TWI518382B - Pixel structure and display panel having the same - Google Patents

Description

Pixel structure and display panel having the same

The present invention relates to a pixel structure and a display panel having the pixel structure, and more particularly to a pixel structure for improving display quality and display efficiency and a display panel having the pixel structure.

With the advancement of technology, the huge cathode ray tube (CRT) display has gradually entered history. Therefore, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode display (OLED display), an electrophoretic display (EPD), a plasma display panel (PDP) Display panels are gradually becoming the mainstream of future displays.

In recent years, it has been proposed to directly integrate a color filter layer on a thin film transistor array substrate (COA) or a black matrix on a thin film transistor array substrate (Black matrix on Array, BOA). In the technique, a COA substrate or a BOA substrate is assembled with another opposite substrate, and a display medium is filled between the two substrates to form a display panel. Since the color filter layer is formed directly on the thin film electro-crystal On the bulk array substrate, therefore, misalignment does not occur. Moreover, such a display panel can have a better resolution and an aperture ratio of its pixels is also higher. However, since the color filter layer has a taper opening, the display medium is misaligned, thereby causing such a display panel to easily cause a color washout phenomenon at the edge of the opening of the color filter layer and generating The problem of the disclination line, which in turn affects the display quality.

The invention provides a pixel structure and a display panel having the pixel structure, and the pixel structure can be used to improve display quality and display efficiency of the display panel.

The present invention provides a pixel structure including a first scan line, a second scan line, a data line, a first active device, a second active device, a shared switching device, a protective layer, a color filter pattern, and a first pixel electrode. , second pixel electrode, sharing capacitor and shading material. The first active component is electrically connected to the first scan line and the data line. The second active component is electrically connected to the first scan line and the data line. The sharing switching element is electrically connected to the second scan line and the second active element. The protective layer covers the first active component, the second active component, and the shared switching component. The color filter pattern is on the protective layer, and the color filter pattern has an opening. The first pixel electrode is located on the color filter pattern and is electrically connected to the first active device. The second pixel electrode is located on the color filter pattern and is electrically connected to the second active device. The sharing capacitor is electrically connected to the sharing switching element, wherein the sharing capacitor comprises an electrode line, an insulating layer and an electrode pattern. The insulating layer covers the electrode lines. The electrode pattern is located on the insulating layer to be produced with the electrode line The first capacitive coupling effect. The protective layer covers the electrode pattern, the opening of the color filter pattern exposing the protective layer over the electrode pattern, and the first pixel electrode extends to the opening to create a second capacitive coupling effect with the electrode pattern. A light blocking material is filled into the opening to cover the first pixel electrode that extends into the opening.

The present invention further provides a display panel including a pixel array substrate, a counter substrate, and a display medium. The pixel array substrate includes a plurality of pixel structures, wherein each pixel structure is a pixel structure as described above. The opposite substrate is located on the opposite side of the pixel array substrate. The display medium is located between the pixel array substrate and the opposite substrate.

Based on the above, in the pixel structure of the present invention and the display panel having the pixel structure, the protective layer covers the electrode pattern, and the opening of the color filter pattern exposes the protective layer above the electrode pattern, and the first pixel electrode extends to The opening creates a second capacitive coupling effect with the electrode pattern. Since the sharing capacitor of the pixel structure of the present invention has the first capacitive coupling effect and the second capacitive coupling effect, the capacitance effect of the sharing capacitor can be improved, thereby improving display efficiency. Furthermore, in the present invention, since the light-shielding material is filled in the opening of the color filter pattern, the problem of occurrence of color shift and dark lines at the edge of the opening of the color filter pattern can be improved, thereby improving the display of the display panel. quality.

