U.S. patent application number 15/358149 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-29 for display panel having a non-rectangular display region and a peripheral region.
This patent application is currently assigned to HannStar Display(Nanjing) Corp.. The applicant listed for this patent is HannStar Display Corporation, HannStar Display(Nanjing) Corp.. Invention is credited to Chien-Ting Chan, Hsuan-Chen Liu.
Application Number | 20180088400 15/358149 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61685299 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180088400 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liu; Hsuan-Chen ; et
al. |
March 29, 2018 |
DISPLAY PANEL HAVING A NON-RECTANGULAR DISPLAY REGION AND A
PERIPHERAL REGION
Abstract
A display panel including a first substrate, a plurality of
pixel units disposed on the first substrate and a shielding layer
is provided. Each pixel unit includes a thin-film transistor, a
first signal line and a second signal line electrically connected
to the thin-film transistor. The shielding layer includes a first
portion located on a peripheral region and a second portion located
on a non-rectangular display region. An inner contour of an
orthogonal projection of the first portion of the shielding layer
on the first substrate includes a plurality of first line segments
and a plurality of second line segments. The first line segments
are parallel to orthogonal projections of the first signal lines on
the first substrate. The second line segments are respectively
parallel to orthogonal projections of the second signal lines on
the first substrate.
Inventors: |
Liu; Hsuan-Chen; (Kaohsiung
City, TW) ; Chan; Chien-Ting; (Tainan City,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HannStar Display(Nanjing) Corp.
HannStar Display Corporation |
Nanjing
Taipei City |
|
CN
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
HannStar Display(Nanjing)
Corp.
Nanjing
CN
HannStar Display Corporation
Taipei City
TW
|
Family ID: |
61685299 |
Appl. No.: |
15/358149 |
Filed: |
November 22, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02F 1/133707 20130101;
G02F 2201/40 20130101; G02F 2001/133388 20130101; G02F 1/133512
20130101; G02F 2201/56 20130101; G02F 1/136209 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G02F 1/1335 20060101
G02F001/1335; G02F 1/1362 20060101 G02F001/1362; G02F 1/1368
20060101 G02F001/1368 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 23, 2016 |
CN |
201610846173.4 |
Claims
1. A display panel, having a non-rectangular display region and a
peripheral region outside the non-rectangular display region, the
display panel comprising: a first substrate; a plurality of pixel
units, disposed on the first substrate, and located on the
non-rectangular display region, and each of the pixel units
comprising: a thin-film transistor, a first signal line and a
second signal line, electrically connected to the thin-film
transistor, wherein an extending direction of the first signal line
is different with an extending direction of the second signal line;
and a shielding layer, comprising: a first portion, located on the
peripheral region; and a second portion, located on the
non-rectangular display region, wherein an inner contour of an
orthogonal projection of the first portion of the shielding layer
on the first substrate comprises a plurality of first line segments
and a plurality of second line segments, the first line segments
are respectively parallel to orthogonal projections of the
corresponding first signal lines on the first substrate, and the
second line segments are respectively parallel to orthogonal
projections of the corresponding second signal lines on the first
substrate.
2. The display panel as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a
second substrate, disposed opposite to the first substrate, wherein
the shielding layer is disposed on the second substrate.
3. The display panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the
first signal line and the second signal line is a gate line, and
the other one of the first signal line and the second signal line
is a data line.
4. The display panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein an included
angle between an orthogonal projection of the first signal line on
the first substrate and an orthogonal projection of the second
signal line on the first substrate is .theta., and
.theta.=90.degree..
5. The display panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein an included
angle between an orthogonal projection of the first signal line on
the first substrate and an orthogonal projection of the second
signal line on the first substrate is .theta., and
75.degree..ltoreq..theta..ltoreq.105.degree.,
.theta..noteq.90.degree..
6. The display panel as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pixel units
are arranged into a plurality of pixel rows and a plurality of
pixel columns, and an included angle between two orthogonal
projections of the first signal line and the second signal line of
one pixel unit on the first substrate is (90.degree.-.alpha.), and
an included angle between two orthogonal projections of a first
signal line and a second signal line of another pixel unit on the
first substrate is (90.degree.+.alpha.), the another pixel unit
adjacent to the pixel unit is located in a same pixel column with
the pixel unit, and 0.degree.<.alpha..ltoreq.15.degree..
7. The display panel as claimed in claim 6, wherein
.alpha.=7.degree..
8. The display panel as claimed in claim 6, wherein two of the
second line segments are respectively parallel to orthogonal
projections of two second signal lines of two pixel units on the
first substrate, and the two pixel units are located in a same
pixel column and located adjacent to each other.
9. The display panel as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second
signal line of each of the pixel units comprises a first portion
and a second portion extending towards different directions, an
included angle between an orthogonal projection of the first
portion of the second signal line on the first substrate and an
orthogonal projection of the second portion of the second signal
line on the first substrate is (180.degree.-2.beta.) or
(180.degree.+2.beta.), and
0.degree.<.beta..ltoreq.15.degree..
10. The display panel as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pixel
units are arranged into a plurality of pixel rows and a plurality
of pixel columns, an included angle of one pixel unit is
(180.degree.-2.beta.), an include angle of another pixel unit
located in a same pixel column with the pixel unit and located
adjacent to the pixel unit is (180.degree.+2.beta.).
11. The display panel as claimed in claim 9, wherein one of the
second line segments is parallel to orthogonal projections of the
first portion of the second signal line and the second portion of
the second signal line on the first substrate.
12. The display panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
portion of the shielding layer has a plurality of openings
respectively corresponding to the plurality of pixel units.
13. The display panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
portion of the shielding layer covers at least one of the first
signal line, the second signal line and the thin-film transistor of
each of the pixel units.
14. The display panel as claimed in claim 12, wherein orthogonal
projections of edges of one of the openings on the first substrate
are parallel to orthogonal projections of a first signal line and a
second signal line of a corresponding pixel unit on the first
substrate.
15. The display panel as claimed in claim 12, wherein one of the
openings has a first opening edge, a second opening edge, a third
opening edge and a fourth opening edge, the first opening edge and
the second opening edge are disposed opposite to each other, the
third opening edge and the fourth opening edge are disposed
opposite to each other, the third opening edge is connected between
the first opening edge and the second opening edge, the fourth
opening edge is connected between the first opening edge and the
second opening edge, at least one of the third opening edge and the
fourth opening edge comprises a first portion and a second portion,
an extending direction of the first portion of the at least one of
the third opening edge and the fourth opening edge and an extending
direction of the second portion of the at least one of the third
opening edge and the fourth opening edge are different with each
other, and an orthogonal projection of the first portion of the at
least one of the third opening edge and the fourth opening edge on
the first substrate is parallel to an orthogonal projection of a
corresponding first signal line on the first substrate.
16. The display panel as claimed in claim 12, wherein one of the
openings comprises a first opening edge, a second opening edge, a
third opening edge and a fourth opening edge, the first opening
edge is opposite to the second opening edge, the third opening edge
is opposite to the fourth opening edge, the third opening edge is
connected between the first opening edge and the second opening
edge, the fourth opening edge is connected between the first
opening edge and the second opening edge, at least one of the first
opening edge and the second opening edge comprises a first portion
and a second portion, an extending direction of the first portion
of the at least one of the first opening edge and the second
opening edge and an extending direction of the second portion of
the at least one of the first opening edge and the second opening
edge are different with each other, an orthogonal projection of the
first portion of the at least one of the first opening edge and the
second opening edge on the first substrate is parallel to an
orthogonal projection of the second signal line on the first
substrate, the second portion of the at least one of the first
opening edge and the second opening edge and one of the third
opening edge and the fourth opening edge are connected to form a
protruding angle, and the protruding angle protrudes towards a
direction away from a center of the opening.
