Embodiments of the disclosed technology relate to an array substrate and a driving method thereof.
A liquid crystal displays (LCD) has excellent characteristics such as small volume, low power consumption, non-radiation, and the like, and has been dominating the current market of the flat panel display.
The main structure of a liquid crystal display is formed by bonding an array substrate and a color filter substrate and then injecting liquid crystal material therebetween. Specifically, as shown in
When the liquid crystal display is in operation, the gate lines are controlled by a gate driver 15 which comprises a plurality of gate driver ICs (Integrated Circuits); the data lines 12 are controlled by a source driver 16 which comprises a plurality of source driver ICs. In a line-sequence scanning mode, under the control of the gate driving signals generated by the gate driver ICs, the gate lines are turned on sequentially, and data voltages for the respective rows are transferred to the corresponding pixel electrodes 14 via the data lines 12 by the source driver ICs, so that the pixel electrodes 14 are charged to respective grey voltages for displaying corresponding grey scales and further display each frame of an image.
An embodiment of the disclosed technology provides an array substrate comprising: a base substrate; an array of pixel electrodes formed on the base substrate; a plurality of gate lines, each of which is formed corresponding to each row of pixel electrodes; a plurality of data lines, each of which is formed corresponding to each odd number column of pixel electrodes and the next adjacent even number column of pixel electrodes; a plurality of first switching devices, each of which is connected with each odd-number-column pixel electrode, and the data lines charging the corresponding odd-number-column pixel electrodes via the corresponding first switching devices under driving control in corresponding time sequence; a plurality of second switching devices, each of which is connected with each even-number-column pixel electrode, and the data lines charging the corresponding even-number-column pixel electrodes via the corresponding second switching devices under driving control in corresponding time sequence.
Another embodiment of the disclosed technology provides a driving method for the above array substrate, comprising: in a first sequence period, the data lines charging the odd-number-column pixel electrodes in the first row via the corresponding first switching devices under driving control; in a second sequence period, the data lines charging the even-number-column pixel electrodes in the first row via the corresponding second switching devices under driving control; in a third sequence period, the data lines charging the odd-number-column pixel electrodes in the second row via the corresponding first switching devices under driving control; in a fourth sequence period, the data lines charging the even-number-column pixel electrodes in the second row via the corresponding second switching device under driving control; the odd number pixel electrode and the even number pixel electrodes in the remaining rows being charged in a same way and sequentially, and a charging cycle being completed when the odd-number-column pixel electrodes and the even-number-column pixel electrodes in the last row are charged.
Still another embodiment of the disclosed technology provides a driving method for the above array substrate, comprising: in a first sequence period, the data lines charging the even-number-column pixel electrodes in the first row via the corresponding second switching devices under driving control; in a second sequence period, the data lines charging the odd-number-column pixel electrodes in the first row via the corresponding first switching devices under driving control; in a third sequence period, the data lines charging the even-number-column pixel electrodes in the second row via the corresponding second switching devices under driving control; in a fourth sequence period, the data lines charging the odd-number-column pixel electrodes in the second row via the corresponding first switching devices under driving control; the odd-number-column pixel electrodes and the even-number-column pixel electrodes in the remaining rows being charged in a same way and sequentially, and a charging cycle being completed when the odd-number-column pixel electrodes and the even-number-column pixel electrodes in the last row are charged.
Further scope of applicability of the disclosed technology will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the disclosed technology, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosed technology will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.
The disclosed technology will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the disclosed technology and wherein:
The disclosed technology now will be described more clearly and fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the embodiments of the disclosed technology are shown. Apparently, only some embodiments of the disclosed technology, but not all of embodiments, are set forth here, and the disclosed technology may be embodied in other forms. All of other embodiments made by those skilled in the art based on embodiments disclosed herein without mental work fall within the scope of the disclosed technology.
