Patent Application
20210407422
The present invention relates to a field of display technologies, especially relates to an external compensation gate driver on array (GOA) circuit and a display panel.
Active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) display devices display devices using current driving OLED devices to emit light to form screen images. Serving as a new generation of display technologies, the AMOLED has higher contrast, a faster response time and a wider angle of view, is therefore extensively applied in the field of smart phones, and is constantly developed and expanded to fields of smart televisions and wearable devices.
For driving manners, the AMOLED belongs to a current-driving device, is sensitive to electrical variation of a thin film transistor (TFT). A shift of a threshold voltage (Vth) of the TFT would influence uniformity and accuracy of screen image display. The AMOLED employs external compensation to mitigate the shift of the threshold voltage of the TFT. One way of external compensation is real time compensation, in other words, a blanking time of a scan signal is used to randomly switch on the scan signal G(n) of a row, the system starts to detect a threshold voltage of the drive transistor and further implements compensation.
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
Because of external real time compensation of the AMOLED threshold voltage shift, it is required to use a blanking time of the scan signal to randomly switch on the scan signal G(n) of one row, the system starts to detect a threshold voltage of the drive transistor to further implement compensation. Therefore, enabling the output waveform of the GOA circuit to simultaneously fulfill the waveform output of normal driving and the waveform output of blanking time random detection becomes an urgent issue for achievement of external real time compensation of the AMOLED threshold voltage shift to be solved.
The present invention embodiment provides an external compensation gate driver on array (GOA) circuit and a display panel that are able to make an output waveform of the GOA circuit simultaneously fulfill the waveform output of normal driving and the waveform output of blanking time random detection.
The present invention embodiment provides an external compensation gate driver on array (GOA) circuit, comprises a plurality of GOA units in cascade; wherein a nth GOA unit of the GOA units comprises: a scan signal output branch configured to receive a (n−p)th scan signal (G(n−p)), clock signal (CK) and a blank signal (BLANK) to output a first output waveform of a nth scan signal (G(n)) under control of the clock signal (CK) and to switch between a working status and a non-working status under control of the blank signal (BLANK), wherein the first output waveform is configured to drive a nth horizontal scan line, wherein, both the n and the p are natural numbers, and n>p; the scan signal output branch comprising a work mode switching module configured to control the scan signal output branch to enter the non-working status under control of a first potential of the blank signal (BLANK) and to control the scan signal output branch to enter the working status under control of a second potential of the blank signal (BLANK); and a random detection signal output branch configured to receive the (n−p)th scan signal (G(n−p)), a triggering signal (LSP), a first control signal (RM) and a second control signal (ST) to enter the working status and store a first potential of the (n−p)th scan signal (G(n−p)) under triggering of the triggering signal (LSP), to output a second output waveform of the nth scan signal (G(n)) under control of the first control signal (RM), and to enter the non-working status under control of the second control signal (ST), wherein the second output waveform is configured to randomly detect a threshold voltage shift of a drive transistor of the nth GOA unit; wherein the random detection signal output branch comprises: a triggering module, a first control module, and a second control module; and wherein the triggering module is electrically connected to a second node (M(n)), configured to receive the (n−p)th scan signal (G(n−p)) and the triggering signal (LSP), and is configured to store the first potential of the (n−p)th scan signal (G(n−p)) in the second node (M(n)); the first control module is electrically connected to a third node (P(n)), the third node (P(n)) is couple to the second node (M(n)) to obtain a potential stored by the second node (M(n)), the first control module is also configured to receive the first control signal (RM), and is configured to output the potential obtained by the third node (P(n)) to serve as the second output waveform; the second control module is electrically connected to the third node (P(n)), is configured to receive the second control signal (ST), and is configured to pull down a potential of the third node (P(n)).