17. A display panel, having a non-rectangular display region and a
peripheral region outside the non-rectangular display region, the
display panel comprising: a first substrate; a plurality of pixel
units, disposed on the first substrate, and located on the
non-rectangular display region, and each of the pixel units
comprising: a thin-film transistor, a first signal line and a
second signal line, electrically connected to the thin-film
transistor, wherein an extending direction of the first signal line
is different with an extending direction of the second signal line;
and a shielding layer, located on the peripheral region, wherein an
inner contour of an orthogonal projection of the shielding layer on
the first substrate comprises a plurality of first line segments
and a plurality of second line segments, the first line segments
are respectively parallel to orthogonal projections of the
corresponding first signal lines on the first substrate, and the
second line segments are respectively parallel to orthogonal
projections of the corresponding second signal lines on the first
substrate.
18. The display panel as claimed in claim 17, wherein an included
angle between an orthogonal projection of the first signal line on
the first substrate and an orthogonal projection of the second
signal line on the first substrate is .theta., and
.theta.=90.degree..
19. The display panel as claimed in claim 17, wherein an included
angle between an orthogonal projection of the first signal line on
the first substrate and an orthogonal projection of the second
signal line on the first substrate is .theta., and
75.degree..ltoreq..theta..ltoreq.105.degree.,
.theta..noteq.90.degree..
20. A display panel, having a non-rectangular display region and a
peripheral region outside the non-rectangular display region, the
display panel comprising: a first substrate; a plurality of pixel
units, disposed on the first substrate, and located on the
non-rectangular display region, and each of the pixel units
comprising: a thin-film transistor, a first signal line and a
second signal line, electrically connected to the thin-film
transistor, wherein an extending direction of the first signal line
is different with an extending direction of the second signal line;
and a shielding layer, wherein a part of a contour of an orthogonal
projection of the shielding layer on the first substrate extends
along outer edges of the pixel units located at the edge of the
non-rectangular display region, and comprises a plurality of first
line segments and a plurality of second line segments, the first
line segments are respectively parallel to orthogonal projections
of the corresponding first signal lines on the first substrate, and
the second line segments are respectively parallel to orthogonal
projections of the corresponding second signal lines on the first
substrate.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of China patent
application serial no. 201610846173.4, filed on Sep. 23, 2016. The
entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby
incorporated by reference herein and made a part of the
specification.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a photoelectric device, and
particularly related to a display panel.
Description of Related Art
[0003] Display panel is generally applied in electronic products
(for example, mobile phones, computers, etc.), and a display region
of the display panel generally presents a rectangular shape. In
recent years, with the development of application of the display
panel, the rectangular display region of the display panel cannot
satisfy various application demands. For example, when the display
panel is applied to a wearable application (for example, a watch,
etc.), the rectangular display region may limit an appearance of a
wearable display device, and the display region of the display
panel is probably required to be a non-rectangular shape, for
example, a circular shape, etc. When the display panel is applied
to a vehicle dashboard, the display region of the display panel is
probably required to be the non-rectangular shape, for example, a
semicircle, a bow shape, etc. Referring to FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b,
FIG. 1a is a top view of a conventional display panel having a
circular display region, and FIG. 1b is a part R of the display
panel of FIG. 1a. The display panel 200 has a display region 200a
and a peripheral region 200b. The display region 200a has a
circular shape, and a shielding layer 250 is located on the
peripheral region 200b, and a contour of the shielding layer 250 is
overlapped with an edge of the round display region 200a. As shown
in FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b, since the contour of the shielding layer
250 is overlapped with the edge of the round display region 200a,
the contour of the shielding layer 250 has a circular arc shape,
such that a part of areas of pixel units 240-R1, 240-G1 and 240-B1
located at an edge of a pixel row is shielded by the shielding
layer 250, which results in a fact that aperture ratios of the
pixel units 240-R1, 240-G1 and 240-B1 located at the edge of the
pixel row are greatly decreased compared with that of other pixel
units 240-R2, 240-G2 and 240-B2. Each pixel is composed of three
pixel units. A color and a brightness of the pixel composed of the
pixel units 240-R1, 240-G1 and 240-B1 is different with that of the
pixels (for example, the pixel composed of the pixel units 240-R2,
240-G2 and 240-B2) that are not shielded by the shielding layer
250, which causes a problem of color unbalance or brightness
unevenness at the edge of the circular display region 200a.
Moreover, since the shielding layer 250 is generally formed by
first depositing a shielding material and then performing exposure
and development processes, and the contour of the shielding layer
250 is the circular arc shape, manufacturing difficulty is
increased, and the exposure and development processes used for
forming the shielding layer 250 are required to be strictly
controlled to meet a specification of the size of the shielding
layer 250, so as to avoid light leakage caused by the fact that the
shielding layer 250 cannot completely shield the peripheral region
200b. Moreover, regarding the non-rectangular display regions with
different shapes, a designer has to redesign the shielding layer
and/or the pixel units in allusion to the shape and the
characteristic of each of the non-rectangular display regions,
which causes delay and inconvenience of product developments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention is directed to a display panel, which is easy
to realize a free-form non-rectangular display region.
[0005] The invention provides a display panel including a first
substrate, a plurality of pixel units disposed on the first
substrate and a shielding layer. Each of the pixel units includes a
thin-film transistor, a first signal line and a second signal line
electrically connected to the thin-film transistor. The shielding
layer includes a first portion located on a peripheral region and a
second portion located on a non-rectangular display region. An
inner contour of an orthogonal projection of the first portion of
the shielding layer on the first substrate includes a plurality of
first line segments and a plurality of second line segments. The
first line segments are respectively parallel to orthogonal
projections of the first signal lines on the first substrate. The
second line segments are respectively parallel to orthogonal
projections of the second signal lines on the first substrate.
[0006] The invention provides a display panel including a first
substrate, a plurality of pixel units and a shielding layer. The
display panel has a non-rectangular display region and a peripheral
region outside the non-rectangular display region. The pixel units
disposed on the first substrate and located on the non-rectangular
display region. Each of the pixel units includes a thin-film
transistor, a first signal line and a second signal line
electrically connected to the thin-film transistor. An extending
direction of the first signal line is different with an extending
direction of the second signal line. The shielding layer is located
on the peripheral region. The inner contour of an orthogonal
projection of the shielding layer on the first substrate includes a
plurality of first line segments and a plurality of second line
segments. The first line segments are respectively parallel to
orthogonal projections of the corresponding first signal lines on
the first substrate. The second line segments are respectively
parallel to orthogonal projections of the corresponding second
signal lines on the first substrate.
[0007] The invention provides a display panel including a first
substrate, a plurality of pixel units and a shielding layer. The
display panel has a non-rectangular display region and a peripheral
region outside the non-rectangular display region. The pixel units
disposed on the first substrate and located on the non-rectangular
display region. Each of the pixel units includes a thin-film
transistor, a first signal line and a second signal line
electrically connected to the thin-film transistor. An extending
direction of the first signal line is different with an extending
direction of the second signal line. A part of a contour of an
orthogonal projection of the shielding layer on the first substrate
extends along outer edges of the pixel units located at the edge of
the non-rectangular display region, and includes a plurality of
first line segments and a plurality of second line segments. The
first line segments are respectively parallel to orthogonal
projections of the corresponding first signal lines on the first
substrate, and the second line segments are respectively parallel
to orthogonal projections of the corresponding second signal lines
on the first substrate.
