Electro-wetting display panel, driving method thereof, and display device

Abstract

The application provides an electrowetting display panel, a driving method thereof and a display device. The electrowetting display panel comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a first fluid layer, a first driving layer, a reflecting layer, a first electrode layer, a first transparent hydrophobic layer and a second transparent hydrophobic layer. The electrowetting display panel is divided into a first display area and a first storage area by a pixel wall. The first fluid layer comprises a non-conductive first fluid and a conductive second fluid. When different voltage signals are input to the first driving electrodes of the first display area and the first storage area, the second fluid is driven to move between the first storage area and the first display area through the first fluid channel, and the second fluid is driven to move to the corresponding display position of the first display area, so that the corresponding image can be displayed in the first display area, and meanwhile, the second fluid can be moved to the first storage area to realize a full-white picture of the first display area, and the display effect is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of electrowetting display panel, and particularly relates to an electrowetting display panel, a driving method thereof and a display device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Electrowetting display is a new display technology emerging in recent years. Electrowetting display technology is increasingly favored by people due to its characteristics of bistable display, good reflectivity, low power consumption, wide temperature range and fast response speed.

[0003] The principle of electrowetting is to change the contact angle between the droplet and the hydrophobic dielectric layer by applying voltage on the electrode. The colored droplet is squeezed and exposed to the white panel of the electrowetting display panel.

[0004] In the electrowetting display panel, the display area and the pixel wall are divided, the movement range of the ink is limited, the ink is squeezed in the corner of the pixel wall, and the display area cannot present full white when displaying a white picture, which reduces the display effect. SUMMARY

[0005] The purpose of the present application is to provide an electrowetting display panel, which aims to solve the problem that the conventional electrowetting display panel cannot display a full white picture.

[0006] The first aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides an electrowetting display panel, comprising:

[0007] a first substrate and a second substrate arranged oppositely;

[0008] a first fluid layer encapsulated between the first substrate and the second substrate, the first fluid layer comprising a first fluid which is not conductive and a second fluid which is conductive;

[0009] a first driving layer laminated to the first substrate;

[0010] a reflective layer laminated to the first driving layer, the reflective layer being used for reflecting external ambient light;

[0011] a first electrode layer located in the reflective layer, the first electrode layer comprising a plurality of first driving electrodes arranged in an array, each first driving electrode being connected to the first driving layer and inputting a voltage signal of a corresponding size through the first driving layer;

[0012] a first transparent hydrophobic layer laminated on the reflective layer and a second transparent hydrophobic layer laminated on the second substrate, the first transparent hydrophobic layer and the second transparent hydrophobic layer being in contact with the first fluid layer;

[0013] The first substrate and the second substrate are divided into a first display area and a first storage area by a pixel wall, the pixel wall is provided with a first fluid channel, and the first storage area is used for storing the second fluid;

[0014] The first driving electrodes of the first display area and the first storage area drive the second fluid to move between the first storage area and the first display area through the first fluid channel and drive the second fluid to move to a corresponding display position of the first display area when different voltage signals are input.

[0015] Optionally, the first driving layer comprises:

[0016] A plurality of first scan lines, a plurality of first data lines and an array of first thin film transistors are laminated on the first substrate;

[0017] The gate of each first thin film transistor is connected to a first scan line, the first electrode of each first thin film transistor is connected to a first data line, and the second electrode of each first thin film transistor is connected to a corresponding first driving electrode.

[0018] Optionally, the electrowetting display panel further comprises an anti-peep layer.

[0019] The anti-peep layer comprises:

[0020] A third substrate is arranged opposite to the second substrate, a second fluid layer is encapsulated between the third substrate and the second substrate, and the second fluid layer comprises a non-conductive third fluid and a conductive fourth fluid.

[0021] A second driving layer is laminated on the third substrate.

[0022] A second electrode layer connected to the second driving layer comprises an array of a plurality of second driving electrodes, each second driving electrode is connected to the second driving layer and inputs a corresponding size of voltage signal through the second driving layer, the second driving electrode has a groove structure, and the opening of the groove faces the second substrate.

[0023] A third transparent hydrophobic layer is laminated on the second driving electrode, and a fourth transparent hydrophobic layer is laminated on the second substrate, and the third transparent hydrophobic layer and the fourth transparent hydrophobic layer are in contact with the second fluid layer.

[0024] The second substrate and the third substrate are divided into a second display area and a second storage area by the pixel wall, the pixel wall is provided with a second fluid channel, and the second storage area is used for storing the fourth fluid.

[0025] The second driving electrodes of the second display area and the second storage area drive the second fluid to move between the storage area and the display area through the second fluid channel when different voltage signals are inputted, and drive the second fluid to move to fill the groove at a target position.

[0026] Optionally, the bottom area of the groove is smaller than the opening area of the groove.

[0027] Optionally, the second driving layer comprises:

[0028] a plurality of second scan lines, a plurality of second data lines, and an array of second thin film transistors.

[0029] The gate of each of the second thin film transistors is connected to one of the second scan lines, the first electrode of each of the second thin film transistors is connected to one of the second data lines, and the second electrode of each of the second thin film transistors is connected to a corresponding one of the second driving electrodes.

[0030] Optionally, the privacy layer further comprises:

[0031] a plurality of black matrixes, each of the black matrixes being stacked between the third substrate and one of the second thin film transistors, and the size of each of the black matrixes being greater than or equal to the size of the corresponding second thin film transistor.

[0032] Optionally, the first storage area comprises a plurality of storage sub-areas, the first display area comprises a plurality of display sub-areas, each of the storage sub-areas corresponds to one of the display sub-areas, and the first fluid channel is arranged between a pixel wall between each of the storage sub-areas and the corresponding display sub-area.