The present invention embodiment also provides an external compensation gate driver on array (GOA) circuit, comprises a plurality of GOA units in cascade; wherein a nth GOA unit of the GOA units comprises: a scan signal output branch configured to receive a (n−p)th scan signal (G(n−p)), clock signal (CK) and a blank signal (BLANK) to output a first output waveform of a nth scan signal (G(n)) under control of the clock signal (CK) and to switch between a working status and a non-working status under control of the blank signal (BLANK), wherein the first output waveform is configured to drive a nth horizontal scan line, wherein, both the n and the p are natural numbers, and n>p; and a random detection signal output branch configured to receive the (n−p)th scan signal (G(n−p)), a triggering signal (LSP), a first control signal (RM) and a second control signal (ST) to enter the working status and store a first potential of the (n−p)th scan signal (G(n−p)) under triggering of the triggering signal (LSP), to output a second output waveform of the nth scan signal (G(n)) under control of the first control signal (RM), and to enter the non-working status under control of the second control signal (ST), wherein the second output waveform is configured to randomly detect a threshold voltage shift of a drive transistor of the nth GOA unit.
The present invention embodiment also provides a display panel comprising: an array substrate, comprising an external compensation gate driver on array (GOA) circuit, wherein the external compensation GOA circuit comprises a plurality of GOA units in cascade; wherein a nth GOA unit of the GOA units comprises: a scan signal output branch configured to receive a (n−p)th scan signal (G(n−p)), clock signal (CK) and a blank signal (BLANK) to output a first output waveform of a nth scan signal (G(n)) under control of the clock signal (CK) and to switch between a working status and a non-working status under control of the blank signal (BLANK), wherein the first output waveform is configured to drive a nth horizontal scan line, wherein, both the n and the p are natural numbers, and n>p; and a random detection signal output branch configured to receive the (n−p)th scan signal (G(n−p)), a triggering signal (LSP), a first control signal (RM) and a second control signal (ST) to enter the working status and store a first potential of the (n−p)th scan signal (G(n−p)) under triggering of the triggering signal (LSP), to output a second output waveform of the nth scan signal (G(n)) under control of the first control signal (RM), and to enter the non-working status under control of the second control signal (ST), wherein the second output waveform is configured to randomly detect a threshold voltage shift of a drive transistor of the nth GOA unit.
Advantages
The external compensation GOA circuit of the present invention, by adding the random detection signal output branch, is capable of outputting the first output waveform from the scan signal line for satisfying normal driving in a normal time, and is capable of outputting the second output waveform from the scan signal line in a blanking time for satisfying random detection such that randomly detecting a threshold voltage of the drive transistor by using the blanking time of the scan signal can be achieved to further achieve external real time compensation of the threshold voltage shift, enhance uniformity of screen image display, and improve a lifespan of the display panel.
To more clearly elaborate on the technical solutions of embodiments of the present invention or prior art, appended figures necessary for describing the embodiments of the present invention or prior art will be briefly introduced as follows. Apparently, the following appended figures are merely some embodiments of the present invention. A person of ordinary skill in the art may obtain other figures according to the appended figures without any creative effort.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in details. Examples of the embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same or similar reference characters refer to the same or similar elements or elements including the same or similar functions. The specification and claims of the present invention and terminologies “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. (if existing) in the above accompanying drawings are configured to distinguish similar objects and are not configured to describe a specific sequence or order thereof. It should be understood that such described objects can be exchanged with one another in an adequate condition. Furthermore, terminologies “include”, “have” and any variant thereof are intended to inclusive inclusion instead of exclusive inclusion. Directional terminologies mentioned by the present invention, for example “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “top”, “bottom”, etc., only refer to directions of the accompanying drawings.
In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless clear rules and limitations otherwise exist, terminologies “install”, “connect”, “connection” should be understood in a broad sense. For instance, the connection can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection or an integral connection. The connection can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection or a telecommunication. The connection can be a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermedium, can be an internal communication between two elements or an interaction between the two elements. For a person of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meaning of the above terminology in the present invention can be understood on a case-by-case basis.
The present invention provides a new external compensation GOA circuit, and adds a random detection signal output branch on a scan signal output branch. The scan signal output branch is configured to output a normal output waveform of a scan signal line (Gate) in a normal time. The random detection signal output branch is configured to output a random detection output waveform of the scan signal line (Gate) in a blanking time. The output waveform of the GOA circuit not only fulfills a waveform output of normal driving, but also fulfills a random detection waveform output of the blanking time such that a blanking time of a scan signal is used to randomly switch on the scan signal G(n) of a row, the system starts to detect a threshold voltage of the drive transistor and further implements compensation to further achieve external real time compensation if a threshold voltage shift, improve uniformity of screen image display, and increase the lifespan of the display panel.
