Display panel, driving method of display panel, and display device

Abstract

The application relates to a display panel, a driving method of the display panel and a display device. The display panel comprises a plurality of pixel units, the pixel unit has a shielding area and a visible area, and the pixel unit comprises a reference electrode located in the shielding area, a driving electrode located in the visible area and color-developing particles carrying charges; the driving electrode is used for changing a voltage thereof, and the color-developing particles are driven to move from one of the shielding area and the visible area to the other of the shielding area and the visible area by using a pressure difference between the driving electrode and the reference electrode. The display panel solves the problem that driving signal control of a multi-color display electronic paper in the prior art is complex.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a display panel, a driving method for the display panel, and a display device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the implementation method of multicolor display electrophoretic electronic paper is as follows: Each pixel unit includes a microcup structure, and a single microcup structure stores multiple color particles. Each color particle carries a different charge and has a different weight. The driving method involves setting electrodes at the bottom and top of the microcup structure. By changing the voltage of the bottom electrode and the voltage of the bottom electrode, the movement of different color particles to the top of the microcup structure is controlled, thereby realizing multicolor display of the pixel unit. This driving method requires adjusting the voltage of the bottom and top electrodes simultaneously, making signal control complex. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a display panel, a driving method for the display panel, and a display device to solve the problem of complex driving signal control in the prior art for multi-color electronic paper displays.

[0004] In a first aspect, this application provides a display panel including a plurality of pixel units, each pixel unit having a shaded area and a visible area. Each pixel unit includes: a reference electrode located in the shaded area, a driving electrode located in the visible area, and color particles carrying charges. The driving electrode is used to change its own voltage and, by utilizing the voltage difference between the driving electrode and the reference electrode, drive the color particles to move from one of the shaded area and the visible area to the other of the shaded area and the visible area.

[0005] Optionally, the reference electrode includes two parallel vertical electrodes and two parallel horizontal electrodes, each vertical electrode perpendicularly intersecting the two horizontal electrodes. The color-developing particles include a positively charged first color-developing particle and a negatively charged second color-developing particle. The first color-developing particle has a first color, and the second color-developing particle has a second color. The pixel unit further includes an electrophoretic layer, in which the first and second color-developing particles are located. A portion of the top surface of the electrophoretic layer located within the shielding area is opaque, the bottom color of the electrophoretic layer is a third color, and a portion of the top surface of the electrophoretic layer located within the visible area is translucent. The two horizontal electrodes are used to output a first reference voltage during the display phase, where the first reference voltage is positive. The two vertical electrodes are used to output a second reference voltage during the display phase, where the second reference voltage is negative. The driving electrode is used in the visible area... When the first color is displayed in the field, a first driving voltage is output to drive the first color-producing particles to move to the visible area and the second color-producing particles to move to the position of the horizontal electrode in the shaded area. The first driving voltage is less than the second reference voltage. When the second color is displayed in the visible area, the driving electrode outputs a second driving voltage to drive the first color-producing particles to move to the position of the vertical electrode in the shaded area and the second color-producing particles to move to the visible area. The second driving voltage is greater than the first reference voltage. When the third color is displayed in the visible area, the driving electrode outputs a third driving voltage to drive the first color-producing particles to move to the position of the vertical electrode in the shaded area and the second color-producing particles to move to the position of the horizontal electrode in the shaded area. The third driving voltage is less than the first reference voltage and greater than the second reference voltage.

[0006] Optionally, the pixel unit includes an electrode layer, which is disposed vertically opposite to the electrophoretic layer, and the two horizontal electrodes, the two vertical electrodes, and the driving electrode are all located in the electrode layer.

[0007] Optionally, the electrode layer includes: a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer, the first dielectric layer being located directly below the electrophoretic layer, the first dielectric layer having two first opening regions and a plurality of second opening regions on the side closer to the electrophoretic layer, and two third opening regions on the side of the first dielectric layer away from the electrophoretic layer, the two vertical electrodes corresponding one-to-one with the two first opening regions, each vertical electrode being disposed within a corresponding first opening region, the plurality of first portions of the driving electrode corresponding one-to-one with the plurality of second opening regions, each first portion of the driving electrode being disposed within a corresponding second opening region, the two horizontal electrodes corresponding one-to-one with the two third opening regions, and at least a portion of each horizontal electrode being disposed within a corresponding third opening region.

[0008] Optionally, all of each of the transverse electrodes is disposed within the corresponding third opening region, or, two fourth opening regions are disposed on the side of the first dielectric layer away from the electrophoretic layer, with the two transverse electrodes corresponding one-to-one with the two fourth opening regions, the first part of each transverse electrode being disposed within the corresponding third opening region, and the second part of each transverse electrode being disposed within the corresponding fourth opening region, with the top of the first opening region and the top of the fourth opening region located on the same horizontal plane.