[0033] The first driving electrodes of each of the display sub-areas and the corresponding storage sub-areas drive the second fluid to move between the display sub-area and the corresponding storage sub-area through the first fluid channel when different voltage signals are inputted, and drive the second fluid to move to a corresponding display position of each of the display sub-areas.

[0034] Optionally, the electrowetting display panel further comprises:

[0035] a sensing electrode layer, the sensing electrode layer being stacked between the second substrate and the second transparent hydrophobic layer, the sensing electrode layer comprising a plurality of sensing electrodes, and each of the sensing electrodes being arranged opposite to a corresponding one of the first driving electrodes.

[0036] The sensing electrodes and the first driving electrodes are used to input a detection signal, and the position of the second fluid is determined according to the change in capacitance formed by the sensing electrodes and the first driving electrodes when the second fluid flows through.

[0037] The second aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a display device, which comprises a driving circuit of an electrowetting display panel and the electrowetting display panel as described above, and the driving circuit of the electrowetting display panel is connected with the electrowetting display panel.

[0038] The third aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a driving method of an electrowetting display panel, which is suitable for the electrowetting display panel as described above, and the driving method of the electrowetting display panel comprises:

[0039] acquiring image information to be displayed, and determining a target display pattern of the first display area and target position information of the target display pattern;

[0040] inputting a first driving electrode corresponding to the voltage signal to an edge position of the first display area to move the second fluid to form the target display pattern at the edge of the first display area, and inputting the first driving electrode corresponding to the voltage signal to the edge position and the target position of the first display area to move the target display pattern to the target position to display the image information;

[0041] when switching the image information, when there is the same or similar display pattern in the previous frame and the next frame, moving the corresponding same or similar display pattern in the previous frame to the target position of the target display pattern in the next frame;

[0042] when ending the display, judging the positions of the target patterns, and inputting the voltage signal to the display partition and the storage partition to move the second fluid of the display partition to the nearest storage partition.

[0043] The embodiment of the present application has the beneficial effects compared with the prior art: the electrowetting display panel comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a first fluid layer, a first driving layer, a reflection layer, a first electrode layer, a first transparent hydrophobic layer and a second transparent hydrophobic layer, the electrowetting display panel is divided into a first display area and a first storage area by a pixel wall, the first fluid layer comprises a non-conductive first fluid and a conductive second fluid, the first driving electrodes of the first display area and the first storage area drive the second fluid to move between the first storage area and the first display area through the first fluid channel and drive the second fluid to move to the corresponding display position of the first display area when different voltage signals are inputted, so that the corresponding image can be displayed in the first display area, and the second fluid can be moved to the first storage area to realize the full white picture of the first display area, and the display effect is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0044] Figure 1 The first structure diagram of the electrowetting display panel provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0045] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of a second structure of the electrowetting display panel provided in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a third structure of the electrowetting display panel provided in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the first structure of the electrowetting display panel provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a second structure of the electrowetting display panel provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a third structure of the electrowetting display panel provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the fourth structure of the electrowetting display panel provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the fifth structure of the electrowetting display panel provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the first structure of the electrowetting display panel provided in the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the second structure of the electrowetting display panel provided in Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the third structure of the electrowetting display panel provided in the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the fourth structure of the electrowetting display panel provided in Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the display device provided in Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating the driving method for the electrowetting display panel provided in Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the movement of the second fluid provided in Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

[0059] The figures in the diagram are labeled as follows:

[0060] 100, an electrowetting display panel; 200, a driving circuit of the electrowetting display panel; 110, a pixel wall; 120, a first display area; 130, a first storage area; 140, a second display area; 150, a second storage area; 111, a first fluid channel; 112, a second fluid channel; 11, a first substrate; 12, a second substrate; 13, a first fluid layer; 131, a first fluid; 132, a second fluid; 14, a first driving layer; 141, a first thin film transistor; 15, a reflective layer; 16, a first driving electrode; 17, a first transparent hydrophobic layer; 18, a second transparent hydrophobic layer; 14a, a first gate; 14b, a first source-drain metal layer; 14c, a first semiconductor layer; 14d, a first gate insulating layer; 142, a first data line; 143, a first scan line; 19, a third substrate; 201, a third fluid; 202, a fourth fluid; 21, a second driving layer; 22, a second driving electrode; 23, a third transparent hydrophobic layer; 24, a fourth transparent hydrophobic layer; 25, a black matrix; 26, an induction electrode; 211, a second thin film transistor; 21a, a second gate; 21b, a second source-drain metal layer; 21c, a second semiconductor layer; 21d, a second gate insulating layer; 212, a second data line; 213, a second scan line; 1201, a first display sub-area; 1202, a second display sub-area; 1203, a third display sub-area; 1204, a fourth display sub-area; 1301, a first storage sub-area; 1302, a second storage sub-area; 1303, a third storage sub-area; 1304, a fourth storage sub-area;

[0061] a, a first angle; b, a second angle; X1, a first direction; X2, a second direction; X3, a third direction; X4, a fourth direction; X5, a fifth direction; X6, a sixth direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] In order to make the technical problems to be solved by the present application, technical solutions and beneficial effects clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below in combination with the drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and not used to limit the present application.

[0063] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only used to facilitate the description of the present application and simplify the description, and therefore cannot be understood as indicating or implying that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application.

[0064] In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used only for descriptive purposes and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or an indicated number of technical features. Thus, features defined with "first", "second" can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more, unless otherwise explicitly and specifically limited.

[0065] Embodiment one

[0066] The first aspect of the embodiments of the present application proposes an electrowetting display panel 100.

