USPatent applicationPatented

Pixel structure, thin film transistor array substrate, display panel, and display apparatus with particular parasitic capacitance compensation

Granted 3 Jan 2012 · no office action yet

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Abstract

A pixel structure adapts for compensating variation of gate-drain parasitic capacitance caused by misalignment in manufacturing process by forming a transverse compensation capacitance between a capacitance compensation portion and a scan line in an in-plane direction, and therefore the flicker in displaying of a display panel can be alleviated. In addition, being applied into a concept of “data lines reducing†, the pixel structure is capable of reducing difference of capacitance between two adjacent pixel structures due to misalignment in manufacturing process and improving display uniformity. Furthermore, a thin film transistor array substrate, a display panel, and a display apparatus applying the pixel structure are also provided.

Description

11 parts
›CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 98112022, filed Apr. 10, 2009. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of specification.

›BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display panel, and more particularly to a pixel structure of a display panel.

2. Description of Related Art

A thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) mainly includes a thin film transistor (TFT) array, a color filter and a liquid crystal layer. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional TFT array substrate. Referring to FIG. 1 , a TFT array substrate 100 mainly includes a plurality of pixel structures 110 arranged in array. Each of the pixel structures 110 includes a scan line 112 , a data line 114 , a TFT 116 and a pixel electrode 118 , etc.

In brief, the TFT 116 is used as a switch element of each pixel structure 110 while the scan line 112 and the data line 114 are used to provide the selected pixel structure 110 with proper operating voltages for respectively driving the selected pixel structure 110 to display an image.

FIG. 2 is a schematic equivalent circuit drawing of a single pixel in a conventional TFT-LCD. Referring to FIG. 2 , a single pixel of a conventional TFT-LCD generally comprises a thin film transistor 116 , a liquid crystal capacitance C LC and a storage capacitance C st .

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the liquid crystal capacitance C LC is formed by coupling the pixel electrode 118 on the TFT array substrate 100 and a common electrode on the color filter (not shown). The storage capacitance C st disposed on the TFT array substrate 100 is connected to the liquid crystal capacitance C LC in parallel. In addition, the gate G, the source S and the drain D of the TFT 116 are connected to the scan line 112 , the data line 114 and the pixel electrode 118 forming the liquid crystal capacitance C LC , respectively. Since the gate G and the drain D of the TFT 116 are partially overlapped in an overlapping region, a gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd is existed between the gate G and the drain D.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 again, since there exists a specific relationship between a voltage applied the liquid crystal capacitance C LC (i.e. a voltage applied to the pixel electrode 118 and the common electrode) and a light transmittance of liquid crystal molecules, a predetermined image can be displayed by controlling the voltage applied the liquid crystal capacitance C LC in accordance with the desired predetermined image. Wherein, as the TFT 116 is off, the voltage applied on the liquid crystal capacitance C LC theoretically keeps unchanged, i.e. in a holding state. However, due to the presence of the gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd , the voltage kept by the liquid crystal capacitance C LC varies slightly with the changed signals on the data line 114 , called a coupling effect. Therefore, the voltage kept by the liquid crystal capacitance C LC is eventually apart from the predetermined value.

Among current exposure processes for fabricating the TFT array substrate, adjoined photomasks of a stepper exposing machine are mostly used to perform the exposure process for forming the TFT array substrate. Therefore, a displacement error of movements of the stepper during the exposure process would cause nonconformity among the pattern positions in each shot. Particularly, among each of the shots, when the overlapping region of the gate G and the drain D of the TFT 116 as shown in FIG. 1 varies, the gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd in each of the shots is changed and thus the problem of uneven brightness, i.e. flicker, during displaying is occurred.

›SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION · 1 of 3

The present invention is directed to a pixel structure, wherein the variation of the gate-drain parasitic capacitance caused by misalignment in the manufacturing process is reduced to improve the display quality.

The present invention is directed to a pixel structure, wherein the variation of the liquid crystal capacitances between the two adjacent pixel structures caused by misalignment in the manufacturing process is improve to enhance the display uniformity.

The present invention is additionally directed to a TFT array substrate applying the above pixel structure to compensate the variation of the gate-drain parasitic capacitance caused by misalignment in the manufacturing process to improve the display quality of the display panel.

The present invention is further directed to display panel using the above-mentioned TFT array substrate, wherein the variation of the gate-drain parasitic capacitance caused by misalignment in the manufacturing process is avoided so as to have better display quality.

The present invention is further directed to a display apparatus applying the foregoing display panel.