[0009] Optionally, the electrode layer includes: a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is located directly below the electrophoretic layer. A plurality of first opening regions are provided on the side of the first dielectric layer away from the electrophoretic layer. A plurality of first portions of the driving electrode correspond one-to-one with the plurality of first opening regions. Each first portion of the driving electrode is disposed within a corresponding first opening region. The second dielectric layer is located directly above the electrophoretic layer. The second dielectric layer, the two vertical electrodes, and the two horizontal electrodes are all transparent. Two second opening regions are provided on the side of the second dielectric layer away from the electrophoretic layer. The two second opening regions correspond one-to-one with the horizontal electrodes. A first portion of each horizontal electrode is disposed within a corresponding second opening region. Two third opening regions and two fourth opening regions are provided on the side of the second dielectric layer near the electrophoretic layer. The two vertical electrodes correspond one-to-one with the two third opening regions. Each vertical electrode is disposed within a corresponding third opening region. The two horizontal electrodes correspond one-to-one with the fourth opening regions. A second portion of each horizontal electrode is disposed within a corresponding fourth opening region. The bottom of the third opening region and the bottom of the fourth opening region are located on the same horizontal plane.

[0010] Optionally, the pixel unit includes a control layer, which includes a protective layer, a source electrode, a drain electrode, a semiconductor active layer, a gate electrode insulating layer, and a gate electrode. The protective layer is disposed directly below the first dielectric layer. A fifth opening region is provided on the side of the protective layer closest to the first dielectric layer, and a sixth opening region is provided on the side of the protective layer furthest from the first dielectric layer. The fifth and sixth opening regions are connected. A second portion of the driving electrode is disposed within the fifth opening region. The source electrode, the drain electrode, and the semiconductor active layer are disposed within the sixth opening region. The drain electrode is connected to the second portion of the driving electrode. Both the source and drain electrodes are connected to the semiconductor active layer, but the source and drain electrodes are not connected. The gate electrode insulating layer is disposed directly below the protective layer. A seventh opening region is provided on the side of the gate electrode insulating layer furthest from the protective layer. The seventh opening region is located directly below the semiconductor active layer, and the gate electrode is disposed within the seventh opening region.

[0011] Optionally, the two horizontal electrodes, the two vertical electrodes, and the driving electrode are all used to enter a floating state during the sleep phase to drive the first color-developing particles and the second color-developing particles to disperse in the visible area.

[0012] Secondly, this application provides a driving method for a display panel, which is applied to any of the aforementioned display panels. The method includes: during a display phase, changing the voltage of the driving electrode itself, and using the voltage difference between the driving electrode and the reference electrode to drive the color particles to move from one of the masking area and the visible area to another area of ​​the masking area and the visible area.

[0013] Thirdly, this application provides a display device, which includes any of the aforementioned display panels.

[0014] In the embodiments of this application, the voltage of the reference electrode remains unchanged. Only by changing the voltage of the driving electrode itself, the color particles are driven to move from one region of the shaded area and the visible area to another region of the shaded area and the visible area by utilizing the voltage difference between the driving electrode and the reference electrode. Compared with the prior art, which requires adjusting the voltage of multiple electrodes, this application only needs to adjust the voltage of the driving electrode itself to achieve multi-color display. The driving signal control is simple, thus solving the problem of complex driving signal control in the prior art for multi-color display electronic paper. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference numerals in the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a first type of pixel unit provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a second type of pixel unit provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a third type of pixel unit provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the fourth type of pixel unit provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 5(a) shows the pixel unit edge provided in the embodiment of this application. Figure 1 The first cross-sectional view of the direction from A1 to A2; Figure 5(b) shows the pixel unit edge provided in the embodiment of this application. Figure 1 The first type of cross-sectional view with the direction from B1 to B2 in the diagram; Figure 5(c) shows the pixel unit edge provided in the embodiment of this application. Figure 1 The second cross-sectional view with the direction from B1 to B2; Figure 6(a) shows the pixel unit edge provided in the embodiment of this application. Figure 1 The second cross-sectional view with the direction from A1 to A2; Figure 6(b) shows the pixel unit edge provided in the embodiment of this application. Figure 1 The third type of cross-sectional view with the direction from B1 to B2; The accompanying diagrams in the instruction manual are illustrated below: 1. Shaded area; 2. Visible area; 3. Electrophoretic layer; 30. First colorimetric particle; 31. Second colorimetric particle; 4. Electrode layer; 40. Reference electrode; 401. Transverse electrode; 4010. First portion of transverse electrode; 4011. Second portion of transverse electrode; 402. Vertical electrode; 41. Driving electrode; 410. First portion of driving electrode; 411. Second portion of driving electrode; 42. First dielectric layer; 43. Second dielectric layer; 5. Control layer; 50. Protective layer; 51. Source electrode; 52. Drain electrode; 53. Semiconductor active layer; 54. Gate electrode insulating layer; 55. Gate electrode; 6. Common electrode layer; 7. First substrate; 8. Second substrate. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0020] The following disclosure provides numerous different embodiments or examples for implementing various structures of the invention. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. These are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples. Such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed.

[0021] To address the technical problem of complex driving signal control in existing multi-color electronic paper displays, this application provides a display panel, a driving method for the display panel, and a display device, which can solve the problem of complex driving signal control in existing multi-color electronic paper displays.

[0022] Figure 1 A display panel provided in an embodiment of this application, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes multiple pixel units, each pixel unit having an occlusion region 1 and a visible region 2, and the pixel unit includes: The reference electrode 40 is located in the aforementioned shielded area 1, the driving electrode 41 is located in the aforementioned visible area 2, and the color-developing particles carry an electric charge. The driving electrode 41 is used to change its own voltage and use the voltage difference between the driving electrode 41 and the reference electrode 40 to drive the color-developing particles to move from one of the shielding area 1 and the visible area 2 to the other of the shielding area 1 and the visible area 2.

