USPatent applicationPatented

Display panel, gate driving method and display device

Granted 14 Sep 2021 · 1 office action

Current assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoeletronics Technology (TCL) · originally TCL Technology

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Attorney: Attorney · Log in to unlock

Inventors: Jian Tao · Examiner: Sejoon Ahn · AU 2628 · TC 2600

Application· this page
17/041,077
filed 23 Jul 2020
Publication
Not published
not published
Patent
US 11,120,763
granted 14 Sep 2021

Life of the application

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Abstract

A display pane, a gate driving method and a display device are provided. The display panel comprises a pixel driving circuit in a display area and a gate driving circuit in a non-display area. The gate driving circuit is electrically connected to a first voltage end and a second voltage end. The first voltage end is configured to turn off a driving transistor of the pixel driving circuit electrically connected to an output end of the gate driving circuit. The second voltage end is configured to turn off an output transistor of the gate driving circuit to suppress the gate voltage shift of the driving transistor in the pixel driving circuit such that the reliability of the driving transistor and the fault tolerance of the display panel could be raised.

Description

10 parts
›FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a display technique, and more particularly, to a display panel, a gate driving method, and a display device.

›BACKGROUND

Using the Low Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide (LTPO) back plate could have the advantages of Low Temperature Polysilicon (LTPS) and oxide techniques. The LTPO display device could accomplish high/low frequency switching and achieve the purposes of low power consumption and high display quality. However, the LTPS and the oxide have different electric characteristics. When the oxide transistors are biased or in a high temperature for a long time, the threshold voltage may shift. In order to suppress this, the gate voltage needs to be adjusted. However, adjusting the gate voltage will influence the electric characteristics of the LTPS transistors and this will ruin the operation of the display device.

›SUMMARY · 1 of 2

Technical Problem

One objective of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a display panel, a gate driving method, and a display device, capable of suppressing the threshold voltage shift of the driving transistor in the pixel driving circuit and raising the reliability of the driving transistor and fault tolerance of the display panel.

Technical Solution

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a display panel is disclosed. The display panel comprises a pixel driving circuit in a display area and a gate driving circuit in a non-display area. The gate driving circuit is electrically connected to a first voltage end and a second voltage end. The first voltage end is configured to turn off a driving transistor of the pixel driving circuit electrically connected to an output end of the gate driving circuit. The second voltage end is configured to turn off an output transistor of the gate driving circuit.

In the display panel, the gate driving circuit comprises: cascaded stages of sub-circuits, wherein an n th -stage sub-circuit of the sub-circuits comprises: a scan control module, configured to perform a forward scan or a backward scan according to a scan control signal; and a pull-down control module, electrically connected to the scan control module, configured to control a working state of a pull-down module according to the scan control module. The pull-down module is electrically connected to the pull-down control module and an output module, the pull-down module is electrically connected to the first voltage end and the second voltage end; the pull-down module is configured to, in a reset state, utilize the second voltage end to turn off the output transistor of the output module and connect the first voltage end to an output end of the output module to pull down the output end of the output module such that the driving transistor of the pixel driving circuit is turned off. The output module is electrically connected to the scan control module and the pull-down module; the output module receives an n th -stage clock signal; and the output module is configured to output a gate driving signal.

In the display panel, the pull-down module comprises: a pull-down transistor, having a gate electrically connected to the pull-down control module, a first electrode electrically connected to the output module, and a second electrode receiving the second voltage end, the pull-down transistor configured to turn off the output transistor in the reset state to stop writing the n th -stage clock signal into the output end of the output module; a reset transistor, having a gate electrically connected to the gate of the pull-down transistor, a first electrode electrically connected to the output end of the output module, and a second electrode electrically connected to the first voltage end, the reset transistor configured to, in the reset state, pull down the output end of the output module such that the driving transistor of the pixel driving circuit is turned off; and a first storage capacitor, electrically connected between the pull-down transistor and the second voltage end, configured to maintain gate voltages of the pull-down transistor and the reset transistor.

