U.S. patent application number 14/564099 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-12 for display panel.
The applicant listed for this patent is AU Optronics Corp.. Invention is credited to Ming-Hsien Lee, Ai-Ju Tsai.
Application Number | 20160133173 14/564099 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53247646 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160133173 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tsai; Ai-Ju ; et
al. |
May 12, 2016 |
DISPLAY PANEL
Abstract
A display panel includes a plurality of sub-pixels, scanning
lines and data lines. The sub-pixels are disposed on a first
substrate and include a plurality of rows and columns, and each
sub-pixel of a first row of two adjoining rows is shifted by a
predetermined distance along a first direction with respect to each
sub-pixel of a second row of two adjoining rows. The scanning lines
extend in the first direction and corresponding to the sub-pixels
of the rows respectively. Each data line includes a plurality of
first data segments and second data segments connected alternately.
The first data segment extends along a second direction and
partially overlaps the scanning line in a vertical direction. Each
second data segment is disposed on one side of the scanning line,
and at least a portion of the second data segments extends along a
third direction different from the first and second directions.
Inventors: |
Tsai; Ai-Ju; (Hsin-Chu,
TW) ; Lee; Ming-Hsien; (Hsin-Chu, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AU Optronics Corp. |
Hsin-Chu |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
53247646 |
Appl. No.: |
14/564099 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/694 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02F 1/134336 20130101;
G02F 1/136286 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G09G 3/20 20060101
G09G003/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 10, 2014 |
TW |
103138928 |
Claims
1. A display panel comprising: a first substrate; a plurality of
sub-pixels disposed on the first substrate and arranged in an array
having a plurality of rows and columns, the sub-pixels of each of
the rows being arranged in a first direction, and the sub-pixels of
each of the columns being arranged in a second direction, wherein
the first direction and the second direction substantially
intersect, and each of the sub-pixels of a first row of two
adjoining rows is shifted by a predetermined distance along the
first direction with respect to each of the sub-pixels of a second
row of the two adjoining rows; a plurality of scanning lines
disposed on the first substrate, wherein the scanning lines extend
along the first direction and are disposed corresponding to the
sub-pixels of the rows respectively; a plurality of data lines
disposed on the first substrate and corresponding to the sub-pixels
of the columns respectively, wherein the data lines and the
scanning lines intersect, each of the data lines comprises a
plurality of first data segments and a plurality of second data
segments, each first data segment and each second data segment
being alternately connected to one another, the first data segments
extend along the second direction and partially overlap the
scanning lines in a vertical direction, each of the second data
segments is disposed on one side of one corresponding scanning
line, at least a portion of the second data segments extend along a
third direction different from the first direction and the second
direction, the third direction and the second direction have an
included angle greater than 0 degree and less than 90 degrees; a
second substrate disposed on the first substrate; and a display
medium layer interposed between the first substrate and the second
substrate.
2. The display panel of claim 1, wherein each of the sub-pixels
comprises at least one thin film transistor, a drain electrode
connection pad and at least one pixel electrode, the thin film
transistor includes agate electrode, a source electrode and a drain
electrode, the gate electrode is connected to the scanning line,
the source electrode is connected to the data line, the drain
electrode connection pad is connected to the drain electrode, and
the pixel electrode is connected to the drain electrode connection
pad.
3. The display panel of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of
light-shielding patterns extending along the first direction and
corresponding to the scanning lines, wherein each of the
light-shielding patterns is disposed on one of the first substrate
and the second substrate.
4. The display panel of claim 3, wherein the light-shielding
patterns are further corresponding to the second data segments and
the drain electrode connection pads, and each of the
light-shielding patterns overlap the corresponding scanning line,
the corresponding second data segments and the corresponding drain
electrode connection pads in the vertical direction.
5. The display panel of claim 4, wherein the light-shielding
pattern disposed in the sub-pixel has a width in the second
direction, a distance exists between two light-shielding patterns
adjoining to the sub-pixel in the second direction, and a ratio of
the width to the distance is substantially greater than 0 and less
than or equal to 0.4.
6. The display panel of claim 5, wherein a sum of the width and the
distance is substantially equal to a length of the sub-pixel in the
second direction.
7. The display panel of claim 2, wherein each of the drain
electrode connection pads has two side edges substantially parallel
to the second data segment.