[0008] In an embodiment of the invention, the display panel further
includes a second substrate. The second substrate is opposite to
the first substrate. The shielding layer is disposed on the second
substrate.
[0009] In an embodiment of the invention, one of the first signal
line and the second signal line is a gate line, and the other one
of the first signal line and the second signal line is a data
line.
[0010] In an embodiment of the invention, an included angle between
an orthogonal projection of the first signal line on the first
substrate and an orthogonal projection of the second signal line on
the first substrate is .theta., and .theta.=90.degree..
[0011] In an embodiment of the invention, an included angle between
an orthogonal projection of the first signal line on the first
substrate and an orthogonal projection of the second signal line on
the first substrate is .theta., and
75.degree..ltoreq..theta..ltoreq.105.degree.,
.theta..noteq.90.degree..
[0012] In an embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned
.theta.=83.degree. or 97.degree..
[0013] In an embodiment of the invention, the pixel units are
arranged into a plurality of pixel rows and a plurality of pixel
columns, and an included angle between two orthogonal projections
of the first signal line and the second signal line of one pixel
unit on the first substrate is (90.degree.-.alpha.), and an
included angle between two orthogonal projections of a first signal
line and a second signal line of another pixel unit on the first
substrate is (90.degree.+.alpha.), the another pixel unit adjacent
to the pixel unit is located in a same pixel column with the pixel
unit, and 0.degree.<.alpha..ltoreq.15.degree..
[0014] In an embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned
.alpha.=7.degree..
[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, two of the second line
segments are respectively parallel to orthogonal projections of two
second signal lines of two pixel units on the first substrate, and
the two pixel units are located in a same pixel column and located
adjacent to each other.
[0016] In an embodiment of the invention, the second signal line of
each of the pixel units includes a first portion and a second
portion extending towards different directions. An included angle
between an orthogonal projection of the first portion of the second
signal line on the first substrate and an orthogonal projection of
the second portion of the second signal line on the first substrate
is (180.degree.-2.beta.) or (180.degree.+2.beta.), and
0.degree.<.beta..ltoreq.15.degree..
[0017] In an embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned
.beta.=7.degree..
[0018] In an embodiment of the invention, the pixel units are
arranged into a plurality of pixel rows and a plurality of pixel
columns, an included angle of one pixel unit is
(180.degree.-2.beta.), an include angle of another pixel unit that
located in a same pixel column with the pixel unit and located
adjacent to the pixel unit is (180.degree.+2.beta.).
[0019] In an embodiment of the invention, one of the second line
segments is parallel to orthogonal projections of the first portion
of the second signal line and the second portion of the second
signal line on the first substrate.
[0020] In an embodiment of the invention, the first portion of the
second signal line is connected to the second portion of the second
signal line to form the V-shape second signal line.
[0021] In an embodiment of the invention, the pixel units are
arranged into a plurality of pixel rows and a plurality of pixel
columns, an area of each of the pixel units of each pixel row is
the same, and an area of each of the pixel units of each pixel
column is the same.
[0022] In an embodiment of the invention, each of the pixel units
further includes a pixel electrode electrically connected to the
thin-film transistor and a common electrode overlapped to the pixel
electrode. One of the pixel electrode and the common electrode has
a plurality of slits, and the slits expose the other one of the
pixel electrode and the common electrode.
[0023] In an embodiment of the invention, the second portion of the
shielding layer has a plurality of openings respectively
corresponding to the plurality of pixel units.
[0024] In an embodiment of the invention, the second portion of the
shielding layer covers at least one of the first signal line, the
second signal line and the thin-film transistor of each of the
pixel units.
[0025] In an embodiment of the invention, an edge of one of the
openings is parallel to orthogonal projections of the first signal
line and the second signal line of the corresponding pixel unit on
the first substrate.
[0026] In an embodiment, one of the openings has a first opening
edge, a second opening edge, a third opening edge and a fourth
opening edge. The first opening edge and the second opening edge
are disposed opposite to each other. The third opening edge and the
fourth opening edge are disposed opposite to each other. The third
opening edge is connected between the first opening edge and the
second opening edge. The fourth opening edge is connected between
the first opening edge and the second opening edge. At least one of
the third opening edge and the fourth opening edge includes a first
portion and a second portion. An extending direction of the first
portion of the at least one of the third opening edge and the
fourth opening edge and an extending direction of the second
portion of the at least one of the third opening edge and the
fourth opening edge are different with each other. An orthogonal
projection of the first portion of the at least one of the third
opening edge and the fourth opening edge on the first substrate is
parallel to an orthogonal projection of a corresponding first
signal line on the first substrate.
[0027] In an embodiment of the invention, the third opening edge
and the fourth opening edge respectively include two first portions
and two second portions. A distance between a second portion of the
third opening edge and a second portion of the fourth opening edge
is greater than a distance between a first portion of the third
opening edge and a first portion of the fourth opening edge. The
distance between the second portion of the third opening edge and
the second portion of the fourth opening edge and the distance
between the first portion of the third opening edge and the first
portion of the fourth opening edge are calculated along a direction
parallel to the extending direction of the second signal line.
[0028] In an embodiment of the invention, one of the openings
includes a first opening edge, a second opening edge, a third
opening edge and a fourth opening edge, the first opening edge is
opposite to the second opening edge, the third opening edge is
opposite to the fourth opening edge, the third opening edge is
connected between the first opening edge and the second opening
edge, the fourth opening edge is connected between the first
opening edge and the second opening edge, at least one of the first
opening edge and the second opening edge comprises a first portion
and a second portion, an extending direction of the first portion
of the at least one of the first opening edge and the second
opening edge and an extending direction of the second portion of
the at least one of the first opening edge and the second opening
edge are different with each other, an orthogonal projection of the
first portion of the at least one of the first opening edge and the
second opening edge on the first substrate is parallel to an
orthogonal projection of the second signal line on the first
substrate, the second portion of the at least one of the first
opening edge and the second opening edge and one of the third
opening edge and the fourth opening edge are connected to form a
protruding angle, and the protruding angle protrudes towards a
direction away from a center of the opening.
[0029] According to the above descriptions, in the display panel of
an embodiment of the invention, the first portion of the shielding
layer is used to define the non-rectangular display region.
Particularly, the inner contour of the first portion of the
shielding layer is parallel to the first signal line and the second
signal line of the pixel unit, and the inner contour of the first
portion of the shielding layer substantially presents a serrated
edge with a tiny tooth pitch. In this way, regardless of a shape of
the non-rectangular display region to be realized, by using the
aforementioned design principle, the free-form non-rectangular
display region can be easily and quickly designed, so as to realize
display panel with the non-rectangular display region.
[0030] In order to make the aforementioned and other features and
advantages of the invention comprehensible, several exemplary
embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail
below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate
embodiments of the invention and, together with the description,
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 1a is a top view of a conventional display panel having
a circular display region.
[0033] FIG. 1b is a part R of the display panel of FIG. 1a.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a top view of a display panel according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged view of a display panel
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a top view of an orthogonal projection of a first
portion of a shielding layer on a first substrate according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0038] FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view of a display panel
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0039] FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view of a display panel
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0040] FIG. 8 is a partial top view of a non-rectangular display
region of a display panel according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0041] FIG. 9 is a partial top view of a non-rectangular display
region of a display panel according to an embodiment of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0042] FIG. 2 is a top view of a display panel according to an
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged view of
the display panel according to an embodiment of the invention.
