Dual-TFT Pixel Circuit Layout for Low-Power Light Emission Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Display apparatuses face challenges in achieving high integration and low power consumption due to the increasing number of thin film transistors required for accurate light emission control, leading to inefficiencies in power management.

Innovation Solution

A display apparatus is designed with a combination of thin film transistors using silicon semiconductor layers and oxide semiconductor layers, along with a boost capacitor and shielding electrode, to optimize transistor connectivity and reduce power consumption while maintaining high integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the number of thin film transistors is increased to accurately control light emission, then light emission control precision is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emission control precisionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the thin film transistor population by material type: oxide semiconductor TFTs are used for switching elements (switch TFTs) where low leakage is critical, while silicon semiconductor TFTs are used for driving elements (drive TFTs) where high mobility is critical. This segmentation allows each TFT type to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the total number of TFTs needed while maintaining control precision and lowering overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different semiconductor materials to different functional locations within the pixel circuit. Oxide semiconductor TFTs are strategically placed in switching positions where low off-state current is essential, while silicon semiconductor TFTs are placed in driving positions where high carrier mobility is essential. This localized material assignment optimizes performance at each location while reducing total power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of thin film transistors is increased to accurately control light emission, then device functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidtransistor integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the pixel circuit into distinct functional blocks using different TFT types: switching TFTs made from oxide semiconductor and driving TFTs made from silicon semiconductor. This segmentation simplifies the overall circuit design by assigning specific functions to specific material types, reducing the complexity of transistor integration while maintaining full device functionality for precise light emission control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If thin film transistors with high integration are used, then area efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepixel circuit areaVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves high integration by segmenting the pixel circuit into compact functional units using oxide semiconductor TFTs for switching and silicon semiconductor TFTs for driving. The oxide semiconductor TFTs provide low leakage currents that reduce power consumption, while the silicon semiconductor TFTs provide high mobility that allows for smaller device dimensions. This segmented approach enables compact pixel circuits with high area efficiency while maintaining low power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining oxide semiconductor and silicon semiconductor TFTs within the same pixel circuit. This composite structure leverages the complementary strengths of both materials: oxide semiconductor for low power consumption and silicon semiconductor for high performance. The result is a highly integrated pixel circuit that achieves both small area and low power consumption simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20240414942A1Display apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.12.12 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • US20240414942A1 patent drawing
  • US20240414942A1 patent drawing
  • US20240414942A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is a display apparatus including: a substrate in which a display element is arranged; a first thin film transistor arranged in the display area and including a first semiconductor layer including silicon and a first control electrode insulated from the first semiconductor layer; a first interlayer insulating layer covering the first control electrode; a second thin film transistor arranged on the first interlayer insulating layer and including a second semiconductor layer including an oxide semiconductor and a second control electrode insulated from the second semiconductor layer; a second interlayer insulating layer covering the second control electrode; a node connection line arranged on the second interlayer insulating layer and connected to the first control electrode via a first contact hole; a first planarization layer covering the node connection line; and a shielding electrode arranged on the first planarization layer to overlap the node connection line.