CN108254981B

CN108254981B - Pixel structure, display panel and operation method thereof

Info

Publication number: CN108254981B
Application number: CN201611244237.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 林家宇; 郭峻廷
Original assignee: Acer Inc
Current assignee: Acer Inc
Priority date: 2016-12-29
Filing date: 2016-12-29
Publication date: 2021-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-29
Also published as: CN108254981A

Abstract

The invention provides a pixel structure, a display panel and an operation method thereof. The pixel structure of the invention has an element area and a visual angle adjusting area. The pixel structure comprises a scanning line, a first data line, a second data line, a first active element, a second active element, a flat layer and a reflecting electrode. The first active element is electrically connected to the scan line and the first data line. The second active element is electrically connected to the scan line and the second data line. The reflection electrode is configured on the flat layer and is electrically connected with the second active element. The reflection electrode is provided with a fixed part positioned in the element area and a cantilever part positioned in the visual angle adjusting area. The cantilever part is connected with the fixed part and is suspended. The pixel structure, the display panel and the operation method thereof are suitable for solving the problems of picture distortion or color deviation and the like caused by the change of the placing angle.

Description

Pixel structure, display panel and operation method thereof

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a pixel structure, a display panel and an operating method thereof, and more particularly, to a pixel structure with an adjustable viewing angle, a display panel and an operating method thereof.

Background

The conventional display panel (e.g. the transmissive display panel) is prone to have a white phenomenon (color wash out) outdoors and under strong light irradiation, which results in reduced contrast and affects the display quality. In addition, when the user's viewing angle changes, for example, when the viewing angle is tilted up, down, left or right, the brightness, contrast or color of the picture is easily deviated, and distortion or color shift occurs. The industry generally defines a contrast ratio of 10: the viewing angle at 1 is the viewing angle limit. The current methods for improving the viewing angle mainly focus on how to increase the viewing angle (i.e. to expand the viewing range). However, when the angle of the display panel is changed, the above improvement still cannot effectively prevent the user from seeing the distorted or color-biased picture.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a pixel structure, a display panel and an operation method thereof, which are suitable for solving the problems of picture distortion or color deviation and the like caused by the change of a placing angle.

The pixel structure of the invention is provided with an element area and a visual angle adjusting area. The pixel structure is configured on the substrate and comprises a scanning line, a first data line, a second data line, a first active element, a second active element, a flat layer and a reflecting electrode. The first data line and the second data line are respectively intersected with the scanning line. The first active element is located in the element region and electrically connected to the scan line and the first data line. The second active element is located in the element region and electrically connected to the scan line and the second data line. The flat layer covers the scanning line, the first data line, the second data line, the first active element and the second active element. The reflection electrode is configured on the flat layer and is electrically connected with the second active element, wherein the reflection electrode is provided with a fixed part positioned in the element area and a cantilever part positioned in the visual angle adjusting area. The cantilever part is connected with the fixed part and is suspended.

The display panel of the invention comprises a plurality of pixel structures, an opposite substrate and a display medium. The pixel structure is configured on the substrate. The opposite substrate is opposite to the substrate. The display medium is arranged between the substrate and the opposite substrate.

The operation method of the display panel of the invention comprises the following steps: providing the display panel; detecting whether the placing angle of the display panel is changed; when the change of the placing angle of the display panel is detected, calculating the change of the placing angle of the display panel; the warping angle of the cantilever part is changed according to the change of the placing angle of the display panel.

Based on the above, the control signal can be dynamically fed back to the cantilever part according to the change of the placing angle of the display panel so as to adjust the warping angle of the cantilever part, thereby dynamically adjusting the visual angle. Therefore, the pixel structure, the display panel and the operation method thereof are suitable for solving the problems of picture distortion or color deviation and the like caused by the change of the placing angle.

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

Drawings

Fig. 1A is a schematic top view of a pixel structure according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 1B and 1C are schematic cross-sectional views of the pixel structure of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1B, showing the warped cantilever portion;

fig. 2A to 2D are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a manufacturing process of the reflective electrode of fig. 1B.

FIG. 3A is a schematic top view of a pixel structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3B and 3C are schematic cross-sectional views of the pixel structure of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a display panel according to an embodiment of the invention.

