namely the pixel electrode PE1, the pixel electrode PE2 and the pixel electrode PE3.

[0086] It is particularly noted that in this embodiment, the pixel electrode PE2 and the pixel electrode PE3 of each display unit DU-A can be aligned along the direction D1, but are offset from the pixel electrode PE1 along the direction D2. From another perspective, the pixel electrode PE2 and the pixel electrode PE3 are both adjacent to one side of the pixel electrode PE1 (for example Figure 3 Since the overlapping relationship between the plurality of filter patterns (not shown) and the plurality of pixel electrodes of the reflective display panel 11 of this embodiment is similar to that of the first side s1 parallel to the direction D1, and adjacent to each other. Figure 1 and Figure 2 For the reflective display panel 10, please refer to the relevant paragraphs of the aforementioned embodiment for detailed description, which will not be repeated here.

[0087] Specifically, during each frame period of the reflective display panel 11, the voltage polarity of one of the three pixel electrodes of each display unit DU-A is opposite to the voltage polarity of at least one other pixel electrode. For example, during one frame period, the voltage polarity of pixel electrode PE1 is the same as the voltage polarity of pixel electrode PE2 and opposite to the voltage polarity of pixel electrode PE3.

[0088] By utilizing the electrical configuration and distribution of the three pixel electrodes, the area of poor alignment in the liquid crystal layer caused by the different voltage polarities of two adjacent pixel electrodes can be reduced, thereby reducing dark-state light leakage in the reflective display panel 11. In other words, the display contrast and reflectivity of the reflective display panel 11 can be improved.

[0089] Figure 4 FIG is a front view of a reflective display panel according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 The reflective display panel 12 of this embodiment is Figure 2The difference between the reflective display panel 10 and the reflective display panel 10 is that the relative position relationship of the plurality of pixel electrodes in the display unit is different.

[0090] In this embodiment, the pixel electrode PE2 and the pixel electrode PE3 are aligned along the direction D2 and are both adjacent to a side edge of the pixel electrode PE1 (e.g., the second side edge s2). Of particular note, the pixel electrode PE2 and the pixel electrode PE3 are offset relative to the pixel electrode PE1 along a direction perpendicular to the second side edge s2 (e.g., the direction D1). The pixel electrode PE2 and the pixel electrode PE3 are also adjacent to the pixel electrode PE4 on the side facing away from the pixel electrode PE1, and the pixel electrode PE4 and the pixel electrode PE1 may be aligned along the direction D2. That is, the pixel electrode PE2 and the pixel electrode PE3 are offset relative to the pixel electrode PE4 along the direction D1.

[0091] Since the overlapping relationship between the plurality of filter patterns (not shown) and the plurality of pixel electrodes of the reflective display panel 12 of this embodiment is similar to Figure 1 and Figure 2 For the reflective display panel 10, please refer to the relevant paragraphs of the aforementioned embodiment for detailed description, which will not be repeated here.

[0092] Specifically, within each frame period of the reflective display panel 12, the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE1 of each display unit DU-B is the same as the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE2 and opposite to the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE3. Similarly, the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE4 is the same as the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE3 and opposite to the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE2. From another perspective, the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE2 is the same as the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE1 and opposite to the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE4. The voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE3 is the same as the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE4 and opposite to the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE1.

[0093] The electrical configuration and distribution of the four pixel electrodes described above effectively reduces the area of poor alignment in the liquid crystal layer caused by the different voltage polarities of two adjacent pixel electrodes, thereby reducing dark-state light leakage in the reflective display panel 12. In other words, the display contrast and reflectivity of the reflective display panel 12 can be improved.

[0094] Figure 5 is a front view schematic diagram of a reflective display panel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 The reflective display panel 13 of this embodiment is Figure 2The difference between the reflective display panel 10 and the reflective display panel 10 is that the arrangement of the multiple pixel electrodes of the display unit is different. Specifically, in the display unit DU-C of this embodiment, the extension directions of the first side s1 and the second side s2 of the pixel electrode PE1-A intersect in the directions D1 and D2. The pixel electrode PE1-A and the pixel electrode PE2-A are aligned along the extension direction of the second side s2. The pixel electrode PE1-A and the pixel electrode PE3-A are aligned along the extension direction of the first side s1. Similarly, the pixel electrode PE2-A and the pixel electrode PE4-A are aligned along the extension direction of the first side s1, and the pixel electrode PE3-A and the pixel electrode PE4-A are aligned along the extension direction of the second side s2.

