Display panel, display device, and driving method of display device

A display panel, a display device and a driving method of the display device, where the display panel includes a pixel structure that includes: in one of two adjacent rows of pixel units, a thin film transistor of a pixel unit in a row electrically connected to a pixel electrode of a pixel unit in the same row adjacently disposed at a first side of the pixel unit; and in the other one of the two adjacent rows of pixel units, a thin film transistor of a pixel unit electrically connected to a pixel electrode of the pixel unit, or electrically connected to a pixel electrode of a pixel unit in the same row adjacently disposed at a second side of the pixel unit; the first side of the thin film transistor being arranged opposite to the second side of the thin film transistor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Chinese Application No. 201410531216.0, filed Oct. 10, 2014, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to a field of display technologies, in particular, to a display panel, a display device, and a driving method of the display device.

BACKGROUND

With the development of display technologies, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) devices have been widely used, and the display effect of the LCD devices is improved continuously.

Generally in the LCD device, the polarity of a voltage difference applied to liquid crystal molecules must be inverted periodically, to prevent the liquid crystal material from being destroyed permanently due to the polarization of the liquid crystal material, and further avoid the residual image effect. The usual polarity inversion methods include a frame inversion method, a dot inversion method, a column inversion method, a row inversion method, a double-column inversion method, and a double-dot inversion method. Among the above inversion methods, the frame inversion method is advantageous for the minimum power consumption but is susceptible to a flicker phenomenon; the dot inversion method is disadvantageous for the maximum power consumption but has the best display effect; and the column inversion method, the row inversion method, the double-column inversion method, and the double-dot inversion method cause power consumption between the power consumption of the dot inversion method and the power consumption of the frame inversion method.

Based on the characteristics of the above inversion methods, column inversion or row inversion is generally used to implement the dot inversion method in the related art, in order to reduce the power consumption caused by the polarity inversion.FIG. 1is a schematic structure diagram of a pixel structure in the related art. As shown inFIG. 1, the pixel structure, in which the dot inversion is implemented by the column inversion, includes a plurality of data lines11, a plurality of scan lines12, a plurality of pixel units13formed by intersecting the plurality of data lines11with the plurality of scan lines12, and a thin film transistor14and a pixel electrode15located in each of the pixel units13. A gate electrode of each thin film transistor14is electrically connected to the scan line12below the thin film transistor14, and a drain electrode of each thin film transistors14is electrically connected to the pixel electrode15of the pixel unit13including thin film transistor14. For any two adjacent rows of the pixel units13, the source electrodes of the thin film transistors14from one of the two adjacent rows of the pixel units13are electrically connected to the data lines11on the left thereof, and the source electrodes of the thin film transistors14from the other one of the two adjacent rows of the pixel units13are electrically connected to the data lines11on the right thereof, that is, the thin film transistors14from the odd rows of pixel units13and the thin film transistors14from the even rows of pixel units13are connected to the data lines11on different sides, respectively.

However, for the above described pixel structure, if the source electrode and drain electrode of a thin film transistor14are not precisely aligned relative to the gate electrode of the thin film transistor14during manufacturing the thin film transistor14, for example, the source electrode and drain electrode deflect to the left or right relative to the desired positions, then an overlapped area between the drain electrode and the gate electrode of a thin film transistor14from the odd row is unequal to an overlapped area between the drain electrode and the gate electrode of a thin film transistor14from the even row, so that the capacitance formed by the drain electrode and the gate electrode of the thin film transistor14from the odd row is unequal to the capacitance formed by the drain electrode and the gate electrode of the thin film transistor14from the even row, as a result, when scan signals applied by the scan lines11are pulled down, voltages of the pixel electrodes15from the odd row are pulled down to a different degree as compared with voltages of the pixel electrodes15from the even row, and accordingly, the common electrode compensating voltage required for the pixel electrode15from the odd row is different from that required for the pixel electrode15from the even row. Because the common electrode is planar, i.e., the common electrode located above different pixel electrodes15is applied with the same common voltage, the common electrode cannot completely compensate for the voltages of the pixel electrodes15from the odd rows or from the even rows, thereby generating transverse striations and the flicker in the pixel structure.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display panel, a display device and a driving method of the display device, in order to avoid the transverse striations and the flicker in the pixel structure generated due to the imprecise position alignment of the thin film transistor in the pixel structure where the dot inversion is achieved by the column inversion in the related art.