Description of reference numerals:

100. 100A: pixel structure

10: display panel

110: scanning line

120: first data line

130: second data line

140: first active element

150: second active element

160: planarization layer

170: reflective electrode

172: fixing part

174: cantilever part

180: insulating layer

190: pixel electrode

200: opposite substrate

300: display medium

A1: device region

A2: visual angle adjusting area

A21: reflection area

A22: penetration zone

C: turning part

CH: channel layer

D1: a first direction

D2: second direction

DE: drain electrode

G: gap

GE: grid electrode

GI: gate insulating layer

L1: sacrificial layer

L1': patterning a sacrificial layer

L2: the photoresist layer

L2': patterning photoresist layer

O: opening of the container

And SE: source electrode

SUB: substrate

S100, S110, S120, S130: step (ii) of

TH: through hole

θ: angle of warpage

Detailed Description

Fig. 1A is a schematic top view of a pixel structure according to a first embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1B and fig. 1C are schematic cross-sectional views of the pixel structure of fig. 1A, respectively. FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1B, showing the warped cantilever portion.

Referring to fig. 1A to fig. 1C, the pixel structure 100 of the present embodiment has an element region a1 and a viewing angle adjustment region a 2. The viewing angle adjustment region a2 is located on one side of the element region a1 and is connected to the element region a 1. The pixel structure 100 is disposed on the substrate SUB and includes a scan line 110, a first data line 120, a second data line 130, a first active device 140, a second active device 150, a planarization layer 160, and a reflective electrode 170.

The first data line 120 and the second data line 130 respectively intersect with the scan line 110. In the present embodiment, the scan line 110 extends along the first direction D1, and the first data line 120 and the second data line 130 extend along the second direction D2, respectively. The second direction D2 and the first direction D1 intersect each other, and are, for example, perpendicular to each other, but not limited thereto.

The first active device 140 is located in the device region a1 and electrically connected to the scan line 110 and the first data line 120. The second active device 150 is located in the device region a1 and electrically connected to the scan line 110 and the second data line 130. Further, the first active device 140 and the second active device 150 may respectively include a gate electrode GE, a gate insulating layer GI, a channel layer CH, a source electrode SE, and a drain electrode DE. The gate insulating layer GI is disposed on the gate electrode GE and the substrate SUB. The channel layer CH is disposed on the gate insulating layer GI and above the gate GE. The source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE are located on the gate insulating layer GI and respectively extend to opposite sides of the channel layer CH to respectively cover local regions of the gate insulating layer GI. However, the film stacking order of the first active device 140 and the second active device 150 is not limited to the above.

The gate electrode GE of the first active device 140 and the gate electrode GE of the second active device 150 are electrically connected to the scan line 110. The source SE of the first active device 140 is electrically connected to the first data line 120, and the source SE of the second active device 150 is electrically connected to the second data line 130. In the present embodiment, the scan line 110, the gate GE of the first active device 140, and the gate GE of the second active device 150 are patterned by a first conductive layer, and the first data line 120, the second data line 130, the source SE of the first active device 140, and the source SE of the second active device 150 are patterned by a second conductive layer, for example, but not limited thereto.

The planarization layer 160 covers the scan line 110, the first data line 120, the second data line 130, the first active device 140, and the second active device 150. For example, the planarization layer 160 is, but not limited to, an organic insulating layer. In the present embodiment, the pixel structure 100 may optionally include an insulating layer 180, and the insulating layer 180 and the planarization layer 160 may sequentially cover the scan line 110, the first data line 120, the second data line 130, the first active device 140, and the second active device 150. The insulating layer 180 may be an inorganic insulating layer to achieve the anti-oxyhydrogen effect.

The reflective electrode 170 is disposed on the planarization layer 160 and electrically connected to the second active device 150. Specifically, the planarization layer 160 and the insulating layer 180 may be formed with a through hole TH. The through hole TH exposes a partial region of the drain electrode DE of the second active device 150, and the reflective electrode 170 may be electrically connected to the drain electrode DE of the second active device 150 through the through hole TH. In the embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, the first data line 120 and the second data line 130 are respectively located at opposite sides of the reflective electrode 170, but not limited thereto. According to different design requirements, the first data line 120 and the second data line 130 may also be located on the same side of the reflective electrode 170.

The reflective electrode 170 has a fixed portion 172 located in the device region a1 and a cantilever portion 174 located in the viewing angle adjustment region a 2. The cantilever 174 is connected to the fixing portion 172, and the cantilever 174 is suspended. Specifically, the cantilever portion 174 and the flat layer 160 have a gap G therebetween, that is, the cantilever portion 174 and the flat layer 160 are separated from each other, so that the cantilever portion 174 can swing (warp) with the connection point with the fixing portion 172 as a swing axis.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 1D, the drain DE of the first active device 140 extends from the device region a1 into the viewing angle adjustment region a2, and the cantilever 174 may change the warpage angle θ according to the repulsive force between the cantilever 174 and the drain DE of the first active device 140. Further, when there is a need to change the warpage angle θ of the cantilever portion 174, a control signal may be output to the drain DE of the first active device 140 and the cantilever portion 174, so that a repulsive force (e.g., a repulsive magnetic force) is generated between the drain DE of the first active device 140 and the cantilever portion 174, and the cantilever portion 174 is warped. By adjusting the warping angle θ of the cantilever 174 according to the placing angle of the mobile device, the effect of enlarging the viewing angle can be effectively achieved in real time, thereby improving the problems of image distortion or color deviation caused by the change of the placing angle.

