E-paper Driving Substrate Storage Capacitance Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional e-paper apparatuses face high power consumption due to increased capacitive load caused by the crossing disposition of data and common lines, which limits their endurance with limited battery power.

Innovation Solution

The driving substrate of the e-paper apparatus features a first metal layer with a scan line and a first storage electrode, and a second metal layer with a data line and a common line, where the common line is disposed parallel to and crossing with the scan line, reducing capacitive load by using the second scan line as a storage electrode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the data line and common line are disposed crossingly to form a storage capacitance, then the storage capacitance capacity is increased, but the capacitive load on the data line increases leading to higher power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacitance capacityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the storage electrode with the scan line structure by disposing the storage electrode between the scan line and data line. This merging allows the same structural elements to serve dual functions: the scan line maintains its addressing function while simultaneously serving as one electrode of the storage capacitance, and the data line serves as the other electrode. This integration increases storage capacitance capacity without adding separate dedicated storage electrode structures that would increase capacitive load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The scan line and data line are designed to perform multiple functions. The scan line not only addresses pixels but also serves as one electrode of the storage capacitance. The data line not only transmits data signals but also serves as the other electrode of the storage capacitance. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve adequate storage capacitance capacity while minimizing the additional capacitive load on the data line.

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

2Quantity of substance

If the pixel electrode area is increased to increase storage capacitance capacity, then the storage capacitance capacity is improved, but the aperture ratio is reduced affecting display quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacitance capacityVSAvoidaperture ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from increasing storage capacitance capacity by expanding the pixel electrode area in the planar dimension to achieving it through the vertical dimension. By disposing the storage electrode between the scan line and data line in the vertical stacking direction, the storage capacitance capacity is increased without occupying additional planar area, thereby maintaining the aperture ratio and display quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The storage electrode is nested between the scan line and data line, creating a vertically stacked capacitor structure. This nesting arrangement allows the storage capacitance to be formed within the existing pixel structure without requiring additional planar space, thus maintaining the aperture ratio while achieving adequate storage capacitance capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 decreases the capacitive load on the data line, thereby reducing power consumption and enhancing the endurance of the e-paper apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

a first storage electrode and a second storage electrode. The first storage electrode and the second storage electrode form a storage capacitance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

The pixel electrode is disposed over the common line and is electrically connected to the first storage electrode through a via

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2105788B1E-paper apparatus and driving substrate thereof
Publication Date: 2017.10.04 PERVASIVE DISPLAY
  • EP2105788B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2105788B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2105788B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A driving substrate of an e-paper apparatus includes a first metal layer, a second metal layer and a pixel electrode. The first metal layer has a scan line and a first storage electrode. The second metal layer has a data line and a common line. The scan line and the data line are disposed crossingly. The common line is disposed parallel to the data line substantially. The common line and the scan line are disposed crossingly. The pixel electrode is disposed over the common line and is electrically connected to the first storage electrode through a via.