[0095] From another point of view, in this embodiment, the reflective surface of each pixel electrode (such as Figure 1 The outline of the reflecting surface RS is a diamond shape, and the outline of the distribution area of each display unit DU-C is also a diamond shape. Since the electrical configuration and relative relationship of the four pixel electrodes in the display unit DU-C of this embodiment are similar to Figure 2 The display unit DU of the reflective display panel 10 is described in detail in the relevant paragraphs of the aforementioned embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0096] Figure 6 is a front view schematic diagram of a reflective display panel according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 The reflective display panel 13A of this embodiment is Figure 5 The difference between the reflective display panel 13 and the reflective display panel 13 is that the arrangement of the plurality of pixel electrodes of the display unit is different.

[0097] Specifically, in the display unit DU-D of the present embodiment, the pixel electrode PE1-A and the pixel electrode PE2-A are aligned along the extension direction of the second side s2, and the pixel electrode PE3-A and the pixel electrode PE4-A are aligned along the extension direction of the second side s2. Of particular note, the pixel electrode PE3-A and the pixel electrode PE4-A are offset relative to the pixel electrode PE1-A and the pixel electrode PE2-A along the extension direction of the first side s1, wherein the pixel electrode PE3-A is adjacent to both the second side s2 of the pixel electrode PE1-A and the third side s3 of the pixel electrode PE2-A.

[0098] Since the electrical configuration and relative relationship of the four pixel electrodes in the display unit DU-D of this embodiment are similar to Figure 5 The detailed description of the display unit DU-C of the reflective display panel 13 can be found in the relevant paragraphs of the aforementioned embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0099] Figure 7FIG is a front view of a reflective display panel according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 The reflective display panel 13B of this embodiment is Figure 6 The difference of the reflective display panel 13A is that the reflective surface areas of some pixel electrodes are different. Specifically, in the display unit DU-E of this embodiment, the reflective surface of one of the four pixel electrodes (such as Figure 1 The area of the reflecting surface RS shown is different from the area of the reflecting surface of the other one of the four pixel electrodes.

[0100] For example, in this embodiment, the area of the reflective surface of the pixel electrode PE3-A" may be larger than the area of the reflective surface of each of the pixel electrodes PE1-A, PE2-A, and PE4-A, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In this way, the background color of the reflective display panel 13B can be adjusted. It should be noted that in other variant embodiments, in order to increase the flexibility of background color adjustment, the areas of the reflective surfaces of the multiple pixel electrodes of the display unit may be different from each other.

[0101] Figure 8 FIG is a front view of a reflective display panel according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 The reflective display panel 14 of this embodiment is Figure 2 The difference of the reflective display panel 10 is that the profile of the reflective surface of the pixel electrode is different. Specifically, in the display unit DU-F of this embodiment, the reflective surface of each pixel electrode (such as Figure 1 The outline of the reflecting surface RS) shown is triangular.

[0102] For example, the first side s1 and the second side s2 of the pixel electrode PE1-B intersect in directions D1 and D2 and are connected to each other. The pixel electrode PE1-B and the pixel electrode PE2-B are aligned along the direction in which the second side s2 extends, while the pixel electrode PE3-B and the pixel electrode PE1-B are aligned along the direction in which the first side s1 extends. The pixel electrode PE4-B and the pixel electrode PE2-B are aligned along the direction in which the first side s1 extends, while the pixel electrode PE4-B and the pixel electrode PE3-B are aligned along the direction in which the second side s2 extends.

[0103] It is particularly noteworthy that, during each frame period of the reflective display panel 14, the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE1-B in each display unit DU-F is the same as the voltage polarity of the adjacent pixel electrode PE2-B, and opposite to the voltage polarity of the other adjacent pixel electrode PE3-B. Similarly, the pixel electrode PE2-B and the pixel electrode PE3-B are adjacent to each other on either side of the connected pixel electrode PE4-B. During each frame period, the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE4-B is the same as the voltage polarity of the adjacent pixel electrode PE3-B, and opposite to the voltage polarity of the other adjacent pixel electrode PE2-B.