[0067] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the present embodiment, the electrowetting display panel 100 includes:

[0068] a first substrate 11 and a second substrate 12 arranged oppositely;

[0069] a first fluid layer 13 encapsulated between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12, the first fluid layer 13 including a first fluid 131 that is not conductive and a second fluid 132 that is conductive;

[0070] a first driving layer 14 laminated to the first substrate 11;

[0071] a reflective layer 15 laminated to the first driving layer 14, the reflective layer 15 being configured to reflect external ambient light;

[0072] a first electrode layer located in the reflective layer 15, the first electrode layer including a plurality of first driving electrodes 16 arranged in an array, each first driving electrode 16 being connected to the first driving layer 14 and configured to input a voltage signal of a corresponding size through the first driving layer 14;

[0073] a first transparent hydrophobic layer 17 laminated to the reflective layer 15 and a second transparent hydrophobic layer 18 laminated to the second substrate 12, the first transparent hydrophobic layer 17 and the second transparent hydrophobic layer 18 being in contact with the first fluid layer 13;

[0074] The first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 are divided into a first display area 120 and a first storage area 130 by a pixel wall 110, the pixel wall 110 being provided with a first fluid passage 111, and the first storage area 130 being configured to store the second fluid 132;

[0075] When the first driving electrodes 16 of the first display area 120 and the first storage area 130 input different voltage signals, the first driving electrodes 16 are configured to drive the second fluid 132 to move between the first storage area 130 and the first display area 120 through the first fluid passage 111 and to move the second fluid 132 to a corresponding display position in the first display area 120.

[0076] In the embodiment, the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 are oppositely arranged, and the first fluid layer 13 is encapsulated between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12, the first fluid layer 13 is composed of the first fluid 131 and the second fluid 132 which are immiscible, the first fluid 131 is used as a medium layer for the second fluid 132 to flow, the first fluid 131 is not conductive and remains in the original state, the second fluid 132 is conductive, and the first driving electrode 16 can attract the second fluid 132 to move to the corresponding position when it is charged, wherein the first fluid 131 is a transparent fluid, and the second fluid 132 is a colored fluid, in an optional embodiment, the second fluid 132 is electronic ink, the electronic ink has conductivity, and is attracted and moved upon receiving an electrical signal, the first fluid 131 can be water, salt solution, etc.

[0077] The first substrate 11 forms the first driving layer 14 by depositing a pattern layer, and forms the reflective layer 15 and the first transparent hydrophobic layer 17 on the first driving layer 14, and the second transparent hydrophobic layer 18 is formed on the second substrate 12 in a stacked manner, the first transparent hydrophobic layer 17 and the second transparent hydrophobic layer 18 are in contact with the first fluid layer 13, the wettability of the surface of the hydrophobic layer is changed by changing the electric field, so that the first fluid 131 and the second fluid 132 are deformed and displaced.

[0078] The reflective layer 15 is used to reflect external ambient light, and in order to realize the driving of the second fluid 132, the first electrode layer is also formed in the reflective layer 15, the first electrode layer is composed of the first driving electrode 16 arranged in an array, as shown in Figure 2 The first driving electrode 16 can form a single square structure, a plurality of square structures form a matrix structure, each square structure serves as the smallest display unit of the electrowetting display panel 100, and the first driving electrode 16 and the second fluid 132 attracted thereon form a sub-pixel of the electrowetting display panel 100.

[0079] The electrowetting display panel 100 is divided into the first display area 120 and the first storage area 130 by the pixel wall 110, and the first storage area 130 is used to store the second fluid 132 when the corresponding picture is not displayed.

[0080] The first display area 120 and the first storage area 130 each have the corresponding first driving layer 14, first electrode layer, first transparent hydrophobic layer 17 and second transparent hydrophobic layer 18, and the electrowetting display panel 100 can display the corresponding target image and full white picture when it is working, when the target image is displayed, the corresponding driving circuit applies a voltage signal to the first driving electrode 16 at the corresponding position of the target image of the first display area 120, as shown in Figure 1 and 3As shown, the first driving electrode 16 attracts the second fluid 132 stored in the first storage area 130, different positions of the first driving electrode 16 respectively apply voltage signals, the second fluid 132 moves to the corresponding position of the target image through the first fluid channel 111 of the pixel wall 110, thereby forming a target image at the target position, at the same time, other positions not attracting the second fluid 132 reflect external ambient light through the reflective layer 15, other positions appear white, improving the display contrast.

[0081] When displaying a full white picture, the first electrode layer of the first display area 120 is not charged and the first electrode layer of the first storage area 130 is charged, the second fluid 132 is attracted back to flow to the first storage area 130 and stored in the first storage area 130, the first display area 120 has no image display, and the reflective layer 15 reflects external ambient light, so that the first display area 120 displays a full white picture, improving the display effect.

[0082] The first driving layer 14 can include corresponding thin film transistors and connection lines, and in an optional embodiment, as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 The first driving layer 14 includes:

[0083] A plurality of first scan lines 143, a plurality of first data lines 142 and an array of first thin film transistors 141 are laminated on the first substrate 11.

[0084] The gate of each first thin film transistor 141 is connected with a first scan line 143, the first electrode of each first thin film transistor 141 is connected with a first data line 142, and the second electrode of each first thin film transistor 141 is connected with a corresponding first driving electrode 16.

[0085] In this embodiment, the plurality of first scan lines 143 are used to input row scanning signals, and the plurality of data lines are used to input corresponding voltage signals. Each first thin film transistor 141 is triggered to conduct when receiving the row scanning signal of the corresponding row, and transmits the voltage signal to the first driving electrode 16. Through row scanning and selective input of voltage signals, the first driving electrode 16 at the target position can be powered on and the second fluid 132 can be attracted to stay at the target position, thereby displaying a target image.

