Pixel Array Substrate Edge Signal Routing for Display Area Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display panels face challenges in utilizing irregularly shaped main display areas effectively, leading to reduced display space and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for complex combined matrices to show images in these areas.
Innovation Solution
A pixel array substrate with a main display area and a sub-display area, featuring center and edge pixel units, a passive electrode, and a driving circuit, where the conductive pattern connects the driving circuit to the passive electrode, allowing edge pixel signals to be output to edge pixel units and the passive electrode, enabling the expansion of the display area and utilization of irregular blocks for image display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If irregular blocks at edges of the main display area are omitted and do not show images, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the display area of the display panel is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The display area is segmented into a main display area with center pixel units and a sub-display area with edge pixel units. The edge pixel units are further divided into first edge pixel units connected to first data lines and second edge pixel units connected to second data lines, allowing independent control and signaling of different edge regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the display functionality from the traditional main display area into the sub-display area by adding edge pixel units around the center pixel units. This creates an additional dimensional expansion of the display area, utilizing the previously wasted irregular blocks at the edges.
2Area of stationary object
If a complicated combined matrix is designed to make the irregular blocks show images, then the display area is increased, but the manufacture cost of the display panel is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel is segmented into center pixel units and edge pixel units with distinct signaling mechanisms. The edge pixel units use a simplified matrix connection through edge signaling lines rather than the complex combined matrix, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining expanded display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic edge signaling where the driving circuit outputs edge pixel signals that are dynamically routed to edge pixel units through conductive patterns. This dynamic signaling approach simplifies the static matrix design while enabling flexible control of the expanded display area.
3Area of stationary object
If the size of the display panel is unchanged, then the manufacturing cost is maintained, but it is hard to increase the display area to improve the visual effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the sub-display area surrounding the main display area to expand the functional display area without increasing the overall panel size. By activating the previously unused irregular blocks at the edges as edge pixel units, the display area is effectively increased within the same physical footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving circuit is designed with multi-functionality to handle both center pixel units and edge pixel units. It can output center pixel signals to center pixel units and edge pixel signals to edge pixel units, making the driving circuit universal and avoiding the need for separate control systems that would increase design complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A pixel array substrate includes a substrate, a plurality of center pixel units, a plurality of edge pixel units, at least one conductive pattern, at least one passive electrode and a driving circuit. The substrate includes a main display area and a sub-display area around the main display area. The center pixel units and the edge pixel units are arrayed in the main display area. The conductive pattern and the passive electrode are disposed in the sub-display area, and the conductive pattern is electrically connected to the driving circuit and the passive electrode. The driving circuit is electrically connected to the edge pixel units and the passive electrode and configured to output a plurality of edge pixel signals to the edge pixel units and the passive electrode. A display panel using the pixel array substrate is provided. The pixel array substrate and the display panel have an advantage of increasing display area.