8. The display panel of claim 7, wherein each of the drain
electrode connection pads has a parallelogram shape.
9. The display panel of claim 7, wherein each of the drain
electrode connection pads has an elliptic shape.
10. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the predetermined
distance is less than a width of the sub-pixel in the first
direction.
11. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the predetermined
distance is greater than 0 and less than or equal to half of a
width of the sub-pixel in the first direction.
12. The display panel of claim 1, wherein each of the sub-pixels
comprises a color filter layer disposed on one of the first
substrate and the second substrate.
13. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the second data segments
do not overlap the scanning lines in the vertical direction.
14. The display panel of claim 1, wherein a portion of the second
data segments extend along the third direction, another portion of
the second data segments extend along a fourth direction different
from the first direction, the second direction and the third
direction, and the fourth direction and the second direction have
another included angle less than 0 degree and greater than -90
degrees.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0002] The present disclosure is related to a display panel, and
more particularly, to a display panel with high aperture ratio and
low parasitic capacitance.
[0003] 2. Background of the Disclosure
[0004] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram
illustrating a conventional display panel. As shown in FIG. 1, the
conventional display panel 1 includes a substrate 10, and a
plurality of scanning lines SL and data lines DL disposed on the
substrate 10 defining a plurality of sub-pixels 12. The sub-pixels
12 are arranged in a stripe pattern including a plurality of rows
and columns. The sub-pixels 12 includes a plurality of red
sub-pixels 12R, green sub-pixels 12G and blue sub-pixels 12B, where
the red sub-pixels 12R, the green sub-pixels 12G and the blue
sub-pixels 12B are repeatedly arranged in order in the row
direction, and the sub-pixels 12 of the same column have the same
color. For example, the sub-pixels 12 of the first column, the
fourth column . . . , and the 3N-2.sup.th column are red sub-pixels
12R; the sub-pixels 12 of the second column, the fifth column . . .
, and the 3N-1.sup.th column are green sub-pixels 12G; and the
sub-pixels 12 of the third column, the sixth column . . . , and the
3N.sup.th column are blue sub-pixels 12B, where N is an positive
integer greater than 0.
[0005] The size of the sub-pixel 12 of the conventional display
panel 1, however, cannot be further reduced based on current
process limit and design rule, which is no longer able to meet the
requirement for high resolution display products. In addition, when
displaying circular zone plate (CPZ) pattern, light halo phenomenon
will occur, particularly in high frequency zone where the gap
between circular patterns is smaller. Most importantly, color
deviation i.e. color shift will occur when light halo phenomenon
gets serious, which deteriorates display effect.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] In one aspect, a display device with high aperture ratio and
low parasitic capacitance is provided.
[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment, a display panel is
provided. The display panel includes a first substrate, a plurality
of sub-pixels, a plurality of scanning lines, a plurality of data
lines, second substrate and a display medium layer. The sub-pixels
are disposed on the first substrate and arranged in an array having
a plurality of rows and columns. The sub-pixels of each of the rows
are arranged in a first direction, and the sub-pixels of each of
the columns are arranged in a second direction, wherein the first
direction and the second direction substantially intersect, and
each of the sub-pixels of a first row of two adjoining rows is
shifted by a predetermined distance along the first direction with
respect to each of the sub-pixels of a second row of the two
adjoining rows. The scanning lines are disposed on the first
substrate, wherein the scanning lines extend along the first
direction and are disposed corresponding to the sub-pixels of the
rows respectively. The data lines are disposed on the first
substrate and corresponding to the sub-pixels of the columns
respectively, wherein the data lines and the scanning lines
intersect, each of the data lines comprises a plurality of first
data segments and a plurality of second data segments, each first
data segment and each second data segment are alternately connected
to one another, the first data segments extend along the second
direction and partially overlap the scanning lines in a vertical
direction, each of the second data segments is disposed on one side
of one corresponding scanning line, at least a portion of the
second data segments extend along a third direction different from
the first direction and the second direction, the third direction
and the second direction have an included angle greater than 0
degree and less than 90 degrees. The second substrate is disposed
on the first substrate. The display medium layer is interposed
between the first substrate and the second substrate.
