Array Substrate Data Line for Block Display and Pressure Sensing

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional display panels cannot perform block display and lack pressure detection functionality, requiring additional pressure sensors or electrodes that increase thickness and production cost.

Innovation Solution

An array substrate with a data-line metal layer used for both image display and pressure detection, controlled by gate lines to switch transistors on or off, allowing the same data line to perform pressure detection without additional sensors, thereby reducing thickness and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If pressure detection sensor or pressure detection electrode is additionally provided in the display panel, then pressure detection function is realized, but the thickness of the display panel and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure detection functionVSAvoidthickness of display panel

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The data line is designed to serve dual functions: displaying images during the display phase and detecting pressure during the pressure sensing phase. By controlling the transistor switching state through gate lines, the same data line structure performs different functions at different times, eliminating the need for separate pressure detection electrodes and reducing panel thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The data line's function is made dynamic by controlling the transistor's conduction state through gate line signals. During display phase, the transistor is on and the data line displays images; during pressure sensing phase, the transistor is off and the data line detects pressure. This dynamic switching allows one structure to perform multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If pressure detection sensor or pressure detection electrode is additionally provided in the display panel, then pressure detection function is realized, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure detection functionVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The data line is designed to serve dual functions: displaying images during the display phase and detecting pressure during the pressure sensing phase. By controlling the transistor switching state through gate lines, the same data line structure performs different functions at different times, eliminating the need for separate pressure detection electrodes and reducing panel thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure detection function is merged with the existing data line structure rather than being implemented as a separate component. The data line and transistor are combined to form a pressure sensing unit that utilizes the same physical infrastructure, reducing material costs and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If conventional numerical strip-shaped data lines are used, then simple structure is maintained, but block display cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata line structureVSAvoidblock display capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The data line is divided into multiple wiring units, where each wiring unit corresponds to multiple pixel units vertically and can be independently controlled by gate lines. This segmentation allows selective activation of specific data line segments to achieve block display functionality while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The data line's function is made dynamic by controlling the transistor's conduction state through gate line signals. During display phase, the transistor is on and the data line displays images; during pressure sensing phase, the transistor is off and the data line detects pressure. This dynamic switching allows one structure to perform multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10514812B2Array substrate, display panel and driving method

Publication Date: 2019.12.24 SHANGHAI TIANMA MICRO ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An array substrate, a display panel and a driving method are provided. The array substrate includes a substrate including a display region and a border region surrounding the display region; multiple pixel units arranged in the display region in an array; a data-line metal layer arranged in the display region, where the data-line metal layer includes multiple wiring units arranged in an array, with each wiring unit corresponding to multiple pixel units in a direction perpendicular to the substrate, and multiple pixels units corresponding to a same wiring unit being electrically connected to the wiring unit via transistors, respectively. Multiple first gate lines are arranged in parallel and extending in a row direction; and multiple second gate lines arranged in parallel and extending in a column direction. The first gate line and the second gate line are arranged to control a conduction state of the transistor.