[0023] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, in the horizontal direction, the pixel unit is divided into occlusion region 1 and visible region 2.

[0024] Through the above embodiments, in this application, the voltage of the reference electrode remains unchanged. Only by changing the voltage of the driving electrode itself, the color particles are driven to move from one region of the shaded area and the visible area to another region of the shaded area and the visible area by utilizing the voltage difference between the driving electrode and the reference electrode. Compared with the prior art, which requires adjusting the voltage of multiple electrodes, this application only needs to adjust the voltage of the driving electrode itself to achieve multi-color display. The driving signal control is simple, thus solving the problem of complex driving signal control in the prior art for multi-color display electronic paper.

[0025] exist Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the diagram, the arrow indicates the direction of the electric field. In one optional embodiment, such as... Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the reference electrode 40 includes two parallel vertical electrodes 402 and two parallel horizontal electrodes 401. Each of the vertical electrodes 402 intersects the two horizontal electrodes 401 perpendicularly. The color-developing particles include a positively charged first color-developing particle 30 and a negatively charged second color-developing particle 31. The first color-developing particle 30 has a first color (for example, the first color is red), and the second color-developing particle 31 has a second color (for example, the second color is blue), as shown in Figures 5(a), 5(b), 5(c), 6(a), and 6(b). The pixel unit further includes an electrophoretic layer 3. The first color-developing particles and the second color-developing particles are located in the electrophoretic layer 3. The bottom color of the electrophoretic layer is a third color (for example, the third color is white). The portion of the top surface of the electrophoretic layer 3 located in the shielding area 1 is opaque, and the portion of the top surface of the electrophoretic layer 3 located in the visible area 2 is translucent. Specifically, for example, an electrophoretic microcup structure can be used to realize the electrophoretic layer 3, and a transparent substrate can be encapsulated on the top of the electrophoretic microcup structure. A light-shielding material is coated on the part of the transparent substrate located in the shielding area 1, so that the part of the top surface of the electrophoretic layer 3 located in the shielding area 1 is opaque, and the part of the top surface of the electrophoretic layer 3 located in the visible area 2 is transparent.

[0026] Among them, the two horizontal electrodes 401 are used to output a first reference voltage during the display stage, and the first reference voltage is a positive voltage; the two vertical electrodes 402 are used to output a second reference voltage during the display stage, and the second reference voltage is a negative voltage. Specifically, for example, the first reference voltage is 5V and the second reference voltage is -5V.

[0027] like Figure 3 As shown, the driving electrode 41 is used to output a first driving voltage when the first color is displayed in the visible area 2, so as to drive the first color-producing particle 30 to move to the visible area 2 and drive the second color-producing particle 31 to move to the position of the horizontal electrode 401 in the shielding area 1. The first driving voltage is less than the second reference voltage. Specifically, for example, the first reference voltage is 5V, the second reference voltage is -5V, and the first driving voltage is -10V. At this time, the electric field direction is... Figure 3 With the arrows pointing in the same direction, driven by the electric field, the first positively charged color particle 30 moves to the visible area 2, and the second negatively charged color particle 31 moves to the position of the transverse electrode 401 in the shielded area 1.

[0028] like Figure 4As shown, the driving electrode 41 is used to output a second driving voltage when the second color is displayed in the visible area 2, so as to drive the first color-producing particle 30 to move to the position of the vertical electrode 402 in the shielding area 1, and drive the second color-producing particle 31 to move to the visible area 2. The second driving voltage is greater than the first reference voltage. Specifically, for example, the first reference voltage is 5V, the second reference voltage is -5V, and the second driving voltage is 10V. At this time, the electric field direction is... Figure 3 With the arrows pointing in the same direction, driven by the electric field, the negatively charged second color particle 31 moves to the visible area 2, and the positively charged first color particle 30 moves to the position of the vertical electrode 402.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, the driving electrode 41 is used to output a third driving voltage when the third color is displayed in the visible area 2, so as to drive the first color-producing particle 30 to move to the position of the vertical electrode 402 in the shielding area 1, and to drive the second color-producing particle 31 to move to the position of the horizontal electrode 401 in the shielding area 1. The third driving voltage is less than the first reference voltage and greater than the second reference voltage.

[0030] Specifically, for example, the first reference voltage is 5V, the second reference voltage is -5V, and the third driving voltage is 0V. At this time, the electric field direction is... Figure 2 With the arrows pointing in the same direction, driven by the electric field, the first positively charged color particle 30 moves to the position of the vertical electrode 402, and the second negatively charged color particle 31 moves to the position of the horizontal electrode 401 in the shielded area 1.

[0031] Specifically, the horizontal electrode 401, the vertical electrode 402, and the driving electrode 41 are all transparent.

[0032] Specifically, for each pixel unit, the driving electrode 41 of the pixel unit is surrounded by the vertical electrode 402 and the horizontal electrode 401. Therefore, the vertical electrode 402 and the horizontal electrode 401 can effectively shield the electric field interference between the driving electrodes 41 in adjacent pixel units, so that the color rendering of each pixel unit is accurate and stable.