[0008] The staggered arrangement between the sub-pixels of two
adjacent rows is able to avoid light halo phenomenon when
displaying high frequency zone of circular zone plate (CPZ) pattern
and avoid color deviation (color shift) problem. In addition, the
obliquely-disposed second data segment is able to reduce the
parasitic capacitance between the data line and the scanning line
while the aperture ratio is unaffected or even increased.
Accordingly, the display quality is improved.
[0009] These and other aspects of the present disclosure will no
doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after
reading the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional
display panel.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top view diagram illustrating a display panel
according to a first exemplary embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display
panel according to a first exemplary embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display panel
according to a second exemplary embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display panel
according to a third exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] To provide a better understanding of the disclosure to the
skilled users in the technology of the disclosure, exemplary
embodiments will be detailed as follows. The exemplary embodiments
of the disclosure are illustrated in the accompanying drawings with
numbered elements to elaborate the contents and effects to be
achieved.
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 2-3, FIG. 2 is a top view diagram
illustrating a display panel according to a first exemplary
embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a
display panel according to a first exemplary embodiment. As shown
in FIGS. 2-3, the display panel 2 of this exemplary embodiment
includes a first substrate 20, a plurality of scanning lines (also
referred to as gate lines), a plurality of data lines DL, a second
substrate 30 and a display medium layer 32. The first substrate 20
may include a transparent substrate e.g. a glass substrate, a
plastic substrate or a quartz substrate, but not limited thereto.
The first substrate 20 may be a rigid substrate (firm substrate) or
a flexible substrate (bendable substrate). A plurality of
sub-pixels 22 are disposed as a pixel array on the first substrate
20, and the pixel array are arranged in at least a plurality of
rows 20R and a plurality of columns 20C. The sub-pixels 22 of each
row 20R are arranged along a first direction L1, and the sub-pixels
22 of each column 20C are arranged along a second direction L2,
where the first direction L1 and the second direction L2
substantially intersect. In this exemplary embodiment, the first
direction L1 and the second direction L2 are substantially
perpendicular, for example the first direction L1 is a latitudinal
direction in FIG. 2, and the second direction L2 is a longitudinal
direction in FIG. 2, but not limited thereto. In an alternative
embodiment, the first direction L1 may be a longitudinal direction
in FIG. 2, and the second direction L2 may be a latitudinal
direction in FIG. 2. In still another alternative embodiment, the
first direction L1 and the second direction L2 are not
perpendicular to each other. When the first direction L1 is a
latitudinal direction and the second direction L2 is a longitudinal
direction in FIG. 2, each of the sub-pixels 22 of a first row 20R1
of two adjoining rows (or namely two neighboring rows) 20R is
shifted by a predetermined distance K along the first direction L1
with respect to each of the sub-pixels 22 of a second row 20R2 of
the two adjoining rows 20R, i.e. the sub-pixels 22 of any two
adjoining rows 20R are staggeredly arranged. In this exemplary
embodiment, the predetermined distance K is less than the width of
the sub-pixel 22 in the first direction L1, for example, the
predetermined distance K is preferably greater than 0 and less than
or about equal to half of the width of the sub-pixel 22 in the
first direction L1, but not limited thereto. The sub-pixels 22 may
include a plurality of red sub-pixels 22R, green sub-pixels 22G and
blue sub-pixels 22B. The red sub-pixels 22R, the green sub-pixels
22G and the blue sub-pixels 22B of each row 20R may be repeatedly
arranged in order, and the sub-pixels 22 of the same column 20C
have the same color. For example, the sub-pixels 22 of the first
column, the fourth column . . . , and the 3M-2.sup.th column are
red sub-pixels 22R; the sub-pixels 22 of the second column, the
fifth column . . . , and the 3M-1.sup.th column are green
sub-pixels 22G; the sub-pixels 22 of the third column, the sixth
column . . . , and the 3M.sup.th column are blue sub-pixels 22B,
where M is an positive integer greater than 0. The scanning lines
SL are disposed on the first substrate 20, and the scanning lines
SL extend along the first direction L1 and are disposed
corresponding to the sub-pixels 22 of the rows 20R respectively.