As embodied and broadly described herein, a pixel structure is provided here. The pixel structure includes a first scan line, a second scan line, a data line, a TFT, a pixel electrode and a capacitance compensation portion. The extending direction of the first scan line and the extending direction of the second scan line are parallel and the data line intersects with the first scan line and the second scan line respectively to define a pixel region. The TFT is located inside the pixel region and the TFT has a gate, a source and a drain. The gate is connected to the first scan line, the source is connected to the data line, and the drain and the gate are overlapped in an overlapping region in an out-plane direction to form a gate-drain parasitic capacitance. The pixel electrode is located inside the pixel region and the pixel electrode is electrically connected to the drain. The capacitance compensation portion is electrically connected to the pixel electrode and the capacitance compensation portion keeps a gap from the first scan line or the second scan line in an in-plane direction to induce a compensation capacitance. In this pixel structure, the drain and the capacitance compensation portion are configured that when the overlapping region is reduced to decrease the gate-drain parasitic capacitance, the gap is reduced correspondingly to increase the compensation capacitance, and when the overlapping region is enlarged to increase the gate-drain parasitic capacitance, the gap is enlarged correspondingly to decrease the compensation capacitance. In an embodiment of the present invention, the capacitance compensation portion is a bar-shaped structure or a block structure extending along the first scan line or the second scan line.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the capacitance compensation portion and the pixel electrode are respectively located at two opposite sides of the first scan line. In addition, the pixel structure may further include a connection portion traversing the first scan line for connecting the capacitance compensation portion and the drain.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the capacitance compensation portion is located inside the pixel region, wherein the drain is adjacent to the first scan line, the capacitance compensation portion is adjacent to the second scan line, and the capacitance compensation portion keeps the gap from the second scan line in the in-plane direction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the pixel structure further includes a common line located inside the pixel region and disposed along the periphery of the pixel electrode.

Another pixel structure is provided. The pixel structure includes a first scan line, s second scan line, a data line, a first TFT, a first pixel electrode, a first capacitance compensation portion, a second TFT, a second pixel electrode and a second capacitance compensation portion. The extending direction of the first scan line and the extending direction of the second scan line are parallel. The data line intersects the first scan line and the second scan line respectively to define a first pixel region and a second pixel region adjacent thereto, wherein the first pixel region and the second pixel region are respectively located at two opposite sides of the data line. The first TFT is located inside the first pixel region and the first TFT has a first gate, a first source and a first drain. The first gate is connected to the first scan line, the first source is connected to the data line, and the first drain and the first gate are overlapped in a first overlapping region in an out-plane direction to form a first gate-drain parasitic capacitance. In addition, the first pixel electrode is located inside the first pixel region and the first pixel electrode is electrically connected to the first drain. The first capacitance compensation portion is electrically connected to the first pixel electrode and the first capacitance compensation portion keeps a first gap from the first scan line or the second scan line in an in-plane direction to induce a first compensation capacitance. In this pixel structure, the first drain and the first capacitance compensation portion are configured that when the first overlapping region is reduced to decrease the first gate-drain parasitic capacitance, the first gap is reduced correspondingly to increase the first compensation capacitance, and when the first overlapping region is enlarged to increase the first gate-drain parasitic capacitance, the first gap is enlarged correspondingly to decrease the first compensation capacitance. Furthermore, the second TFT is located inside the second pixel region and the second TFT has a second gate, a second source and a second drain. The second gate is connected to the second scan line, the second source is connected to the data line, and the second drain and the second gate are overlapped in the second overlapping region in an out-plane direction to form a second gate-drain parasitic capacitance. The second pixel electrode is located inside the second pixel region and the second pixel electrode is electrically connected to the second drain. The second capacitance compensation portion is electrically connected to the second pixel electrode and the second capacitance compensation portion keeps a second gap from the first scan line or the second scan line in the in-plane direction to induce a second compensation capacitance. In this pixel structure, the second drain and the second capacitance compensation portion are configured that when the second overlapping region is reduced to decrease the second gate-drain parasitic capacitance, the second gap is reduced correspondingly to increase the second compensation capacitance, and when the second overlapping region is enlarged to increase the second gate-drain parasitic capacitance, the second gap is enlarged correspondingly to decrease the second compensation capacitance.

›SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION · 2 of 3

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first capacitance compensation portion is a bar-shaped structures or a block structure extending along the first scan line or the second scan line. In addition, the second capacitance compensation portion can also be a bar-shaped structure or a block structure extending along the first scan line or the second scan line.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first capacitance compensation portion and the first pixel electrode are respectively located at two opposite sides of the first scan line.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the pixel structure may further include a first connection portion traversing the first scan line for connecting the first capacitance compensation portion and the first drain.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second capacitance compensation portion and the second pixel electrode are respectively located at two opposite sides of the second scan line.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the pixel structure may further include a second connection portion traversing the second scan line for connecting the second capacitance compensation portion and the second drain.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first capacitance compensation portion is located inside the first pixel region, the first drain is adjacent to the first scan line, and the first capacitance compensation portion is adjacent to the second scan line and keeps the first gap from the second scan line in the in-plane direction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second capacitance compensation portion is located inside the second pixel region, the second drain is adjacent to the second scan line, and the second capacitance compensation portion is adjacent to the first scan line and keeps the second gap from the first scan line in the in-plane direction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the pixel structure further includes two common lines respectively located inside the first pixel region and the second pixel region, and respectively disposed along the peripheries of the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode.

A TFT array substrate is further provided. The TFT array substrate includes a substrate, a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of TFTs, a plurality of pixel electrodes and a plurality of capacitance compensation portions. The substrate has a plurality of pixel regions. The scan lines and the data lines are disposed on the substrate and the scan lines intersect the data lines. The TFTs are respectively located inside the pixel regions and each of the TFTs has a gate, a source and a drain. The gate is connected to the corresponding scan line, the source is connected to the corresponding data line, and the drain and the gate are overlapped in an overlapping region in an out-plane direction to form a gate-drain parasitic capacitance. In addition, the pixel electrodes are respectively disposed inside the pixel regions and electrically connected to the corresponding drains. The capacitance compensation portions are disposed corresponding to the pixel regions, wherein each of the capacitance compensation portions keeps a gap from one of the two scan lines at two opposite sides of the corresponding pixel region in an in-plane direction to induce a compensation capacitance. In this pixel structure, each of the drains and the corresponding capacitance compensation portion are configured that when the overlapping region is reduced to decrease the gate-drain parasitic capacitance, the gap is reduced correspondingly to increase the compensation capacitance, and when the overlapping region is enlarged to increase the gate-drain parasitic capacitance, the gap is enlarged correspondingly to decrease the compensation capacitance.

In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the capacitance compensation portions is a bar-shaped structure or a block structure extending along the corresponding scan line.

In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the capacitance compensation portions and the corresponding pixel electrodes are respectively located at two opposite sides of the same scan line. In addition, the TFT array substrate may further include a plurality of connection portions respectively disposed corresponding to the pixel regions. Each of the connection portions traverses the corresponding scan line and is connected between the corresponding capacitance compensation portion and the corresponding drain.

In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the capacitance compensation portions and the corresponding pixel electrodes are located in the same pixel region and are respectively adjacent to two different scan lines at two opposite sides of the pixel region. The capacitance compensation portions keep the gap from the close scan lines in the in-plane direction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the pixel regions are arranged in columns and rows. The scan lines extend along the direction of the rows and the data lines extend along the direction of the columns. Each of the two adjacent pixel regions in the same row are delimited a group, the two thin film transistors inside the two pixel regions of the same group are simultaneously connected to the same data line which is located between the two pixel regions. In addition, the two TFTs in the two pixel regions of the same group may further be respectively adjacent to two different scan lines and are respectively connected the two different scan lines. In an embodiment of the present invention, the TFT array substrate further includes a plurality of common lines respectively located inside the pixel regions and each of the common lines is disposed along the periphery of the corresponding pixel electrode.

A display panel applying the above-mentioned plurality of pixel structures and the TFT array substrate is further provided. The display panel mainly includes the above TFT array substrate, an opposite substrate and a display medium layer. The display medium layer is disposed between the TFT array substrate and the opposite substrate.

›SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION · 3 of 3

Furthermore, a display apparatus is provided by integrating the above-mentioned display panel and a backlight module, wherein the backlight module is disposed beside the display panel to provide a back light to the display panel.

In brief, the pixel structure provided in the present invention is capable of compensating variation of gate-drain parasitic capacitance caused by misalignment in the manufacturing process by forming a transverse compensation capacitance between a capacitance compensation portion and a scan line in an in-plane direction, and therefore the flicker in displaying of a display panel can be alleviated. In addition, being applied into a concept of “data lines reducing”, the pixel structure is capable of reducing difference of capacitance between two adjacent pixel structures due to misalignment in the manufacturing process and is apt to improve display uniformity.

In order to make the aforementioned and other features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, several embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below.

›BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional TFT array substrate.