[0104] The electrical configuration and distribution of the four pixel electrodes described above effectively reduces the area of poor alignment in the liquid crystal layer caused by the different voltage polarities of two adjacent pixel electrodes, thereby reducing dark-state light leakage in the reflective display panel 14. In other words, the display contrast and reflectivity of the reflective display panel 14 can be improved.

[0105] Figure 9 FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of a reflective display panel according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A front view schematic diagram of another variant embodiment of the reflective display panel. Figure 9 The reflective display panel 15 of this embodiment is Figure 2 The reflective display panel 10 differs from the reflective display panel 10 in that the arrangement of the multiple pixel electrodes of the display units is different. Specifically, in the display unit DU-G of this embodiment, the pixel electrodes PE1-C, PE2-C, PE3-C, and PE4-C are aligned along the extension direction of the scan line SL (e.g., direction D1), and the outline of each reflective surface is a rectangle.

[0106] For example, in this embodiment, the pixel electrode PE2-C and the pixel electrode PE3-C are respectively adjacent to the first side s1 and the second side s2 of the pixel electrode PE1-C, which are opposite to each other. The pixel electrode PE4-C is adjacent to the side of the pixel electrode PE3-C that is opposite to the pixel electrode PE1-C. The first side s1 and the second side s2 may be perpendicular to the extension direction of the scan line SL, that is, the extension direction of these two sides may be parallel to the direction D2. During each frame period of the reflective display panel 15, the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE1-C will be the same as the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE2-C and opposite to the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE3-C. Similarly, the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE3-C will be the same as the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE4-C and opposite to the voltage polarity of the pixel electrode PE1-C.

[0107] The electrical configuration and distribution of the four pixel electrodes described above effectively reduces the area of poor alignment in the liquid crystal layer caused by the different voltage polarities of two adjacent pixel electrodes, thereby reducing dark-state light leakage in the reflective display panel 15. In other words, the display contrast and reflectivity of the reflective display panel 15 can be improved.

[0108] However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Figure 10 As shown, in another modified embodiment of the reflective display panel 15A, the four pixel electrodes PE1-C to PE4-C of each display unit DU-G" can be aligned along the extension direction of the data line DL (for example, the direction D2). The first side s1 and the second side s2 of the pixel electrode PE1-C can be perpendicular to the extension direction of the data line DL, that is, the extension directions of these two sides can be parallel to the direction D1.

[0109] Figure 11 FIG is a front view of a reflective display panel according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 The reflective display panel 16 of this embodiment is Figure 2 The main difference of the reflective display panel 10 is that the configuration of the pixel electrodes is different. In this embodiment, the multiple pixel electrodes PE1-D~PE4-D of each display unit each have multiple sub-electrodes that are electrically independent of each other. For example, the number of sub-electrodes of each pixel electrode of this embodiment can be three, namely sub-electrode PEa, sub-electrode PEb and sub-electrode PEc. Correspondingly, the number of active elements of each pixel structure can also be three, and they are electrically connected to the aforementioned three sub-electrodes PEa~PEc respectively. More specifically, the three sub-electrodes PEa~PEc of each pixel electrode can be individually controlled via these active elements. Through the setting of these sub-electrodes, the number of display color levels of the reflective display panel 16 can be increased, which helps to improve its display contrast.

[0110] It is particularly noteworthy that in this embodiment, the pixel electrodes of two adjacent display units arranged along direction D1 may be arranged in the same manner, but the pixel electrodes of two adjacent display units arranged along direction D2 may be arranged differently. For example, the pixel electrodes PE1-D and PE2-D of display unit DU1 and display unit DU2, which are adjacent to each other along direction D2, are aligned along direction D1, and the pixel electrodes PE1-D and PE2-D of display unit DU1 are aligned with the pixel electrodes PE1-D and PE2-D of display unit DU2, respectively, along direction D2. The pixel electrode PE3-D of display unit DU1 is offset from the pixel electrode PE3-D of display unit DU2 along direction D2, and the pixel electrode PE4-D of display unit DU1 is offset from the pixel electrode PE4-D of display unit DU2 along direction D2. In other words, in direction D2, the pixel electrodes PE3-D and PE4-D of display unit DU1 are aligned with the pixel electrodes PE4-D and PE3-D of display unit DU2, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the arrangement of the plurality of pixel electrodes of each display unit may be the same.

