Lateral Field Display Pixel Structure with Variable Aperture Areas

Solution Overview

Problem

In liquid crystal display devices, the reduction of aperture areas leads to decreased display quality, particularly in high-definition products, due to the challenges of maintaining pixel size and pitch while ensuring optimal color balance and minimizing light leakage.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a display device structure with varying aperture areas for each pixel by adjusting the position of contact holes on the array substrate and using a light-shielding layer and spacers on the counter-substrate to shield contact holes, allowing for different pixel sizes and optimal color filter placement without altering the distance between source lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the pitch between source lines is reduced to increase pixel density, then the number of pixels per unit area increases, but the aperture area of each pixel is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepixel densityVSAvoidaperture area

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making different pixels have different aperture areas. Specifically, pixels adjacent to source lines have smaller aperture areas, while pixels not adjacent to source lines have larger aperture areas. This is achieved by selectively positioning light-shielding layers and contact holes in different regions, allowing each pixel to have optimized characteristics for its specific location within the pixel array.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent resolves the contradiction by transitioning from a uniform one-dimensional approach to a two-dimensional variable approach. Instead of maintaining a constant aperture area across all pixels, the invention varies the aperture area in the vertical dimension (along the source line direction) while maintaining high pixel density through reduced pitch in the horizontal dimension. This creates a grid-like pattern of varying aperture sizes that optimizes both density and light transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If the aperture area is increased to improve display quality, then the light transmission and color balance improve, but the pixel pitch must be increased reducing overall resolution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay qualityVSAvoidpixel density

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making different pixels have different aperture areas. Specifically, pixels adjacent to source lines have smaller aperture areas, while pixels not adjacent to source lines have larger aperture areas. This is achieved by selectively positioning light-shielding layers and contact holes in different regions, allowing each pixel to have optimized characteristics for its specific location within the pixel array.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by varying the aperture area parameter across different pixel locations. The invention changes the physical dimensions of pixels in a controlled manner, with aperture areas ranging from smaller values near source lines to larger values in other regions. This parameter variation allows the system to maintain high overall pixel density while ensuring that individual pixels have sufficient aperture area for adequate light transmission and color rendering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If uniform pixel structures are used to simplify manufacturing, then the production process is easier, but color balance and display uniformity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcolor balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making different pixels have different aperture areas. Specifically, pixels adjacent to source lines have smaller aperture areas, while pixels not adjacent to source lines have larger aperture areas. This is achieved by selectively positioning light-shielding layers and contact holes in different regions, allowing each pixel to have optimized characteristics for its specific location within the pixel array.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the pixel array into different regions with different structural characteristics. Pixels are segmented based on their proximity to source lines, with those near source lines having one configuration (smaller aperture) and those farther away having another configuration (larger aperture). This segmentation allows the manufacturing process to use standardized components while achieving non-uniform optical properties through strategic placement variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10007155B2Display device having a pixel structure to which a lateral electric field mode is applied

Publication Date: 2018.06.26 MAGNOLIA WHITE CORP

AI summary

According to one embodiment, an array substrate comprises source lines arranged in a first direction, gate lines arranged in second direction, pixels, first and second switching elements, a first pixel includes a first pixel electrode connected to the first switching element via a first contact hole formed on one side of a first gate line, and a second pixel includes a second pixel electrode connected to the second switching element via a second contact hole formed on the other side of the first gate line. A counter-substrate comprises a first light-shielding portion opposed to the first gate line and the first contact hole, and a second light-shielding portion opposed to the first gate line and the second contact hole. A spacer is present between substrates.