With reference to
The scan signal output branch 21 is configured to receive a (n−p)th scan signal G(n−p), a clock signal CK, and a blank signal BLANK, to output a first output waveform of a nth scan signal G(n) under control of the clock signal CK, and to switch between a working status and a non-working status under control of the blank signal BLANK. The first output waveform is configured to drive a nth horizontal scan line. Both n, p are natural numbers, and n>p.
the random detection signal output branch 22 is configured to receive the (n−p)th scan signal G(n−p), a triggering signal LSP, a first control signal RM, and a second control signal ST, to enter the working status and store a first potential of the (n−p)th scan signal G(n−p) under triggering of the triggering signal LSP, to output a second output waveform of the nth scan signal G(n) under control of the first control signal RM, and to enter the non-working status under control the second control signal ST, the second output waveform is configured to randomly detect a threshold voltage shift of the drive transistor of the nth GOA unit.
By adding the random detection signal output branch, the external compensation GOA circuit can of the present invention, in a same frame of the scan signal, output the first output waveform of the scan signal line (a waveform fulfilling normal driving) in the normal time, output the second output waveform of the scan signal line (a waveform fulfilling random detection of the blanking time) in the blanking time such that a blanking time of a scan signal is used to randomly detect a threshold voltage of the drive transistor to further implement external real time compensation of a threshold voltage shift, improve uniformity of screen image display, and increase the lifespan of the display panel.
In a further embodiment, the scan signal output branch 21 comprises: a pull-up control module 211, a pull-up module 212, a pull-down module 213, a pull-down maintaining module 214, a bootstrap capacitor Cb, and a work mode switching module 215.
The pull-up control module 211 is electrically connected to a first node Q(n), is configured to receive the (n−p)th scan signal G(n−p), and is configured to pull down or pull up a potential of the first node Q(n).
the pull-up module 212 is electrically connected to the first node Q(n), is configured to receive the clock signal CK, is configured to output a first output waveform (a waveform fulfilling normal driving) of the nth scan signal G(n) according to the clock signal CK.
The bootstrap capacitor Cb is electrically connected between the first node Q(n) and an output end of the pull-up module 212. When the pull-up module 212 outputs the first output waveform of nth scan signal G(n), because of bootstrap effect of the bootstrap capacitor Cb, the potential of the first node Q(n) can be further pulled up.
The pull-down module 213 is electrically connected to the first node Q(n), is configured to receive first voltage signal and (n+p)th scan signal G(n+p), is configured to pull down the potential of the first node Q(n) and to pull down the potential of the nth scan signal G(n). Specifically, the first voltage signal is a direct current negative voltage signal VSS.
the pull-down maintaining module 214 is electrically connected to the first node Q(n), is configured to receive the first voltage signal, second voltage signal and the nth scan signal G(n), and is configured to maintain a low potential of the first node Q(n). A potential of the second voltage signal is higher than a potential of the first voltage signal. Specifically, the second voltage signal is a direct current positive voltage signal VDD, and the first voltage signal is a direct current negative voltage signal VSS.
the work mode switching module 215 is electrically connected to the pull-down maintaining module 214, is configured to receive the first voltage signal and the blank signal BLANK, is configured to control the pull-down maintaining module 214 to stark working under control of a first potential of the blank signal BLANK such that the scan signal output branch 21 enters the non-working status, and to control the pull-down maintaining module 214 to start working under control of a second potential of the blank signal BLANK such that the scan signal output branch 21 enters the working status. Specifically, the first potential of the blank signal BLANK is higher than the second potential thereof. For example, the first potential is a high potential, and the second potential is a low potential.
In a further embodiment, the random detection signal output branch 22 comprises: a triggering module 221, a first control module 222, and a second control module 223.
The triggering module 221 is electrically connected to a second node M(n), receives the (n−p)th scan signal G(n−p) and the triggering signal LSP, is configured to store the first potential of the (n−p)th scan signal G(n−p) in the second node M(n). Specifically, the first potential of the (n−p)th scan signal G(n−p) is a high potential.
The first control module 222 is electrically connected to a third node P(n). The third node P(n) is couple to the second node M(n) to obtain a potential stored by the second node M(n). The first control module 222 receives the first control signal RM, is configured to output the potential obtained by the third node P(n) to serve as the second output waveform (it satisfies the waveform randomly detected in the blanking time).
