Array Substrate Pixel Electrode Configuration for Display Panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dual-domain liquid crystal display (LCD) technologies face challenges with viewing-angle-dependent color shift and poor contrast due to equal strength but opposite direction electric fields at the junction between sub-pixel domains, leading to disclination and reduced pixel opening rate, which increases energy consumption and affects voltage uniformity.

Innovation Solution

The configuration of pixel electrodes in dual-domain sub-pixels sharing a common gate line and data line reduces the number of gate lines and thin-film transistors, allowing independent driving and minimizing non-transparent metal layers, thereby increasing the pixel opening ratio and improving voltage distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If dual-domain liquid crystal display technologies use equal strength but opposite direction electric fields at the junction between sub-pixel domains, then viewing angle is improved, but color shift and contrast deteriorate due to disclination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing angleVSAvoidcolor shift and contrast
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pixel electrode is divided into first and second pixel electrodes that are insulated from each other, creating distinct first and second domains. This segmentation allows independent control of electric fields in each domain, enabling the liquid crystal molecules to be oriented in different directions (e.g., tilted left vs. tilted right) without causing disclination at the junction, thus maintaining both wide viewing angle and good color/contrast performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric electrode configurations where the first and second pixel electrodes have different shapes, sizes, or positions relative to the common electrode. This asymmetry creates unequal strength electric fields in the first and second domains, which prevents the opposite direction electric fields that cause disclination, while still achieving dual-domain effects for wide viewing angle and accurate color display

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Manufacturing precision

If the number of gate lines and thin-film transistors is increased to improve display precision, then sub pixels can display different data signals, but the pixel opening ratio decreases and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay precisionVSAvoidpixel opening ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Adjacent pixel units share common gate lines and data lines, reducing the total number of scanning lines and thin-film transistors required. By merging control resources across multiple pixel units while maintaining independent pixel electrode control through the first and second pixel electrodes, the patent achieves high display precision without increasing the number of metal layers, thereby preserving pixel opening ratio and reducing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If more metal layers are used to control sub pixels independently, then display precision is improved, but non-transparent metal layers increase and pixel opening ratio decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay precisionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The common gate lines and data lines serve multiple pixel units simultaneously, making these metal layers multi-functional. This universality reduces the total amount of metal material required while still enabling independent control of the first and second pixel electrodes through the shared control lines, thereby maintaining high display precision while reducing energy loss from fewer metal layers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enhances the pixel opening ratio, reduces energy consumption, and ensures more uniform voltages across common electrodes, addressing the issues of viewing-angle-dependent color shift and disclination while maintaining high display performance.

Implementation Method 1

the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes are arranged on a same substrate, which generate electric field force in the horizontal direction to change the directional angle between the optical axis of the liquid crystal molecules and the surface in parallel with the substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

change the directional angle between the optical axis of the liquid crystal molecules and the surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid crystal: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentEP3403139B1Array substrate, display panel, and display apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3403139B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3403139B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP3403139B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An array substrate includes: a plurality of pixels (12) including sub-pixels (1) forming a matrix, each sub-pixel (1) including a pair of sub-pixel portions (1a,1b,1A,1B); a plurality of data lines (2); a plurality of gate lines (3) intersecting with the plurality of data lines (2); and a plurality of pairs of transistors (4) configured to control the plurality of pairs of sub-pixel portions (1a,1b,1A,1B); wherein: each pair of transistors (4) are disposed adjacent to an intersection between a gate line (3) and a data line (2), across at least one of the gate line (3) or the data line (2), and are configured to control a pair of sub-pixel portions (1a,1b,1A,1B) in neighboring rows or columns of sub-pixel portions (1a,1b,1A,1B).