[0111] Figure 12 is a front view schematic diagram of a reflective display panel according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 The reflective display panel 16A of this embodiment is Figure 11 The reflective display panel 16A of this embodiment differs in that the arrangement of the multiple pixel electrodes of the display units is different. Specifically, in the reflective display panel 16A of this embodiment, the pixel electrodes of two adjacent display units arranged along direction D1 may be arranged differently, but the pixel electrodes of two adjacent display units arranged along direction D2 may be arranged the same.

[0112] For example, the pixel electrodes PE1-D and PE2-D of display units DU1 and DU2, which are adjacently arranged along direction D1, are aligned along direction D1, and the pixel electrodes PE3-D and PE4-D of display units DU1 and DU2, respectively, are aligned along direction D1. Note that in display unit DU1, pixel electrodes PE3-D and PE2-D are aligned along direction D2, whereas in display unit DU2, pixel electrodes PE3-D and PE1-D are aligned along direction D2.

[0113] Figure 13 is a front view schematic diagram of a reflective display panel according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 The reflective display panel 16B of this embodiment is Figure 12The reflective display panel 16A differs from the reflective display panel 16B in that the reflective surface areas of the multiple pixel electrodes of the display units are arranged in different ratios. Specifically, in the reflective display panel 16B of this embodiment, the reflective surface area of one of the multiple pixel electrodes of each display unit may be different from the reflective surface area of another of the pixel electrodes.

[0114] For example, in this embodiment, the area of the reflective surface of each of the pixel electrode PE1-D and the pixel electrode PE2-D of each display unit may be smaller than the area of the reflective surface of the pixel electrode PE3-D", and larger than the area of the reflective surface of the pixel electrode PE4-D". Accordingly, the background color of the reflective display panel 16B can be adjusted.

[0115] In particular, Figures 11 to 13 The structural features of the pixel electrode with multiple sub-electrodes shown can also be applied to Figures 1 to 10 In any embodiment of the reflective display panel, the number of display color levels can be further increased and / or the background color can be adjusted.

[0116] In summary, in a reflective display panel according to one embodiment of the present invention, two pixel electrodes are provided adjacent to at least one side of a pixel electrode of each display unit. Within the same frame period, the voltage polarity of one of the three pixel electrodes is opposite to the voltage polarity of the other two. In this way, the distribution density of two adjacent pixel electrodes with opposite voltage polarities can be reduced, thereby reducing the poorly arranged area of the liquid crystal layer caused by the different voltage polarities between the two adjacent pixel electrodes, thereby reducing the dark-state light leakage of the reflective display panel. Therefore, the display contrast and reflectivity of the reflective display panel can be significantly improved. In a reflective display panel according to another embodiment of the present invention, each pixel electrode in the display unit is composed of a plurality of sub-electrodes that are electrically independent of each other, thereby increasing the number of display color levels of the reflective display panel and helping to improve its display contrast.

[0117] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A reflective display panel, characterized in that: include: The pixel array substrate is provided with a plurality of display units, each of the plurality of display units comprising: a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode, and a third pixel electrode, wherein the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are adjacent to at least one side of the first pixel electrode, and within a same frame period of the reflective display panel, a voltage polarity of one of the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode is opposite to a voltage polarity of each of the other two of the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode; a color filter substrate having a plurality of filter patterns, wherein three of the plurality of filter patterns respectively overlapping the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode of each of the plurality of display units have different filter colors; as well as The liquid crystal layer is arranged between the pixel array substrate and the color filter substrate.

2. The reflective display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are respectively adjacent to a first side and a second side of the first pixel electrode, the first side is connected to the second side, and the pixel array substrate further comprises: a plurality of data lines arranged along a first direction and extending in a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction; as well as A plurality of scanning lines are arranged along the second direction and extend in the first direction, wherein the extension direction of the first side is parallel to the first direction, and the extension direction of the second side is parallel to the second direction. Within a same frame period of the reflective display panel, the voltage polarity of the first pixel electrode is the same as the voltage polarity of one of the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode, and is opposite to the voltage polarity of the other of the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode.

3. The reflective display panel according to claim 2, wherein: The first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are aligned along the second direction, and the first pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are aligned along the first direction.