FIG. 2 is a schematic equivalent circuit drawing of a single pixel in a conventional TFT-LCD.

FIG. 3 illustrates a layout of a TFT array substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a pixel structure of the TFT array substrate in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the pixel structure in FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6 illustrates a pixel structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a layout of a TFT array substrate according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a pixel structure of the TFT array substrate in FIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 illustrates a pixel structure according to further another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic diagram of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention

›DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS · 1 of 5

FIG. 3 illustrates a layout of a TFT array substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention. The TFT array substrate of the present embodiment can be applied to kinds of display panels such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic electroluminescent display panel to drive the display medium to display an image. The present embodiment takes the application of the TFT array substrate to the liquid crystal display panel as an example. As shown in the TFT array substrate 300 in FIG. 3 , the present invention is provided by forming a plurality of scan lines 310 and a plurality of data lines 320 on a substrate (not shown). The substrate mentioned here is a glass substrate or a quartz substrate, for example. The scan lines 310 are parallel to each other and intersected with the data lines 320 to define a plurality of pixel regions 390 . A pixel structure disposed inside each of the pixel regions 390 mainly includes a TFT 340 electrically connected to the corresponding scan line 310 and the data line 320 , and a pixel electrode 350 located inside the pixel region 390 and electrically connected to the corresponding TFT 340 .

To further specify the present invention, FIG. 4 further illustrates a pixel structure of the TFT array substrate in FIG. 3 , and FIG. 5 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the pixel structure in FIG. 4 . Although FIGS. 4 and 5 only represented a single pixel structure, a person of ordinary skill in the art can certainly derive the entire structure of the TFT array substrate consisting of a plurality of pixel structures from the single pixel structure.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the pixel structure 400 mainly includes a scan line 410 , a data line 420 , a common line 430 , a TFT 440 and a pixel electrode 450 . The TFT 440 has a gate 442 , a source 444 and a drain 446 , wherein the gate 442 is connected to the scan line 410 , the source 444 is connected to the data line 420 , and the drain 446 and the gate 442 are overlapped in an overlapping region in an out-plane direction (i.e. the direction perpendicular to the figure sheet) so as to form a gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd . It is noted that the gate 442 represented in the present embodiment can be actually considered as a part of the scan line 410 , that is, the TFT 440 is configured on the scan line 410 . Certainly, in other pixel structures not illustrated here, the scan line can extend outward to form the gate so that the TFT is disposed outside the scan line. In addition, the pixel electrode 450 is electrically connected to the drain 446 to receive a display voltage and form a liquid crystal capacitance C LC thereon. Furthermore, the common line 430 is disposed along the periphery of the pixel electrode 450 and thus a storage capacitance C st is formed between the common line 430 and the pixel electrode 450 , wherein the storage capacitance C st is electrically connected to the liquid crystal capacitance C LC in parallel.

In considering the variation of the gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd caused by the disalignment in the manufacturing process, referring to FIG. 5 , a compensation capacitance C compensation is configured in the pixel structure 400 so as to compensate the variation of the gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd through the compensation capacitance C compensation . In particular, the gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd and the compensation capacitance C compensation are configured to comply with the following relationship that when the gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd is decreased, the compensation capacitance C compensation must be increased correspondingly, and when the gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd is increased, the compensation capacitance C compensation must be decreased correspondingly.

FIG. 4 illustrates an implementation type based on the above design concept. As shown in FIG. 4 , the pixel structure 400 further includes a capacitance compensation portion 460 electrically connected to the pixel electrode 450 , and the capacitance compensation portion 460 keep in a gap S from the scan line 410 in the in-plane direction (the direction parallel to the figure sheet) to induce a transverse compensation capacitance C compensation . More particularly, the capacitance compensation portion 460 and the pixel electrode 450 are respectively located at two opposite sides of the scan line 410 , and the capacitance compensation portion 460 is connected to the drain 446 through a connection portion 470 traversing the scan line 410 . The capacitance compensation portion 460 is, for example, a bar-shaped structure extending along the scan line 410 .

The above-mentioned concept is capable of being realized through the pixel structure 400 shown in FIG. 4 . Specifically, when the overlapping region between the drain 446 and the gate 442 is reduced due to the misalignment in the manufacturing process, the gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd is decreased relatively. However, owing to the disposition of the capacitance compensation portion 460 , the gap S between the capacitance compensation portion 460 and the scan line 410 is reduced correspondingly when the overlapping region between the drain 446 and the gate 442 is reduced so as to increase the compensation capacitance C compensation . Accordingly, the gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd is substantially compensated through the compensation capacitance C compensation . Similarly, when the overlapping region between the drain 446 and the gate 442 is enlarged to increase the gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd , the gap S between the capacitance compensation portion 460 and the scan line 410 is enlarged correspondingly to decrease the compensation capacitance C compensation to compensate the variation of the gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd .

In addition to the above pixel structure, FIG. 6 further illustrates a pixel structure according to another embodiment of the present invention to depict another implement type of the above-mentioned design concept. The elements shown in the foregoing embodiments are not repeated here and the related description is omitted. As shown in FIG. 6 , the capacitance compensation portion 660 of the pixel structure 600 in the present embodiment is a block structure extending along the scan line 610 b and is located at the same pixel region where the pixel electrode 650 is located at. The drain 646 is adjacent to the scan line 610 a . The capacitance compensation portion 660 is adjacent to the scan line 610 b and keeps a gap S from the scan line 610 b in the in-plane direction. In another word, the capacitance compensation portion 660 is configured beside the scan line 610 b of the adjacent pixel structure in the present embodiment so as to keep the gap S between the capacitance compensation portion 660 and the scan line 610 b to induce the compensation capacitance C compensation .

›DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS · 2 of 5

The above-mentioned concept is capable of being realized through the pixel structure 600 shown in FIG. 6 . Specifically, when the overlapping region between the drain 646 and the gate 642 is reduced caused by the misalignment in the manufacturing process, the gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd is decreased oppositely. However, owing to the disposition of the capacitance compensation portion 660 , the gap S between the capacitance compensation portion 660 and the scan line 610 a is reduced correspondingly when the overlapping region between the drain 646 and the gate 642 is reduced so as to increase the compensation capacitance C compensation . Accordingly, the gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd is substantially compensated through the compensation capacitance C compensation . Similarly, when the overlapping region between the drain 646 and the gate 642 is enlarged to increase the gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd , the gap S between the capacitance compensation portion 660 and the scan line 610 b is enlarged correspondingly to decrease the compensation capacitance C compensation to compensate the variation of the gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd .

In addition to the above-mentioned embodiments, the design concept to compensate the variation of the gate-drain parasitic capacitance through the capacitance compensation portion is capable of being applied to other suitable pixel structures. An implement type of the pixel structure design which combines the present design concept and the “data line reducing” concept is described in the following. The design of the “data line reducing” concept means that the two adjacent pixels share the same data line such that the quantity of the data lines is reduced to save the manufacturing cost.

FIG. 7 illustrates a layout of a TFT array substrate according to another embodiment of the present invention. As described in the foregoing, the TFT array substrate 700 which adopts the design of the “data line reducing” concept includes a plurality of scan lines 710 , a plurality of data lines 720 , a plurality of TFTs 740 and a plurality of pixel electrodes 750 . The scan lines 710 are parallel to each other and intersected with the data lines 720 to define a plurality of pixel regions 790 . The pixel regions 790 are arranged in columns and rows, wherein the scan lines 710 are extended along the direction of the rows and the data lines 720 are extended along the direction of the columns. Each two adjacent pixel regions 790 in the same row are delimited a group, the two TFTs 740 inside the two pixel regions 790 of the same group are simultaneously connected to the same data line 720 located between the two pixel regions 790 . In the present embodiment, the TFTs 740 in the two pixel regions 790 of the same group are configured at the opposite corners, that is to say, the TFTs 740 are respectively adjacent to and driven by two different scan lines 710 . In addition, the pixel electrodes 750 are respectively disposed inside the pixel regions 790 and electrically connected to the corresponding TFTs 740 .

To further illustrate the present invention, FIG. 8 shows a pixel structure of the TFT array substrate in FIG. 7 . Although FIG. 8 only represents a single pixel structure, a person of ordinary skill in the art can certainly derive the entire structure of the TFT array substrate consisting of a plurality of pixel structure from the single pixel structure. In addition, the pixel structure shown in FIG. 4 is applied to the TFT array substrate shown in FIG. 7 in the present embodiment, wherein the two adjacent pixel structures share one data line and thus the components such as a TFT, a pixel electrode and a common line in each of the pixel structures are configured symmetrically.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the pixel structure (not marked) of the present embodiment includes a first scan line 810 a and a second scan line 810 b , and the extending direction of the first scan line 810 a is parallel to the extending direction of the second scan line 810 b . The data line 820 intersects the first scan line 810 a and the second scan line 810 b to define a first pixel region 890 a and a second pixel region 890 b adjacent thereto, wherein the first pixel region 890 a and the second pixel region 890 b are respectively located at two opposite sides of the data line 820 . That is to say, the first pixel structure 800 a in the first pixel region 890 a and the second pixel structure 800 b in the second pixel region 890 b share the same one data line 820 .