Particularly, FIG. 3 corresponds to the part R of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is
a cross-sectional view of the display panel according to an
embodiment of the invention. Particularly, FIG. 4 corresponds to a
section line A-A' of FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the
display panel 100 has a non-rectangular display region 100a and a
peripheral region 100b. The peripheral region 100b is located
outside the non-rectangular display region 100a. For example, as
shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the non-rectangular
display region 100a may be similarly circular. However, it should
be noted that the disclosure is not limited thereto. In other
embodiments, the non-rectangular display region 100a may be
similarly oval, semi-circular, a bow shape, a triangle form, a
pentagon form, a hexagon form, or other non-rectangle shapes.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the display panel 100
includes a first substrate 110, a second substrate 120, a display
medium 130, a plurality of pixel units 140 and a shielding layer
150. As shown in FIG. 3, the second substrate 120 is disposed
opposite to the first substrate 110. The display medium 130 is
disposed between the first substrate 110 and the second substrate
120. In the present embodiment, at least one of the first substrate
110 and the second substrate 120 is transparent. A material of the
first substrate 110 and a material of the second substrate 120 may
be the same or different. The materials of the first substrate 110
and the second substrate 120 can be selected from glass, quartz,
organic polymers, opaque/reflective materials (for example,
conductive materials, wafers, ceramic, etc.) or other proper
materials. The display medium 130 is, for example, liquid crystal,
but the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the
display medium 130 may also be an organic electroluminescent layer
or other proper materials.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the pixel units 140 are
disposed on the first substrate 110 and are located on the
non-rectangular display region 110a. Each of the pixel units 140
includes a thin-film transistor T, a first signal line GL
electrically connected to the thin-film transistor T and a second
signal line DL electrically connected to the thin-film transistor T
and a pixel electrode 142 electrically connected to the thin-film
transistor T. The thin-film transistor T has a gate (not shown), a
semiconductor pattern (not shown) overlapped to the gate and a
source (not shown) and a drain (not shown) electrically connected
to two sides of the semiconductor pattern. One of the first signal
line GL and the second signal line DL can be a gate line, and the
gate line is electrically connected to the gate of the thin-film
transistor T. The other one of the first signal line GL and the
second signal line DL can be a data line, and the data line is
electrically connected to the source of the thin-film transistor T.
The pixel electrode 140 is filled into an opening 160a of an
insulation layer 160 and an opening 170a of an insulation layer 170
to electrically connect to the drain (not shown) of the thin-film
transistor T.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 3, an extending direction of the first
signal line GL is different with an extending direction of the
second signal line DL. The first signal line GL and the second
single line DL belong to different film layers, and are crossed to
each other. In the present embodiment, the first signal line GL and
the second signal line DL may be a straight line form. An included
angle between an orthogonal projection of the first signal line GL
on the first substrate 110 and an orthogonal projection of the
second signal line DL on the first substrate 110 is .theta., and
.theta. may be selectively 90.degree.. However, the invention is
not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the forms of the first
signal line GL and the second signal line DL and the included angle
.theta. between the first signal line GL and the second signal line
DL can be properly designed according to an actual requirement,
which are described later with reference of other figures.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, each of the pixel units 120
may further include a common electrode 144 overlapped with the
pixel electrode 142. A potential difference between the pixel
electrode 142 and the common electrode 144 can drive the display
medium 130, such that the display panel 100 can display an image.
In the present embodiment, the pixel electrode 142 and the common
electrode 144 may be selectively disposed on a same substrate (i.e.
the first substrate 110). An insulation layer 170 may be disposed
between the pixel electrode 142 and the common electrode 144. One
of the pixel electrode 142 and the common electrode 144 has a
plurality of slits, and the slits expose the other one of the pixel
electrode 142 and the common electrode 144. In the present
embodiment, the pixel electrode 142 may be located above the
insulation layer 170, and the common electrode 144 may be located
below the insulation layer 170, and the pixel electrode 142 has a
plurality of slits 142a to expose the common electrode 144.
However, the invention is not limited thereto, and in other
embodiments, the pixel electrode 142 may be disposed below the
insulation layer 170, and the common electrode 144 may be located
above the insulation layer 170, and the common electrode 144 has a
plurality of slits to expose the pixel electrode 142. Moreover, in
some embodiments, the pixel electrode 142 and the common electrode
144 may respectively have a plurality of slits, and viewing from
the direction perpendicular to the pixel electrode 142 or the
common electrode 144, the slits of the pixel electrode 142 and the
slits of the common electrode 142 may be arranged alternately. In
the present embodiment, the display panel 100 may be a fringe field
switching (FFS) mode. However, the invention is not limited
thereto, and in another embodiment, if the pixel electrode 142 and
the common electrode 144 are disposed on the same substrate, the
display panel 100 may also be an in-plane switching (IPS) mode or
other proper mode. In another embodiment, the pixel electrode 142
and the common electrode 144 may be respectively disposed on the
first substrate 110 and the second substrate 120, and the display
panel 100 may be a twisted nematic (TN) mode, a vertical alignment
(VA) mode, an optically compensated bend (OCB) mode or other proper
mode.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the shielding layer 150 can
shield light. Referring to FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the
shielding layer 150 may be selectively disposed on the second
substrate 120. The shielding layer 150 may be called a black matrix
layer. A material of the shielding layer 150 is, for example, black
resin. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and in other
embodiments, the material of the shielding layer 150 can also be
other light-shielding materials. Moreover, in the invention, the
shielding layer 150 is not limited to be disposed on the second
substrate 120. In other embodiments, the shielding layer 150 may be
selectively disposed on the same substrate (i.e. the first
substrate 110) with the thin-film transistor T and the pixel
electrode 142, such that the shielding layer 150 and a color filter
layer (not shown) disposed on the same substrate form a color
filter on array (COA) structure.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the shielding layer 150
includes a first portion 151 and a second portion 152. The first
portion 151 is located on the peripheral region 100b. The second
portion 152 located on the non-rectangular display region 100a. The
second portion 152 of the shielding layer 150 covers at least one
of the first signal line GL, the second signal line DL and the
thin-film transistor T of each of the pixel units 140. For example,
in the present embodiment, the second portion 152 of the shielding
layer 150 may cover the first signal line GL, the second signal
line DL and the thin-film transistor T of each of the pixel units
140. In detail, the second portion 152 of the shielding layer 150
may have a mesh pattern, and the mesh pattern is composed of a
plurality of line segments 152a and a plurality of line segments
152b crossed to each other. The line segments 152a of the mesh
pattern may shield the first signal line GL. The line segments 152b
of the mesh pattern may shield the second signal line DL. However,
the invention is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, if
a light leakage problem can be solved by a manufacturing process or
a layout, the second portion 152 of the shielding layer 150 does
not have to completely shield the first signal line GL, the second
signal line DL and the thin-film transistor T. For example, in some
embodiments, the second portion 152 of the shielding layer 150 may
present a plurality of block patterns to shield the thin-film
transistors T, or present a plurality of stripe patterns to shield