The second control module 223 is electrically connected to the third node P(n), receives the second control signal ST, and is configured to pull down a potential of the third node P(n).
In a further embodiment, the random detection signal output branch 22 further comprises: a third control module 224. the third control module 224 is electrically connected between the second node M(n) and the third node P(n), is configured to receive a third control signal RESET, and is configured to transit the potential stored by the second node M(n) to the third node P(n).
With reference to
With reference to
the pull-up module 212 comprises: a pull-up transistor T21. A gate electrode of the pull-up transistor T21 is electrically connected to the first node Q(n), a first electrode thereof is configured to receive a clock signal CK, a second electrode thereof is configured to output a nth scan signal G(n). In other words, the pull-up transistor T21 is configured to output a first output waveform of the nth scan signal G(n) (a waveform fulfilling normal driving) under control of potential and the clock signal CK of the first node Q(n).
The bootstrap capacitor Cb is electrically connected between the first node Q(n) and a second electrode of the pull-up transistor T21. When the pull-up transistor T21 switches on, the potential of the first node Q(n) can be further increased because of bootstrap effect of the bootstrap capacitor Cb.
The pull-down module 213 comprises: a first pull-down transistor T31 and a second pull-down transistor T41. A gate electrode of the first pull-down transistor T31 is configured to receive a (n+1)th scan signal G(n+1), a first electrode thereof is configured to pull down the potential of the nth scan signal G(n), and a second electrode thereof is configured to receive a first voltage signal VSS. A gate electrode of the second pull-down transistor T41 is configured to receive the (n+1)th scan signal G(n+1), a first electrode thereof is configured to pull down the potential of the first node Q(n), and a second electrode thereof is configured to receive the first voltage signal VSS.
The pull-down maintaining module 214 comprises: a first transistor T32, a second transistor T42, a third transistor T51, and a fourth transistor T52. A gate electrode of the first transistor T32 is electrically connected to a fourth node H(n), a first electrode thereof is electrically connected to the second electrode of the pull-up transistor T21, and a second electrode thereof is configured to receive the first voltage signal VSS. The first transistor T32 is configured to maintain a low potential of the nth scan signal G(n). A gate electrode of the second transistor T42 is electrically connected to the fourth node H(n), a first electrode thereof is electrically connected to the first node Q(n), a second electrode thereof is configured to receive the first voltage signal VSS. The second transistor T42 is configured to maintain a low potential of the first node Q(n). A gate electrode of the third transistor T51 is electrically connected to the first node Q(n), a first electrode thereof is electrically connected to the fourth node H(n), a second electrode thereof is configured to receive the first voltage signal VSS. A gate electrode of the fourth transistor T52 is shorted with a first electrode thereof, is configured to receive a second voltage signal VDD, a second electrode thereof is electrically connected to the fourth node H(n). Specifically, the second voltage signal is a direct current positive voltage signal, the first voltage signal VSS is a direct current negative voltage signal. A potential of the second voltage signal VDD is higher than a potential of the first voltage signal VSS.
The work mode switching module 215 comprises: a switch transistor T30. The switch transistor T30 is configured to switch on in response to the first potential of the blank signal BLANK to control the pull-down maintaining module 214 to stop working, and to switch off in response in response to the second potential of the blank signal BLANK to control the pull-down maintaining module 214 to start working. Specifically, a gate electrode of the switch transistor T30 is configured to receive the blank signal BLANK, a first electrode thereof is electrically connected to the fourth node H(n), and a second electrode thereof is configured to receive the first voltage signal VSS.
The triggering module 221 comprises: a triggering transistor T20. The triggering transistor T20 is configured to switch on in response to a triggering signal LSP to store a first potential of a (n−1)th scan signal G(n−1) in a second node M(n). Specifically, a gate electrode of the triggering transistor T20 is configured to receive the triggering signal LSP, a first electrode thereof is configured to receive the (n−1)th scan signal G(n−1), and a second electrode thereof is electrically connected to the second node M(n).