The above described features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

10‧‧‧ pixel array substrate

20‧‧‧ opposite substrate

30‧‧‧Display media

40‧‧‧Box glue

50‧‧‧ display panel

100, 200‧‧‧ substrate

110‧‧‧ pixel array

120‧‧‧Intervals

130, 180, 190‧‧ ‧ pixel structure

132‧‧‧First pattern layer

134‧‧‧Second pattern layer

136‧‧‧ third pattern layer

138, 188, 198‧‧‧ fourth pattern layer

140‧‧‧ shading materials

142‧‧‧ shading pattern

150‧‧‧protection layer

150a‧‧‧Contact window

160‧‧‧Color filter pattern

160a‧‧‧ openings

170‧‧‧Electrode lines

172‧‧‧Insulation

174‧‧‧electrode pattern

210‧‧‧electrode layer

C _CS ‧‧‧Share capacitor

C _CS 1, C _CS 2‧‧‧ Capacitive coupling effect

CL‧‧‧Shared line

DL _n , DL _n+1 ‧‧‧ data line

H1, H2‧‧‧ height

I-I’, II-II’‧‧‧ line

PE1, PE2‧‧‧ pixel electrodes

SL _n , SL _n+1 ‧‧‧ scan line

T1, T2‧‧‧ active components

T3‧‧‧Shared switching elements

1 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a top plan view of a pixel structure in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' and line II-II' of Figure 2;

4 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the pixel structure of FIG. 2.

5A to 5D are top plan views of the first pattern layer, the second pattern layer, the third pattern layer, and the fourth pattern layer of the pixel structure of FIG. 2, respectively.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of a pixel structure in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a fourth pattern layer of the pixel structure of FIG. 6. FIG.

FIG. 7B is a light shielding pattern of the pixel structure of FIG. 6. FIG.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of a pixel structure in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9A is a fourth pattern layer of the pixel structure of Figure 8.

FIG. 9B is a light blocking pattern of the pixel structure of FIG. 8. FIG.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel 50 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1 , the display panel 50 includes a pixel array substrate 10 and a counter base. The board 20, the display medium 30, and the sealant 40. The display panel 50 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or other form of display panel.

The pixel array substrate 10 includes a substrate 100, a pixel array 110, and a plurality of spacers 120. The material of the substrate 100 may be glass, quartz, organic polymer or metal or the like. The pixel array 110 is disposed on the substrate 100, and the pixel array 110 includes a plurality of pixel structures. The spacers 120 (having a height H1) are disposed on the pixel array 110, and the spacers 120 are in contact with the opposite substrate 20. The design of the pixel structure and the spacers 120 will be described in detail later.

The opposite substrate 20 is located on the opposite side of the pixel array substrate 10. The opposite substrate 20 includes a substrate 200 and an electrode layer 210. The material of the substrate 200 may be glass, quartz or an organic polymer or the like. The electrode layer 210 is entirely covered on the substrate 200. The electrode layer 210 is a transparent conductive layer, and the material thereof includes a metal oxide such as indium tin oxide or indium zinc oxide.

The display medium 30 is located between the pixel array substrate 10 and the opposite substrate 20. When the display panel 50 is a liquid crystal display panel, the display medium 30 is, for example, liquid crystal molecules.

The sealant 40 is located between the pixel array substrate 10 and the opposite substrate 20 and surrounds the display medium 30. The sealant 40 is, for example, a sealant or a sealant and a plurality of gap balls (not shown) distributed in the sealant.

2 is a top plan view of a pixel structure 130 according to a first embodiment of the present invention (the color filter pattern 160 is omitted for clarity), and FIG. 3 is along line I-I' of FIG. FIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the pixel structure 130 of FIG. 2, and FIGS. 5A to 5D are pixel structure 130 of FIG. 2, respectively. A top view of the first pattern layer 132, the second pattern layer 134, the third pattern layer 136, and the fourth pattern layer 138. In order to clearly illustrate an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 only depicts one of the pixel structures of the pixel array 110 of FIG. 1. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the pixel array 110 of FIG. 1 is actually A plurality of pixel structures shown in FIG. 2 are formed in an array form.

Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 simultaneously, the pixel structure 130 includes scan lines SL _n ~SL _n+1 (including the first scan line SL _n and the second scan line SL _n+1 ) and the data line DL _n ~ DL _n+1 , active elements T1 T T2 (including first active element T1 and second active element T2 ), sharing switching element T3 , insulating layer 172 , protective layer 150 , color filter pattern 160 , first pixel electrode PE1 The second pixel electrode PE2, the common line CL, the sharing capacitor C _CS, and the light shielding material 140. Furthermore, the pixel structure 130 of FIG. 2 may be composed of the first pattern layer 132, the second pattern layer 134, the third pattern layer 136, and the fourth pattern layer 138 of FIGS. 5A to 5D, and these pattern layers will be Further explanation in the text.

The scanning lines SL _n to SL _{n+1 are} different from the extending direction of the data lines DL _n to DL _n+1 , and preferably the extending directions of the scanning lines SL _n to SL _n+1 and the data lines DL _n to DL _n+ The extension direction of ₁ is vertical. In addition, the scan lines SL _n to SL _n+1 and the data lines DL _n to DL _n+1 are different film layers with an insulating layer (not shown) interposed therebetween. The scan lines SL _n ~SL _n+1 and the data lines DL _n ~DL _n+1 are mainly used to transmit the driving signals for driving the pixel structure 130. The scan lines SL _n to SL _n+1 and the data lines DL _n to DL _n+1 are generally made of a metal material. However, the invention is not limited thereto. According to other embodiments, the scan lines SL _n to SL _n+1 and the data lines DL _n to DL _n+1 may also use other conductive materials such as oxides including alloys, metal materials, nitrides of metal materials, and metal materials. Nitrogen oxide is a stacked layer of metal material and other conductive materials.

The active elements T1 T T2 are electrically connected to the first scan line SL _n and the data line DL _n . Here, the active elements T1 to T2 are, for example, thin film transistors including a gate, a channel layer, a drain, and a source. The gate is electrically connected to the first scan line SL _n , and the source is electrically connected to the data line DL _n . In other words, when a control signal is input to the first scan line SL _n , the first scan line SL _n and the gate are electrically connected; when there is a control signal input data line DL _n , the data line DL _n and the source are Electrically conductive. The channel layer is above the gate and below the source and drain. The active devices T1 to T2 of the present embodiment are described by taking a bottom gate type thin film transistor as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the active devices T1 T T2 may also be top gate type thin film transistors. Furthermore, the sharing switching element T3 is electrically connected to the second scan line SL _n+1 and the second active element T2. The sharing switching element T3 is, for example, a thin film transistor.

The gates of the active devices T1 to T2 are further covered with an insulating layer 172, which may also be referred to as a gate insulating layer. In addition, another insulating layer may be further covered on the first active device T1, the second active device T2, and the sharing switching element T3, which may also be referred to as a protective layer 150. The material of the insulating layer 172 and the protective layer 150 is, for example, an inorganic material, an organic material, or a combination thereof. The inorganic material is, for example, a stacked layer including cerium oxide, cerium nitride, cerium oxynitride or at least two of the above materials.

In more detail, the pixel structure of the pixel array 110 sequentially includes a first pattern layer 132 as shown in FIG. 5A, a second pattern layer 134 as shown in FIG. 5B, and a third pattern layer as shown in FIG. 5C. 136 and a fourth pattern layer 138 stack as shown in FIG. 5D Composition. A detailed description of each pattern layer is as follows.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5A simultaneously, the first pattern layer 132 of the pixel structure 130 includes scan lines SL _n ~SL _n+1 , data lines DL _n ~DL _n+1 , common lines CL, active elements T1~T2, and The switching element T3 is shared. The scan lines SL _n to SL _n+1 and the data lines DL _n to DL _n+1 belong to different film layers, and the common line CL is, for example, the same film layer as the scan lines SL _n to SL _n+1 . The active elements T1 to T2 and the shared switching element T3 are electrically connected to the corresponding scan lines SL _n to SL _n+1 , the data lines DL _n to DL _{n+1 ,} and the common line CL, respectively. In addition, the first pattern layer 132 of the pixel structure 130 further includes an electrode line 170 and an electrode pattern 174. 170 connected to the common electrode line line CL, the line electrode 170, for example, the scan line SL _n ~ SL _{n + 1,} the common line CL and the gate of the active element T1 ~ T2 belong to the same electrode layer. The electrode pattern 174 is, for example, the same film layer as the data lines DL _n to DL _n+1 .