4. The reflective display panel according to claim 2, wherein: The second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are aligned along the first direction. The second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are respectively offset from the first pixel electrode along the second direction and are both adjacent to a side edge of the first pixel electrode.

5. The reflective display panel according to claim 2, wherein: The second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are aligned along the second direction. The second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are offset from the first pixel electrode along the first direction and are both adjacent to a side edge of the first pixel electrode.

6. The reflective display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are respectively adjacent to a first side and a second side of the first pixel electrode, the first side is connected to the second side, and the pixel array substrate further comprises: a plurality of data lines arranged along a first direction and extending in a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction; as well as A plurality of scanning lines are arranged along the second direction and extend in the first direction, wherein the extension direction of the first side intersects with the first direction, and the extension direction of the second side intersects with the second direction. Within a same frame period of the reflective display panel, the voltage polarity of the first pixel electrode is the same as the voltage polarity of one of the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode, and is opposite to the voltage polarity of the other of the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode.

7. The reflective display panel according to claim 6, wherein: The first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode each have a reflective surface, and the outline of the reflective surface is a triangle or a rhombus.

8. The reflective display panel according to claim 6, wherein: The first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are aligned along the extending direction of the first side, and the first pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are aligned along the extending direction of the second side.

9. The reflective display panel according to claim 6, wherein: The first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are aligned along the extension direction of the second side, and the third pixel electrode is staggered between the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode along the extension direction of the first side, and is also adjacent to the third side of the second pixel electrode.

10. The reflective display panel according to claim 9, wherein: An area of a reflective surface of one of the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode is different from an area of a reflective surface of the other one of the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode.

11. The reflective display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are respectively adjacent to a first side and a second side of the first pixel electrode, the first side is opposite to the second side, and the pixel array substrate further comprises: a plurality of data lines arranged along a first direction and extending in a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction; as well as A plurality of scanning lines are arranged along the second direction and extend in the first direction, wherein the extension direction of each of the first side and the second side is parallel to the first direction or the second direction, and within the same frame period of the reflective display panel, the voltage polarity of the first pixel electrode is the same as the voltage polarity of one of the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode, and is opposite to the voltage polarity of the other of the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode.

12. The reflective display panel according to claim 11, wherein: The second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are aligned along a direction perpendicular to the first side and the second side, and are offset from the first pixel electrode.

13. The reflective display panel according to claim 11, wherein: The first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode are aligned along a direction perpendicular to the first side and the second side.

14. The reflective display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode each have a plurality of sub-electrodes that are electrically independent of each other.

15. A reflective display panel, characterized in that: include: The pixel array substrate is provided with a plurality of display units, each of the plurality of display units comprising: The first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode each have a plurality of sub-electrodes that are electrically independent of each other, wherein the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode are adjacent to at least one side of the first pixel electrode; a color filter substrate having a plurality of filter patterns, wherein three of the plurality of filter patterns respectively overlapping the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode of each of the plurality of display units have different filter colors; and The liquid crystal layer is arranged between the pixel array substrate and the color filter substrate.

16. The reflective display panel according to claim 15, wherein: The pixel array substrate further comprises: a plurality of data lines arranged along a first direction and extending in a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction; as well as A plurality of scan lines are arranged along the second direction and extend in the first direction, wherein the plurality of display units include a first display unit and a second display unit arranged adjacent to each other along the second direction, the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode of each of the plurality of display units are aligned along the first direction, and in the second direction, the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode of the first display unit are respectively aligned with the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode of the second display unit, and the third pixel electrode of the first display unit is offset from the third pixel electrode of the second display unit.

17. The reflective display panel according to claim 15, wherein: The pixel array substrate further comprises: a plurality of data lines arranged along a first direction and extending in a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction; as well as A plurality of scan lines are arranged along the second direction and extend in the first direction, wherein the plurality of display units include a first display unit and a second display unit that are adjacently arranged along the first direction, the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode of each of the plurality of display units are aligned along the first direction, and in the second direction, the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode of the first display unit are aligned, and the first pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode of the second display unit are aligned.

18. The reflective display panel according to claim 15, wherein: An area of a reflective surface of one of the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode is different from an area of a reflective surface of the other one of the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode.

Images