Pixel Driving Circuit Touch Compensation for OLED Luminance Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing OLED display devices face issues with luminance variation due to touch drive signals affecting the electric current flowing through the OLED, which impacts light emission display when the cathode is reused as a touch electrode.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a pixel driving circuit array that includes a driving unit, data voltage write unit, energy storage unit, threshold compensation unit, and touch driving compensation unit, where the touch driving compensation unit adjusts the voltage of the second energy storage end to maintain a consistent driving current during touch phases, preventing luminance variation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the cathode of OLED is reused as a touch electrode, then the entire thickness of the display device is reduced, but the voltage variation of the touch drive signal causes electric current flowing through OLED to change, thereby making luminance of the OLED vary with time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethickness of display deviceVSAvoidluminance stability of OLED
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a compensation capacitor connected between the cathode (touch electrode) and a reference potential, which acts as an intermediary element. This capacitor compensates for the voltage variation caused by touch drive signals, thereby stabilizing the electric current flowing through the OLED and preventing luminance variation while maintaining the thin-profile design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a touch drive signal is applied to the cathode for touch detection, then touch function is enabled, but the voltage variation of the touch drive signal causes electric current flowing through OLED to change, thereby affecting light emission display

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch functionVSAvoidluminance variation of OLED
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful voltage variation caused by touch drive signals into a beneficial compensation mechanism. By using a compensation capacitor connected to the cathode, the circuit automatically generates a compensating voltage that counteracts the touch-induced voltage variation, thereby eliminating luminance variation while preserving touch detection functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The compensation capacitor serves as an intermediary element between the touch electrode (cathode) and the reference potential, mediating the voltage variation and converting it into a stable driving condition for the OLED, thus enabling both touch function and stable light emission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution ensures that the driving current generated by the drive transistor does not vary with time during touch phases, thereby maintaining consistent luminance and avoiding any adverse effects on light emission displays.

Implementation Method 1

The capacitor is configured to maintain a voltage difference between the first energy storage end and the second energy storage end when the first energy storage end is floating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

A gate electrode of the drive transistor is connected to the first energy storage end, and is configured to generate a driving current for driving an electroluminescent element connected to drain of the drive transistor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3321921B1Pixel driving circuit, display panel and driving method thereof, and display device
Publication Date: 2021.12.01 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3321921B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3321921B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3321921B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a pixel driving circuit, a display substrate and a driving method thereof, and a display device, wherein the pixel driving circuit comprises: a driving unit, a data voltage write unit, an energy storage unit, a threshold compensation unit and a touch driving compensation unit. The energy storage unit comprises a first energy storage end and a second energy storage end. The touch driving compensation unit is connected to the second energy storage end of the energy storage unit to compensate the voltage of the second energy storage end in a touch phase, so as to maintain that driving current generated by the driving unit does not vary with time. The pixel driving circuit provided by the present disclosure can allow luminance of a driven electroluminescent element does not vary with time in a touch phase, thereby avoiding affecting light emission display of the driven electroluminescent element.