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5B simultaneously, the second pattern layer 134 of the pixel structure 130 includes a color filter pattern 160 having an opening 160a. The color filter pattern 160 is located on the protective layer 150, and the color filter pattern 160 has an opening 160a with a slanted edge. The color filter pattern 160 includes, for example, red, green, and blue filter patterns.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5C simultaneously, the third pattern layer 136 of the pixel structure 130 includes a first pixel electrode PE1 and a second pixel electrode PE2. The first pixel electrode PE1 is located on the color filter pattern 160. A portion of the first pixel electrode PE1 extends to the opening 160a and is electrically connected to the first active device T1 via the contact window 150a. The second pixel electrode PE2 is located on the color filter pattern 160 and is coupled to the second active device T2. Electrical connection. The first pixel electrode PE1 and the second pixel electrode PE2 may further include alignment slits (not shown) of various shapes.

As described above, as shown in FIG. 2, the common line CL is located below the first pixel electrode PE1 and the second pixel electrode PE2, and thus the common line CL is formed with the first pixel electrode PE1 and the second pixel electrode PE2, respectively. Metal/Insulator/Indium Tin Oxide (Metal/Insulator/ITO, MII) type storage capacitor.

In addition, the sharing capacitor C _{CS is} electrically connected to the sharing switching element T3. The sharing capacitor C _CS is composed of an electrode line 170, an insulating layer 172, and an electrode pattern 174. The insulating layer 172 covers the electrode lines 170. The electrode pattern 174 is located on the insulating layer 172 to generate a first capacitive coupling effect C _CS 1 of the metal layer/insulator/metal (MIM) type with the electrode line 170. The protective layer 150 covers the electrode pattern 174. The opening 160a of the color filter pattern 160 exposes the protective layer 150 above the electrode pattern 174, and a portion of the first pixel electrode PE1 extends to the opening 160a to generate a metal layer/insulation with the electrode pattern 174. The second capacitive coupling effect C _CS 2 of the layer/indium tin oxide (Metal/Insulator/ITO, MII) type is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Since the sharing capacitor C _CS of the pixel structure 130 of the present invention has the first capacitive coupling effect C _CS 1 and the second capacitive coupling effect C _CS 2, the capacitive effect of the sharing capacitor C _CS can be improved.

Furthermore, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5D simultaneously, the fourth pattern layer 138 of the pixel structure 130 is composed of the light shielding material 140 and the spacer 120. The light shielding material 140 covers the first scan line SL _n , the second scan line SL _{n+1 ,} and the data lines DL _n to DL _n+1 .

In more detail, please refer to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 5D at the same time, the shading material A material 140 (height H2) is filled into the opening 160a to cover a portion of the first pixel electrode PE1 that extends into the opening 160a. It is worth mentioning that, since the light shielding material 140 is filled in the opening 160a, the light shielding material 140 is coplanar with the first pixel electrode PE1 or the second pixel electrode PE2 located on the color filter pattern 160 (ie, color filter) The opening 160a of the pattern 160 is filled with the light shielding material 140). As a result, the display medium 30 does not change sharply in the direction of the tilt due to the change in the film layer at the edge of the opening 160a. That is, the above design can avoid the phenomenon that the display medium 30 is misaligned, thereby reducing light leakage and increasing contrast, and improving display quality.