[0033] Specifically, for example, when the driving voltage output by the driving electrode 41 reaches a certain duration, the state of the first color-developing particles 30 and the second color-developing particles 31 in the electrophoretic layer 3 is basically stable. For example, when the first color is displayed in the visible area 2, all the first color-developing particles 30 are spread out in the visible area 2 and their positions remain basically unchanged. At this time, the absolute value of the voltage output by the horizontal electrode 401 and the absolute value of the voltage output by the vertical electrode 402 can be reduced to maintain the electric field distribution stability while reducing power consumption.

[0034] In this embodiment, the voltage of the horizontal electrode remains constant, the voltage of the vertical electrode remains constant, the first color is displayed in the visible area when the driving electrode outputs the first driving voltage, the second color is displayed in the visible area when the driving electrode outputs the second driving voltage, and the third color is displayed in the visible area when the driving electrode outputs the third driving voltage. Multicolor display of the pixel unit is achieved by changing the voltage of the driving electrode itself.

[0035] In one optional embodiment, the two horizontal electrodes, the two vertical electrodes, and the driving electrode are all used to enter a floating state during the sleep phase to drive the first color-producing particles and the second color-producing particles to disperse in the visible area.

[0036] Specifically, during the sleep phase, the two horizontal electrodes, the two vertical electrodes, and the driving electrode enter a floating state. No electrical signal is applied to the two horizontal electrodes, the two vertical electrodes, and the driving electrode, so that the first color-producing particles and the second color-producing particles are dispersed in the visible area, displaying mixed colors.

[0037] In one optional embodiment, the pixel unit includes: Electrode layer 4; The electrode layer 4 and the electrophoretic layer 3 are arranged vertically opposite each other, and the two horizontal electrodes 401, the two vertical electrodes 402 and the driving electrode 41 are all located in the electrode layer 4.

[0038] In an alternative embodiment, FIG5(a) shows the pixel unit along... Figure 1 The first cross-sectional view along the A1 to A2 direction in Figure 5(b) shows the pixel unit along... Figure 1 The first cross-sectional view along the B1 to B2 direction in Figure 5(c) shows the pixel unit along... Figure 1 The second cross-sectional view of the B1 to B2 direction is shown in Figures 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c). The electrode layer 4 includes a first dielectric layer 42 and a second dielectric layer 43. The first dielectric layer 42 is located directly below the electrophoretic layer 3. Two first opening regions and multiple second opening regions are provided on the side of the first dielectric layer 42 near the electrophoretic layer 3. Two third opening regions are provided on the side of the first dielectric layer 42 away from the electrophoretic layer 3. The two vertical electrodes 402 correspond one-to-one with the two first opening regions. Each vertical electrode 402 is disposed in the corresponding first opening region. Multiple first portions of the driving electrode 41 correspond one-to-one with the multiple second opening regions. Each first portion of the driving electrode 41 is disposed in the corresponding second opening region (the first portion of the driving electrode is represented by 410). The two horizontal electrodes 401 correspond one-to-one with the two third opening regions. At least a portion of each horizontal electrode 401 is disposed in the corresponding third opening region.

[0039] Specifically, multiple first portions of the drive electrode 41 are electrically connected.

[0040] Specifically, the function of the first dielectric layer 42 is to isolate the longitudinal electrode 402, the driving electrode 41 and the driving electrode 41, and prevent the longitudinal electrode 402, the driving electrode 41 and the driving electrode 41 from directly contacting each other and causing a short circuit. At the same time, the first dielectric layer 42 allows the electric field to pass through.

[0041] Specifically, for example, there are two optional settings for the transverse electrode, as follows: The first optional arrangement is shown in Figure 5(a), in which all of the above-mentioned transverse electrodes 401 are arranged in the corresponding third opening area; Specifically, for the first optional setting, the horizontal electrode 401 is farther away from the electrophoretic layer 3 than the vertical electrode 402. In this case, the absolute value of the voltage applied to the horizontal electrode 401 is larger than the absolute value of the voltage applied to the vertical electrode 402, so that the electric field strength generated by the vertical electrode 402 and the horizontal electrode 401 in the electrophoretic layer 3 is basically the same. At this time, when the pixel unit performs multicolor display, the voltages applied to the horizontal electrode 401, the vertical electrode 402 and the driving electrode 41 are as shown in Table 1.

[0042] Table 1

[0043] The second optional configuration is shown in Figure 5(c). In the first dielectric layer 42, a plurality of fourth opening regions are provided on the side away from the electrophoretic layer 3. The two transverse electrodes 401 correspond one-to-one with the two fourth opening regions. The first part of each transverse electrode 401 is set in the corresponding third opening region (the first part of the transverse electrode is represented by 4010), and the second part of the transverse electrode 401 is set in the corresponding fourth opening region (the second part of the transverse electrode is represented by 4011). The top of the first opening region and the top of the fourth opening region are located on the same horizontal plane.

[0044] Specifically, in the second optional configuration, the first part of each transverse electrode 401 and the second part of the transverse electrode 401 are electrically connected.