The data lines DL are disposed on the first substrate 20 and
corresponding to the sub-pixels 22 of the columns 22C respectively,
where the scanning lines SL and the data lines DL intersect (or
namely cross). In addition, each of the data lines DL includes a
plurality of first data segments (also referred to as first data
section or first data portion) DL1 and a plurality of second data
segments (also referred to as second data section or second data
portion) DL2, and each first data segment DL1 and each second data
segment DL2 are alternately and structurally connected to one
another (or namely each other). Specifically, the first data
segments DL1 extend along the second direction L2 and partially
overlap the scanning lines SL in a vertical direction (vertical
projection direction) Z; each of the second data segments DL2
extend along the first direction L1 and completely overlap the
corresponding scanning line SL in the vertical direction Z.
[0017] Each of the sub-pixels 22 includes at least one thin film
transistor (TFT) T, a drain electrode connection pad 24 and at
least one pixel electrode PE. The thin film transistor T includes a
gate electrode G, a source electrode S and a drain electrode D,
where the gate electrode G is connected to the corresponding
scanning line SL, the source electrode S is connected to the
corresponding data line DL, the drain electrode connection pad 24
is connected to the corresponding drain electrode D, and the pixel
electrode PE is connected to the corresponding drain electrode
connection pad 24. In this exemplary embodiment, the thin film
transistor T is a bottom gate type TFT, where the gate electrode G
is disposed on the first substrate 20 and covered with a gate
insulating layer GI, a semiconductor layer SE is disposed on the
gate insulating layer GI, and the source electrode S and the drain
electrode D are disposed on the semiconductor layer SE and
corresponding to two opposite sides of the gate electrode G. The
scanning line SL and the gate electrode G may be the same patterned
conductive layer (e.g. a first patterned metal layer, namely metal
1), but not limited thereto. The material of the gate insulating
layer GI may be inorganic insulating material, organic insulating
material or organic/inorganic hybrid insulating material. The
material of the semiconductor layer SE may include silicon material
e.g. polycrystalline silicon, single crystalline silicon,
microcrystalline silicon or nanocrystalline silicon, oxide
semiconductor material e.g. indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO),
indium gallium oxide (IGO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium tin
oxide (ITO), titanium oxide (TiO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide
(InO), gallium oxide (GaO), or other proper semiconductor
materials. The source electrode S, the drain electrode D, the data
line DL and the drain electrode connection pad 24 may be the same
patterned conductive layer (e.g. a second patterned metal layer,
namely metal 2), but not limited thereto. In addition, the source
electrode S, the drain electrode D, the data line DL and the drain
electrode connection pad 24 are covered with at least one
passivation layer 26. The passivation layer 26 has at least one
contact hole (or namely through hole) TH partially exposing the
drain electrode connection pad 24, and the material of the
passivation layer 26 may include inorganic dielectric material,
organic dielectric material or organic/inorganic hybrid dielectric
material. The pixel electrode PE may be disposed on the passivation
layer 26, and in contact with and electrically connected to the
drain electrode connection pad 24 through the contact hole TH. The
material of the pixel electrode PE may include transparent
conductive material such as metal oxide (e.g. indium tin oxide
(ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO)), metal nitride, metal oxynitride,
metal material, metal alloy material (e.g. a combination of metal
materials or other proper conductive materials), carbon nanotube
(CNT), Graphene, nanowire-based conductive material, other proper
conductive material, or a multi-layered formed by at least two of
the aforementioned materials. In an alternative embodiment, the
thin film transistor T may be a top gate type TFT, where the
semiconductor layer SE is disposed on the first substrate 20, the
semiconductor layer SE is covered with the gate insulating layer
GI, and the gate electrode G is disposed on the gate insulating
layer GI. The location and arrangement of other components e.g. the
source electrode S, the drain electrode D, the data line DL, the
drain electrode connection pad 24, the passivation layer 26 and the
pixel electrode PE are illustrated in the aforementioned
description, which is not redundantly described. In addition, the
pixel electrode PE may be a patterned electrode, which may include
branch electrodes and slits, but not limited thereto. The pixel
electrode PE may also be a full-surfaced electrode without slits or
openings, or a combination of a patterned electrode and a
full-surfaced electrode. The second substrate 30 is disposed on the
first substrate 20 and opposite to the first substrate 20. The
second substrate 30 may include a transparent substrate, and the
material of the second substrate 30 may be the same as the first
substrate 20, but not limited thereto.