The first control module 222 comprises: a first control transistor T22 and a first capacitor C1. The first control transistor T22 is configured to switch on in response to the first control signal RM to output the potential obtained by the third node P(n). Specifically, a gate electrode of the first control transistor T22 is electrically connected to the third node P(n), a first electrode thereof is configured to receive the first control signal RM, a second electrode thereof is configured to output the potential obtained by the third node P(n) to serve as the second output waveform (a waveform fulfilling random detection of the blanking time). The first capacitor C1 is electrically connected between the third node (P(n) and an output end of the first control transistor T22 (a second electrode thereof). When the first control transistor T22 switches on, the first capacitor C1 can further pull up the potential of the third node (P(n).
The second control module 223 comprises: a second control transistor T23. The second control transistor T23 is configured to switch on in response to the second control signal ST to pull down the potential of the third node P(n). Specifically, the second control transistor T23 gate electrode is configured to receive the second control signal ST, a first electrode thereof
the third node P(n), a second electrode thereof is configured to
the first voltage signal VSS.
the third control module 224 comprises: a third control transistor T24 and a second capacitor C2. the third control transistor T24 is configured to switch on in response to the third control signal RESET to transit the potential stored by the second node M(n) to the third node P(n). Specifically, a gate electrode of the third control transistor T24 is configured to receive the third control signal RESET, a first electrode thereof is electrically connected to the second node M(n), and a second electrode thereof is electrically connected to the third node P(n). the second capacitor C2 is electrically connected between the second node M(n) and a second electrode of the third control transistor T24 (the third node P(n)). When the third control transistor T24 switches on, the second capacitor C2 can further pull up the potential of the second node M(n).
In the present embodiment, transistors employed by the external compensation GOA circuit arfe N-TYPE thin film transistors (NTFTs), a drain electrode of the NTFT is a first electrode of the transistor, and a source electrode of the NTFT is a transistor second electrode.
With reference to
A specific work principle of the random detection signal output branch 22 is as follows:
1) In the normal time A1, when the triggering signal LSP is in a high potential, the triggering transistor T20 switches on, a high potential of a (n−1)th scan signal G(n−1) is stored in the second node M(n).
2) In the blanking time A2, the blank signal BLANK variates to a high potential, the switch transistor T30 switches on such that the gate electrodes of the first transistor T32 and the second transistor T42 in the pull-down maintaining module 214 are under direct current negative voltage VSS and switch off. In the meantime, the scan signal output branch 21 enters the non-working status and would not affect operation of the random detection signal output branch 22.
3) When the third control signal RESET varies to a high potential, the third control transistor T24 switches on, a high potential of the second node M(n) is transited to the third node P(n). The third node P(n) is in a high potential such that the first control transistor T22 switches on. However, the first control signal RM is in a low potential, and nth scan signal G(n) outputs a low potential.
4) When the first control signal RM varies to a high potential, because coupling effect of the first capacitor C1, the potential of the third node P(n) potential further increases, and the nth scan signal G(n) outputs a high potential.
5) When the second control signal ST varies to a high potential, the second control transistor T23 switches on, the potential of the third node P(n) is pulled down to the direct current negative voltage VSS, and the first control transistor T22 switches off. In the meantime, the blank signal BLANK varies to a low potential, the switch transistor T30 switches off, the scan signal output branch 21 to continue to work normally, and the nth scan signal G(n) outputs a low potential.
Based on the same invention concept, the present invention also provides a display panel.
With reference to
The display panel 40 can be an OLED display panel or AMOLED display panel.
The display panel employing external compensation GOA circuit of the present invention, in the same frame of the scan signal, a first output waveform (a waveform fulfilling normal driving) of the scan signal line can be outputted in a normal time, and a second output waveform (a waveform fulfilling random detection in the blanking time) of the scan signal line can be outputted in a blanking time. Therefore, randomly detecting a threshold voltage of the drive transistor by using the blanking time of the scan signal can be achieved to further achieve external real time compensation of the threshold voltage shift, enhance uniformity of screen image display, and improve a lifespan of the display panel.
It can be understood that for a person of ordinary skill in the art, equivalent replacements or changes can be made according to the technical solution of the present invention and its inventive concept, and all these changes or replacements should belong to the scope of protection of the appended claims of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202010039999.6 | Jan 2020 | CN | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CN2020/076536 | 2/25/2020 | WO | 00 |