[0045] Specifically, for the second optional setting, the top of the first opening area and the top of the fourth opening area are located on the same horizontal plane, so that the second part of the horizontal electrode 401 and the vertical electrode 402 are located on the same horizontal plane. At this time, the same voltage is applied to the horizontal electrode 401 and the vertical electrode 402, and the electric field strength generated by the horizontal electrode 401 and the vertical electrode 402 in the electrophoretic layer 3 is basically the same. At this time, when the pixel unit performs multicolor display, the voltages applied to the horizontal electrode 401, the vertical electrode 402 and the driving electrode 41 are as shown in Table 2.

[0046] Table 2

[0047] Specifically, as shown in Figures 5(a), 5(b), and 5(c), the aforementioned pixel unit also includes: Common electrode layer 6 is located directly above the electrophoretic layer 3.

[0048] Specifically, the common electrode layer 6 is used to isolate the electrophoretic layer 3, electrode layer 4 and control layer 5 from the ambient electric field outside the pixel unit, and the common electrode layer 6 is transparent.

[0049] In an alternative embodiment, FIG6(a) shows the pixel unit along... Figure 1 The second cross-sectional view along the A1 to A2 direction in Figure 6(b) shows the pixel unit along... Figure 1 The third cross-sectional view of the B1 to B2 direction is shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b). The electrode layer 4 includes a first dielectric layer 42 and a second dielectric layer 43. The first dielectric layer 42 is located directly below the electrophoretic layer 3. A plurality of first opening regions are provided on the side of the first dielectric layer 42 away from the electrophoretic layer 3. A plurality of first portions of the driving electrode 41 correspond one-to-one with the plurality of first opening regions (the first portion of the driving electrode is represented by 410). Each first portion of the driving electrode 41 is disposed in the corresponding first opening region. The second dielectric layer 43 is located directly above the electrophoretic layer 3. The second dielectric layer 43, the two vertical electrodes 402, and the two horizontal electrodes 401 are all transparent. A plurality of first opening regions are provided on the side of the second dielectric layer 43 away from the electrophoretic layer 3. Two second opening regions are provided, each corresponding to one of the horizontal electrodes 401. The first part of each horizontal electrode 401 is disposed within the corresponding second opening region (the first part of the horizontal electrode is represented by 4010). Two third opening regions and two fourth opening regions are provided on the side of the second dielectric layer 43 near the electrophoretic layer 3. The two vertical electrodes 402 correspond to the two third opening regions, each disposed within the corresponding third opening region. The two horizontal electrodes 401 correspond to the fourth opening regions, each disposed within the corresponding fourth opening region (the second part of each horizontal electrode 401 is represented by 4011). The bottom of the third opening region and the bottom of the fourth opening region are located on the same horizontal plane.

[0050] Specifically, since the driving electrode 41 needs to be controlled by a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) device to determine whether to apply a driving voltage, a TFT device needs to be placed below the driving electrode 41. There will be parasitic capacitance between the gate electrode, drain electrode and the horizontal electrode 401 and vertical electrode 402 inside the TFT device. In order to reduce the parasitic capacitance between the horizontal electrode 401, vertical electrode 402 and the gate electrode and drain electrode, the horizontal electrode 401 and vertical electrode 402 can be placed above the electrophoretic layer 3.

[0051] In an optional embodiment, as shown in Figures 5(a), 5(b), 5(c), 6(a) and 6(b), the pixel unit includes a control layer 5, which includes a protective layer 50, a source electrode 51, a drain electrode 52, a semiconductor active layer 53, a gate electrode insulating layer 54 and a gate electrode 55. The protective layer 50 is disposed directly below the first dielectric layer 42. A fifth opening region is provided on the side of the protective layer 50 closest to the first dielectric layer 42, and a sixth opening region is provided on the side of the protective layer 50 furthest from the first dielectric layer 42. The fifth and sixth opening regions are connected. The second part of the driving electrode 41 (represented by 411) is disposed within the fifth opening region. The source electrode 51, the drain electrode 52, and the active semiconductor layer 53 are disposed within the sixth opening region. The drain electrode 52 is connected to the second part of the driving electrode 41. Both the source electrode 51 and the drain electrode 52 are connected to the active semiconductor layer 53. The source electrode 51 and the drain electrode 52 are not connected. The gate electrode insulating layer 54 is disposed directly below the protective layer 50. A seventh opening region is provided on the side of the gate electrode insulating layer 54 furthest from the protective layer 50. The seventh opening region is located directly below the active semiconductor layer 53. The gate electrode 55 is disposed within the seventh opening region.