Besides, a first TFT 840 a is located inside the first pixel region 890 a in the first pixel structure 800 a and the first TFT 840 a includes a first gate 842 a , a first source 844 a and a first drain 846 a . The first gate 842 a is connected to the first scan line 810 a , the first source 844 a is connected to the data line 820 , and the first drain 846 a and the first gate 842 a are overlapped in a first overlapping region in the direction vertical to the figure sheet to form a first gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd1 . It is noted that the first gate 842 a represented in the present embodiment can be actually considered as a part of the first scan line 810 a , that is, the TFT 840 a is configured on the first scan line 810 a . Certainly, in other pixel structures not illustrated here, the scan line can extend outward to form the gate such that the TFT is disposed outside the scan line. In addition, the first pixel electrode 850 a is electrically connected to the first drain 846 a to receive a display voltage and form a first liquid crystal capacitance C LC1 thereon. Furthermore, a first common line 830 a is disposed along the periphery of the first pixel electrode 850 a to form a first storage capacitance C st1 between the first common line 830 a and the first pixel electrode 850 a , wherein the first storage capacitance C st1 is electrically connected to the first liquid crystal capacitance C LC1 in parallel.

Similarly, a second TFT 840 b is located inside the second pixel region 890 b in the second pixel structure 800 b and the second TFT 840 b has a second gate 842 b , a second source 844 b and a second drain 846 b . The second gate 842 b is connected to the second scan line 810 b , the second source 844 b is connected to the data line 820 , and the second drain 846 b and the second gate 842 b are overlapped in a second overlapping region in a direction vertical to the figure sheet to form a second gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd2 . It is noted that the second gate 842 b represented in the present embodiment can be actually considered as a part of the second scan line 810 b , that is, the second TFT 840 b is configured on the second scan line 810 b . Certainly, in other pixel structures not shown here, the scan line can extend outward to form the gate so that the TFT is disposed outside the scan line. In addition, the second pixel electrode 850 b is electrically connected to the second drain 846 b to receive a display voltage and form a second liquid crystal capacitance C LC2 thereon. Furthermore, a second common line 830 b is disposed along the periphery of the second pixel electrode 850 b to form a second storage capacitance C st2 between the second common line 830 b and the second pixel electrode 850 b , wherein the second storage capacitance C st2 is electrically connected to the second liquid crystal capacitance C LC2 in parallel.

›DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS · 3 of 5

It is worthy to note that the elements of the pixel structure complying the concept of “data line reducing” in the present embodiment are disposed symmetrically and thus the gate-drain parasitic capacitances C gd1 and C gd2 of the two adjacent pixel structures 800 a and 800 b are changed in opposite tendencies when the misalignment in the manufacturing process is occurred such that the variation between the gate-drain parasitic capacitances C gd1 and C gd2 of the two adjacent pixel structures 800 a and 800 b is intensified to influence the display quality. More particularly, the overlapping region between the first drain 846 a and the first gate 842 a is reduced when the misalignment in Y+ direction is occurred, and the first gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd1 is decreased correspondingly. Meanwhile, the overlapping region between the second drain 846 b and the second gate 842 b is enlarged to increase the second gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd2 .

To overcome the above-mentioned problem, the present embodiment adopts the foregoing concept of compensating the variation of the capacitance and configures a compensation capacitance in each one of the adjacent pixel structures to compensate the variation of the gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd through the compensation capacitance. In particular, the gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd and the compensation capacitance C compensation must comply the following relationship that when the gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd is decreased, the compensation capacitance C compensation must be increased correspondingly, and when the gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd is increased, the compensation capacitance C compensation must be decreased correspondingly. Accordingly, the variation amount of the total parasitic capacitance in a single pixel structure is decreased and the variation between the total parasitic capacitance of the adjacent pixel structures is also decreased to improve the display quality.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the first pixel structure 800 a further includes a first capacitance compensation portion 860 a electrically connected to the first pixel electrode 850 a , and the first capacitance compensation portion 860 a and the first scan line 810 a keep in a first gap S 1 in the in-plane direction parallel to the figure sheet to induce a transverse first compensation capacitance C compensation1 . More particularly, the first capacitance compensation portion 860 a and the first pixel electrode 850 a are respectively located at two opposite sides of the first scan line 810 a and the first capacitance compensation portion 860 a is connected to the first drain 846 a through a first connection potion 870 a traversing the first scan line 810 a . The first capacitance compensation portion 860 a is, for example, a bar-shaped structure extending along the first scan line 810 a . Similarly, the second pixel structure 800 b further includes a second capacitance compensation portion 860 b electrically connected to the second pixel electrode 850 b , and the second capacitance compensation portion 860 b keeps a second gap S from the second scan line 810 b in the in-plane direction parallel to the figure sheet to induce a transverse second compensation capacitance C compensation2 . More particularly, the second capacitance compensation portion 860 b and the second pixel electrode 850 b are located at two opposite sides of the second scan line 810 b and the second capacitance compensation portion 860 b is connected to the second drain 846 b through a second connection portion 870 b traversing the second scan line 810 b. The second capacitance compensation portion 860 b is, for example, a bar-shaped structure extending along the second scan line 810 b.