[0018] The display panel 2 of this exemplary embodiment further
includes a plurality of light-shielding patterns 34 extending along
the first direction L1 and corresponding to the scanning lines SL
respectively. Each of the light-shielding patterns 34 is disposed
on one of the first substrate 20 and the second substrate 30 e.g.
either on the first substrate 20 or on the second substrate 30. The
light-shielding pattern 34 may include black matrix (BM), and the
material of the light-shielding pattern 34 may be opaque
(non-transparent) insulating material e.g. black photoresist or
opaque conductive material e.g. metal, but not limited thereto. In
this exemplary embodiment, the light-shielding patterns 34 are
disposed on the second substrate 30, and the light-shielding
patterns 34 may overlap all of the scanning lines SL, a portion of
the first data segments DL1, all of the second data segments DL2,
all of the thin film transistors T and all of the drain electrode
connection pads 24 in the vertical direction Z. The light-shielding
patterns 34 are opaque, and thus a light-shielding region is
defined by the light-shielding pattern 34 where light is blocked
from passing through. In addition, a light-permitting region (also
referred to as an effective display region) is defined between two
light-shielding patterns 34 adjacent in the second direction L2
where light is permitted to pass through. In addition, the
light-shielding patterns 34 disposed in the sub-pixel 22 has a
width Win the second direction L2, a distance X exists between two
light-shielding patterns (or namely two neighboring light-shielding
patterns) 34 adjoining to the sub-pixel 22 (or namely the same
sub-pixel) in the second direction L2, and the sum of the width W
and the distance X is substantially equal to a length H of the
sub-pixel 22 in the second direction L2, i.e. W+X=H. In other
words, the two neighboring light-shielding patterns 34 in the first
direction L1 are respectively disposed at two sides of the length H
of the same sub-pixel 22, the width of the light-shielding region
in the second direction L2 is substantially equal to the width W of
the light-shielding pattern 34, and the width of the
light-permitting region in the second direction L2 is substantially
equal to the distance X. In an alternative embodiment, the
light-shielding patterns 34 may be disposed on the first substrate
20, and the light-shielding patterns 34 may overlap all of the
scanning lines SL, a portion of the first data segments DL1, all of
the second data segments DL2, all of the thin film transistors T
and all of the drain electrode connection pads 24 in the vertical
direction Z. Furthermore, each of the sub-pixels 22 may include a
color filter layer 36 e.g. a red color filter layer, a green color
filter layer or a blue color filter layer, and the color filter
layer 36 is disposed on one of the first substrate 20 and the
second substrate 30. For example, the color filter layer 36 is
disposed on the second substrate 30 and overlaps the
light-permitting region in the vertical direction Z. In an
alternative embodiment, the color filter layer 36 is disposed on
the first substrate 20 and overlaps the light-permitting region in
the vertical direction Z. In addition, each of the sub-pixels 22
may further include a common electrode CE disposed on one of the
first substrate 20 and the second substrate 30. In this exemplary
embodiment, the common electrode CE is disposed on the second
substrate 30. In an alternative embodiment, the common electrode CE
may be disposed on the first substrate 20. The common electrode CE
may be a patterned electrode, which may include branch electrodes
and slits, but not limited thereto. The common electrode CE may
also be a full-surfaced electrode without slits or openings. The
display medium layer 32 is interposed between the first substrate
20 and the second substrate 30, and the display medium layer 32 may
include a non-self-luminous display medium layer or a self-luminous
display medium layer. The material of the non-self-luminous display
medium layer may include, for example, positive liquid crystal
material, negative liquid crystal material, blue phase liquid
crystal material, electrowetting material, electrophoretic
material, other proper non-self-luminous display medium materials,
or a combination of at least two of the aforementioned materials.
The material of the self-luminous display medium layer may include,
for example, small molecular organic light-emitting material,
polymer organic light-emitting material, inorganic light-emitting
material, other proper self-luminous display medium materials, or a
combination of at least two of the aforementioned materials. In
this exemplary embodiment, a liquid crystal display panel using
liquid crystal material is selected as an example, but not limited
thereto.