[0052] Specifically, Figure 1 In the diagram, the source electrode is located directly below and covered by the vertical electrode 402. The dashed rectangle represents the gate electrode. Both the source electrode and the drain electrode 52 are connected to the gate electrode. Figure 1As shown in Figures 5(a), 5(b), 5(c), 6(a), and 6(b), the source electrode 51, drain electrode 52, active semiconductor layer 53, gate electrode insulating layer 54, and gate electrode 55 constitute a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) device used to drive the driving electrode 41. When a voltage is applied to the gate electrode 55, the electric field formed by the gate electrode 55 passes through the gate electrode insulating layer 54, controlling the active semiconductor layer 53 to turn on, and current flows through the active semiconductor layer 53. At this time, the source electrode 51 and drain electrode 52 are electrically connected through the active semiconductor layer 53. A driving voltage (the first driving voltage, the second driving voltage, and the third driving voltage mentioned above) is applied to the source electrode 51. This driving voltage passes sequentially through the active semiconductor layer 53 and the drain electrode 52 to reach the driving electrode 41, that is, the driving electrode 41 outputs the driving voltage. When no voltage is applied to the gate electrode 55, no electric field passes through the gate electrode insulating layer. Layer 54 controls the semiconductor active layer 53 to turn off, and no current flows through the semiconductor active layer 53. At this time, the electrical connection between the source electrode 51 and the drain electrode 52 is broken, and there is no voltage on the driving electrode 41. The gate electrode 55 is electrically connected to the gate driving circuit, which is responsible for applying voltage (scan signal) to the gate electrode 55. The source electrode 51 is electrically connected to the source driving circuit, which is responsible for applying voltage (data voltage signal) to the source electrode 51. The gate electrode insulating layer 54 isolates the source electrode 51, the drain electrode 52, the semiconductor active layer 53, and the gate electrode 55 to prevent direct contact and short circuit between the source electrode 51, the drain electrode 52, the semiconductor active layer 53, and the gate electrode 55.

[0053] Specifically, the protective layer 50 provides physical and chemical protection for the TFT device, preventing contaminants such as moisture, oxygen, and sodium ions from the outside of the display panel from entering the interior of the TFT device, thus preventing aging, corrosion, or characteristic drift of the TFT device (the active semiconductor layer 53 is sensitive to water and oxygen). It also separates the source electrode 51 and drain electrode 52 in the TFT device from the image driving electrode 41 above, preventing subsequent processes from causing mechanical damage to the fragile TFT device.

[0054] Specifically, as shown in Figures 5(a), 5(b), 5(c), 6(a) and 6(b), the pixel unit further includes a first substrate 7 and a second substrate 8. The first substrate is transparent, and the electrophoretic layer 3, the electrode layer 4 and the control layer 5 are integrated on the first substrate 7 and the second substrate 8.

[0055] This application provides a method for driving a display panel, such as... Figure 1As shown, the display panel includes multiple pixel units, each pixel unit having a masking region 1 and a visible region 2. Each pixel unit includes: a reference electrode 40 located in the masking region 1, a driving electrode 41 located in the visible region 2, and charged color-producing particles. The method is applied to any of the aforementioned display panels, and the method includes: During the display phase, the voltage of the driving electrode is changed, and the voltage difference between the driving electrode and the reference electrode is used to drive the color particles to move from one of the masked area and the visible area to the other of the masked area and the visible area.

[0056] In the above embodiments, the voltage of the reference electrode remains unchanged. Only the voltage of the driving electrode itself needs to be changed. The voltage difference between the driving electrode and the reference electrode is used to drive the color particles to move from one region of the shaded area and the visible area to another region of the shaded area and the visible area. Compared with the prior art, which requires adjusting the voltage of multiple electrodes, this application only needs to adjust the voltage of the driving electrode itself to achieve multi-color display. The driving signal control is simple, thus solving the problem of complex driving signal control of multi-color display electronic paper in the prior art.

[0057] In one alternative embodiment, in Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the diagram, the arrow indicates the direction of the electric field. In one optional embodiment, such as... Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the reference electrode 40 includes two parallel vertical electrodes 402 and two parallel horizontal electrodes 401. Each of the vertical electrodes 402 intersects the two horizontal electrodes 401 perpendicularly. The color-developing particles include a positively charged first color-developing particle 30 and a negatively charged second color-developing particle 31. The first color-developing particle 30 has a first color (for example, the first color is red), and the second color-developing particle 31 has a second color (for example, the second color is blue), as shown in Figures 5(a), 5(b), 5(c), 6(a), and 6(b). The pixel unit further includes an electrophoretic layer 3. The first color-developing particles and the second color-developing particles are located in the electrophoretic layer 3. The bottom color of the electrophoretic layer is a third color (for example, the third color is white). The portion of the top surface of the electrophoretic layer 3 located in the shielding area 1 is opaque, and the portion of the top surface of the electrophoretic layer 3 located in the visible area 2 is translucent. Specifically, for example, an electrophoretic microcup structure can be used to realize the electrophoretic layer 3, and a transparent substrate can be encapsulated on the top of the electrophoretic microcup structure. A light-shielding material is coated on the part of the transparent substrate located in the shielding area 1, so that the part of the top surface of the electrophoretic layer 3 located in the shielding area 1 is opaque, and the part of the top surface of the electrophoretic layer 3 located in the visible area 2 is transparent.

[0058] During the display phase, the two horizontal electrodes 401 are driven to output a first reference voltage, which is a positive voltage, and the two vertical electrodes 402 are driven to output a second reference voltage, which is a negative voltage. Specifically, for example, the first reference voltage is 5V and the second reference voltage is -5V.