[0086] The first thin film transistor 141 can adopt a top gate structure or a bottom gate structure, and in an optional embodiment, the first thin film transistor 141 is a bottom gate structure, as shown in Figure 1 The first thin film transistor 141 includes:

[0087] A first gate 14a laminated on the first substrate 11.

[0088] A first gate insulating layer 14d is laminated on the first substrate 11 and covers the first gate electrode 14a;

[0089] A first semiconductor layer 14c is laminated on the first gate insulating layer 14d;

[0090] A first source-drain metal layer 14b is laminated on the first gate insulating layer 14d and contacts two end portions of the first semiconductor layer 14c, and the first source-drain metal layer 14b is connected to the first driving electrode 16 through a via hole.

[0091] In the embodiment, the first gate electrode 14a is located below the first semiconductor layer 14c, wherein the first gate electrode 14a is arranged opposite to the first semiconductor layer 14c and is spaced apart by the first gate insulating layer 14d, the first gate electrode 14a is connected to the first scan line 143 and inputs a row scanning signal, the first source-drain metal layer 14b includes a first source electrode and a first drain electrode, the first source electrode and the first drain electrode are respectively connected to two end portions of the first semiconductor layer 14c, the first drain electrode is used for connecting the first data line 142, and the first source electrode is connected to the first pixel electrode through a via hole, the first gate electrode 14a, the first source-drain metal layer 14b, the first semiconductor layer 14c, the first driving electrode 16 and the second fluid 132 adsorbed above the first driving electrode 16 constitute a sub-pixel, when the first gate electrode 14a receives the row scanning signal, the first semiconductor layer 14c forms a path and transmits a voltage signal received by the first drain electrode to the first source electrode and the first driving electrode 16, and the first driving electrode 16 controls the second fluid 132 to move to a target position.

[0092] The beneficial effects of the embodiment of the present application compared with the prior art are that the above-mentioned electrowetting display panel 100 includes a first substrate 11, a second substrate 12, a first fluid layer 13, a first driving layer 14, a reflective layer 15, a first electrode layer, a first transparent hydrophobic layer 17 and a second transparent hydrophobic layer 18, the electrowetting display panel 100 is divided into a first display area 120 and a first storage area 130 by a pixel wall 110, the first fluid layer 13 includes a non-conductive first fluid 131 and a conductive second fluid 132, and the first driving electrode 16 of the first display area 120 and the first storage area 130 drives the second fluid 132 to move between the first storage area 130 and the first display area 120 through the first fluid channel 111 and drives the second fluid 132 to move to a corresponding display position of the first display area 120 when different voltage signals are input, so that corresponding images can be displayed in the first display area 120, and the second fluid 132 can be moved to the first storage area 130 to realize a full white picture of the first display area 120, thereby improving the display effect.

[0093] Embodiment two

[0094] In an optional embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 to 5 The electrowetting display panel 100 further comprises a privacy layer.

[0095] The privacy layer comprises:

[0096] a third substrate 19 arranged opposite to the second substrate 12, a second fluid layer encapsulated between the third substrate 19 and the second substrate 12, the second fluid layer comprising a non-conductive third fluid 201 and a conductive fourth fluid 202;

[0097] a second driving layer 21 laminated on the third substrate 19;

[0098] a second electrode layer connected to the second driving layer 21, the second electrode layer comprising a plurality of second driving electrodes 22 arranged in an array, each second driving electrode 22 being connected to the second driving layer 21 and inputting a corresponding voltage signal through the second driving layer 21, the second driving electrode 22 being in a groove structure, and the opening of the groove facing the second substrate 12;

[0099] a third transparent hydrophobic layer 23 laminated on the second driving electrode 22 and a fourth transparent hydrophobic layer 24 laminated on the second substrate 12, the third transparent hydrophobic layer 23 and the fourth transparent hydrophobic layer 24 being in contact with the second fluid layer;

[0100] The second substrate 12 and the third substrate 19 are divided into a second display area 140 and a second storage area 150 by a pixel wall 110, the pixel wall 110 being provided with a second fluid channel 112, and the second storage area 150 being used for storing the fourth fluid 202;

[0101] When the second driving electrodes 22 of the second display area 140 and the second storage area 150 input different voltage signals, the second fluid 132 is driven to move between the storage area and the display area through the second fluid channel 112, and the second fluid 132 is driven to move and fill into the groove at a target position.

[0102] In the embodiment, the privacy layer is laminated on the second substrate 12, and the privacy layer is also provided with a corresponding hydrophobic layer, a driving layer and an electrode layer, wherein the privacy layer comprises, in sequence, the third substrate 19, the second driving layer 21, the second electrode layer, the third transparent hydrophobic layer 23, the second fluid layer and the fourth transparent hydrophobic layer 24, the fourth transparent hydrophobic layer 24 being laminated on the second substrate 12 and arranged on both sides of the second substrate 12 opposite to the second transparent hydrophobic layer 18, and the third transparent hydrophobic layer 23 and the fourth transparent hydrophobic layer 24 being in contact with the second fluid layer.

[0103] The second fluid layer is composed of the third fluid 201 and the fourth fluid 202, wherein the third fluid 201 is used as a medium layer for the fourth fluid 202 to flow, the third fluid 201 is not conductive and keeps original state, the fourth fluid 202 is conductive, and the second driving electrode 22 can attract the fourth fluid 202 to move into the corresponding groove of the driving electrode when the second driving electrode 22 is charged, wherein the third fluid 201 is a transparent fluid, and the fourth fluid 202 is a colored fluid, in an optional embodiment, the fourth fluid 202 is also an electronic ink, the electronic ink has conductivity, and is attracted and moved upon receiving an electric signal, and the third fluid 201 can be water, a salt solution, etc.