In addition, the turning point C of the fixing portion 172 and the cantilever portion 174 may have a rounded design to avoid stress concentration, so as to have a desirable service life.

Fig. 2A to 2D are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a manufacturing process of the reflective electrode of fig. 1B. After the formation of the planarization layer 160, a sacrificial layer L1 and a photoresist layer L2 (as shown in fig. 2A) may be sequentially formed on the planarization layer 160. Next, the photoresist layer L2 is patterned to form a patterned photoresist layer L2' (as shown in FIG. 2B). The method of patterning the photoresist layer L2 may include, but is not limited to, etching. Then, the sacrificial layer L1 is patterned by using the patterned photoresist layer L2 'as a mask to form a patterned sacrificial layer L1' (as shown in fig. 2C). The method of patterning the sacrificial layer L1 may include etching, but is not limited thereto. Then, a reflective electrode 170 is formed on the planarization layer 160 and the patterned sacrificial layer L1' (as shown in fig. 2D). Finally, the patterned sacrificial layer L1' is removed to complete the fabrication of the reflective electrode 170.

It should be noted that the method of manufacturing the reflective electrode 170 is not limited to that shown in fig. 2A to 2D. In another embodiment, the reflective electrode 170 may be formed by an electroforming process. Specifically, a male mold pattern may be formed on the roller in advance, and then a female mold for forming the reflective electrode 170 may be formed on the sacrificial layer by imprinting. Finally, the material of the reflective electrode 170 is filled into the mother mold of the reflective electrode 170, thereby completing the manufacture of the reflective electrode 170.

Other embodiments of the pixel structure 100 are described below with reference to fig. 3A to 3C, wherein the same or similar components are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and are not repeated herein. Fig. 3A is a schematic top view of a pixel structure according to a second embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3B and fig. 3C are schematic cross-sectional views of the pixel structure of fig. 3A, respectively.

Referring to fig. 3A to 3C, the main differences between the pixel structure 100A of the present embodiment and the pixel structure 100 of fig. 1A to 1D are as follows. In the pixel structure 100A, the viewing angle adjustment region a2 has a reflective region a21 and a transmissive region a 22. The transmissive region a22 is connected to the reflective region a21, and the reflective region a21 is located between the transmissive region a22 and the device region a 1. The cantilever 174 is located in the reflective region a21 and exposes the transmissive region a 22.

In addition, the pixel structure 100A further includes a pixel electrode 190. The pixel electrode 190 is electrically connected to the first active device 140 and extends from the reflective region a21 into the transmissive region a 22. Specifically, the pixel electrode 190 is disposed on the insulating layer 180. The insulating layer 180 may be formed with an opening O. The opening O exposes a partial region of the drain DE of the first active device 140, and the pixel electrode 190 can be electrically connected to the drain DE of the first active device 140 through the opening O.

In the present embodiment, when there is a need to change the warpage angle of the cantilever portion 174, a control signal can be output to the pixel electrode 190 and the cantilever portion 174, so that the cantilever portion 174 changes the warpage angle according to the repulsive force (e.g., repulsive magnetic force) between the cantilever portion 174 and the pixel electrode 190. By adjusting the warping angle of the cantilever 174 according to the placement angle of the mobile device, the visual angle can be enlarged effectively and in real time, thereby improving the problems of image distortion or color deviation caused by the change of the placement angle.

Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to fig. 4, the display panel 10 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of pixel structures 100 (fig. 4 only schematically shows one pixel structure 100), an opposite substrate 200 and a display medium 300. The pixel structure 100 is disposed on the substrate SUB. The opposite substrate 200 is opposite to the substrate SUB. The display medium 300 is disposed between the substrate SUB and the opposite substrate 200. The display medium 300 is, for example, a liquid crystal layer, but not limited thereto.