at least one of the thin-film transistors T, the first signal lines
GL and the second signal lines DL of each of the pixel units
140.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the second portion 152 of
the shielding layer 150 has a plurality of openings 152c. Each of
the openings 152c corresponds to one pixel unit 140. In the present
embodiment, edges of the opening 152c of the second portion 152 of
the shielding layer 150 may be respectively parallel to the first
signal line GL and the second signal line DL. Further, in the
present embodiment, the opening 152c may present a shape of a
rectangle, and four sides of the rectangle can be parallel to the
first signal line GL and the second signal line DL. However, the
invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the opening
152c can be designed into other proper shapes, which is described
later with reference of other figures.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a top view
of an orthogonal projection of the first portion 151 of the
shielding layer 150 on the first substrate 110. The orthogonal
projection of the first portion 151 of the shielding layer 150 on
the first substrate 110 includes an inner contour 151C-1 and an
outer contour 151C-2, and the inner contour 151C-1 of the
orthogonal projection of the first portion 151 of the shielding
layer 150 on the first substrate 110 defines the non-rectangular
display region 100a. In other words, the inner contour 151C-1 of
the orthogonal projection of the first portion 151 of the shielding
layer 150 on the first substrate 110 is overlapped with an edge of
the non-rectangular display region 100a. The inner contour 151C-1
includes a plurality of first line segments 151a and a plurality of
second line segments 151b. The first line segments 151a are
parallel to an orthogonal projection of the first signal line GL on
the first substrate 110. The second line segments 151b are parallel
to an orthogonal projection of the second signal line DL on the
first substrate 110. Namely, viewing from a direction perpendicular
to the first substrate 110, the first line segments 151a are
parallel to the first signal line GL, and the second line segments
151b are parallel to the second signal line DL. The pixel units 140
are arranged in a plurality of pixel rows X0, X1, X2 and a
plurality of pixel columns Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4. The pixel units 140
of the same pixel row X0, X1 or X2 are arranged along a column
direction x. The pixel units 140 of the same pixel column Y1, Y2,
Y3 or Y4 are arranged along a row direction y. In the present
embodiment, an area of each of the pixel units 140 of each pixel
row X0, X1 or X2 may be the same, and the area of each of the pixel
units 140 of each pixel column Y1, Y2, Y3 or Y4 may be the same,
and the first line segments 151a and the second line segments 151b
are respectively parallel to the orthogonal projections of the
first signal line GL and the second signal line DL on the first
substrate 110. In other words, viewing from the direction
perpendicular to the first substrate 110, the inner contour 151C-1
of the shielding layer 150 extends along outer edges of the pixel
units 140 located at the edge of the non-rectangular display region
100a, so that an area and an aperture ratio of the pixel unit 140
located at the edge of each pixel row X0, X1 or X2 are the same to
the area and aperture ratio of the other pixel units 140 in the
same pixel row, and an area and an aperture ratio of the pixel unit
140 located at the edge of each pixel column Y1, Y2, Y3 or Y4 are
the same to the area and aperture ratio of the other pixel units
140 in the same pixel column, so as to avoid causing color
unbalance or brightness unevenness at the edge of the
non-rectangular display region 100a.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the next pixel row of the
pixel row X1 is the pixel row X2. Viewing from the direction
perpendicular to the first substrate 110, one second line segment
151b-1 of the first portion 151 of the shielding layer 150 is
parallel to the second signal line DL of the pixel unit 140 of the
pixel row X1. Another second line segment 151b-2 of the first
portion 151 of the shielding layer 150 is parallel to the second
signal line DL of the pixel unit 140 of the pixel row X2. At least
one pixel unit 140 of the pixel row X2 (for example, the leftmost
three pixel units 140 of the pixel row X2) are staggered with a
plurality of pixel units 140 of the pixel row X1. In other words,
at least one pixel unit 140 of the pixel row X2 exceeds the
plurality of pixel units 140 of the pixel row X1. At least one
first line segments 151a-1, 151a-2, 151a-3 of the first portion 151
of the shielding layer 150 are parallel to the orthogonal
projection of the first signal line GL of the at least one pixel
unit 140 of the pixel row X2 that exceeds the first pixel row X1
(for example, the leftmost three pixel units 140 of the pixel row
X2) on the first substrate 110. The second line segment 151b-1, the
first line segment 151a-3, the first line segment 151a-2, the first
line segment 151a-1 and the second line segment 151b-2 can be
located on a single fold line, and the fold line defines the edge
of the non-rectangular display region 100a.
[0052] It should be noted that the first portion 151 of the
shielding layer 150 is used to define the non-rectangular display
region 100a of the display panel 100, and the inner contour 151C-1
of the orthogonal projection of the first portion 151 of the
shielding layer 150 on the first substrate 110 includes a plurality
of the first line segments 151a and the second line segments 151b
respectively parallel to the orthogonal projections of the first
signal line GL and the second signal line of the pixel unit 140 on
the first substrate 110, so that the inner contour of the first
portion 151 of the shielding layer 150 substantially presents a
serrated edge with a tiny tooth pitch (as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
5). It should be noted that the number of the pixel units 140 of
FIG. 2 is only an example, and since a pitch of the pixel units 140
is generally several micrometers to tens of micrometers, the number
of the pixels per inch is above several hundreds, and the size of
the non-rectangular display region 100a is generally above one
inch, regarding a usage distance of a user, human eyes cannot
identify the serrated edge of the non-rectangular display region
100a, instead, the human eyes may view the edge of the
non-rectangular display region 100a with a smooth curve or slashes.
In this way, regardless of the shape of the non-rectangular display
region 100a to be realized, the free-form non-rectangular display
region 100a of any free-form can be easily and quickly designed by
using the aforementioned design principle, and the problem of color
unbalance or brightness unevenness at the edge of the
non-rectangular display region 100a is avoided, so as to realize
the display panel 100 having the non-rectangular display region
100a.
[0053] In the present embodiment, the shielding layer 150 includes
a first portion 151 located on the peripheral region 100b and a
second portion 152 located on the non-rectangular display region
100a, the first portion 151 of the shielding layer 150 is used to
shield the peripheral region 100b and define the non-rectangular
display region 100a, and the second portion 152 of the shielding
layer 150 may cover at least one of the first signal line GL, the
second signal line DL and the thin-film transistor T of each of the
pixel units 140 (i.e. the second portion 152 of the shielding layer
150 shield a part of the non-rectangular display region 100a).
However, the invention is not limited thereto, and in another
embodiment, the peripheral region 100b and a part of the
non-rectangular display region 100a may be shielded by two
different shielding layers respectively, an inner contour of an
orthogonal projection of the shielding layer located on the
peripheral region 100b on the first substrate comprises a plurality
of first line segments and a plurality of second line segments, the
first line segments are respectively parallel to orthogonal
projections of the corresponding first signal lines on the first
substrate, and the second line segments are respectively parallel
to orthogonal projections of the corresponding second signal lines
on the first substrate. In other embodiment, if each of the pixel
units 140 is not partly covered by a shielding layer, and a
shielding layer is only located on the peripheral region 100b to
shield the peripheral region 100b and define the non-rectangular
display region 100a, an inner contour of an orthogonal projection
of the shielding layer on the first substrate comprises a plurality
of first line segments and a plurality of second line segments, the
first line segments are respectively parallel to orthogonal
projections of the corresponding first signal lines on the first
substrate, and the second line segments are respectively parallel
to orthogonal projections of the corresponding second signal lines
on the first substrate.