In the display panel, the pull-down control module comprises: a first transistor, having a gate electrically connected to the scan control module, a first electrode electrically connected to a third voltage end, and a second electrode electrically connected to the gate of the pull-down transistor; the first transistor configured to, in the reset state, enable the pull-down module to work; and a second transistor, having a gate electrically connected to the first electrode of the pull-down transistor, a first electrode electrically connected to the second electrode of the first transistor, and a second electrode electrically connected to the second voltage end; the second transistor configured to, in an input state, an output state and a pull-down state, maintain the pull-down module to be turned off such that the n th -stage clock signal is written into the output end of the output module.

In the display panel, the scan control signal comprises a forward scan control signal and a backward scan control signal, and the scan control module comprises: a third transistor, having a gate receiving a start signal or a (n−2) th -stage gate driving signal, a first electrode receiving the forward scan control signal, and a second electrode electrically connected to the gate of the second transistor; the third transistor configured to enable, in the input state, the pull-down control module and the output module to work such that the n th -stage clock signal is written into the output end of the output module; a fourth transistor, having a gate electrically connected to a (n+2) th -stage gate driving signal, a first electrode electrically connected to the second electrode of the third transistor, and a second electrode receiving the backward scan control signal; the third transistor configured to enable, in the reset state, the pull-down control module to control the pull-down module to work; a fifth transistor, having a gate receiving the forward scan control signal, a first electrode receiving the (n+2) th -stage clock signal, and a second electrode electrically connected to the gate of the first transistor; and a sixth transistor, having a gate receiving the backward scan control signal, a first electrode receiving the (n−2) th -stage clock signal, and a second electrode electrically connected to the second electrode of the fifth transistor.

In the display panel, the output module comprises: a seventh transistor, having a gate receiving the third voltage end, a first electrode electrically connected to the second electrode of the third transistor, and a second electrode; the output transistor, has a gate electrically connected to the second electrode of the seventh transistor, a first electrode receiving the n th -stage clock signal, and a second electrode electrically connected to the first electrode of the reset transistor; and a second storage capacitor, electrically connected between the first electrode of the seventh transistor and the second voltage end, configured to maintain the output transistor to be turned on in the input state, the output state, and the pull-down state such that the n th -stage clock signal is written into the output end of the output module.

›SUMMARY · 2 of 2

In the display panel, the gate driving circuit further comprises: a black scan module, electrically connected to the pull-down module and the output module, configured to receive a black scan control signal to perform a black scan operation on a display screen at the time when the display panel is being shut down.

In the display panel, the black scan module comprises: a ninth transistor, having a gate receiving the black scan control signal; a first electrode electrically connected to the pull-down module; and a second electrode electrically connected to the second voltage end; a tenth transistor, having a gate, a first electrode electrically connected to the gate of the tenth transistor and the gate of the ninth transistor; and a second electrode electrically connected to the output end of the output module.

In the display panel, the first electrode of the ninth electrode is electrically connected to the gate of the reset transistor in the pull-down module; and the second electrode of the tenth transistor is electrically connected to the second electrode of the output transistor in the output module.

In the display panel, the first voltage end is a direct current low voltage supply, and the second voltage end is a direct current high voltage supply.

In the display panel, the third voltage end is a direct current high voltage supply.

In the display panel, the forward scan control signal is a high voltage level signal and the backward scan control signal is a low voltage level signal.

In the display panel, all transistors of the pixel driving circuit are oxide transistors, and all transistors of the gate driving circuit are Low Temperature Polysilicon (LTPS) transistors.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a gate driving method for driving the above-mentioned gate driving circuit is disclosed. The gate driving method comprises: in an input state, controlling a scan control signal, electrically connected to a scan control module in the gate driving circuit, to enable an output module and a pull-down control module to work such that the pull-down control module controls pull-down module to be turned off and a n th -stage clock signal is written into an output end of the output module; in an output state, the n th -stage clock signal makes the output module has a bootstrap effect such that the output end of the output module outputs a gate driving signal and the gate driving signal drives the driving transistor of the pixel driving circuit to work; in a pull-down state, the output module maintains working such that the n th -stage clock signal is written into the output end of the output module through a cooperation of the pull-down control module and the n th -stage clock signal; and in a reset state, the scan control signal enables the pull-down control module to work, the pull-down control module controls the pull-down module to be in a working state, the second voltage end cuts off the output transistor in the output module, the output end of the output module is electrically connected to the first voltage end, and the driving transistor is turned off.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a display device comprising the display panel as disclosed above is provided.