Specifically, the first gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd1 is relatively decreased when the overlapping region between the first drain 846 a and the first gate 842 a is reduced by the misalignment in the manufacturing process. Meanwhile, the overlapping region between the second drain 846 b and the second gate 842 b is enlarged to increase the second gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd2 relatively. However, owing to the disposition of the first capacitance compensation portion 860 a and the second capacitance compensation portion 860 b , the first compensation capacitance C compensation1 is increased and the second compensation capacitance C compensation2 is decreased to compensate the variations of the first gate-drain compensation capacitance C gd1 and the second gate-drain compensation capacitance C gd2 , and minimize the difference between the total parasitic capacitances of the first pixel structure 800 a and the second pixel structure 800 b . In a preferred condition, the total parasitic capacitances of the first pixel structure 800 a and the second pixel structure 800 b adjacent thereto are capable of being kept the same to provide an even display quality.

On the contrary, the first gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd1 is relatively increased when the overlapping region between the first drain 846 a and the first gate 842 a is enlarged by the misalignment in the manufacturing process. Meanwhile, the overlapping region between the second drain 846 b and the second gate 842 b is reduced to decrease the second gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd2 relatively. However, owing to the disposition of the first capacitance compensation portion 860 a and the second capacitance compensation portion 860 b , the first compensation capacitance C compensation1 is decreased and the second compensation capacitance C compensation2 is increased to compensate the variations of the first gate-drain compensation capacitance C gd1 and the second gate-drain compensation capacitance C gd2 and minimize the difference between the total parasitic capacitances of the first pixel structure 800 a and the second pixel structure 800 b . In a preferred condition, the total parasitic capacitances of the first pixel structure 800 a and the second pixel structure 800 b adjacent thereto are capable of being kept the same to provide an even display quality.

›DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS · 4 of 5

In addition to the above pixel structure, FIG. 9 further illustrates a pixel structure according to another embodiment of the present invention to depict another implement type of the above-mentioned design concept. The pixel structure shown in FIG. 6 is applied to the TFT array substrate shown in FIG. 7 in the present embodiment, wherein the two adjacent pixel structures share one data line and thus the elements in each of the pixel structures such as a TFT, a pixel electrode and a common line are configured symmetrically.

The elements shown in the foregoing embodiments are not repeated here and the related description is omitted. As shown in FIG. 9 , the first capacitance compensation portion 960 a of the first pixel structure 900 a in the present embodiment is a block structure extending along the second scan line 910 b and is located at the same first pixel region 990 a where the first pixel electrode 950 a is located at. The first drain 946 a is adjacent to the first scan line 910 a . The first capacitance compensation portion 960 a is adjacent to the second scan line 910 b and keeps a first gap S from the second scan line 910 b in the in-plane direction. In another word, the first capacitance compensation portion 960 a is modified to be configured beside the second scan line 910 b in the present embodiment such that the first capacitance compensation portion 960 a keeps the first gap S 1 from the second scan line 910 b to induce the first compensation capacitance C compensation1 .

Similarly, the second capacitance compensation portion 960 b of the second pixel structure 900 b is, for example, a block structure extending along the first scan line 910 a and located at the same second pixel region 990 b where the second pixel electrode 950 b is located at. The second drain 946 b is adjacent to the second scan line 910 b . The second capacitance compensation portion 960 b is adjacent to the first scan line 910 a and keeps a second gap S 2 from the first scan line 910 a in the in-plane direction. In another word, the second capacitance compensation portion 960 b is modified to be configured beside the first scan line 910 a in the present embodiment such that the second capacitance compensation portion 960 b keeps the second gap S 2 from the first scan line 910 a to induce the second compensation capacitance C compensation2 .

