The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention
The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity.
It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms, “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes” and/or “including”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The main and sub gate lines GL1 and GL2 extend in a first direction D1 and are spaced apart from each other. The main gate line GL1 receives a first gate signal during an earlier H/2 period within a 1H period where the pixels corresponding to one row are activated, and the sub gate line GL2 receives a second gate signal during a later H/2 period within the 1H period. The first gate signal is maintained at a gate-on voltage during the earlier H/2 period and at a gate-off voltage during the later H/2 period. On the contrary, the second gate signal is maintained at the gate-off voltage during the earlier H/2 period and at the gate-on voltage during the later H/2 period.
The data line DL extends in a second direction D2 substantially perpendicular to the first direction D1. The data line DL is formed on a different layer than the main and sub gate lines GL1 and GL2, so the data line DL1 is insulated from the main and sub gate lines GL1 and GL2. The data line DL receives a high pixel voltage during the earlier H/2 period and a low pixel voltage lower than the high pixel voltage during the later H/2 period.
The pixel electrode 250 includes a main pixel electrode 251 to which the high pixel voltage is applied during the earlier H/2 period and a sub pixel electrode 252 to which the low pixel voltage is applied during the later H/2 period.
The first thin film transistor T1 is connected to the main gate line GL1 and the data line DL. Particularly, the first thin film transistor T1 includes a first gate electrode connected to the main gate line GL1, a first source electrode connected to the data line DL, and a first drain electrode connected to the main pixel electrode 251 through a first contact hole C1. Thus, the first thin film transistor T1 applies the high pixel voltage to the main pixel electrode 251 during the earlier H/2 period in response to the first gate signal.
The second thin film transistor T2 is connected to the sub gate line GL2 and the data line DL. Particularly, the second thin film transistor T2 includes a second gate electrode connected to the sub gate line GL2, a second source electrode connected to the data line DL, and a second drain electrode connected to the sub pixel electrode 252 through a second contact hole C2. Thus, the second thin film transistor T2 applies a low pixel voltage to the sub pixel electrode 252 during the later H/2 period in response to the second gate signal.
The pixel electrode 250 has a W shape rotated of about 90 degrees in a counterclockwise direction with reference to the data line DL. Particularly, the pixel electrode 250 includes a first inclined portion A1, a second inclined portion A2, a third inclined portion A3, a fourth inclined portion A4, and a straightened portion A5. The first and second inclined portions A1 and A2 are inclined in a fourth direction D4 between the second direction D2 and a third direction D3 and opposite the first direction D1, and the third and fourth inclined portions A3 and A4 are inclined in a fifth direction D5 between the first and second directions D1 and D2. The first and fourth inclined portions A1 and A4 are connected to each other to form a V shape, and the second and third inclined portions A2 and A3 are connected to each other to form a V shape. The straightened portion A5 is positioned between the first and third inclined portions A1 and A3 and is substantially parallel to the data line DL.
The pixel electrode 250 includes a first bending portion B1 defined by the first and fourth inclined portions A1 and A4, a second bending portion B2 defined by the second and third inclined portions A2 and A3, and a third bending portion B3 defined by the first and third inclined portions A1 and A3. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first bending portion B1 is arranged corresponding to the main gate line GL1, and the second and third bending portions B2 and B3 are arranged between the main and sub gate lines GL1 and GL2. The straightened portion A5 corresponds to the third bending portion B3.
The pixel electrode 250 is provided with first, second, third, fourth, and fifth openings 253a, 253b, 253c, 253d, and 253e formed therethrough. The first opening 253a is formed along the first and fourth inclined portions A1 and A4 in the V shape, and the second opening 253b is formed along the second and third inclined portions A2 and A3 in the V shape. Also, the third opening 253c is formed corresponding to the straightened portion A5 to connect the first opening 253a to the second opening 253b. As an example of the present exemplary embodiment, the first, second, and third openings 253a, 253b, and 253c are placed at a central point between two longitudinal sides of the pixel electrode 250, which are substantially parallel to each other. Also, the fourth opening 253d is formed through the first bending portion B1 of the pixel electrode 250 and is substantially parallel to the main gate line GL1. The fifth opening 253e is formed through the second bending portion B2 of the pixel electrode 250 and is substantially parallel to the sub gate line GL2.