The inventors of the disclosed technology has found that, for the array substrate as shown in
For the purpose of convenient illustration, the pixel electrodes in the odd number columns among the pixel electrodes in the first row are called Dot1, and the pixel electrodes in the even number columns among the pixel electrodes in the first row are called Dot2; the pixel electrodes in the odd number columns among the pixel electrodes in the second row are called Dot3, and the pixel electrodes in the even number columns among the pixel electrodes in the second row are called Dot4; the pixel electrodes in the odd number columns among the pixel electrodes in the third row are called Dot5, and the pixel electrodes in the even number columns among the pixel electrodes in the third row are called Dot6; and the pixel electrodes in other rows are named similarly. One gate line is formed corresponding to each row of pixel electrodes. For example, one gate line G1 is formed corresponding to the pixel electrodes Dot1 and Dot2 in the first row, one gate line G2 is formed corresponding to the pixel electrodes Dot3 and Dot4 in the second row, one gate line G3 is formed corresponding to the pixel electrodes Dot5 and Dot6 in the third row, and one gate line G4 is formed corresponding to the pixel electrodes in the fourth row (not illustrated), and similarly, one gate line is formed for each row of the remaining pixel electrodes.
One data line is formed corresponding to each odd number column of pixel electrodes and the next adjacent even number column of pixel electrodes. For example, one data line Data 1 is formed corresponding to the first column of pixel electrodes and the adjacent second column of pixel electrodes; one data line Data2 is formed corresponding to the third column of pixel electrodes and the adjacent fourth column of pixel electrodes; one Data3 is formed corresponding to the fifth column of pixel electrodes and the adjacent sixth column of pixel electrodes, and similarly; and one data line is formed corresponding for each odd number column and the next adjacent even number column for the remaining pixel electrodes.
Each of pixel electrodes in each odd number column is connected with one first switching device. For example, the first switching device can be constituted of a first TFT A and a second TFT B which are connected with the pixel electrode Dot1 as shown in
Similarly, each of pixel electrodes in each even number column is connected with one second switching device. For example, the second switching device is constituted of a third TFT C which is connected with the pixel electrode Dot2 as shown in
In the array substrates according to the embodiments, only one data line is formed corresponding to each odd number column of pixel electrodes and the next adjacent even number column of pixel electrodes in the pixel electrode array on the array substrate, and the data line can charge the corresponding odd-number-column pixel electrodes and the corresponding even-number-column pixel electrodes via the first and second switching devices under the driving control in the corresponding time sequence; therefore, each odd number column of pixel electrodes and the next adjacent even number column of pixel electrodes are charged by only one data line, and the number of the data lines can be reduced in half while charging for each column of pixel electrodes can be ensured. Thus, the number of the source driver ICs in the source driving circuit board can be reduced effectively. Furthermore, the reduction in the wiring number on the source driving circuit board and the decrease of the element arrangement difficulty contribute to the decrease of the area of the circuit board, which makes the liquid crystal display thinner.
It should be noted that, as for the array substrates as mentioned above, each of the first switching devices and the second switching devices can be implemented in many ways, and the arrangement of the data lines can also be implemented in many ways. The technical solutions according to the disclosed technology will be described through some specifics embodiments hereinafter.
As shown in
Of the second TFT, the gate electrode is connected with the drain electrode of the first TFT, the source electrode is connected with the data line corresponding to the odd-number-column pixel electrode, and the drain is connected with the corresponding odd-number-column pixel electrode. For example, as for the odd-number-column pixel electrode Dot1 in the first row, the gate electrode of the second TFT B is connected with the drain electrode of the first TFT A, the source electrode is connected with the data line Data1, the drain electrode is connected with the odd-number-column pixel electrode Dot1.
Similarly, as for the odd-number-column pixel electrode Dot3 in the second row, the first switching device comprises a first TFT D and a second TFT E, wherein the first TFT D is connected in a similar manner as the first TFT A, and the second TFT E is connected in similar manner as the second TFT B. The first switching device for the odd-number-column pixel electrode Dot5 in the third row comprises a first TFT G and a second TFT H. Similarly, the first switching devices for the odd-number-column pixel electrodes in the other rows are similar to the first switching devices as mentioned above.
Each of the second switching device used in the embodiment comprises a third TFT (for example, the TFT C in the first row or the TFT F in the second row), wherein the gate electrode of it is connected with the gate line corresponding to the even-number-column pixel electrode, the source electrode of it is connected with the data line corresponding to the even-number-column pixel electrode, and the drain electrode of it is connected with the corresponding even-column-number pixel electrode. For example, as for the even-number-column Dot2 in the first row, the gate electrode of the third TFT C is connected with the gate line G1, the source electrode is connected with the data line Data 1, and the drain electrode is connected with the even-number-column pixel electrode Dot2.