In the present embodiment, the spacer 120 is made of the same material as the light shielding material 140, and the height H1 of the spacer 120 is greater than the height H2 of the light shielding material 140. The material of the spacer 120 and the light shielding material 140 is, for example, a black photosensitive organic material. The spacer 120 and the light shielding material 140 are formed by, for example, applying a light shielding material layer, and then using a half tone mask to perform an exposure and development process to form spacers 120 and light shielding materials 140 having different heights. In the present invention, since the spacer 120 and the light shielding material 140 can be formed by the same process step, the process flow can be simplified, and the process time can be shortened.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the light shielding material 140 covers the first scan line SL _n , the second scan line SL _{n+1 ,} and the data lines DL _n to DL _n+1 . However, the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments of the invention, the pixel structure may further include a light blocking pattern 142, as described in detail below.

6 is a top plan view of a pixel structure 180 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention (the color filter pattern 160 is omitted for clarity), and FIG. 7A is a pixel structure 180 of FIG. The fourth pattern layer 188. The first, second, and third pattern layers of the pixel structure 180 shown in FIG. 6 are the same as or similar to the first, second, and third pattern layers of the embodiment of FIG. 2 described above, and thus the same elements have the same symbols. Indicates and does not repeat the description. Figure 6 differs from the first embodiment of Figure 2 above in that the fourth pattern layer 188 of the pixel structure is different. In detail, the light shielding material 140 of the fourth pattern layer 188 of the pixel structure 180 shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7A covers the first scan line SL _n and the second scan line SL _n+1 . In addition, the pixel structure 180 of FIG. 6 further includes a light shielding pattern 142 as shown in FIG. 7B, wherein the light shielding pattern 142 covers the data lines DL _n ~ DL _n+1 . Here, the light shielding pattern 142 and the material of the light shielding material 140 are different. The material of the light shielding pattern 142 is, for example, a black matrix material (for example, a black resin), and the material of the light shielding material 140 is, for example, a black photosensitive material. Here, the light shielding pattern 142 is disposed under the third pattern layer 136 (ie, the pixel electrodes PE1, PE2), and the light shielding material 140 is disposed, for example, on the third pattern layer 136 (ie, the pixel electrodes PE1, PE2). Above.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a pixel structure 190 according to a third embodiment of the present invention (the color filter pattern 160 is omitted for clarity), and FIG. 9A is a pixel structure 190 of FIG. The fourth pattern layer 198. The first, second, and third pattern layers of the pixel structure 190 shown in FIG. 8 are the same as or similar to the first, second, and third pattern layers of the embodiment of FIG. 2 described above, and thus the same elements have the same symbols. Indicates and does not repeat the description. FIG. 8 differs from the first embodiment of FIG. 2 described above in that the fourth pattern layer 198 of the pixel structure is different. In detail, the light shielding material 140 of the fourth pattern layer 198 of the pixel structure 190 shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9A is at least filled in the opening 160a. In addition, the pixel structure 190 of FIG. 8 further includes a light shielding pattern 142 as shown in FIG. 9B, wherein the light shielding pattern 142 covers the first scan line SL _n , the second scan line SL _{n+1 ,} and the data lines DL _n ~ DL _{n +1} , and the light shielding pattern 142 exposes the light shielding material 140 filled in the opening 160a. Here, the light shielding pattern 142 and the material of the light shielding material 140 are different. The material of the light shielding pattern 142 is, for example, a black matrix material (for example, a black resin), and the material of the light shielding material 140 is, for example, a black photosensitive material. Here, the light shielding pattern 142 is disposed under the third pattern layer 136 (ie, the pixel electrodes PE1, PE2), and the light shielding material 140 is disposed, for example, on the third pattern layer 136 (ie, the pixel electrodes PE1, PE2). Above.