[0054] FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view of a display panel
according to an embodiment of the invention. The section line A-A'
of FIG. 6 also corresponds to FIG. 4. The display panel 100A of
FIG. 6 is similar to the aforementioned display panel 100, so that
the same or similar components are denoted by the same or similar
referential numbers. A main difference between the display panel
100A and the display panel 100 is that a pattern of a second signal
line DLA of the display panel 100A is different to the pattern of
the second signal line DL of the display panel, and a shape of an
opening 152cA of the display panel 100A is different to the shape
of the opening 152c of the display panel 100. The above differences
are described in detail below, and the same or similar parts of the
two embodiments may refer to related description of the
aforementioned embodiment.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the display panel 100A has a
non-rectangular display region 100a and a peripheral region 100b
outside the non-rectangular display region 100a. The display panel
100A includes a first substrate 110, a plurality of pixel units 140
disposed on the first substrate 110 and located on the
non-rectangular display region 100a and a shielding layer 150. Each
of the pixel units 140 includes a thin-film transistor T, a first
signal line GL and a second signal line DLA electrically connected
to the thin-film transistor T. An extending direction of the first
signal line GL is different with an extending direction of the
second signal line DLA. The shielding layer 150 includes a first
portion 151 located on the peripheral region 100b and a second
portion 152 located on the non-rectangular display region 100a. An
inner contour of an orthogonal projection of the first portion 151
of the shielding layer 150 on the first substrate 110 is overlapped
with the edge of the non-rectangular display region 100a. The inner
contour includes a plurality of first line segments 151a and a
plurality of second line segments 151b. The first line segments
151a are respectively parallel to orthogonal projections of the
corresponding first signal lines GL on the first substrate 110. The
second line segments 151b are respectively parallel to orthogonal
projections of the corresponding second signal lines DLA on the
first substrate 110.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 6, a main difference between the display
panel 100A and the display panel 100 is that the second signal line
DLA of the display panel 100A is a fold line rather than a straight
line. Included angles .theta.1 and .theta.2 between the first
signal line GL and the second signal line DLA are not 90.degree..
Moreover, compared to the display panel 100, an included angle
between an orthogonal projection of the extending direction of the
slit 142a of the pixel electrode 142 on the first substrate 110 and
an orthogonal projection of the extending direction of the first
signal line GL on the first substrate 110 is not 90.degree., and
the extending directions of the slits 142a in two adjacent pixel
rows are different, such that two different domains are formed and
a viewing angle of the display panel 100A is enlarged. The next
pixel row of the pixel row X0 is the pixel row X1. An included
angle between an orthogonal projection of the first signal line GL
of the pixel unit 140 of the pixel row X0 on the first substrate
110 and an orthogonal projection of the second signal line DLA of
the pixel unit 140 of the pixel row X0 on the first substrate 110
is .theta.1, and an included angle between an orthogonal projection
of the extending direction of the slit 142a of the pixel electrode
142 of the pixel unit 140 of the pixel row X0 on the first
substrate 110 and the orthogonal projection of the extending
direction of the first signal line GL on the first substrate 110 is
also .theta.1. An included angle between an orthogonal projection
of the first signal line GL of the pixel unit 140 of the pixel row
X1 on the first substrate 110 and an orthogonal projection of the
second signal line DLA of the pixel unit 140 of the pixel row X1 on
the first substrate 110 is .theta.2, and an included angle between
an orthogonal projection of the extending direction of the slit
142a of the pixel electrode 142 of the pixel unit 140 of the pixel
row X1 on the first substrate 110 and the orthogonal projection of
the extending direction of the first signal line GL on the first
substrate 110 is also .theta.2. In the present embodiment,
75.degree..ltoreq..theta.1.ltoreq.105.degree.,
.theta.1.noteq.90.degree.,
75.degree..ltoreq..theta.2.ltoreq.105.degree.,
.theta.2.noteq.90.degree.. Further, .theta.1=(90.degree.+.alpha.),
.theta.2=(90.degree.-.alpha.). In the present embodiment,
0.degree.<.alpha..ltoreq.15.degree.. For example,
.alpha.=7.degree., i.e., .theta.1=97.degree., .theta.2=83.degree.,
but the invention is not limited thereto. In brief, inclining
directions of the two second signal lines DLA of two adjacent pixel
units 140 in the same pixel column Y4 are opposite to each other,
and the two second signal lines DLA are connected to form a V-shape
line segment. The two second line segments 151b-0, 151b-1 of the
inner contour of the orthogonal projection of the first portion 151
of the shielding layer 150 on the first substrate 110 are
respectively parallel to the orthogonal projections of the two
second signal lines DLA of two adjacent pixel units 140 located in
the same pixel column Y4 on the first substrate 110, and the second
line segment 151b-0 and the second line segment 151b-1 are also
connected to foam a V-shape line segment.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 6, the shielding layer 150 includes the
second portion 152 located in the non-rectangular display region
100a. The second portion 152 of the shielding layer 150 has a
plurality of openings 152cA. Each of the openings 152cA corresponds
to one pixel unit 140. Viewing from a direction perpendicular to
the first substrate 110, edges of one opening 152cA of the second
portion 152 of the shielding layer 150 may be respectively parallel
to the first signal line GL and the second signal line DLA of the
corresponding pixel unit 140. For example, in the present
embodiment, the opening 152cA may be a parallelogram, and viewing
from the direction perpendicular to the first substrate 110, the
four sides of the parallelogram can be respectively parallel to the
corresponding first signal line GL and the second signal line DLA.
The display panel 100A has similar effects and advantages with that
of the display panel 100, and details thereof are not repeated.
[0058] FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view of a display panel
according to an embodiment of the invention. The section line A-A'
of FIG. 7 also corresponds to FIG. 4. The display panel 100B of
FIG. 7 is similar to the aforementioned display panel 100, so that
the same or similar components are denoted by the same or similar
referential numbers. A main difference between the display panel
100B and the display panel 100 is that a pattern of a second signal
line DLB of the display panel 100B is different to the pattern of
the second signal line DL of the display panel 100, and a shape of
an opening 152cB of the display panel 100B is different to the
shape of the opening 152c of the display panel 100. The above
differences are described in detail below, and the same or similar
parts of the two embodiments may refer to related description of
the aforementioned embodiment.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, the display panel 100B has a
non-rectangular display region 100a and a peripheral region 100b
outside the non-rectangular display region 100a. The display panel
100B includes a first substrate 110, a plurality of pixel units 140
disposed on the first substrate 110 and located on the
non-rectangular display region 100a and a shielding layer 150. Each
of the pixel units 140 includes a thin-film transistor T, a first
signal line GL and a second signal line DLB electrically connected
to the thin-film transistor T. An extending direction of the first
signal line GL is different with an extending direction of the
second signal line DLB. The shielding layer 150 includes a first
portion 151 located on the peripheral region 100b and a second
portion 152 located on the non-rectangular display region 100a. An
inner contour of an orthogonal projection of the first portion 151
of the shielding layer 150 on the first substrate 110 is overlapped
with the edge of the non-rectangular display region 100a. The inner
contour includes a plurality of first line segments 151a and a
plurality of second line segments 151b. The first line segments
151a are respectively parallel to orthogonal projections of the
corresponding first signal lines GL on the first substrate 110. The
second line segments 151b are respectively parallel to orthogonal
projections of the corresponding second signal lines DLB on the
first substrate 110.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 7, a main difference between the display
panel 100B and the display panel 100 is that included angles
.theta.1 and .theta.2 between the first signal line GL and the
second signal line DLB are not 90.degree., and the second signal
line DLB of the display panel 100B is a fold line rather than a
straight line. In detail, the second signal line DBL of each pixel
unit 140 includes a first portion DLB-1 and a second portion DLB-2
extending towards different directions. Moreover, compared to the
display panel 100, an included angle between an orthogonal
projection of the extending direction of the slit 142a of the pixel
electrode 142 on the first substrate 110 and an orthogonal
projection of the extending direction of the first signal line GL
on the first substrate 110 is not 90.degree., and the slit 142a in
each of the pixel units 140 includes a first portion 142a-1 and a
second portion 142a-2 extending towards different direction, such
that two different domains are formed and a viewing angle of the
display panel 100B is enlarged. In the present embodiment,
75.degree..ltoreq..theta.1.ltoreq.105.degree.,
.theta.1.noteq.90.degree.,
75.degree..ltoreq..theta.2.ltoreq.105.degree.,
.theta.2.noteq.90.degree.. Further, .theta.1=(90.degree.-.beta.),
.theta.2=(90.degree.+.beta.), where in
0.degree.<.beta..ltoreq.15.degree.. An included angle between
the orthogonal projection of first portion DLB-1 of the second
signal line DLB on the first substrate 110 and the orthogonal
projection of the second portion DLB-2 of the second signal line
DLB on the first substrate 110 is (180.degree.-2.beta.) or
(180.degree.+2.beta.), wherein
0.degree.<.beta..ltoreq.15.degree.. For example,
.beta.=7.degree., though the invention is not limited thereto.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 7, further, the next pixel row of the
pixel row X0 is the pixel row X1. The included angle of the pixel
unit 140 located in the pixel row X0 and the pixel column Y4 is
(180.degree.+2.beta.), and the included angle of the pixel unit 140
located in the pixel row X1 and the pixel column Y4 is
(180.degree.-2.beta.). In other words, the two second signal lines
DLB of the two adjacent pixel units 140 in the same pixel column Y4
may be respectively two V-shaped line segments with opposite
protruding directions, and the two second signal lines DLB may be
connected to each other so as to form a S-shape line segment.