Advantageous Effects

In contrast to the conventional art, an embodiment of the present invention provides a display pane, a gate driving method and a display device. The display panel comprises a pixel driving circuit in a display area and a gate driving circuit in a non-display area. The gate driving circuit is electrically connected to a first voltage end and a second voltage end. The first voltage end is configured to turn off a driving transistor of the pixel driving circuit electrically connected to an output end of the gate driving circuit. The second voltage end is configured to turn off an output transistor of the gate driving circuit to suppress the gate voltage shift of the driving transistor in the pixel driving circuit such that the reliability of the driving transistor and the fault tolerance of the display panel could be raised.

›BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present application are illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings, in which like or similar reference numerals refer to like or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout the specification. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be illustrative of the present application, and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present application.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A - FIG. 2B show the operation of the gate driving circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A - FIG. 3B show the structure of the gate driving circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3C is a timing diagram of the gate driving circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a gate driving circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

›DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS · 1 of 5

For the purpose of description rather than limitation, the following provides such specific details as a specific system structure, interface, and technology for a thorough understanding of the application. However, it is understandable by persons skilled in the art that the application can also be implemented in other embodiments not providing such specific details. In other cases, details of a well-known apparatus, circuit and method are omitted to avoid hindering the description of the application by unnecessary details.

Please refer to FIG. 1 - FIG. 3C . FIG. 1 is a diagram of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A - FIG. 2B show the operation of the gate driving circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A - FIG. 3B show the structure of the gate driving circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3C is a timing diagram of the gate driving circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The display panel comprises a display area 100 a and a non-display area 100 b . The display panel comprises a pixel driving circuit in the display area 100 a and a gate driving circuit in the non-display area 100 b . The gate driving circuit is electrically connected to a first voltage end VSS and a second voltage end VGL. The first voltage end VSS is configured to turn off a driving transistor of the pixel driving circuit electrically connected to an output end Gate(N) of the gate driving circuit. The second voltage end VGL is configured to turn off an output transistor T 8 of the gate driving circuit to suppress the gate voltage shift of the driving transistor in the pixel driving circuit such that the reliability of the driving transistor and the fault tolerance of the display panel could be raised.

Please refer to FIG. 2A-2B and FIG. 3A - FIG. 3C . The gate driving circuit comprises cascaded stages of sub-circuits, where an n th -stage sub-circuit of the sub-circuits comprises: a scan control module 100 and a pull-down control module 200 . The scan control module 100 is configured to perform a forward scan or a backward scan according to a scan control signal. The pull-down control module 200 is electrically connected to the scan control module 100 and is configured to control a working state of a pull-down module 300 according to the scan control module.

The pull-down module 300 is electrically connected to the pull-down control module 200 and an output module 400 and is electrically connected to the first voltage end VSS and the second voltage end VGL. The pull-down module 300 is configured to, in a reset state S 4 , utilize the second voltage end VGL to turn off the output transistor T 8 of the output module 400 and connect the first voltage end VSS to an output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 to pull down the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 such that the driving transistor of the pixel driving circuit is turned off. The output module 400 is electrically connected to the scan control module 100 and the pull-down module 300 . The output module 400 receives an n th -stage clock signal CK(N) and the output module 400 is configured to output a gate driving signal.

Because the pull-down module 300 is utilized, in the reset state S 4 , to connect the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 to the first voltage end VSS to pull down the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 , the gate voltage of the driving transistor in the pixel driving circuit in the display area is adjusted. This suppresses the threshold voltage shift issue caused by biasing the driving transistor for a long time. Thus, the reliability of the driving transistor is raised and further influence on the gate driving circuit is avoided.

In this embodiment, the first voltage end VSS could be modulated through the central control board. The voltage level of the first voltage end VSS could be ensured through a reliability experiment such that a voltage level for turning off the driving transistor could be obtained.