In summary, in the pixel structure of the present invention and the display panel having the pixel structure, the protective layer covers the electrode pattern, and the opening of the color filter pattern exposes the protective layer above the electrode pattern, and the first pixel electrode Extending to the opening to create a second capacitive coupling effect with the electrode pattern. Since the sharing capacitor of the pixel structure of the present invention has the first capacitive coupling effect and the second capacitive coupling effect, the capacitance effect of the sharing capacitor can be improved, thereby improving display efficiency. Furthermore, in the present invention, since the light-shielding material is filled in the opening of the color filter pattern, the problem of occurrence of color shift and dark lines at the edge of the opening of the color filter pattern can be improved, thereby improving the display of the display panel. quality.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some changes and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

120‧‧‧Intervals

140‧‧‧ shading materials

150‧‧‧protection layer

150a‧‧‧Contact window

160‧‧‧Color filter pattern

160a‧‧‧ openings

170‧‧‧Electrode lines

172‧‧‧Insulation

174‧‧‧electrode pattern

C _CS ‧‧‧Share capacitor

C _CS 1, C _CS 2‧‧‧ Capacitive coupling effect

SL _n ‧‧‧ scan line

H1, H2‧‧‧ height

I-I’, II-II’‧‧‧ line

PE1‧‧‧ pixel electrode

Claims (12)

A pixel structure includes: a first scan line, a second scan line, and a data line; a first active component electrically connected to the first scan line and the data line; a second active component, and The first scan line and the data line are electrically connected; a sharing switch element is electrically connected to the second scan line and the second active element; and a protective layer covering the first active element and the second active element And the shared switching element; a color filter pattern is disposed on the protective layer, and the color filter pattern has an opening; a first pixel electrode is disposed on the color filter pattern and electrically coupled to the first active device a second pixel element is disposed on the color filter pattern and electrically connected to the second active device; and a sharing capacitor electrically connected to the sharing switching element, wherein the sharing capacitor comprises: an electrode a wire covering an electrode line; and an electrode pattern on the insulating layer to generate a first capacitive coupling effect with the electrode line, wherein the protective layer covers the electrode Case, the color filter pattern of The opening exposes the protective layer above the electrode pattern, and the first pixel electrode extends to the opening to generate a second capacitive coupling effect with the electrode pattern; a light shielding material is filled into the opening to cover the extension to The first pixel electrode in the opening. The pixel structure of claim 1, wherein the light shielding material is coplanar with the first pixel electrode or the second pixel electrode on the color filter pattern. The pixel structure of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of spacers, wherein the spacers are of the same material as the light shielding material, and the height of the spacers is greater than the height of the light shielding material. The pixel structure of claim 1, wherein the light shielding material further covers the first scan line, the second scan line, and the data line. The pixel structure of claim 1, further comprising a light shielding pattern covering the data line, wherein the light shielding material covers the first scan line and the second scan line, wherein the light shielding pattern and the light shielding material The materials are different. The pixel structure of claim 1, further comprising a light shielding pattern covering the first scan line, the second scan line, and the data line, and the light shielding pattern is exposed to be filled in the opening a light shielding material, wherein the light shielding pattern is different from the material of the light shielding material. A display panel comprising: a pixel array substrate comprising a plurality of pixel structures, wherein each pixel structure is as described in claim 1; a pair of substrates on opposite sides of the pixel array substrate, the opposite substrate includes: a substrate; and an electrode layer disposed on the substrate; and a display medium on the pixel array substrate and the pair Between the electrode layers of the substrate. The display panel of claim 7, wherein the pixel array substrate further comprises a plurality of spacers, wherein the spacers are made of the same material as the light shielding material, and the spacers are in contact with the opposite substrate. The display panel of claim 7, wherein the light shielding material is coplanar with the first pixel electrode or the second pixel electrode on the color filter pattern. The display panel of claim 7, wherein the light shielding material further covers the first scan line, the second scan line, and the data line. The display panel of claim 7, wherein the pixel array substrate further comprises a light shielding pattern covering the data line, the light shielding material covering the first scan line and the second scan line, and the light shielding pattern It is different from the material of the light shielding material. The display panel of claim 7, wherein the pixel array substrate further comprises a light shielding pattern covering the first scan line, the second scan line and the data line, wherein the light shielding pattern is barely filled in The light shielding material in the opening, and the light shielding pattern is different from the material of the light shielding material.