[0104] The third substrate 19 forms the second driving layer 21 by depositing a pattern layer, and forms the second electrode layer and the third transparent hydrophobic layer 23 on the second driving layer 21, and at the same time, forms the fourth transparent hydrophobic layer 24 on the second substrate 12, and changes the wettability of the surface of the hydrophobic layer by changing the electric field, so that the third fluid 201 and the fourth fluid 202 are deformed and displaced.

[0105] Correspondingly, the privacy layer is divided into the second display area 140 and the second storage area 150 by the pixel wall 110, as shown in Figure 5 The second storage area 150 and the first storage area 130 are stacked, the second display area 140 and the first display area 120 are stacked, and the pixel wall 110 between the second storage area 150 and the second display area 140 is provided with the second fluid channel 112, the fourth fluid 202 stored in the second storage area 150 can flow into the corresponding position of the second display area 140 through the second fluid channel 112 under the attraction of the voltage signal on the second driving electrode 22 of the second display area 140, and similarly, the fourth fluid 202 in the second display area 140 can flow back to the second storage area 150 through the second fluid channel 112 under the attraction of the voltage signal on the second driving electrode 22 of the second storage area 150.

[0106] The first storage area 130 and the second storage area 150 can be separately arranged or have the same structure, when having the same structure, the first storage area 130 and the second storage area 150 are not responsive to the partition or the pixel wall 110, the second fluid 132 is the fourth fluid 202, and the first fluid 131 is the third fluid 201.

[0107] The voltage signals input by the second driving electrode 22 and the first driving electrode 16 can be provided by different driving circuits or the same driving circuit, and the voltage levels can be equal or not equal.

[0108] As shown in Figure 6 and Figure 8As shown, the second driving electrode 22 is in a groove structure, and the opening of the groove faces the second substrate 12. When a voltage signal is applied to the second driving electrode 22, the fourth fluid 202 is attracted to fill into the groove, and the part of the display position of the first display area 120 is shielded, so that the visual angle can be reduced to the second angle β. Without the voltage signal applied to the second driving electrode 22, the fourth fluid 202 cannot be attracted, and the first display area 120 can remain in the normal display mode with the first angle α of wide visual angle.

[0109] Meanwhile, the privacy layer can perform corresponding privacy work according to requirements. For example, when the electrowetting display panel 100 has a touch function, the corresponding driving circuit determines the privacy area according to the touch signal, and inputs a voltage signal to the second driving electrode 22 of the privacy position. The second driving electrode 22 attracts the fourth fluid 202 to the groove of the second driving electrode 22 of the privacy position, forms a privacy structure, and divides the display area by touch to realize partition display and achieve the effect of regional privacy.

[0110] In the embodiment, in order to improve the privacy effect, the groove can be designed as a square or cup structure. As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the bottom area of the groove is smaller than the opening area of the groove. When the fourth fluid 202 is attracted to fill into the second driving electrode 22, a narrow-top wide-bottom visual angle is formed, the visual angle is reduced, and the privacy effect is improved.

[0111] In the embodiment, the second driving layer 21 can include corresponding thin film transistors and connection lines. As shown in Figure 7 The second driving layer 21 includes:

[0112] a plurality of second scanning lines 213, a plurality of second data lines 212, and an array of second thin film transistors 211;

[0113] The gate of each second thin film transistor 211 is connected to one of the second scanning lines 213, the first electrode of each second thin film transistor 211 is connected to one of the second data lines 212, and the second electrode of each second thin film transistor 211 is connected to a corresponding second driving electrode 22.

[0114] Correspondingly, in the embodiment, a plurality of second scan lines 213 are used to input the privacy scanning signals, and a plurality of data lines are used to input corresponding voltage signals. Each second thin film transistor 211 is triggered to be turned on when receiving the privacy scanning signal of the corresponding row, and transmits the voltage signal to the second driving electrode 22. Through the privacy scanning signal and the voltage signal, the second driving electrode 22 in the privacy position can be powered on, the fourth fluid 202 is attracted to stay in the groove at the target position, the viewing angle of the first display area 120 is reduced, and the privacy function is achieved.

[0115] The second thin film transistor 211 can adopt a top gate structure or a bottom gate structure. In an optional embodiment, the second thin film transistor 211 is in a bottom gate structure, as shown in FIG. 6. Figure 6 The second thin film transistor 211 includes:

[0116] A second gate 21a is laminated on the third substrate 19.

[0117] A second gate insulating layer 21d is laminated on the third substrate 19 and covers the second gate 21a.

[0118] A second semiconductor layer 21c is laminated on the second gate insulating layer 21d.

[0119] A second source-drain metal layer 21b is laminated on the second gate insulating layer 21d and contacts two ends of the second semiconductor layer 21c. The second source-drain metal layer 21b is further connected to the second driving electrode 22 through a via hole.

[0120] In the embodiment, the second gate 21a is located below the second semiconductor layer 21c. The second gate 21a is arranged opposite to the second semiconductor layer 21c and is spaced apart by the second gate insulating layer 21d. The second gate 21a is connected to the second scan line 213 and inputs the privacy scanning signal. The second source-drain metal layer 21b includes a second source electrode and a second drain electrode. The second source electrode and the second drain electrode are respectively connected to two ends of the second semiconductor layer 21c. The second drain electrode is used to connect the second data line 212, and the second source electrode is connected to the second pixel electrode through the via hole. The second gate 21a, the second source-drain metal layer 21b, the second semiconductor layer 21c, the second driving electrode 22, and the fourth fluid 202 adsorbed above the second driving electrode 22 constitute a privacy unit. When receiving the privacy scanning signal, the second semiconductor layer 21c forms a path and transmits the voltage signal received by the second drain electrode to the second source electrode and the second driving electrode 22. The second driving electrode 22 controls the second fluid 132 to move into the groove.