The transistors in the pixel driving circuit in the display area are field effect transistors (FETs). Furthermore, the transistors in the pixel driving circuit in the display area could be thin film transistors (TFTs). In addition, the transistors in the pixel driving circuit in the display area are oxide TFTs.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a gate driving method for driving the above-mentioned gate driving circuit is disclosed. The gate driving method comprises:

In an input state S 1 , the scan control signal, electrically connected to a scan control module 100 in the gate driving circuit, enables the output module 400 and the pull-down control module 200 to work such that the pull-down control module 200 maintains the pull-down module 300 to in the “off” state and the n th -stage clock signal CK(N) is written into the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 .

In an output state S 2 , the n th -stage clock signal CK(N) makes the output module has a bootstrap effect such that the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 outputs a gate driving signal and the gate driving signal drives the driving transistor of the pixel driving circuit to work.

In a pull-down state S 3 , the output module 400 keeps working such that the n th -stage clock signal is written into the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 through a cooperation of the pull-down control module 200 and the n th -stage clock signal CK(N).

In a reset state S 4 , the scan control signal enables the pull-down control module 200 to work. The pull-down control module 200 controls the pull-down module to be in a working state. The second voltage end VGL cuts off the output transistor T 8 in the output module 400 . The output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 is electrically connected to the first voltage end VSS, and the driving transistor is turned off.

Please continue to refer to FIG. 2A-2B and FIG. 3A - FIG. 3C . The pull-down module 300 comprises a pull-down transistor T 11 , a reset transistor T 12 and a first storage capacitor C 1 .

›DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS · 2 of 5

The gate of the pull-down transistor T 11 is electrically connected to the pull-down control module 200 . The first electrode of the pull-down transistor T 11 is electrically connected to the output module 400 . The second electrode of the pull-down transistor T 11 receives the second voltage end VGL. The pull-down transistor T 11 is configured to turn off the output transistor T 8 in the reset state S 4 to stop writing the n th -stage clock signal CK(N) into the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 .

The gate of the reset transistor T 12 is electrically connected to the gate of the pull-down transistor T 11 . The first electrode of the reset transistor T 12 is electrically connected to the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 . The second electrode of the reset transistor T 12 is electrically connected to the first voltage end VSS. The reset transistor T 12 is configured to, in the reset state S 4 , pull down the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 such that the driving transistor of the pixel driving circuit is turned off.

One end of the first storage capacitor C 1 is electrically connected to the gate of the pull-down transistor T 11 . The other end of the first storage capacitor C 1 receives the second voltage end VGL. The first storage capacitor C 1 is configured to maintain gate voltages of the pull-down transistor and the reset transistor.

The pull-down control module 200 comprises a first transistor T 1 and a second transistor T 2 .

The gate of the first transistor T 1 is electrically connected to the scan control module 100 . The first electrode of the first transistor T 1 is electrically connected to a third voltage end VGH. The second electrode of the first transistor T 1 is electrically connected to the gate of the pull-down transistor T 11 . The first transistor T 1 is configured to, in the reset state S 4 , enable the pull-down module 300 to work.

The gate of the second transistor T 2 is electrically connected to the first electrode of the pull-down transistor T 11 . The first electrode of the second transistor T 2 is electrically connected to the second electrode of the first transistor T 1 . The second electrode of the second transistor T 2 is electrically connected to the second voltage end VGL. The second transistor T 2 configured to, in the input state S 1 , the output state S 2 and the pull-down state S 3 , maintain the pull-down module to be turned off such that the n th -stage clock signal is written into the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 .

The scan control signal comprises a forward scan control signal U 2 D and a backward scan control signal D 2 U. The scan control module 100 comprises a third transistor T 3 , a fourth transistor T 4 , a fifth transistor T 5 , and a sixth transistor T 6 .

The gate of the third transistor T 3 receives a (n−2) th -stage gate driving signal Gate(N−2). The first electrode of the third transistor T 3 receives the forward scan control signal U 2 D. The second electrode of the third transistor T 3 is electrically connected to the gate of the second transistor T 2 . The third transistor T 3 is configured to enable, in the input state S 1 , the pull-down control module 200 and the output module 400 to work such that the n th -stage clock signal is written into the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 .