Specifically, the first gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd1 is relatively decreased when the overlapping region between the first drain 946 a and the first gate 942 a is reduced by the misalignment in the manufacturing process. Meanwhile, the overlapping region between the second drain 946 b and the second gate 942 b is enlarged to increase the second gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd2 relatively. However, owing to the disposition of the first capacitance compensation portion 960 a and the second capacitance compensation portion 960 b , the first compensation capacitance C compensation1 is increased and the second compensation capacitance C compensation2 is decreased to compensate the variations of the first gate-drain compensation capacitance C gd1 and the second gate-drain compensation capacitance C gd2 and minimize the difference between the total parasitic capacitances of the first pixel structure 900 a and the second pixel structure 900 b . In a preferred condition, the total parasitic capacitances of the first pixel structure 900 a and the second pixel structure 900 b adjacent thereto are kept equivalent to one another to provide an even display quality.

On the contrary, the first gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd1 is relatively increased when the overlapping region between the first drain 946 a and the first gate 942 a is enlarged by the misalignment in the manufacturing process. Meanwhile, the overlapping region between the second drain 946 b and the second gate 942 b is reduced to decrease the second gate-drain parasitic capacitance C gd2 relatively. However, owing to the disposition of the first capacitance compensation portion 960 a and the second capacitance compensation portion 960 b , the first compensation capacitance C compensation1 is decreased and the second compensation capacitance C compensation2 is increased to compensate the variations of the first gate-drain compensation capacitance C gd1 and the second gate-drain compensation capacitance C gd2 and minimize the difference between the total parasitic capacitances of the first pixel structure 900 a and the second pixel structure 900 b . In a preferred condition, the total parasitic capacitances of the first pixel structure 900 a and the second pixel structure 900 b adjacent thereto are kept equivalent to one another to provide an even display quality.

FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic diagram of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10 , the display panel 1000 of the present embodiment includes a TFT array substrate 1010 , an opposite substrate 1020 and a display medium layer 1030 disposed between the TFT array substrate 1010 and the opposite substrate 1020 . The TFT array substrate 1010 can be the TFT array substrates illustrated in the above-mentioned embodiments or other TFT array substrates not illustrated. The opposite substrate 1020 is a color filter substrate. Certainly, under certain circumstances, the opposite substrate 1020 can also be a glass substrate or a quartz substrate having only a common electrode thereon while the corresponding TFT array substrate 1010 has the color filter layer thereon. In the present embodiment, the display medium layer 1030 is, for example, a liquid crystal layer and the display panel 1000 is a liquid crystal display panel. Alternatively, the display medium layer 1030 may be an electroluminescent material layer in other embodiments and thus the display panel 1000 is an electroluminescent display panel, wherein the electroluminescent material can be an organic material, an inorganic material or a combination thereof

›DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS · 5 of 5

FIG. 11 further illustrates a display apparatus applying the above-mentioned display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. A liquid crystal display apparatus is taken as an example. The liquid crystals are non-luminance and therefore a backlight module 1120 is disposed beside the liquid crystal display panel 1110 . The backlight module 1120 provides the light L to the liquid crystal display panel 1110 to render the liquid crystal display panel 1110 display an image.

In brief, the pixel structure provided in the above embodiments adapt for compensating variation of gate-drain parasitic capacitance caused by misalignment in the manufacturing process through forming a transverse compensation capacitance between a capacitance compensation portion and a scan line in an in-plane direction, and therefore the flicker in displaying of a display panel can be alleviated. In addition, being applied into the concept of “data lines reducing”, the pixel structures are capable of reducing the difference of capacitances between two adjacent pixel structures due to the misalignment in the manufacturing process and are apt to improve the display uniformity.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above embodiments, it will be apparent to one of the ordinary skill in the art that modifications to the described embodiment may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention will be defined by the attached claims not by the above detailed descriptions.

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Classifications

5 codes
IPC · International Patent Classification
Section G — Physics
  • G02F1/1343
  • G02F1/1333
USPC · US Patent Classification
349/38349/39349/158

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File wrapper

⤢ drag to zoomJul 2009Oct 2009Jan 2010Apr 2010Jul 2010Oct 2010Jan 2011Apr 2011Jul 2011Oct 2011Jan 2012USPTOApplicantNotice of allowance
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2.5 y
930 days filing → grant
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none on record
Examiner
Mike Qi
art unit 2871 · TC 2800
Citations: 5 back · 2 forward

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