[0019] In this exemplary embodiment, each of the sub-pixels 22 of a
first row 20R1 of two adjoining rows 20R is shifted by a
predetermined distance K along the first direction L1 with respect
to each of the sub-pixels 22 of a second row 20R2 of the two
adjoining rows 20R, i.e. the sub-pixels 22 of any two adjoining
rows 20R are staggeredly arranged. Compared with the conventional
display panel 1 of FIG. 1, when the display panel 2 of this
exemplary embodiment displays circular zone plate (CPZ) pattern,
light halo phenomenon will not occur in high frequency zone, or
color deviation i.e. color shift will not occur. Therefore, the
display effect of the display panel 2 is superior to that of the
conventional display panel 1. However, the second data segment DL2
and the scanning line SL completely overlap, and this generates
high parasitic capacitance. The high parasitic capacitance
adversely affects the device characteristic e.g. threshold voltage
or feed through voltage of the thin film transistor T, and thus has
an unfavorable impact on display quality.
[0020] The display panel is not limited by the aforementioned
embodiment, and may have other different preferred embodiments. To
simplify the description, the identical components in each of the
following embodiments are marked with identical symbols. For making
it easier to compare the difference between the embodiments, the
following description will detail the dissimilarities among
different embodiments and the identical features will not be
redundantly described.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram
illustrating a display panel according to a second exemplary
embodiment. The same components in this exemplary embodiment and
the first embodiment are described in the first embodiment, and
thus are not redundantly described. As shown in FIG. 4, different
from the first embodiment, in the display panel 3 of the second
embodiment, the second data segment DL2 is disposed on one side of
the corresponding scanning line SL and extends along the first
direction L1, the second data segment DL2 does not overlap the
scanning line SL in the vertical direction Z, and the first data
segment DL1 extends along the second direction L2 and partially
overlaps the scanning line SL in the vertical direction Z. Since
the overlapping area of the first data segment DL1 and scanning
line SL in the vertical direction Z in the second embodiment is
smaller than the overlapping area of the second data segment DL2
and scanning line SL in the vertical direction Z in the first
embodiment, the parasitic capacitance between the data line DL and
the scanning line SL is reduced in the second embodiment. In the
second embodiment, the second data segment DL2 of the data line DL,
however, is shifted downwardly along the second direction L2 (or
the scanning line SL is shifted upwardly along the second direction
L2), the width W' of the light-shielding pattern 34 in the second
direction L2 in the second embodiment is enlarged to be wider than
the width W of the light-shielding pattern 34 in the second
direction L2 in the first embodiment to shield all of the scanning
lines SL, a portion of the first data segments DL1, all of the
second data segments DL2, all of the thin film transistors T and
all of the drain electrode connection pads 24. Thus, the width W'
of the light-shielding region in the second embodiment is enlarged
to be wider than the width W of the light-shielding region in the
first embodiment, and the width of the light-shielding region of
the second embodiment is greater than the width of the
light-permitting region of the first embodiment. In the second
embodiment, the parasitic capacitance between the data line DL and
the scanning line SL is reduced because the overlapping area of the
first data segment DL1 and scanning line SL in the vertical
direction Z is reduced as opposed to the overlapping area of the
second data segment DL2 and scanning line SL in the vertical
direction Z in the first embodiment. However, the aperture ratio of
the display panel 3 in the second embodiment is way lower than the
aperture ratio of the display panel 2 in the first embodiment. For
example, the aperture ratio of the display panel 3 in the second
embodiment is at least 30% less than the aperture ratio of the
display panel 2 in the first embodiment. In such a case, the
brightness of the display panel 3 is lower than the brightness of
the display panel 2 under the same driving voltage. In order to
provide the same brightness as the display panel 2, the display
panel 3 must be driven by higher driving voltage, which causes more
power consumption.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram
illustrating a display panel according to a third exemplary
embodiment. The same components in this exemplary embodiment and
the first embodiment are described in the first embodiment, and
thus are not redundantly described. As shown in FIG. 5, in the
display panel 4 of the third embodiment, the first data segment DL1
extends along the second direction L2 and partially overlaps the
corresponding scanning line SL in the vertical direction Z.