The gate of the fourth transistor T 4 is electrically connected to a (n+2) th -stage gate driving signal Gate(N+2). The first electrode of the fourth transistor T 4 is electrically connected to the second electrode of the third transistor T 3 . The second electrode of the fourth transistor T 4 receives the backward scan control signal D 2 U. The third transistor T 3 is configured to enable, in the reset state S 4 , the pull-down control module 200 to control the pull-down module 300 to work.

The gate of the fifth transistor T 5 receives the forward scan control signal U 2 D. The first electrode of the fifth transistor T 5 receives the (n+2) th -stage clock signal CK(N+2). The second electrode of the fifth transistor T 5 is electrically connected to the gate of the first transistor T 1 .

The gate of the sixth transistor T 6 receives the backward scan control signal D 2 U. The first electrode of the sixth transistor T 6 receives the (n−2) th -stage clock signal CK(N−2). The second electrode of the sixth transistor T 6 is electrically connected to the second electrode of the fifth transistor T 5 .

The output module 400 comprises a seventh transistor T 7 , the output transistor T 8 , and a second storage capacitor C 2 .

The gate of the seventh transistor T 7 receives the third voltage end VGH. The first electrode of the seventh transistor T 7 is electrically connected to the second electrode of the third transistor T 3 .

The gate of the output transistor T 8 is electrically connected to the second electrode of the seventh transistor T 7 . The first electrode of the output transistor T 8 receives the n th -stage clock signal CK(N). The second electrode of the output transistor T 8 is electrically connected to the first electrode of the reset transistor T 12 .

One end of the second storage capacitor C 2 is electrically connected to the first electrode of the seventh transistor T 7 and the other end of the second storage capacitor C 2 is electrically to the second voltage end VGL. The second storage capacitor is configured to maintain the output transistor T 8 to be turned on in the input state S 1 , the output state S 2 , and the pull-down state S 3 such that the n th -stage clock signal CK(N) is written into the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 .

In this embodiment, the first voltage end VSS is a DC low voltage source, the second voltage end VGL is a DC low voltage source, and the third voltage end VGL is a DC high voltage source.

The transistors in the gate driving circuit in the display area are field effect transistors (FETs). Furthermore, the transistors in the gate driving circuit in the display area could be thin film transistors (TFTs). In addition, the transistors in the gate driving circuit in the display area are LTPS TFTs. In order to distinguish the source with the drain in a transistor, the first electrode could be regarded as one of the source and the drain and the second electrode could be regarded as the other of the source and the drain.

›DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS · 3 of 5

Please continue to refer to FIG. 3A - FIG. 3C . In this embodiment, the transistors in the gate driving circuit are N-type transistors. The forward scan control signal U 2 D corresponds to a high voltage level. The backward scan control signal D 2 D corresponds to a low voltage level. The first voltage end VSS is a DC low voltage source. The second voltage end VGL is a DC low voltage source. The third voltage end VGH is a DC high voltage source. The operation of the gate driving circuit comprises:

In the input state S 1 :

When the (n−2) th -stage gate driving signal Gate(N−2) corresponds to a high voltage level, the third transistor T 3 of the scan control module 100 is turned on and the second transistor T 2 of the pull-down control module 200 is turned on. At the same time, the seventh transistor T 7 in the output module 400 is turned on because the third voltage end VGH is a DC high voltage source. The forward scan control signal U 2 D is written into the first electrode of the seventh transistor T 7 and charges the second storage capacitor C 2 such that the forward scan control signal U 2 D is written into the first electrode and the second electrode (the nodes Q 1 and Q 2 ) of the seventh transistor T 7 . The output transistor T 8 is turned on. The n th -stage clock signal CK(N) is written into the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 . The second transistor T 2 of the pull-down control module 200 is turned on such that the signal from the second voltage end VGL is written into the gates of the pull-down transistor T 11 and the reset transistor T 12 in the pull-down module 300 and thus the pull-down transistor T 11 and the reset transistor T 12 are turned off.

When the (n−2) th -stage gate driving signal Gate(N−2) corresponds to a low voltage level, the third transistor T 3 of the scan control module 100 is turned off. The seventh transistor T 7 in the output module 400 remains on because the third voltage end VGH is a DC high voltage source. The voltage levels at the nodes Q 1 and Q 2 are maintained because of charges stored in the second storage capacitor C 2 . The output transistor T 8 remains on. At the same time, the charges stored in the second storage capacitor C 2 could maintain the second transistor T 2 in the pull-down control module 200 to be in the “on” state. The n th -stage clock signal CK(N) keeps being written into the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 . The signal from the second voltage end VGL keeps being written into the gates of the pull-down transistor T 11 and the reset transistor T 12 in the pull-down module 300 and thus the pull-down transistor T 11 and the reset transistor T 12 are turned off.