Similarly, as for the even-number-column pixel electrode Dot4 in the second row, the second switching device comprises a third TFT F, wherein the third TFT F is connected in a similar manner as the third TFT C. The second switching device for the even-number-column pixel electrode Dot6 in the third row comprises a third TFT I. Similarly, the second switching devices for the even-number-column pixel electrodes in the other rows are similar to the second switching devices as mentioned above.
In addition, it can be seen from
Furthermore, each of the data lines in the embodiment can also be arranged at the right side of the corresponding odd number column of pixel electrodes and the next adjacent even number column of pixel electrodes (like the arrangement shown in
Specifically, the arrangement positions of the data lines may be selected according to the actual patterns on the array substrate and the patterning processes.
The driving method for the array substrate will be explained hereinafter by referring to the array substrate embodiment shown in
In the T1 stage, the gate drivers connected with gate lines render G1=1, G2=1, G3=0, and G4=0. When G2 is at the high level, the first TFTs A in the first row are turned on; also because G1 is at the high level, the second TFTs B in the first row are turned on. Then, as shown in
At this time, because G1 is at the high level, the third TFTs C in the first row are turned on, and the data lines Data1, Data2, Data3 . . . charge the even-number-column pixel electrodes Dot2 to the grey voltages required by the pixel electrodes Dot1 (shown in grid in
Similarly, at this time, because G2 is at the high level, the third TFTs F in the second row are turned on. The data lines Data 1, Data2, Data 3 . . . charge the even-number-column pixel electrodes Dot4 to the grey voltages required by the pixel electrodes Dot1 (shown in grid in
In the T2 stage, the gate drivers connected with gate lines render G1=1, G2=0, G3=0, and G4=0. When G1 is at the high level, the third TFT C in the first row is turned on, as shown in
In the T3 stage, the gate drivers connected with gate lines render G1=0, G2=1, G3=1, and G4=0. When G3 is at the high level, the first TFTs D in the second row are turned on; also because G2 is at the high level, the second TFTs E in the second row are thus turned on. Then, as shown in
Similarly to the T1 stage, at this time, because G2 is at the high level, the third TFTs F in the second row are turned on, and the data lines Data1, Data2, Data3 . . . charge the even-number-column pixel electrodes Dot4 (shown in grid in
At this time, because G1 is at the low level and G2 is at the high level, the first TFTs A in the first row are turned on, the second TFTs B in the first row are turned off, the voltages on the pixel electrodes Dot1 are continuously be kept. Because G1 is at the low level, the third TFTs C in the first row are turned off, and the voltages on the pixel electrodes Dot2 are kept.
In the T4 stage, the gate drivers connected with gate lines render G1=0, G2=1, G3=0, and G4=0. When G2 is at the high level, the third TFTs F in the second row are turned on, as shown in
In the T5 stage, the gate drivers connected with gate lines render G1=0, G2=0, G3=1, and G4=1. When G4 is at the high level, the first TFTs G in the third row are turned on. Because G3 is at the high level, the second TFTs H in the third row are turned on. Then, as shown in
Similarly to the T1 and T3 stages, at this time, because G3 is at the high level, the third TFTs I in the third row are turned on, and the data lines Data1, Data2, Data3 charge the even-number-column pixel electrodes Dot6 (shown in grid in
In addition, at this time, because both G1 and G2 are at the low level, the first TFTs A and the second TFTs B in the first row are turned off, and the voltages on the pixel electrodes Dot1 are kept. When G1 is at the low level, the third TFTs C in the first row are turned off, the voltages on the pixel electrodes Dot2 are kept. When G2 is at the low level and G3 is at the high level, the first TFTs D in the second row are turned on, the second TFTs E are turned off, and the voltages on the pixel electrodes Dot3 are kept. When G2 is at the low level, the third TFTs F in the second row are turned off, and the voltages on the pixel electrodes Dot4 are kept.
In the T6 stage, the gate drivers connected with gate lines render G1=0, G2=0, G3=1, and G4=0. When G3 is at the high level, the third TFTs I in the third row are turned on, as shown in
Thereafter, charging the odd-number-column pixel electrodes and the even-number-column pixel electrodes in the remaining rows are similar to those mentioned above. When all the pixel electrodes are charged in a cycle, the next cycle can be performed according to the above sequence.
It can be known from the above that, in the embodiment, only one data line is used for charging each odd number column of pixel electrodes and the next adjacent even number column of pixel electrodes; therefore, the number of the data lines used on the array substrate is reduced in half, and the number of the used source driver ICs is reduced and the cost of the liquid crystal display is reduced.