In a first aspect, embodiments of the disclosure provide a display panel, and the display panel includes a pixel structure, the pixel structure including:a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines; anda plurality of pixel units formed by intersecting the plurality of data lines with the plurality of scan lines, where a pixel unit corresponds to one of the plurality of data lines and one of the plurality of scan lines;and each of the pixel units comprises a pixel electrode and a thin film transistor therein;where in one of two adjacent rows of pixel units, the thin film transistor of a pixel unit in a row is electrically connected to a pixel electrode of a pixel unit in the same row adjacently disposed at a first side of the pixel unit comprising the thin film transistor; and in the other one of the two adjacent rows of pixel units, a thin film transistor of a pixel unit in a row is electrically connected to a pixel electrode of the pixel unit, or the thin film transistor of the pixel unit in the row is electrically connected to a pixel electrode of a pixel unit in the same row adjacently disposed at a second side of the pixel unit comprising the thin film transistor;and the first side of the thin film transistor is arranged opposite to the second side of the thin film transistor.

In a second aspect, embodiments of the disclosure provide an array substrate including the pixel structure of the first example mentioned above.

In a third aspect, embodiments of the disclosure provide a display device including the display panel of the first example mentioned above.

In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the disclosure provide a driving method of the display device, the driving method is carried out by the display device of the fourth example, including:pixel units controlled by each scan line are sequentially turned on by the corresponding scan lines, wherein the pixel unit comprises a pixel electrode and a thin film transistor, and in one of two adjacent rows of pixel units, a thin film transistor of a pixel unit in a row is electrically connected to a pixel electrode of a pixel unit in the same row adjacently disposed at a first side of the pixel unit comprising the thin film transistor, and in the other one of the two adjacent rows of pixel units, a thin film transistor of a pixel unit in a row is electrically connected to a pixel electrode of the pixel unit, or a thin film transistor of a pixel unit in a row is electrically connected to a pixel electrode of a pixel unit in the same row adjacently disposed at a second side of the pixel unit comprising the thin film transistor; and the first side of the thin film transistor is arranged opposite to the second side of the thin film transistor;applying first data signals to the turned-on pixel units by odd groups of data lines, applying second data signals to the turned-on pixel units by even groups of data lines, wherein the polarity of the second data signal is inverse to the polarity of the first data signal; and each group of data lines comprises at least one data line.

