Transparent Sensing Capacitor for Display Panel Aperture Ratio

Solution Overview

Problem

Multifunctional display panels face a reduction in aperture ratio and transmittance due to opaque metal layers in the functional area, hindering their visual effectiveness and application.

Innovation Solution

A display panel design incorporating a functional area with a 3T1C driving circuit structure, featuring a transparent upper plate for the sensing capacitor, which allows for both sensing functions and display capabilities, improving aperture ratio and transmittance by using a transparent upper plate for the sensing capacitor and a metal lower plate, and modifying the driving circuit to include additional transistors and capacitors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If opaque metal layers are used in the functional area for sensing circuits, then sensing functions can be implemented, but the aperture ratio and transmittance of the display panel are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing functionVSAvoidaperture ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display panel is divided into a display area and a functional area, with the functional area specifically designated for sensing circuits. This segmentation allows the opaque metal layers to be confined to the functional area only, while the display area maintains high aperture ratio and transmittance for optimal visual display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display panel structure is extended in the vertical dimension by stacking the functional area below the display area. This dimensional arrangement allows sensing circuits with opaque metal layers to coexist with the display area, preventing the opaque structures from blocking light in the display region and thus maintaining high aperture ratio.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If opaque metal layers are used in the functional area for sensing circuits, then sensing functions can be implemented, but the transmittance of the display panel is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing functionVSAvoidtransmittance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The display panel is divided into a display area and a functional area, with the functional area specifically designated for sensing circuits. This segmentation allows the opaque metal layers to be confined to the functional area only, while the display area maintains high aperture ratio and transmittance for optimal visual display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display panel structure is extended in the vertical dimension by stacking the functional area below the display area. This dimensional arrangement allows sensing circuits with opaque metal layers to coexist with the display area, preventing the opaque structures from blocking light in the display region and thus maintaining high transmittance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If a large area opaque storage capacitor is used in the functional area, then charge storage function is achieved, but the aperture ratio is significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge storage functionVSAvoidaperture ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The storage capacitor in the functional area utilizes vertical stacking to achieve charge storage function without occupying excessive horizontal area. By arranging capacitor structures in the vertical dimension, the design maintains compact footprint while ensuring adequate charge storage capacity for sensing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The functional area is designed to serve multiple functions including sensing operations and charge storage. By integrating storage capacitors within the functional area structure, the design achieves multi-functionality without requiring separate dedicated spaces, thus maintaining high aperture ratio in the display area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11676552B2Display panel and electronic device

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICON DISPLAY TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A display panel and an electronic device are disclosed. The display panel includes a display area and a functional area. The functional area includes a first switch transistor, a second switch transistor, a sensing transistor, and a sensing capacitor. Specifically, an upper plate of the sensing capacitor is a transparent plate. The functional area can also serve a displaying function while performing color temperature sensing, gas sensing, or laser sensing, which increases an aperture ratio and transmittance of the display panel, so that an overall visual effect of the display panel is improved.