As shown in
Similarly, as for the odd-number-column pixel electrodes Dot3 in the second row, each of the first switching devices comprises a fourth TFT M, wherein the fourth TFT M is connected in a similar manner as the fourth TFT J. The odd-number-column pixel electrodes Dot 5 in the third row use the first switching devices each of which comprise a fourth TFT P. Similarly, the first switching devices used for the odd-number-column pixel electrodes in the remaining rows are the same as the first switching devices as mentioned above.
In this embodiment, each of the second switching devices used herein comprises a fifth TFT (for example, the TFT K in the first row or the TFT N in the second row) and a sixth TFT (for example, the TFT L in the first row or the TFT O in the second row). Of the fifth TFT, the gate electrode is connected with a gate line next to the gate line corresponding to the even-number-column pixel electrode, the source electrode is connected with the data line corresponding to the even-number-column pixel electrode, and the drain electrode is connected with the gate electrode of the sixth TFT. For example, as for the even-number-column pixel electrodes Dot2 in the first row, the gate electrode of the fifth TFT K is connected with the gate line G2, the source electrode is connected with the gate line G1, the drain electrode is connected with the gate electrode of the sixth TFT L. The gate electrode of the sixth TFT is connected with the drain electrode of the fifth TFT, the source electrode is connected with the data line corresponding to the even-number-column pixel electrode, and the drain electrode is connected with the even-number-column pixel electrode. For example, as for the even-number-column pixel electrodes Dot2 in the first row, the gate electrode of the sixth TFT L is connected with the drain electrode of the fifth TFT K, the source electrode is connected with the data line Data1, the drain electrode is connected with the corresponding even-number-column pixel electrode Dot2.
Similarly, as for the even-number-column pixel electrodes Dot4 in the second row, each of the second switching devices comprises the fifth TFT N and the sixth TFT O, wherein the fifth TFT N is connected in a similar manner as the fifth TFT K, and the sixth TFT O is connected in a similar manner as the sixth TFT L. Each of the second switching devices used for the even-number-column pixel electrodes Doth in the third row comprises the fifth TFT Q and the sixth TFT R. Similarly, the second switching devices used for the even-number-column pixel electrodes in the remaining rows are the same as those of the second switching devices as mentioned above.
It can be known from
Alternatively, in this embodiment, each of the data lines may also be arranged at the left side of the corresponding odd number column of pixel electrodes and the next adjacent even number column of pixel electrode. For example, the data line Data1 is arranged at the left side of the corresponding first column of pixel electrodes, and the data line Data2 is arranged at the left side of the corresponding third column of pixel electrodes, and the data line Data3 is arranged at the left side of the corresponding fifth column of pixel electrodes.
Alternatively, each of the data lines in the embodiment may also be arranged between the corresponding odd number column of pixel electrodes and the next adjacent even number column of pixel electrodes (the arrangement manner is the same as that shown in
The driving method for the array substrate will be explained hereinafter by referring to the array substrate embodiment shown in
In the T1 stage, the gate driver connected with each gate line render G1=1, G2=1, G3=0, and G4=0. When G2 is at the high level, the fifth TFTs K in the first row are turned on; because G1 is at the high level, the sixth TFT L in the first row are turned on. Then, as shown in
At this time, because G1 is at the high level, the fourth TFTs J in the first row are turned on, and the data lines Data1, Data2, Data3 . . . charge the odd-number-column pixel electrodes Dot1 to the grey voltages which are required by the pixel electrodes Dot2 (shown in grid in
Similarly, at this time, because G2 is at the high level, the fourth TFTs M in the second row are turned on. The data lines Data 1, Data2, Data 3 . . . charge the odd-number-column pixel electrodes Dot3 to the grey voltages required by the pixel electrodes Dot2 (shown in grid in
In the T2 stage, the gate drivers connected with gate lines render G1=1, G2=0, G3=0, and G4=0. When G1 is at the high level, the fourth TFTs J in the first row are turned on, as shown in
It can be known from the above charging process that, in the T3 stage, the data lines Data1, Data2, Data3 . . . charges the even-number-column pixel electrodes Dot4 in the second row; in the T4 stage, the data lines Data1, Data2, Data3 . . . charges the odd-number-column pixel electrodes Dot3 in the second row; in the T5 stage, the data lines Data1, Data2, Data3 . . . charges the even-number-column pixel electrodes Dot6 in the third row; and in the T6 stage, the data lines Data1, Data2, Data3 . . . charges the odd-number-column pixel electrodes Dot5 in the third row. As for the odd-number-column and even-number-column pixel electrodes in the remaining rows which are not illustrated in
It can be seen from the above that the embodiment is similar to the first embodiment with a difference in that: the odd-number-column pixel electrodes are charged firstly and then the even-number-column pixel electrodes are charged in the first embodiment, but the even-number-column pixel electrodes are charged firstly and then the odd-number-column pixel electrodes are charged in the present embodiment. In the embodiment, only one data line is used for charging each odd number column of pixel electrodes and the next adjacent even number column of pixel electrodes; therefore, the number of the data lines used on the array substrate is reduced in half, and the number of the used source driver ICs is reduced and the cost of the liquid crystal display is reduced.