According to the pixel structure, array substrate, display panel, display device, and driving method of the display, in at least some embodiments of the disclosure, in one of two adjacent rows of pixel units, the thin film transistor of each pixel unit is electrically connected to the pixel electrode of a pixel unit adjacently located at a first side of the thin film transistor; and in the other one of the two adjacent rows of pixel units, the thin film transistor of each pixel unit is electrically connected to the pixel electrode of the pixel unit, or the thin film transistor of each pixel unit in a column is electrically connected to the pixel electrode of a pixel unit adjacently located at a second side of the thin film transistor, thus the pixel structure can achieve a dot inversion by a column inversion or can achieve two dot inversion by double-column inversion, thereby ensuring the small power consumption of the polarity inversion. Also, even if the source electrode and drain electrode are not precisely aligned with the gate electrode during the manufacturing of the thin film transistor, the lowered degree of the voltage of the pixel electrodes of the odd rows are the same as that of the pixel electrodes of the even rows when the scan signals applied by the scan lines are lowered, accordingly, the compensate voltage of the common electrode required by the pixel electrodes of the odd rows is equal to that required by the pixel electrodes of the even rows, namely the common electrode can completely compensate the voltage of the pixel electrodes of the odd rows and the even rows, so that the stripes or flicker generated because the common electrode cannot completely compensate the voltage of the pixel electrode of the odd rows and the even rows can be avoided, and thus improving the display effect of the pixel structure.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will be further illustrated in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It may be understood that specific embodiments described herein are merely for explaining the disclosure rather than limiting the disclosure. Additionally, it is noted that merely partial contents associated with the disclosure rather than all contents are illustrated in the accompanying drawings for ease of description.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a pixel structure.FIG. 2Ais a schematic diagram of the structure of a pixel structure, according to embodiments of the disclosure. As shown inFIG. 2A, the pixel structure includes a plurality of data lines21, a plurality of scan lines22, and a plurality of pixel units23formed by intersecting the plurality of data lines21with the plurality of scan lines22, where a pixel unit23corresponds to one of the plurality of data lines21and one of the plurality of scan lines21; each of the pixel units23includes a pixel electrode25and a thin film transistor24therein; wherein in one of two adjacent rows of pixel units23, such as an odd row of pixel units23inFIG. 2A, a thin film transistor24of a pixel unit23in a row is electrically connected to a pixel electrode25of a pixel unit in the same row adjacently disposed at a first side (such as the right side inFIG. 2A) of the pixel unit comprising the thin film transistor24; and in the other one of the two adjacent rows of pixel units23, such as an even row inFIG. 2A, a thin film transistor24of a pixel unit23in a row is electrically connected to a pixel electrode25of the pixel unit23.

It should be noted that the display of the pixel unit is implemented by the pixel electrode of the pixel unit and the thin film transistor electrically connected to and configured for controlling the pixel electrode. The thin film transistor controls the pixel electrode, and hence controls the pixel unit including the pixel electrode. The scan line electrically connected to the gate electrode of the thin film transistor can turn on or turn off the thin film transistor. The scan line electrically connected to the source electrode of the thin film transistor can provide a data signal for the pixel electrode electrically connected to the thin film transistor when the thin film transistor is turned on. Based on this, each of such pixel units23corresponds to one of the data lines21and one of the scan lines22. The data line21corresponding to the pixel unit23is the one electrically connected to the thin film transistor24for controlling the pixel unit23; and the scan line22corresponding to the pixel unit23is the one electrically connected to the thin film transistor24for controlling the pixel unit23.

If the polarity disclosure in the above pixel structure is implemented by column inversion, as shown inFIG. 2B, polarities of the data signals applied to the pixel units23controlled by any two adjacent scan lines22(corresponding to two adjacent columns of pixel units) are inverse to each other. The polarity of the data signal is determined by a voltage difference between the voltage of the data signal and the common voltage. If the voltage difference is greater than 0, the polarity of the data signal is positive and indicated by “+” inFIG. 2B; and if the voltage difference is less than 0, the polarity of the data signal is negative and indicated by “−” inFIG. 2B. InFIG. 2B, in one of two adjacent rows of pixel units, such as an odd row of pixel units inFIG. 2B, a thin film transistor24of each pixel unit23in a column is electrically connected to a pixel electrode25of a pixel unit23adjacently disposed at a first side (such as right side inFIG. 2B) of the thin film transistor24, and in other one of the two adjacent rows of pixel units23, such as an even row of pixel units inFIG. 2B, a thin film transistor24of each pixel unit23is electrically connected to a pixel electrode25of the pixel unit23. Therefore, in a column of pixel units23, the data line21at a first side of a pixel unit23from each even row of pixel units provides a data signal for the pixel unit23, and the data line21at a second side of a pixel unit23from each odd row of pixel units23provides a data signal for the pixel unit23. That is, in a column of pixel units23, the polarity of the data signal obtained by a pixel unit23from the odd row of pixel units is inverse to the polarity of the data signal obtained by a pixel unit23from the even row of pixel units, and in a row of pixel units, the polarity of the data signal obtained by a pixel unit23from one of two adjacent columns of pixel units is inverse to the polarity of the data signal obtained by a pixel unit23from the other one of two adjacent columns of pixel units. As described above, the pixel structure shown inFIG. 2Amay achieve a dot inversion by a column inversion, thereby enabling the small power consumption of the polarity inversion similarly to the related art. It should be noted that in the above-mentioned polarity inversion, two frames of images may be used as a polarity inversion driving period, and alternatively, four frames of images or more even-numbered frames of images may also be used as a polarity inversion driving period. Preferably, two frames of images are used as a polarity inversion driving period.