Similarly, the included angle between the first portion 142a-1 and
the second portion 142a-2 of the slit 142a of the pixel unit 140
located in the pixel row X0 and the pixel column Y4 is
(180.degree.+2.beta.), and the included angle between the first
portion 142a-1 and the second portion 142a-2 of the slit 142a of
the pixel unit 140 located in the pixel row X1 and the pixel column
Y4 is (180.degree.-2.beta.). The two second line segments 151b-0,
151b-1 of the first portion 151 of the shielding layer 150 are
respectively parallel to the orthogonal projections of the two
second signal lines DLB of two adjacent pixel units 140 located in
the same pixel column Y4 on the first substrate 110, and the second
line segment 151b-0 and the second line segment 151b-1 are also
connected to each other so as to form a S-shape line segment.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 7, the shielding layer 150 includes the
second portion 152 located in the non-rectangular display region
100a. The second portion 152 of the shielding layer 150 has a
plurality of openings 152cB. Each of the openings 152cB corresponds
to one pixel unit 140. In the present embodiment, viewing from the
direction perpendicular to the first substrate 110, edges of one
opening 152cB of the second portion 152 of the shielding layer 150
can be respectively parallel to the first signal line GL and the
second signal line DLB of the corresponding pixel unit 140. For
example, the opening 152cA can be a polygon, and two fold line
edges of the polygon can be respectively parallel to the
corresponding second signal line DLB, and two straight line edges
of the polygon can be respectively parallel to the corresponding
first signal line GL. The display panel 100B has similar effects
and advantages with that of the display panel 100, and details
thereof are not repeated.
[0063] FIG. 8 is a partial top view of a non-rectangular display
region of a display panel according to an embodiment of the
invention. The display panel 100C of FIG. 8 is similar to the
aforementioned display panel 100, so that the same or similar
components are denoted by the same or similar referential numbers.
A main difference between the display panel 100C and the display
panel 100 is that a shape of an opening 152cC of the display panel
100C is different to the shape of the opening 152c of the shielding
layer 150 of the display panel 100. The above difference is
described in detail below, and the same or similar parts of the two
embodiments may refer to related description of the aforementioned
embodiment.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 8, the second portion 152 of the shielding
layer 150 is located on the non-rectangular display region 100a.
The second portion 152 of the shielding layer 150 covers at least
one of the first signal line GL, the second signal line DL and the
thin-film transistor T of each of the pixel units 140. The second
portion 152 of the shielding layer 150 has a plurality of openings
152cC. Each of the openings 152cC corresponds to one pixel unit
140. The opening 152cC has a first opening edge 152cC-1, a second
opening edge 152cC-2, a third opening edge 152cC-3 and a fourth
opening edge 152cC-4. The first opening edge 152cC-1 and the second
opening edge 152cC-2 are opposite to each other. The third opening
edge 152cC-3 is connected between the first opening edge 152cC-1
and the second opening edge 152cC-2. The fourth opening edge
152cC-4 is opposite to the third opening edge 152cC-3. The fourth
opening edge 152cC-4 is connected between the first opening edge
152cC-1 and the second opening edge 152cC-2. Orthogonal projections
of the first opening edge 152cC-1 and the second opening edge
152cC-2 on the first substrate 110 can be parallel to the
orthogonal projection of the second signal line DL on the first
substrate 110. At least one of the third opening edge 152cC-3 and
the fourth opening edge 152cC-4 includes a first portion P1 and a
second portion P2 having an extending direction different with that
of the first portion P1. An orthogonal projection of the first
portion P1 on the first substrate 110 is parallel to the orthogonal
projection of the first signal line GL on the first substrate 110.
An orthogonal projection of the second portion P2 on the first
substrate 110 is not parallel to the orthogonal projection of the
first signal line GL on the first substrate 110.
[0065] For example, in the present embodiment, viewing from the
direction perpendicular to the first substrate, the third opening
edge 152cC-3 includes the first portion P1 parallel to the first
signal line GL and the second portion P2 not parallel to the first
signal line GL. The fourth opening edge 152cC-4 includes the first
portion P1 parallel to the first signal line GL and the second
portion P2 not parallel to the first signal line GL. A distance D2
between the second portion P2 of the third opening edge 152cC-3 and
the second portion P2 of the fourth opening edge 152cC-4 is greater
than a distance D1 between the first portion P1 of the third
opening edge 152cC-3 and the first portion P1 of the fourth opening
edge 152cC-4. Viewing from the direction perpendicular to the first
substrate 110, the distance D1 and the distance D2 are calculated
along a direction parallel to the extending direction of the second
signal line DL. The second portion P2 of the third opening edge
152cC-3 is connected between the first portion P1 of the third
opening edge 152cC-3 and the first opening edge 152cC-1, and may be
a V-shape fold line recessed toward an inner of the second portion
152 of the shielding layer 150. The second portion P2 of the fourth
opening edge 152cC-4 is connected between the first portion P1 of
the fourth opening edge 152cC-4 and the first opening edge 152cC-1,
and can be a V-shape polyline recessed into the second portion 152
of the shielding layer 150.