Furthermore, the embodiment of the disclosed technology also provides a driving method for driving the above mentioned array substrates. The driving method comprises the following steps.
S1501, in a first sequence period, the data lines charge the odd-number-column pixel electrodes in the first row via the corresponding first switching devices under driving control;
S1502, in a second sequence period, the data lines charge the even-number-column pixel electrodes in the first row via the corresponding second switching devices under driving control;
S1503, in a third sequence period, the data lines charge the odd-number-column pixel electrodes in the second row via the corresponding first switching devices under driving control; and
S1504, in a fourth sequence period, the data lines charge the even-number-column pixel electrodes in the second row via the corresponding second switching device under driving control.
Then, the odd-number-column pixel electrodes and the even-number-column pixel electrodes in the remaining rows are charged similarly and sequentially, and the cycle is completed when the odd-number-column pixel electrodes and the even-number-column pixel electrodes in the last row are charged.
Wherein the first switching devices in the driving method are the same as the first switching devices in the first embodiment, and the second switching devices in the driving method are the same as the second switching devices in the first embodiment.
The embodiment of the disclosed technology also provides another driving method for the above array substrates. The driving method comprises the following steps.
S1601, in a first sequence period, the data lines charge the even-number-column pixel electrodes in the first row via the corresponding second switching devices under driving control;
S1602, in a second sequence period, the data lines charge the odd-number-column pixel electrodes in the first row via the corresponding first switching devices under driving control;
S1603, in a third sequence period, the data lines charge the even-number-column pixel electrodes in the second row via the corresponding second switching devices under driving control; and
S1604, in a fourth sequence period, the data lines charge the odd-number-column pixel electrodes in the second row via the corresponding first switching devices under driving control.
Then, the odd-number-column pixel electrodes and the even-number-column pixel electrodes in the remaining rows are charged similarly and sequentially, and the cycle is completed when the odd-number-column pixel electrodes and the even-number-column pixel electrodes in the last row are charged.
The first switching devices in the driving method are the same as the first switching devices in the second embodiment, and the second switching devices in the driving method are the same as the second switching devices in the second embodiment.
The above two driving methods are similar to each other with a difference in that: the odd-number-column pixel electrodes are charge firstly and then the even-number-column pixel electrodes are charged in the first driving method; however, the even-number-column pixel electrodes are charge firstly and then the odd-number-column pixel electrodes are charged in the second driving method. Because the same data line can be used to charge an odd number column pixel electrode (or even number column pixel electrode) first and then charge an even number column pixel electrode (or odd number column pixel electrode) in the two driving methods, only one data line is used for each odd number column of pixel electrodes and the next adjacent number column of pixel electrodes, and the one data line is used in time-sharing multiplexing manner. Therefore, the number of the used data lines is reduced and further the number of the used source driver ICs is reduced, which reduces the cost of the liquid crystal display.
It can be understood by those skilled in the art that the entire or a part of the method according to the above embodiments can be performed through hardware, software, firmware of a program. The program can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. When the above program is conducted, the steps in the above method embodiments can be performed. The above storage medium comprises various media which can storage program code, such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk or optical disk.
It should be noted that: the above embodiments only have a purpose of illustrating the disclosed technology, but not limiting it. Although the disclosed technology has been described with reference to the above embodiment, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or alternations can be made to the solution or the technical feature in the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed technology.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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201010502072.8 | Sep 2010 | CN | national |