Different from the first and second embodiments, in the third
embodiment, each of the second segments DL2 is disposed on one side
of the corresponding scanning line SL without overlapping the
scanning line SL, and at least a portion of the second data
segments DL2 extend along a third direction L3, where the third
direction L3 is an oblique direction (or namely slant direction, or
tilt direction) different from the first direction L1 and the
second direction L2. Specifically, the third direction L3 and the
second direction L2 have an included angle a (i.e. the included
angle between the second data segment DL2 and the first data
segment DL1), and the included angle a is greater than 0 degree and
less than 90 degrees. The included angle a is measured by absolute
value. To be exact, if the clockwise direction is defined as a
positive direction, the slope of the second data segment DL2 is a
negative value. In this exemplary embodiment, the included angle a
is greater than 0 degree and less than +90 degrees, for example,
the included angle a is substantially between +30 degrees and +60
degrees, or substantially between +30 degrees and +40 degrees, or
substantially between +50 degrees and +60 degrees, or substantially
between +40 degrees and +50 degrees, or substantially +45 degrees,
but not limited thereto. In an alternative embodiment, if the
counterclockwise direction, the slope of the second data segment
DL2 is a positive value. The included angle a is less than 0 degree
and greater than -90 degrees, for example, the included angle a is
substantially between -30 degrees and -60 degrees, or substantially
between -30 degrees and -40 degrees, or substantially between -50
degrees and -60 degrees, or substantially between -40 degrees and
-50 degrees, or substantially -45 degrees, but not limited thereto.
Since the second data segment DL2 extends along the third direction
L3, the scanning line SL, two adjacent second data segments (or two
neighbor second data segments) DL2 and one edge (or namely side) of
the light-shielding pattern 34 define a region substantially having
a parallelogram shape, and this parallelogram region overlaps the
light-shielding pattern 34 in the vertical direction Z. In
addition, to meet the design rule, two side edges 241, 242 of the
drain electrode connection pad 24 are substantially parallel to the
second data segment DL2. For example, the shape of the drain
electrode connection pad 24 i.e. the projection shape of the drain
electrode connection pad 24 is substantially a parallelogram shape.
Due to the limit of photolithographic process, the actual shape of
the drain electrode connection pad 24 may not be perfect
parallelogram shape, but the major axis (or long axis) of the
pattern of the drain electrode connection pad 24 is substantially
parallel to the second data segment DL2. For example, the shape of
the drain electrode connection pad 24 may be substantially an
elliptic shape, a rhombus shape or other like shapes. In this
exemplary embodiment, the projection shape of the contact hole TH
through which the pixel electrode PE and the drain electrode
connection pad 24 are connected may be any shapes such as triangle,
trapezoid, quadrangle, parallelogram, circular (round), elliptic,
rhombus or other similar shapes. The projection shape of the
extension portion of the pixel electrode PE that extends to the top
of the drain electrode connection pad 24 may also be any shapes
such as triangle, trapezoid, quadrangle, parallelogram, circular
(round), elliptic, rhombus or other like shapes. To meet the
process and/or design requirement, the projection shapes of the
through hole TH, the drain electrode connection pad 24 and the
extension portion of the pixel electrode PE are preferably
substantially parallelogram. In alternative embodiments, the
projection shape of the drain electrode connection pad 24 may be
substantially parallelogram, elliptic, rhombus or other like
shapes, and the projection shape of the through hole TH may be
substantially quadrangle, circular, elliptic, rhombus or other like
shapes. In the third embodiment, the ratio of the width W of the
light-shielding pattern 34 in the second direction L2 to the
distance X between two light-shielding patterns 34 adjoining to the
sub-pixel 22 in the second direction L2 (i.e. W/X) is substantially
greater than 0 and less than or equal to 0.4, or substantially
greater than 0.1 and less than or equal to 0.4, or substantially
greater than 0.2 and less than or equal to 0.4. Specifically,
though the shifting offset between the sub-pixels 22 of two
adjacent rows (i.e. the predetermined distance K of each of the
sub-pixels 22 of the first row 20R1 of two adjoining rows 20R
shifted along the first direction L1 with respect to each of the
sub-pixels 22 of the second row 20R2 of the two adjoining rows 20R)
is able to avoid light halo phenomenon and color shift, the
aperture ratio is reduced when W/X is greater than 0.4 and less
than 1. The aperture ratio is even dramatically reduced if W/X is
greater than 1. Therefore, when W/X is greater than 0 and less than
or equal to 0.4, not only the display panel 4 has high aperture
ratio, but light halo phenomenon and color shift can be avoided due
to the shifting offset between the sub-pixels 22 of two adjacent
rows reaches about half the width of the sub-pixels 22.