In the output state S 2 :

Because the charges stored in the second storage capacitor C 2 maintain the voltage levels at the nodes Q 1 and Q 2 , the output transistor T 8 remains on. At the same time, the charges stored in the second storage capacitor C 2 maintain the voltage levels at the nodes Q 1 and Q 2 also maintain the second transistor T 2 to be in the “on” state. The signal from the second voltage end VGL keeps being written into the gates of the pull-down transistor T 11 and the reset transistor T 12 in the pull-down module 300 such that the pull-down transistor T 11 and the reset transistor T 12 are turned off. The output transistor T 8 remains on such that the gate of the output transistor T 8 has the bootstrap effect when the n th -stage clock signal CK(N) corresponds to a high voltage level. In this way, the voltage level at the node Q 2 is pulled high to 2*VGH-VGL. The output transistor T 8 is sufficiently turned on. The n th -stage clock signal CK(N) of a high voltage level is written into the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 such that a gate driving signal is provided to the driving transistor of the pixel driving circuit in the display area.

In the pull-down state S 3 :

The n th -stage clock signal CK(N) is switched from a high voltage level to a low voltage level. The bootstrap effect at the gate of the output transistor T 8 no longer exists. The charges stored in the second storage capacitor C 2 keeps maintaining the voltage levels at the nodes Q 1 and Q 2 . The output transistor T 8 remains on. The second transistor T 2 in the pull-down control module 200 remains on. The pull-down transistor T 11 and the reset transistor T 12 in the pull-down module 300 remain off. The n th -stage clock signal CK(N) of a low voltage level is written into the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 .

In the reset state S 4 :

When the (n+2) th -stage gate driving signal Gate(N+2) corresponds to a high voltage level, the fourth transistor T 4 in the scan control module 100 is turned on. At the same time, because the (n+2) th -stage clock signal CK(N+2) and the (n−2) th -stage clock signal CK(N−2) correspond to a high voltage level and the forward scan control signal U 2 D corresponds to a high voltage level, the fifth transistor T 5 in the scan control module 100 is turned on. The fourth transistor T 4 is turned on such that the backward scan control signal D 2 U corresponding to a low voltage level is written into the gate of the second transistor T 2 in the pull-down control module 200 and thus the second transistor T 2 is turned off. The fourth transistor T 4 is turned on such that the backward scan control signal D 2 U corresponding to a low voltage level is written into the first electrode of the seventh transistor T 7 in the output module 400 . The fifth transistor T 5 is turned on such that the first transistor T 1 in the pull-down control module 200 is turned on. The gates of the pull-down transistor T 11 and the reset transistor T 12 in the pull-down module 300 receive the third voltage end VGH such that the pull-down transistor T 11 and the reset transistor T 12 are turned on. The first storage capacitor C 1 is charged and maintains the gate voltages of the pull-down transistor T 11 and the reset transistor T 12 . Because the first electrode and the second electrode (the nodes Q 1 and Q 2 ) of the seventh transistor T 7 in the output module 400 receive the second voltage end VGL, the output transistor T 8 is turned off. The reset transistor T 12 is turned on such that the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 is pulled down to the same voltage level of the first voltage end VSS. Therefore, the gate driving signal outputted from the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 could adjust the gate voltages of the driving transistor in the pixel driving circuit. This could prevent the transistors in the display area from being biased for a long time. Thus, this could suppress the threshold voltage shift and raise the reliability of the driving transistor and other transistors in the pixel driving circuit.

›DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS · 4 of 5

The gate of the third transistor T 3 of the scan control module 100 could receive a start signal STV instead of the (n−2) th -stage gate driving signal Gate(N−2). When the gate of the third transistor T 3 receives the start signal STV, the operation of the third transistor T 3 is similar to the above-mentioned third transistor T 3 when it receives the (n−2) th -stage gate driving signal Gate(N−2). Therefore, further illustrations are omitted here.