As shown in
As described above, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth openings 253a, 253b, 253c, 253d, and 253e are placed in regions that do not overlap the data line DL, to thereby prevent the data line DL from overlapping the third opening 253c and thereby causing light leakage between the data line DL and the third opening 253c. In the present exemplary embodiment, the distance between the data line DL and the third opening 253c may be in the range of about 0.1 micrometers to about 10 micrometers. For example, the distance may be about 3 micrometers.
Although not shown in the figures, the array substrate 200 is coupled with an opposite substrate (not shown). The opposite substrate includes a black matrix (BM) formed in a region E1 (hereinafter, referred to as BM region) between the pixel electrodes. Accordingly, although the liquid crystal molecules 300 in the region where the data line DL overlaps the BM region E1 are tilted abnormally, the black matrix of the opposite substrate may prevent light leakage through the overlapping region between the data line DL and the BM region E1. Thus, the data line DL may overlap the BM region E1.
However, when the black matrix is formed corresponding to the overlapping region between the data line DL and the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth openings 253a, 253b, 253c, 253d, and 253e, the aperture ratio of the array substrate 200 may be reduced. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth openings 253a, 253b, 253c, 253d, and 253e are placed in regions that do not overlap the data line DL, so that light leakage may be prevented.
Referring again to
The storage line SL extends in the first direction D1 and is placed between the main and sub gate lines GL1 and GL2. The storage electrode SE extends from the storage line SL in a rectangular shape. The storage line SL receives a common voltage and applies the common voltage to the storage electrode SE. The storage electrode SE faces the pixel electrode 250, and insulation layers, such as a gate insulation layer 220, a protection layer 230, and an organic insulation layer 240, are disposed between the storage electrode SE and the pixel electrode 250.
The storage electrode SE and the storage line SL are formed on the same layer as the main and sub gate lines GL1 and GL2, but are insulated from each other. In the present exemplary embodiment, the data line DL is insulated from the storage line SL while crossing the storage line SL. That is, when the data line DL and the storage electrode SE overlap each other, a parasitic capacitance between the data line DL and the storage electrode SE increases. Therefore, the data line DL crosses the storage line SL, which may reduce the parasitic capacitance.
Referring to
More specifically, the pixel electrode 250 includes a first inclined portion A1, a second inclined portion A2, a third inclined portion A3, a fourth inclined portion A4, and a straightened portion A5. The first and fourth inclined portions A1 and A4 are connected to each other in a V shape, and the second and third inclined portions A2 and A3 are connected to each other in the V shape. The straightened portion A5 is positioned between the first and third inclined portions A1 and A3 and is substantially parallel to the data line DL.
The pixel electrode 250 includes a first bending portion B1 defined by the first and fourth inclined portions A1 and A4, a second bending portion B2 defined by the second and third inclined portions A2 and A3, and a third bending portion B3 defined by the first and third inclined portions A1 and A3.
The pixel electrode 250 is provided with first, second, third, fourth, and fifth openings 253a, 253b, 253c, 253d, and 253e formed therethrough. The first opening 253a is formed along the first and fourth inclined portions A1 and A4 formed in the V shape, and the second opening 253b is formed along the second and third inclined portions A2 and A3 formed in the V shape. Also, the third opening 253c is formed corresponding to the straightened portion A5 to connect the first opening 253a to the second opening 253b. The fourth opening 253d is formed through the first bending portion B1 of the pixel electrode 250 and is substantially parallel to the main gate line GL1. The fifth opening 253e is formed through the second bending portion B2 of the pixel electrode 250 and is substantially parallel to the sub gate line GL2.
The first, second, third, fourth, and fifth openings 253a, 253b, 253c, 253d, and 253e are placed in regions that do not overlap the data line DL, and the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth openings 253a, 253b, 253c, 253d, and 253e do not intersect the data line DL, thereby preventing light leakage.