[0059] like Figure 3 As shown, when the first color is displayed in the visible area 2, the driving electrode 41 is driven to output a first driving voltage to drive the first color-producing particle 30 to move to the visible area 2 and drive the second color-producing particle 31 to move to the position of the horizontal electrode 401 in the shielding area 1. The first driving voltage is less than the second reference voltage. Specifically, for example, the first reference voltage is 5V, the second reference voltage is -5V, and the first driving voltage is -10V. At this time, the electric field direction is... Figure 3 With the arrows pointing in the same direction, driven by the electric field, the first positively charged color particle 30 moves to the visible area 2, and the second negatively charged color particle 31 moves to the position of the transverse electrode 401 in the shielded area 1.

[0060] like Figure 4 As shown, when the second color is displayed in the visible area 2, the driving electrode 41 is driven to output a second driving voltage to drive the first color-producing particle 30 to move to the position of the vertical electrode 402 in the shielding area 1, and drive the second color-producing particle 31 to move to the visible area 2. The second driving voltage is greater than the first reference voltage. Specifically, for example, the first reference voltage is 5V, the second reference voltage is -5V, and the second driving voltage is 10V. At this time, the electric field direction is... Figure 4 With the arrows pointing in the same direction, driven by the electric field, the negatively charged second color particle 31 moves to the visible area 2, and the positively charged first color particle 30 moves to the position of the vertical electrode 402.

[0061] like Figure 2As shown, when the third color is displayed in the visible area 2, the driving electrode 41 is driven to output a third driving voltage to drive the first color-producing particle 30 to move to the position of the vertical electrode 402 in the shielding area 1, and to drive the second color-producing particle 31 to move to the position of the horizontal electrode 401 in the shielding area 1. The third driving voltage is less than the first reference voltage and greater than the second reference voltage.

[0062] Specifically, for example, the first reference voltage is 5V, the second reference voltage is -5V, and the third driving voltage is 0V. At this time, the electric field direction is... Figure 2 With the arrows pointing in the same direction, driven by the electric field, the first positively charged color particle 30 moves to the position of the vertical electrode 402, and the second negatively charged color particle 31 moves to the position of the horizontal electrode 401 in the shielded area 1.

[0063] Specifically, the horizontal electrode 401, the vertical electrode 402, and the driving electrode 41 are all transparent.

[0064] Specifically, for each pixel unit, the driving electrode 41 of the pixel unit is surrounded by the vertical electrode 402 and the horizontal electrode 401. Therefore, the vertical electrode 402 and the horizontal electrode 401 can effectively shield the electric field interference between the driving electrodes 41 in adjacent pixel units, so that the color rendering of each pixel unit is accurate and stable.

[0065] Specifically, for example, when the driving voltage output by the driving electrode 41 reaches a certain duration, the state of the first color-developing particles 30 and the second color-developing particles 31 in the electrophoretic layer 3 is basically stable. For example, when the first color is displayed in the visible area 2, all the first color-developing particles 30 are spread out in the visible area 2 and their positions remain basically unchanged. At this time, the absolute value of the voltage output by the horizontal electrode 401 and the absolute value of the voltage output by the vertical electrode 402 can be reduced to maintain the electric field distribution stability while reducing power consumption.

[0066] In this embodiment, the voltage of the horizontal electrode remains constant, the voltage of the vertical electrode remains constant, the first color is displayed in the visible area when the driving electrode outputs the first driving voltage, the second color is displayed in the visible area when the driving electrode outputs the second driving voltage, and the third color is displayed in the visible area when the driving electrode outputs the third driving voltage. Multicolor display of the pixel unit is achieved by changing the voltage of the driving electrode itself.

[0067] In one optional embodiment, during the sleep phase, the two horizontal electrodes, the two vertical electrodes, and the driving electrode are all controlled to enter a floating state to drive the first color-producing particles and the second color-producing particles to disperse in the visible area.

[0068] Specifically, during the sleep phase, the two horizontal electrodes, the two vertical electrodes, and the driving electrode enter a floating state. No electrical signal is applied to the two horizontal electrodes, the two vertical electrodes, and the driving electrode, so that the first color-producing particles and the second color-producing particles are dispersed in the visible area, displaying mixed colors.

[0069] This application provides a display device, which includes any of the above-described display panels.

[0070] It should be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the above” as used herein may also mean including the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and “having” are inclusive and therefore indicate the presence of the stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not construed as requiring them to be performed in a specific order described or illustrated unless the order of performance is explicitly indicated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be used.

[0071] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features claimed herein.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized in that, It includes multiple pixel units, each pixel unit having an occlusion area and a visible area, each pixel unit comprising: A reference electrode located in the shielded area, a driving electrode located in the visible area, and color-developing particles carrying charges; The driving electrode is used to change its own voltage, and the voltage difference between the driving electrode and the reference electrode is used to drive the color-developing particles to move from one region of the masked region and the visible region to another region of the masked region and the visible region. The reference electrode includes two parallel vertical electrodes and two parallel horizontal electrodes, with each vertical electrode perpendicularly intersecting the two horizontal electrodes.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The color-developing particles include: a positively charged first color-developing particle and a negatively charged second color-developing particle. The first color-developing particle has a first color, and the second color-developing particle has a second color. The pixel unit further includes: an electrophoretic layer. The first color-developing particle and the second color-developing particle are located in the electrophoretic layer. A portion of the top surface of the electrophoretic layer located within the shielding area is opaque. The bottom color of the electrophoretic layer is a third color. A portion of the top surface of the electrophoretic layer located within the visible area is translucent. The two horizontal electrodes are used to output a first reference voltage during the display phase, the first reference voltage being a positive voltage; the two vertical electrodes are used to output a second reference voltage during the display phase, the second reference voltage being a negative voltage. The driving electrode is used to output a first driving voltage when the first color is displayed in the visible area, so as to drive the first color-producing particles to move to the visible area and drive the second color-producing particles to move to the position of the horizontal electrode in the occlusion area. The first driving voltage is less than the second reference voltage. The driving electrode is used to output a second driving voltage when the second color is displayed in the visible area, so as to drive the first color-producing particle to move to the position of the vertical electrode in the occlusion area, and drive the second color-producing particle to move to the visible area. The second driving voltage is greater than the first reference voltage. The driving electrode is used to output a third driving voltage when the third color is displayed in the visible area, so as to drive the first color-producing particle to move to the position of the vertical electrode in the occlusion area, and to drive the second color-producing particle to move to the position of the horizontal electrode in the occlusion area. The third driving voltage is less than the first reference voltage and greater than the second reference voltage.