In the embodiment, the display panel 10 is, for example, a reflective display panel, but the invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the display panel 10 may adopt a plurality of pixel structures 100A as shown in fig. 3A to 3C, and thus, the display panel 10 may be a transflective display panel.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a display panel according to an embodiment of the invention. The operation method of the display panel of the present embodiment includes the following steps. Referring to fig. 1D, fig. 4 and fig. 5, first, the display panel 10 is provided (step S100). The display panel 10 may be implemented in a mobile device, but is not limited thereto. Next, whether the angle of the display panel 10 is changed is detected (step S110), for example, whether the angle of the display panel 10 is changed can be detected by a gravity sensor (G-sensor) implemented in the mobile device. When the mobile device is tilted, the display panel 10 and the gravity sensor in the mobile device are tilted accordingly, so that whether the display panel 10 is placed at a different angle and the angle is changed can be determined according to whether the gravity sensor generates a signal and the magnitude of the signal. When the change of the angle of the display panel 10 is detected, the change of the angle of the display panel 10 is calculated (step S120), for example, by a Microcontroller (Microcontroller Unit) built in the mobile device, based on the signal generated by the gravity sensor. Next, the warping angle θ of the cantilever 174 is changed according to the change of the placing angle of the display panel 10 (step S130). The method for changing the warpage angle θ of the cantilever 174 may include enabling the microcontroller to output a control signal to the drain DE of the first active device 140 and the cantilever 174 via the first data line 120 and the second data line 130. Thus, the cantilever portion 174 may change the warpage angle θ according to the repulsive force between the cantilever portion 174 and the drain DE of the first active device 140 (see fig. 1D), or the cantilever portion 174 may change the warpage angle θ according to the repulsive force between the cantilever portion 174 and the pixel electrode 190 (electrically connected to the drain DE of the first active device 140) (see fig. 3B).

In summary, the control signal can be dynamically fed back to the cantilever portion according to the change of the placement angle of the display panel to adjust the warping angle of the cantilever portion, thereby dynamically adjusting the viewing angle. Therefore, the pixel structure, the display panel and the operation method thereof are suitable for solving the problems of picture distortion or color deviation and the like caused by the change of the placing angle.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A pixel structure having an element region and a viewing angle adjustment region is disposed on a substrate and includes:

scanning a line;

a first data line intersecting the scan line;

a second data line intersecting the scan line;

the first active element is positioned in the element area and is electrically connected with the scanning line and the first data line;

the second active element is positioned in the element area and is electrically connected with the scanning line and the second data line;

a planarization layer covering the scan line, the first data line, the second data line, the first active element, and the second active element; and

and a reflection electrode disposed on the planarization layer and electrically connected to the second active device, wherein the reflection electrode has a fixed portion located in the device region and a cantilever portion located in the viewing angle adjustment region, the cantilever portion is connected to the fixed portion, the cantilever portion is suspended, and the cantilever portion swings with a connection point with the fixed portion as a swing axis.

2. The pixel structure according to claim 1, wherein the drain of the first active device extends from the device region into the viewing angle adjustment region, and the cantilever changes a warpage angle according to a repulsive force between the cantilever and the drain of the first active device.

3. The pixel structure of claim 1, wherein the viewing angle adjustment region has a reflective region and a transmissive region, the cantilever portion is located in the reflective region and exposes the transmissive region, the pixel structure further comprising:

and the pixel electrode is electrically connected to the first active element and extends from the reflection region to the penetration region, wherein the warping angle of the cantilever part is changed according to the mutual repulsion between the cantilever part and the pixel electrode.

4. The pixel structure of claim 1, wherein a corner between the fixed portion and the cantilever portion has a rounded design.

5. A display panel, comprising:

a plurality of pixel structures according to claim 1 disposed on the substrate;

an opposing substrate opposing the substrate; and

and the display medium is arranged between the substrate and the opposite substrate.

6. The display panel according to claim 5, wherein the drain of the first active device extends from the device region into the viewing angle adjustment region, and the cantilever changes a warpage angle according to a repulsive force between the cantilever and the drain of the first active device.

7. The display panel of claim 5, wherein the viewing angle adjustment region has a reflective region and a transmissive region, the cantilever portion is located in the reflective region and exposes the transmissive region, and the pixel structure further comprises:

8. The display panel of claim 5, wherein a corner of the fixing portion and the cantilever portion has a rounded design.

9. An operating method of a display panel, comprising:

providing a display panel according to claim 5;

detecting whether the placing angle of the display panel is changed;

when the change of the placing angle of the display panel is detected, calculating the change of the placing angle of the display panel; and

and changing the warping angle of the cantilever part according to the change of the placing angle of the display panel.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the method of changing the warping angle of the cantilever portion comprises:

and outputting a control signal to the drain of the first active element and the cantilever portion via the first data line and the second data line.