Display Gate Branch Electrodes for Lower-Cost Data Line Driving
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The high manufacturing costs of display apparatuses due to the large number of integrated circuits and data/gate lines required for data signal application.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus design that includes branch electrodes connecting gate lines to gate electrodes, with a data driver outputting data signals through a single output line and using a controller to synchronize control signals, reducing the need for multiple integrated circuits and optimizing data/gate line connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple integrated circuits and data/gate lines are used to apply data signals to each data line, then data signal application is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple gate lines (first gate line and second gate line) are merged into a single physical gate electrode structure through branch electrodes. This consolidation reduces the number of separate integrated circuits needed while maintaining the ability to independently control different pixel rows, thereby reducing manufacturing costs without sacrificing functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The single gate electrode structure serves multiple functions by receiving gate signals through both the first gate line and second gate line via branch electrodes. This multi-functional design allows one physical structure to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate circuits, reducing overall system complexity and manufacturing cost
2Device complexity
If a single output line is used to output data signals, then the number of integrated circuits is reduced, but data signal routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data signal routing is segmented into different time slots using the data switch. The single output line is divided into first time slots for transmitting data signals to first data lines, and second time slots for transmitting data signals to second data lines. This time-division multiplexing approach reduces the number of integrated circuits while maintaining manageable routing complexity through structured signal distribution
3Productivity
If branch electrodes are used to connect gate lines to gate electrodes, then gate line connections are optimized, but electrode structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The branch electrodes extend in a direction different from the main gate line direction, creating a two-dimensional connection pattern. This dimensional approach allows efficient routing from multiple gate lines to the shared gate electrode while maintaining a systematic and manufacturable structure, balancing connection efficiency with structural simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes a first pixel circuit including a first driving transistor and a first data-write transistor. A second pixel circuit includes a second driving transistor and a second data-write transistor. A first gate line and a second gate line each extend primarily in a first direction. A first data line extends primarily in a second direction crossing the first direction and is configured to transfer a first data signal to the first data-write transistor, a second data line extending primarily in the second direction and is configured to transfer a second data signal to the second data-write transistor. A first branch electrode electrically connects the first gate line to a gate electrode of the first data-write transistor. A second branch electrode electrically connects the second gate line to a gate electrode of the second data-write transistor.