[0121] Further, in order to avoid the leakage current of the second thin film transistor 211 caused by the incident ambient light, in an optional embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a second light shielding layer 21e is arranged on the second gate insulating layer 21d.Figure 6 As shown, the privacy layer further comprises:

[0122] A plurality of black matrices 25, each of which is stacked between the third substrate 19 and a second thin film transistor 211, and the size of the black matrix 25 is greater than or equal to the size of the second thin film transistor 211.

[0123] The black matrix 25 directly faces each second gate 21a and completely shields the second semiconductor layer 21c, so that external ambient light can be prevented from irradiating the second semiconductor layer 21c, the second thin film transistor 211 has no external ambient light incident, that is, no leakage current is generated, and the corresponding second driving electrode 22 has no leakage current input, that is, it will not cause a privacy error start.

[0124] Embodiment Three

[0125] In an optional embodiment, in order to improve the display efficiency, as shown, Figures 9 to 11 The first storage area 130 comprises a plurality of storage partitions, and the first display area 120 comprises a plurality of display partitions, each storage partition corresponds to a display partition, and a first fluid channel 111 is arranged between the pixel wall 110 corresponding to a storage partition and a display partition;

[0126] When the first driving electrodes 16 of each display partition and the corresponding storage partition input different voltage signals, the second fluid 132 is driven to move between the display partition and the corresponding storage partition through the first fluid channel 111, and the second fluid 132 is driven to move to the corresponding display position of each display partition.

[0127] In this embodiment, the first display area 120 and the first storage area 130 can be partitioned and arranged, each first display partition 1201 is arranged adjacent to a storage partition, and the second fluid 132 between the storage partition and the display partition can flow to each other, reducing the moving distance of the second fluid 132, avoiding large-scale movement of the second fluid 132, and further reducing the driving power consumption.

[0128] In an optional embodiment, as shown, Figure 9As shown, the first display area 120 and the first storage area 130 are divided into four sub-areas, the first display area 120 includes a first display sub-area 1201, a second display sub-area 1202, a third display sub-area 1203 and a fourth display sub-area 1204, the first storage area 130 includes a first storage sub-area 1301, a second storage sub-area 1302, a third storage sub-area 1303 and a fourth storage sub-area 1304, the first storage sub-area 1301 is arranged adjacent to the first display sub-area 1201 and is provided with a corresponding first fluid channel 111, the second storage sub-area 1302 is arranged adjacent to the second display sub-area 1202 and is provided with a corresponding first fluid channel 111, the third storage sub-area 1303 is arranged adjacent to the third display sub-area 1203 and is provided with a corresponding first fluid channel 111, the fourth storage sub-area 1304 is arranged adjacent to the fourth display sub-area 1204 and is provided with a corresponding first fluid channel 111, the corresponding first driving electrodes 16 of each display sub-area and storage sub-area apply a voltage signal and circulate the second fluid 132 to the corresponding position through the first fluid channel 111, thereby realizing the target image display or full white display of the corresponding display sub-area.

[0129] In another optional embodiment, as shown in Figure 10 The electrowetting display panel 100 is divided into upper and lower sub-areas, the first storage area 130 includes a first storage sub-area 1301 and a second storage sub-area 1302 arranged on the upper and lower sides of the electrowetting display panel 100, the first display area 120 includes a first display sub-area 1201 and a second display sub-area 1202 arranged adjacent to the first storage sub-area 1301 and the second storage sub-area 1302 respectively, the corresponding first driving electrodes 16 of each display sub-area and storage sub-area apply a voltage signal and circulate the second fluid 132 to the corresponding position through the first fluid channel 111, thereby realizing the target image display or full white display of the corresponding display sub-area.

[0130] In another optional embodiment, as shown in Figure 11 The electrowetting display panel 100 is divided into left and right sub-areas, the first storage area 130 includes a first storage sub-area 1301 and a second storage sub-area 1302 arranged on the left and right sides of the electrowetting display panel 100, the first display area 120 includes a first display sub-area 1201 and a second display sub-area 1202 arranged adjacent to the first storage sub-area 1301 and the second storage sub-area 1302 respectively, the corresponding first driving electrodes 16 of each display sub-area and storage sub-area apply a voltage signal and circulate the second fluid 132 to the corresponding position through the first fluid channel 111, thereby realizing the target image display or full white display of the corresponding display sub-area.

[0131] The partition setting of the electrowetting display panel 100 can be achieved by a physical method or a virtual positioning method. When the physical method is adopted, a corresponding pixel wall 110 is arranged in the first storage area 130 and the first display area 120, and the first storage area 130 and the first display area 120 are divided into regions by the pixel wall 110. The first fluid layer 13 of each storage partition does not flow, and the first fluid layer 13 of each display partition does not flow.

[0132] When the virtual positioning method is adopted, the first fluid channel 111 can be arranged at a corresponding position of the pixel wall 110, and the second fluid 132 is positioned by a capacitive addressing technology, so as to accurately divide the regions and avoid misjudgment of the position of the second fluid 132.

[0133] For example, when the first display area 120 is divided into two partitions, the positions of the first display area 120 are configured and divided by addresses. For example, the positions between the first driving electrodes 16 from the first row to the 100th row are defined as the first display partition 1201, and the positions between the first driving electrodes 16 from the 101st row to the 200th row are defined as the second display partition 1202. The first driving electrodes 16 from the first row to the 100th row are configured by addresses. When the target image is displayed in the first display partition 1201, the first pixel electrode at a corresponding target position of the first display partition 1201 is controlled to apply a voltage signal, and the second fluid 132 is attracted to the target position. Similarly, when the target image is displayed in the second display partition 1202, the first pixel electrode at a corresponding target position of the second display partition 1202 is controlled to apply a voltage signal, and the second fluid 132 is attracted to the target position.