[0066] Compared to the embodiments of FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4,
the pixel electrode 142 of the present embodiment is located under
the isolation layer 170, and the common electrode 144 is located
above the isolation layer 170, and the common electrode 144 has a
plurality of slits 144a to expose the pixel electrode 142. As shown
in FIG. 8, since the thin-film transistor T is electrically
connected to a lower left side of the pixel electrode 142, viewing
from the direction perpendicular to the first substrate 110, a left
side of the pixel electrode 142 has a longer length along the
direction parallel to the second signal line DL, such that the
leftmost slit 144a in the common electrode 144 correspondingly has
the larger length. By expanding (i.e. recessing into the second
part 152 of the shielding layer 150) a part of the opening edge of
the opening 152cC corresponding to the leftmost slit 144a, an
aperture ratio of the pixel unit 140 is increased. It should be
noted that in the embodiment of FIG. 8, viewing from the direction
perpendicular to the first substrate 110, the third opening edge
152cC-3 and the fourth opening edge 152cC-4 respectively include
the first portion P1 parallel to the first signal line GL and the
second portion P2 not parallel to the first signal line GL, though
the invention is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments,
only the third opening edge 152cC-3 (or the fourth opening edge
152cC-4) may include the first portion P1 parallel to the first
signal line GL and the second portion P2 not parallel to the first
signal line GL, and the fourth opening edge 152cC-4 (or the third
opening edge 152cC-3) is parallel to the first signal line GL,
which also increase the aperture ratio of the pixel unit 140.
Moreover, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the second portion P2 of the
third opening edge 152cC-3 and the second portion P2 of the fourth
opening edge 152cC-4 are respectively V-shape fold lines recessed
toward an inner of the second portion 152 of the shielding layer
150. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and in other
embodiments, the second portion P2 of the third opening edge
152cC-3 and/or the second portion P2 of the fourth opening edge
152cC-4 may be respectively slashes extending toward an inner of
the second portion 152 of the shielding layer 150 or fold lines
with other shapes, which can also increase the aperture ratio of
the pixel unit 140. In overall, the shape of the opening edge
having the first portion P1 and the second portion P2 and the shape
of the second portion P2 may be determined according to the layout
and positions of the pixel electrode 142, the common electrode 144,
the first signal line GL, the second signal line DL and the
thin-film transistor T in the pixel unit 140, so as to increase the
aperture ratio of the pixel unit 140.
[0067] FIG. 9 is a partial top view of a non-rectangular display
region of a display panel according to an embodiment of the
invention. The display panel 100D of FIG. 9 is similar to the
aforementioned display panel 100, so that the same or similar
components are denoted by the same or similar referential numbers.
A main difference between the display panel 100D and the display
panel 100 is that a shape of an opening 152cD of the shielding
layer 150 of the display panel 100D is different to the shape of
the opening 152c of the shielding layer 150 of the display panel
100. The above difference is described in detail below, and the
same or similar parts of the two embodiments may refer to related
description of the aforementioned embodiment.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 9, the second portion 152 of the shielding
layer 150 is located on the non-rectangular display region 100a.
The second portion 152 of the shielding layer 150 covers at least
one of the first signal line GL, the second signal line DL and the
thin-film transistor T of each of the pixel units 140. The second
portion 152 of the shielding layer 150 has a plurality of openings
152cD. Each of the openings 152cD corresponds to one pixel unit
140. The opening 152cD has a first opening edge 152cD-1, a second
opening edge 152cD-2, a third opening edge 152cD-3 and a fourth
opening edge 152cD-4. The first opening edge 152cD-1 and the second
opening edge 152cD-2 are opposite to each other. The third opening
edge 152cD-3 is connected between the first opening edge 152cD-1
and the second opening edge 152cD-2. The fourth opening edge
152cD-4 is opposite to the third opening edge 152cD-3, and is
connected between the first opening edge 152cD-1 and the second
opening edge 152cD-2.
[0069] Particularly, at least one of the first opening edge 152cD-1
and the second opening edge 152cD-2 includes a first portion P1 and
a second portion P2 having an extending direction different with
that of the first portion P1. Viewing from the direction
perpendicular to the first substrate 110, the third opening edge
152cD-3 and the fourth opening edge 152cD-4 may be parallel to the
first signal line GL. The first portion P1 of at least one of the
first opening edge 152cD-1 and the second opening edge 152cD-2 is
parallel to the second signal line DL. In detail, in the present
embodiment, the first opening edge 152cD-1 includes one first
portion P1 and two second portions P2, wherein the two second
portions P2 are located at two sides of the first portion P1. One
of the second portions P2 of the first opening edge 152cD-1 is
connected between the first portion P1 of the first opening edge
152cD-1 and the third opening edge 152cD-3. The other one of the
second portions P2 of the first opening edge 152cD-1 is connected
between the first portion P1 of the first opening edge 152cD-1 and
the fourth opening edge 152cD-4. The second opening edge 152cD-2
includes one first portion P1 and two second portions P2, wherein
the two second portions P2 are located at two sides of the first
portion P1. One of the second portions P2 of the second opening
edge 152cD-2 is connected between the first portion P1 of the
second opening edge 152cD-2 and the third opening edge 152cD-3. The
other one of the second portions P2 of the second opening edge
152cD-2 is connected between the first portion P1 of the second
opening edge 152cD-2 and the fourth opening edge 152cD-4.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 9, the second portion P2 connected between
the first portion P1 of the first opening edge 152cD-1 and the
third opening edge 152cD-3 and the second portion P2 connected
between the first portion P1 of the second opening edge 152cD-2 and
the third opening edge 152cD-3 incline towards the same direction
and are parallel to each other. The second portion P2 connected
between the first portion P1 of the first opening edge 152cD-1 and
the fourth opening edge 152cD-4 and the second portion P2 connected
between the first portion P1 of the second opening edge 152cD-2 and
the fourth opening edge 152cD-4 incline towards the same direction
and are parallel to each other. The second portion P2 connected
between the first portion P1 of the first opening edge 152cD-1 and
the third opening edge 152cD-3 and the second portion P2 connected
between the first portion P1 of the first opening edge 152cD-1 and
the fourth opening edge 152cD-4 may be parallel to each other. The
second portion P2 of the second opening edge 152cD-2 and the third
opening edge 152cD-3 are connected to each other so as to form a
protruding angle PA, and the second portion P2 of the first opening
edge 152cD-1 and the fourth opening edge 152cD-4 are connected to
each other so as to form the protruding angle PA, and the
protruding angle PA protrudes towards a direction away from a
center of the opening 152cD.
[0071] In the present embodiment, by forming the protruding angle
PA at a corner of the opening 152cD protruding towards the
direction away from the center of the opening 152cD, the aperture
ratio of the pixel unit 140 is increased. It should be noted that
in the embodiment of FIG. 9, the protruding angles PA are
respectively formed at an upper left corner and a lower right
corner of the opening 152cD, but the invention is not limited
thereto, and in other embodiments, the opening 152cD may have only
one protruding angle PA, or the opening 152cD may have more than
two protruding angles PA. In overall, the number and positions of
the protruding angles PA may be determined according to the layout
and positions of the pixel electrode 142, the common electrode 144,
the first signal line GL, the second signal line DL and the
thin-film transistor T in the pixel unit 140, so as to increase the
aperture ratio of the pixel unit 140.
[0072] In summary, in the display panel of the invention, the first
portion of the shielding layer is used to define the
non-rectangular display region. Particularly, the inner contour of
the first portion of the shielding layer is parallel to the first
signal line and the second signal line of the pixel unit, and the
inner contour of the first portion of the shielding layer
substantially presents a serrated edge with a tiny tooth pitch. In
this way, regardless of the shape of the non-rectangular display
region to be realized, by using the aforementioned design
principle, any free-form non-rectangular display region can be
easily and quickly designed, so as to realize the display panel
with the non-rectangular display region.
[0073] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the
invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the
invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the
invention cover modifications and variations of this invention
provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and
their equivalents.
* * * * *