Please refer to FIG. 2B and FIG. 3B . The gate driving circuit further comprises a black scan module 500 . The black scan module 500 is electrically connected to the pull-down module 300 and the output module 400 . The black scan module 500 is configured to receive a black scan control signal GAS to perform a black scan operation on a display screen at the time when the display panel is being shut down.

The black scan module 500 comprises a ninth transistor T 9 and a tenth transistor T 10 . The gate of the ninth transistor T 9 receives the black scan control signal GAS. The first electrode of the ninth transistor T 9 is electrically connected to the pull-down module 300 . The second electrode of the ninth transistor T 9 is electrically connected to the second voltage end VGL.

The gate and the first electrode of the tenth transistor T 10 are electrically connected to the gate of the ninth transistor T 9 . The second electrode of the tenth transistor T 10 is electrically connected to the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 .

Furthermore, the first electrode of the ninth transistor T 9 is electrically connected to the gate of the reset transistor T 12 of the pull-down module 300 . The second electrode of the tenth transistor T 10 is electrically connected to the second electrode of the output transistor T 8 of the output module 400 .

At the time when the display device is being shut down, the black scan control signal GAS corresponds to a high voltage level, the other input signals (such as the (n−2) th -stage clock signal CK(N−2), the forward scan control signal U 2 D, etc.) correspond to a low voltage level. The ninth transistor T 9 and the tenth transistor T 10 in the black scan module 500 are turned on. The gate driving signal outputted from the output end Gate(N) of the output module 400 performs a black scan operation on the display panel.

In this embodiment, in the gate driving circuit shown in FIG. 3A - FIG. 3B , the transistors are N-type transistors. However, this is only an example, not a limitation of the present invention. The N-type transistors could be replaced by P-type transistors and the corresponding signals could be replaced by their inverted signals. A person having ordinary skills in the art could understand this implementation and thus further illustration is omitted here.

Please refer to FIG. 4 . FIG. 4 is a diagram of a gate driving circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4 , a gate driving circuit is disclosed. The gate driving circuit comprises cascaded sub-circuits. The n th -stage sub-circuit in the cascaded sub-circuits comprises a first transistor T 1 , a second transistor T 2 , a third transistor T 3 , a fourth transistor T 4 , a fifth transistor T 5 , a sixth transistor T 6 , a seventh transistor T 7 , an eighth transistor T 8 , a ninth transistor T 9 , a tenth transistor T 10 , an eleventh transistor T 11 , a twelfth transistor T 12 , a first storage capacitor C 1 and a second storage capacitor C 2 .

The drain D 1 of the first transistor T 1 receives the third voltage end VGH.

The drain D 2 of the second transistor T 2 is electrically connected to the source S 1 of the first transistor T 1 . The source S 2 of the second transistor T 2 receives the second voltage end VGL.

The gate of the third transistor T 3 receives the (n−2) th -stage gate driving signal Gate(N−2) or the start signal STV. The drain D 3 of the third transistor T 3 receives the forward scan control signal U 2 D. The source S 3 of the third transistor T 3 is electrically connected to the gate of the second transistor T 2 .

The gate of the fourth transistor T 4 receives the (n+2) th -stage gate driving signal Gate(N+2). The drain D 4 of the fourth transistor T 4 is electrically connected to the source S 3 of the third transistor T 3 . The source S 4 of the fourth transistor T 4 receives the backward scan control signal D 2 U.

The gate of the fifth transistor T 5 receives the forward scan control signal U 2 D. The drain D 5 of the fifth transistor T 5 receives the (n+2) th -stage clock signal CK(N+2). The source S 5 of the fifth transistor T 5 is electrically connected to the gate of the first transistor T 1 .

The gate of the sixth transistor T 6 receives the backward scan control signal D 2 U. The drain D 6 of the sixth transistor T 6 receives the (n−2) th -stage clock signal CK(N−2). The source S 6 of the sixth transistor T 6 is electrically connected to the source S 5 of the fifth transistor T 5 .

The gate of the seventh transistor T 7 receives the third voltage end VGH. The drain D 7 of the seventh transistor T 7 is electrically connected to the source S 3 of the third transistor T 3 .