[0134] In order to form a corresponding capacitive structure and achieve capacitive addressing, as shown in the figure, in an optional embodiment, the electrowetting display panel 100 further comprises: Figure 12

[0135] The sensing electrode layer is stacked between the second substrate 12 and the second transparent hydrophobic layer 18, and the sensing electrode layer comprises a plurality of sensing electrodes 26. The sensing electrodes 26 are arranged opposite to the first driving electrodes 16 one by one.

[0136] The sensing electrodes 26 and the first driving electrodes 16 are used to input a detection signal, and the position of the second fluid 132 is determined according to the capacitive change formed by the sensing electrodes 26 and the first driving electrodes 16 when the second fluid 132 flows.

[0137] ​In this embodiment, the sensing electrode 26 and the first driving electrode 16 form a sensing capacitor. A detection signal is applied to the sensing electrode 26 and the first driving electrode 16. When there is no second fluid 132 between the sensing electrode 26 and the first driving electrode 16, a first capacitor is formed. When there is a second fluid 132 between the sensing electrode 26 and the first driving electrode 16, a second capacitor is formed. By detecting the change in capacitance between the sensing electrode 26 and the first driving electrode 16, the position of the second fluid 132 can be determined, thereby realizing the function of capacitance addressing.

[0138] Example 4

[0139] A second aspect of the present invention provides a display device, such as... Figure 13 As shown, the display device includes a driving circuit 200 for an electrowetting display panel and an electrowetting display panel 100. The specific structure of the electrowetting display panel 100 is as described in the above embodiments. Since this display device adopts all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here. The driving circuit 200 for the electrowetting display panel is connected to the electrowetting display panel 100.

[0140] In this embodiment, the driving circuit 200 of the electrowetting display panel may include a corresponding voltage generating circuit and a scanning control circuit. The voltage generating circuit is connected to multiple data lines of the electrowetting display panel 100 and is used to output multiple voltage signals. The scanning control signal is connected to multiple scan lines of the electrowetting display panel 100 and is used to output line scanning signals, privacy scanning signals, etc.

[0141] The voltage generation circuit can use a driver chip, power supply module, etc., and the scanning control circuit can use a shift register, driver chip, etc.

[0142] Example 5

[0143] A third aspect of this invention provides a driving method for an electrowetting display panel 100, applicable to the electrowetting display panel 100 described above. Figure 14 As shown, the driving method for the electrowetting display panel 100 includes:

[0144] S10. Obtain the image information to be displayed, and determine the target display graphic and the target position information of the target display graphic in the first display area 120;

[0145] S20, inputting a corresponding voltage signal to the first driving electrode 16 at the edge position of the first display area 120 to move the second fluid 132 to form a target display pattern at the edge of the first display area 120, and inputting a corresponding voltage signal to the first driving electrode 16 at the edge position and the target position of the first display area 120 to move the target display pattern to the target position to display image information;

[0146] S30, when switching image information, if there is a same or similar display pattern in the previous frame and the next frame, moving the corresponding same or similar display pattern in the previous frame to the target position of the target display pattern in the next frame;

[0147] S40, when ending display, judging the position of each target pattern, and inputting a corresponding voltage signal to the display partition and the storage partition to move the second fluid 132 of the display partition to the nearest storage partition.

[0148] In the embodiment, when driving the electrowetting display panel 100, the image information to be displayed is first acquired, and the image information is analyzed and processed to determine the display pattern of the first display area 120 and the corresponding position information. Based on the position information, a corresponding voltage signal is input to the first driving electrode 16 at the edge position of the first display area 120 to form a target display pattern at the edge position. The path between the first edge position and the target position forms a virtual path, and the virtual path applies a corresponding voltage signal. As shown in the middle, the target display pattern at the edge position is moved to the target position through the virtual path along the first direction X1 and the second direction X2. By forming the target display pattern at the edge position first and then moving it directly to the target position, the voltage signal can be applied to each first driving electrode 16 in sequence without the need to control each sub-pixel one by one, thereby reducing the number of voltage assignments of the first driving electrode 16 and reducing the driving power consumption. Figure 15

[0149] When switching the screen, the pattern of the first display area 120 is divided, and it is judged whether there is a same or similar screen in the near distance in the previous and next screens. When there is a same screen or a similar screen, the second fluid 132 corresponding to the same or similar screen in the previous frame is moved or deformed to the corresponding screen in the next frame, for example Figure 15 As shown, the same pattern in the previous frame is moved to the corresponding position in the next frame according to the third direction X3 and the fourth direction X4 to form the movement of the same screen at different positions.

[0150] ​Meanwhile, the first display area 120 and the first storage area 130 can be partitioned, each first display partition 1201 is adjacent to a storage partition, the second fluid 132 between the storage partition and the display partition can flow to each other, the figure of each display partition can move across the area, and when returning to the storage partition, the position of the second fluid 132 can be determined by the capacitive addressing technology, the nearest storage partition is found, the second fluid 132 is moved to the nearest storage partition, for example Figure 15 As shown, the second fluid is moved to the nearest storage partition according to the fifth direction X5 and the sixth direction X6, the moving distance of the second fluid 132 is reduced, the large-scale movement of the second fluid 132 is avoided, and the driving power consumption is reduced.

