Display Driver Module With Voltage-Limited Gate Control

Solution Overview

Problem

The high-voltage process used in traditional gate drivers for LCDs increases manufacturing costs and risks damage to transistors due to large voltage differences, necessitating a reduction in the number of high-voltage process transistors used.

Innovation Solution

A driving module design that employs transistors with a special process, coupled with a voltage generating unit comprising an inverter, capacitor, and switch, to limit voltage differences across the gate and source of each transistor, preventing damage and eliminating the need for traditional high-voltage process components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If traditional high-voltage process transistors are used to generate scan signals with enormous voltage range, then the gate driver can achieve the required voltage output, but the manufacturing cost significantly increases and transistor damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage output rangeVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The gate driver is segmented into multiple stages: a first gate driver stage using standard process transistors for voltage generation, and a second gate driver stage using special process transistors for high-voltage output. This segmentation allows each stage to use the most appropriate transistor type for its function, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining required voltage output capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A voltage conversion circuit acts as an intermediary between the standard process transistors and the special process transistors. This intermediary converts the low-voltage signals from standard transistors into the high-voltage scan signals required by the display, allowing standard process transistors to be used in the majority of the driver circuitry while still achieving the required voltage range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If traditional high-voltage process transistors are used to generate scan signals with enormous voltage range, then the gate driver can achieve the required voltage output, but the transistor damage risk increases due to huge voltage difference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage output rangeVSAvoidtransistor damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gate driver is segmented into multiple stages: a first gate driver stage using standard process transistors for voltage generation, and a second gate driver stage using special process transistors for high-voltage output. This segmentation allows each stage to use the most appropriate transistor type for its function, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining required voltage output capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A voltage conversion circuit acts as an intermediary between the standard process transistors and the special process transistors. This intermediary converts the low-voltage signals from standard transistors into the high-voltage scan signals required by the display, allowing standard process transistors to be used in the majority of the driver circuitry while still achieving the required voltage range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If standard process transistors are used instead of high-voltage process transistors, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the transistors cannot withstand the huge voltage difference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidvoltage withstanding capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The gate driver is segmented into multiple stages: a first gate driver stage using standard process transistors for voltage generation, and a second gate driver stage using special process transistors for high-voltage output. This segmentation allows each stage to use the most appropriate transistor type for its function, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining required voltage output capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A voltage conversion circuit acts as an intermediary between the standard process transistors and the special process transistors. This intermediary converts the low-voltage signals from standard transistors into the high-voltage scan signals required by the display, allowing standard process transistors to be used in the majority of the driver circuitry while still achieving the required voltage range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10839769B2Driving module for display device

Publication Date: 2020.11.17 SITRONIX TECH CORP

AI summary

A driving module for a display device includes a first transistor, comprising a gate coupled to a first node, a drain coupled to an output end, and a source coupled to a first positive voltage source; a second transistor, comprising a gate coupled to a second node, a drain coupled to output end, and a source coupled to a first negative voltage source; and a voltage generating unit, coupled to an input end, a second positive voltage source and a second negative voltage source for generating a first voltage at first node and a second voltage at second node according to a control signal from input end; wherein voltage difference between a first positive voltage of first positive voltage source and first voltage is smaller than first threshold and voltage difference between a first negative voltage of first negative voltage source and second voltage is smaller than second threshold.