The gate of the eighth transistor T 8 is electrically connected to the source S 7 of the seventh transistor T 7 . The drain D 8 of the eighth transistor T 8 receives the n th -stage clock signal CK(N).

The gate of the ninth transistor T 9 receives the black scan control signal GAS. The source S 9 of the ninth transistor T 9 receives the second voltage end VGL.

The gate and the drain D 10 of the tenth transistor T 10 are electrically connected to the gate of the ninth transistor T 9 . The source S 10 of the tenth transistor T 10 is electrically connected to the source S 8 of the eighth transistor T 8 .

The gate of the eleventh transistor T 11 is electrically connected to the drain D 9 of the ninth transistor T 9 and the source S 1 of the first transistor T 1 . The drain D 11 of the eleventh transistor T 11 is electrically connected to the drain D 7 of the seventh transistor T 7 . The source S 11 of the eleventh transistor T 11 receives the second voltage end VGL.

›DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS · 5 of 5

The gate of the twelfth transistor T 12 is electrically connected to the gate of the eleventh transistor T 11 . The drain D 12 of the twelfth transistor T 12 is electrically connected to the source S 8 of the eighth transistor T 8 . The source S 12 of the twelfth transistor T 12 receives the first voltage end VSS.

One end of the first storage capacitor C 1 is electrically connected to the gate of the eleventh transistor T 11 . The other end of the first storage capacitor C 1 receives the second voltage end VGL.

One end of the second storage capacitor C 2 is electrically connected to the drain D 7 of the seventh transistor T 7 . The other end of the second storage capacitor C 2 receives the second voltage end VGL.

In this embodiment, only the n th -stage sub-circuit is illustrated because the other stages of sub-circuits are similar. Thus, further illustrations are omitted here.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a display device is disclosed. The display device comprises the above-mentioned display panel.

The display device could be a LCD, a flexible display device, etc. Furthermore, the gate driving circuit could be adopted in a high-resolution display device. In addition, the flexible display device comprises light emitting devices. Furthermore, the light emitting devices comprise OLEDs, Mimi LEDs and/or Micro LEDs.

Specifically, the display device could be a mobile display device or a non-movable display device, such as a cell phone, a laptop, a desktop computer, a wristband, a learning machine, etc.

In the display device, the gate driving circuit is utilized to drive the driving transistor in the pixel driving circuit. This could prevent the driving transistor from being biased for a long time and suppress the threshold voltage shift of the driving transistor. This could also raise the reliability of the transistors in the display area. Furthermore, because the first voltage end VSS could be adjusted according to the actual demands, the bias voltages of the transistors in the display area can be adjusted such that the fault tolerance of the display device is raised.

The present invention provides a display panel, a gate driving method and a display device. The display panel comprises a display area 100 a and a non-display area 100 b . The display panel comprises a pixel driving circuit in the display area 100 a and a gate driving circuit in the non-display area 100 b . The gate driving circuit is electrically connected to the first voltage end VSS and the second voltage end VSS. The first voltage end VSS is used to turn off the driving transistor in the pixel driving signal connected to the output end Gate(N) of the gate driving circuit. The second voltage end VGL is used to turn off the output transistor T 8 of the gate driving circuit to suppress the threshold voltage shift of the driving transistor in the pixel driving circuit and raise the reliability of the driving transistor and the fault tolerance of the display panel.

In the above embodiments, each embodiment may have its own focus. Therefore, if one embodiment does not illustrate something in details, one having ordinary skills in the art could refer to another embodiment to understand the disclosure.

Above are embodiments of the present invention, which does not limit the scope of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements or improvements within the spirit and principles of the embodiment described above should be covered by the protected scope of the invention.

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Classifications

1 codes
IPC · International Patent Classification
Section G — Physics
  • G09G3/36

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⤢ drag to zoomJul 2020Oct 2020Jan 2021Apr 2021Jul 2021Oct 2021USPTOApplicantNon-final rejectionResponse after non-final
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418 days filing → grant
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1
non-final + final
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1
no RCE
Examiner
Sejoon Ahn
art unit 2628 · TC 2600
Citations: 15 back · 0 forward

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