[0151] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments can be modified, or some technical features can be replaced by equivalents; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An electrowetting display panel, characterized in that, The display panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate arranged oppositely; a first fluid layer encapsulated between the first substrate and the second substrate, the first fluid layer comprising a non-conductive first fluid and a conductive second fluid that are immiscible, the first fluid serving as a medium layer for the second fluid to flow; a first driving layer laminated to the first substrate; a reflective layer laminated to the first driving layer, the reflective layer being used for reflecting external ambient light; a first electrode layer located in the reflective layer, the first electrode layer comprising a plurality of first driving electrodes arranged in an array, each of the first driving electrodes being connected to the first driving layer and inputting a voltage signal of a corresponding size through the first driving layer; a first transparent hydrophobic layer laminated to the reflective layer and a second transparent hydrophobic layer laminated to the second substrate, the first and second transparent hydrophobic layers being in contact with the first fluid layer; the first substrate and the second substrate are divided into a first display area and a first storage area by a pixel wall, the first display area and the first storage area each having corresponding first driving layers, first electrode layers, first transparent hydrophobic layers and second transparent hydrophobic layers, the pixel wall being provided with a first fluid channel, and the first storage area being used for storing the second fluid; when the first driving electrodes of the first display area and the first storage area input different voltage signals, the first driving electrodes drive the second fluid to move between the first storage area and the first display area through the first fluid channel and drive the second fluid to move to a corresponding display position in the first display area.

2. The electrowetting display panel of claim 1, wherein, The first driving layer comprises: a plurality of first scan lines, a plurality of first data lines and a plurality of first thin film transistors arranged in an array laminated to the first substrate; a gate of each of the first thin film transistors is connected to one of the first scan lines, a first electrode of each of the first thin film transistors is connected to one of the first data lines, and a second electrode of each of the first thin film transistors is connected to a corresponding one of the first driving electrodes. 3.The electrowetting display panel of claim 1, wherein, The electrowetting display panel further comprises an anti-peep layer; The anti-peep layer comprises: a third substrate arranged oppositely to the second substrate, a second fluid layer encapsulated between the third substrate and the second substrate, the second fluid layer comprising a non-conductive third fluid and a conductive fourth fluid that are immiscible, the third fluid serving as a medium layer for the fourth fluid to flow; a second driving layer laminated to the third substrate; a second electrode layer connected to the second driving layer, the second electrode layer comprising a plurality of second driving electrodes arranged in an array, each of the second driving electrodes being connected to the second driving layer and inputting a voltage signal of a corresponding size through the second driving layer, the second driving electrodes being in a groove structure, and an opening of the groove facing the second substrate; a third transparent hydrophobic layer laminated to the second driving electrodes and a fourth transparent hydrophobic layer laminated to the second substrate, the third and fourth transparent hydrophobic layers being in contact with the second fluid layer; The second substrate and the third substrate are divided into a second display area and a second storage area by the pixel wall, the second storage area and the first storage area are arranged in a stack, the second display area and the first display area are arranged in a stack, the pixel wall is provided with a second fluid channel, and the second storage area is used for storing the fourth fluid; The second driving electrodes of the second display area and the second storage area drive the second fluid to move through the second fluid channel between the storage area and the display area when different voltage signals are input, and drive the second fluid to move and fill into the groove at the target position.

4. The electrowetting display panel of claim 3, wherein, The bottom area of the groove is smaller than the opening area of the groove.

5. The electrowetting display panel of claim 4, wherein, The second driving layer comprises: a plurality of second scan lines, a plurality of second data lines, and a plurality of second thin film transistors arranged in an array; The gate of each second thin film transistor is connected to one of the second scan lines, the first electrode of each second thin film transistor is connected to one of the second data lines, and the second electrode of each second thin film transistor is connected to one of the second driving electrodes.

6. The electrowetting display panel of claim 5, wherein, The anti-peep layer further comprises: a plurality of black matrices, each of which is arranged between the third substrate and one of the second thin film transistors, and the size of each black matrix is greater than or equal to the size of the corresponding second thin film transistor. 7.The electrowetting display panel of any one of claims 1-6, wherein, The first storage area comprises a plurality of storage sub-areas, and the first display area comprises a plurality of display sub-areas, each storage sub-area corresponds to one display sub-area, and the first fluid channel is arranged between the pixel wall of each storage sub-area and the corresponding display sub-area. The first driving electrodes of each display sub-area and the corresponding storage sub-area drive the second fluid to move through the first fluid channel between the display sub-area and the corresponding storage sub-area when different voltage signals are input, and drive the second fluid to move to the corresponding display position of each display sub-area.

8. The electrowetting display panel of claim 7, wherein, The electrowetting display panel further comprises: a sensing electrode layer arranged between the second substrate and the second transparent hydrophobic layer, the sensing electrode layer comprising a plurality of sensing electrodes, each sensing electrode being arranged opposite to one of the first driving electrodes; The sensing electrodes and the first driving electrodes are used to input a detection signal, and the position of the second fluid is determined according to the change in capacitance formed by the sensing electrodes and the first driving electrodes when the second fluid flows through.

9. A display device, characterized by comprising: A driving circuit of the electrowetting display panel and the electrowetting display panel according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the driving circuit of the electrowetting display panel is connected to the electrowetting display panel.

10. A driving method of an electrowetting display panel, suitable for the electrowetting display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The driving method of the electrowetting display panel comprises: obtaining image information to be displayed, and determining a target display pattern of the first display area and target position information of the target display pattern; inputting the first driving electrode corresponding to the voltage signal to the edge position of the first display area to move the second fluid to form the target display pattern at the edge of the first display area, and inputting the first driving electrode corresponding to the voltage signal to the edge position and the target position of the first display area to move the target display pattern to the target position to display image information; when switching image information, moving the corresponding same or similar display pattern in the previous frame to the target position of the target display pattern in the next frame when there is the same or similar display pattern in the previous frame and the next frame; when ending display, judging the position of each target pattern, and inputting the voltage signal to the display partition and the storage partition to move the second fluid of the display partition to the nearest storage partition.

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