The straightened portion A5 is substantially parallel to the data line DL in the third bending portion B3. As an example of the present invention, outer sides of the straightened portion A5 and inner sides of the straightened portion A5, which define the third opening portion 253c, have a saw-tooth shape.
As shown in
As the above-described, since the outer and inner sides have the saw-tooth shape, the liquid crystal molecules 300 are tilted at about 45 degrees in the regions adjacent to the first inclined sides 250a and tilted at about 135 degrees in the regions adjacent to the second inclined sides 250b, which may prevent deterioration of brightness due to textures.
Referring to
The pixel electrode 250 includes a first bending portion B1 defined by the first and fourth inclined portions A1 and A4, a second bending portion B2 defined by the second and third inclined portions A2 and A3, and a third bending portion B3 defined by the first and third inclined portions A1 and A3.
The pixel electrode 250 is provided with first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth openings 253a, 253b, 253c, 253d, 253e, and 253f formed therethrough. The first opening 253a is formed along the first inclined portion A1, and the second opening 253b is formed along the second and third inclined portions A2 and A3 in the V shape. Also, the third opening 253c is formed corresponding to the straightened portion A5 to connect the first opening 253a to the second opening 253b. The fourth opening 253d is adjacent to and substantially parallel to the main gate line GL1. The fifth opening 253e is formed through the second bending portion B2 of the pixel electrode 250 and is substantially parallel to the sub gate line GL2. The sixth opening 253f is formed along the fourth inclined portion A4.
The third opening 253c is placed in a region that does not overlap the data line DL, and the first, fourth, and sixth openings 253a, 253d, and 253f are placed in regions that do not overlap the main gate line GL1. Also, the second opening 253b is placed in a region that does not overlap the sub gate line GL2. As described above, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth openings 253a, 253b, 253c, 253d, 253e, and 253f are placed in regions that do not overlap the data line DL, the main gate line GL1, and the sub gate line GL2, so that light leakage may be prevented.
Referring to
The opposite substrate 100 includes a substrate 110, a black matrix 120, a color filter layer 130, and a common electrode 140. The color filter layer 130 includes red, green, and blue color pixels that are in a one-to-one correspondence relationship with the pixels, and the color filter layer 130 is arranged on the substrate 110. The black matrix 120 is disposed between the red, green, and blue color pixels to prevent light leakage from between the pixels.
The common electrode 140 is formed uniformly on the black matrix 120 and the color filter layer 130. As an example of the present exemplary embodiment, the common electrode may be indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO). The common electrode 140 is provided with a plurality of seventh openings 141 through which the color filter layer 130 is partially exposed.
The first, second, third, and sixth openings 253a, 253b, 253c, and 253f are placed in regions corresponding to an intermediate region between two adjacent seventh openings 141. Thus, multi-domains where the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 300 are aligned in different directions are defined in one pixel region.
Especially, in case of the SPVA mode display panel 400 where the pixel electrode 250 arranged on the array substrate 203 is divided into the main and sub pixel electrodes 251 and 252, one pixel region may be divided into eight domains. Accordingly, a voltage may be applied to four domains corresponding to the main pixel electrode 251 in order to allow the four domains to have a first gamma characteristic, and another voltage may be applied to remaining four domains corresponding to the sub pixel electrode 252 in order to allow the remaining four domains to have a second gamma characteristic. That is, different voltages may be applied to the main and sub pixel electrodes 251 and 252, respectively, so that the brightness may be compensated separately for each domain. As a result, the SPVA mode display panel 400 may improve the side viewing angle and visibility thereof.
Although not shown in figures, in a patterned vertical alignment (PVA) mode display panel, the openings formed through the pixel electrode may be placed in regions that do not overlap the data line. Thus, light leakage of the PVA mode display panel may also be prevented.
According to the array substrate and the display panel having the array substrate, the openings formed through the pixel electrode are placed in regions that do not overlap the gate line or the data line. Consequently, light leakage in the overlapping regions between the openings and the gate line or between the openings and the data line may be prevented.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10-2006-0084805 | Sep 2006 | KR | national |