3. The display panel according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pixel unit includes: An electrode layer is provided, which is arranged vertically opposite to the electrophoretic layer. The two horizontal electrodes, the two vertical electrodes, and the driving electrode are all located in the electrode layer.

4. The display panel according to claim 3, characterized in that, The electrode layer includes: a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is located directly below the electrophoretic layer. Two first opening regions and multiple second opening regions are provided on the side of the first dielectric layer closest to the electrophoretic layer. Two third opening regions are provided on the side of the first dielectric layer furthest from the electrophoretic layer. The two vertical electrodes correspond one-to-one with the two first opening regions, and each vertical electrode is disposed within a corresponding first opening region. Multiple first portions of the driving electrode correspond one-to-one with the multiple second opening regions, and each first portion of the driving electrode is disposed within a corresponding second opening region. The two horizontal electrodes correspond one-to-one with the two third opening regions, and at least a portion of each horizontal electrode is disposed within a corresponding third opening region.

5. The display panel according to claim 4, characterized in that, All of each of the transverse electrodes is disposed within the corresponding third opening region, or, two fourth opening regions are disposed on the side of the first dielectric layer away from the electrophoretic layer, the two transverse electrodes correspond one-to-one with the two fourth opening regions, the first part of each transverse electrode is disposed within the corresponding third opening region, the second part of each transverse electrode is disposed within the corresponding fourth opening region, and the top of the first opening region and the top of the fourth opening region are located on the same horizontal plane.

6. The display panel according to claim 3, characterized in that, The electrode layer includes a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is located directly below the electrophoretic layer. Multiple first opening regions are provided on the side of the first dielectric layer away from the electrophoretic layer. Multiple first portions of the driving electrode correspond one-to-one with the multiple first opening regions. Each first portion of the driving electrode is disposed within a corresponding first opening region. The second dielectric layer is located directly above the electrophoretic layer. The second dielectric layer, the two vertical electrodes, and the two horizontal electrodes are all transparent. Two second opening regions are provided on the side of the second dielectric layer away from the electrophoretic layer. The two second opening regions correspond one-to-one with the horizontal electrodes. A first portion of each horizontal electrode is disposed within a corresponding second opening region. Two third opening regions and two fourth opening regions are provided on the side of the second dielectric layer near the electrophoretic layer. The two vertical electrodes correspond one-to-one with the two third opening regions. Each vertical electrode is disposed within a corresponding third opening region. The two horizontal electrodes correspond one-to-one with the fourth opening regions. A second portion of each horizontal electrode is disposed within a corresponding fourth opening region. The bottom of the third opening region and the bottom of the fourth opening region are located on the same horizontal plane.

7. The display panel according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that, The pixel unit includes a control layer, which includes a protective layer, a source electrode, a drain electrode, a semiconductor active layer, a gate electrode insulating layer, and a gate electrode. The protective layer is disposed directly below the first dielectric layer. A fifth opening region is provided on the side of the protective layer closest to the first dielectric layer, and a sixth opening region is provided on the side of the protective layer away from the first dielectric layer. The fifth and sixth opening regions are connected. The second part of the driving electrode is disposed within the fifth opening region. The source electrode, the drain electrode, and the semiconductor active layer are disposed within the sixth opening region. The drain electrode is connected to the second part of the driving electrode. Both the source and drain electrodes are connected to the semiconductor active layer. The source and drain electrodes are not connected. The gate electrode insulating layer is disposed directly below the protective layer. A seventh opening region is provided on the side of the gate electrode insulating layer away from the protective layer. The seventh opening region is located directly below the semiconductor active layer, and the gate electrode is disposed within the seventh opening region.

8. The display panel according to claim 2, characterized in that, The two horizontal electrodes, the two vertical electrodes, and the driving electrode are all used to enter a floating state during the sleep phase to drive the first color-developing particles and the second color-developing particles to disperse in the visible area.

9. A driving method for a display panel, characterized in that, The method is applied to the display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and the method includes: During the display phase, the voltage of the driving electrode is changed, and the voltage difference between the driving electrode and the reference electrode is used to drive the color particles to move from one region of the masked region and the visible region to another region of the masked region and the visible region.

10. A display device, characterized in that, The display device includes the display panel as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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