Consequently, both the light halo phenomenon and color shift and
the aperture ratio are considered.
[0023] In this exemplary embodiment, the extension direction of a
portion of the second data segments DL2 may be different from the
extension direction of another portion of the second data segments
DL2. Specifically, a portion of the second data segments DL may
extend along the third direction L3 and have an included angle a
with the first data segments DL1, while another portion of the
second data segments DL may extend along a fourth direction L4 and
have an included angle a' with the first data segments DL1. The
fourth direction L4 is different from the first direction L1, the
second direction L2 and the third direction L3, and the included
angle a' is substantially less than 0 degree and greater than -90
degrees. The third direction L3 and the fourth direction L4 may be
symmetric with respect to the second direction L2, but not limited
thereto. In this exemplary embodiment, the second data segments DL2
corresponding to the sub-pixels 22 of odd rows 22R extend along the
third direction L3, and the included angle a between the second
data segment DL2 and the first data segment DL1 is greater than 0
degree and less than +90 degrees, for example, the included angle a
is substantially between +30 degrees and +60 degrees, or
substantially between +30 degrees and +40 degrees, or substantially
between +50 degrees and +60 degrees, or substantially between +40
degrees and +50 degrees, or substantially +45 degrees; the second
data segments DL2 corresponding to the sub-pixels 22 of even rows
22R extend along the fourth direction L4, and the included angle a'
between the second data segment DL2 and the first data segment DL1
is less than 0 degree and greater than -90 degrees, for example,
the included angle a' is substantially between -30 degrees and -60
degrees, or substantially between -30 degrees and -40 degrees, or
substantially between -50 degrees and -60 degrees, or substantially
between -40 degrees and -50 degrees, or substantially -45 degrees,
but not limited thereto. In an alternative embodiment, the second
data segments DL2 corresponding to the sub-pixels 22 of the first
row, the second row, the fifth row, the sixth row . . . , the
4P-3.sup.th row and the 4P-2.sup.th row extend along the third
direction L3, while the second data segments DL2 corresponding to
the sub-pixels 22 of the third row, the fourth row, the seventh
row, the eighth row . . . , the 4P-1.sup.th row and the 4P.sup.th
row extend along the fourth direction L4, where P is a positive
integer greater than 0.
[0024] Since the overlapping area of the first data segment DL1 and
scanning line SL in the vertical direction Z in the third
embodiment is smaller than the overlapping area of the second data
segment DL2 and the scanning line SL in the vertical direction Z in
the first embodiment, the parasitic capacitance between the data
line DL and scanning line SL is reduced, which diminishes the
adverse impact on the device characteristic e.g. threshold voltage
or feed through voltage of the thin film transistor T. Thus, the
display quality of the display panel 4 of the third embodiment is
superior. In addition, the second data segments DL2 extend along
the third direction L3, and thus the width W of the light-shielding
pattern 34 in the second direction L2 is enough to shield all of
the scanning lines SL, a portion of the first data segments DL1,
all of the second data segments DL2, all of the thin film
transistors T and all of the drain electrode connection pads 24
without requiring being enlarged. In other words, the width W of
the light-shielding pattern 34 in the second direction L2 of the
third embodiment may be substantially equal to or less than the
width W of the light-shielding pattern 34 in the second direction
L2 of the first embodiment or less than the width W' of the
light-shielding pattern 34 in the second direction L2 of the second
embodiment. Consequently, the aperture ratio in the third
embodiment is not sacrificed (lost), or even increased. Thus, the
display panel 4 of the third embodiment is the most preferred
embodiment as opposed to the display panel 2 of the first
embodiment and the display panel 3 of the second embodiment.
[0025] In conclusion, the shifting offset between the sub-pixels of
two adjacent rows is able to avoid light halo phenomenon when
displaying high frequency zone of circular zone plate (CPZ) pattern
and/or avoid color deviation (color shift) problem. In addition,
the obliquely-disposed second data segment is able to reduce the
parasitic capacitance between the data line and the scanning line
while the aperture ratio is unaffected or even increased.
Accordingly, the display quality is improved.
[0026] Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous
modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made
while retaining the teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the
above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes
and bounds of the appended claims.
* * * * *