Additionally, since each of the thin film transistors24is electrically connected to the data lines located in the same side of the thin film transistors24(for example, the left side shown inFIG. 2A), even if the source electrode and drain electrode of the thin film transistor24are not precisely positioned relative to the gate electrode during manufacturing the thin film transistor24, the overlapped area between the drain electrode and the gate electrode of the thin film transistor24from the odd rows of thin film transistors24is equal to the overlapped area between the drain electrode and the gate electrode of the thin film transistor24from the even rows of thin film transistors24, so that the capacitance formed by the drain electrode and the gate electrode of the thin film transistors24from the odd rows of thin film transistors24is equal to the capacitance formed by the drain electrode and the gate electrode of the thin film transistor24from the even rows of the thin film transistors24. In such cases, when the scanning signals applied by the scan lines22are pulled down, the voltages of the pixel electrodes25from the odd rows of pixel units are pulled down to the same degree as the voltages of the pixel electrodes25from the even rows of pixel units, and accordingly, the common electrode compensating voltage required for the pixel electrode25from the odd rows is equal to that required for the pixel electrode25from the even rows. Since the voltages of the pixel electrodes25from both the odd rows and the even rows can be completely compensated by a common electrode when compared with the related art, transverse striations and the flicker generated due to incomplete compensation by the common electrode for the voltages of the pixel electrodes25from the odd rows and from the even rows can be avoided, and thus improving the display effect of the pixel structure.

InFIG. 2A, in an odd row of pixel units, a thin film transistor24of a pixel unit23in a row is electrically connected to a pixel electrode25of a pixel unit23in the same row adjacently located at the right side of the pixel unit23comprising the thin film transistor24; and in an even row of pixel units, a thin film transistor24of a pixel unit23in a row is electrically connected to a pixel electrode25of the pixel unit. Additionally, in the pixel structure as shown inFIG. 2C, it is also possible that in an odd row of pixel units, a thin film transistor24of each pixel unit23in a column is electrically connected to a pixel electrode25of a pixel unit adjacently located at a left side of the thin film transistor24; and in an even row of pixel units, a thin film transistor24of each pixel unit23is electrically connected to a pixel electrode25of the pixel unit, so that the pixel structure may achieve a dot inversion by a column inversion, specifically as shown inFIG. 2B, which is not described in detail herein.

In addition to the pixel structures shown inFIGS. 2A and 2C, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to inFIG. 3A, it is also possible in the pixel structure that in an even row of pixel units, a thin film transistor24of each pixel unit23in a column is electrically connected to a pixel electrode of a pixel unit adjacently located at a right side of the thin film transistor24, and in an odd row of pixel units, a thin film transistor24of each pixel unit23is electrically connected to a pixel electrode25of the pixel unit23; or alternatively referring toFIG. 3B, it is also possible in the pixel structure that in an even row of pixel units, a thin film transistor24of each pixel unit23in a column is electrically connected to a pixel electrode25of a pixel unit adjacently located at a left side of the thin film transistor24, and in an odd row of pixel units, a thin film transistor24of each pixel unit23is electrically connected to a pixel electrode25of the pixel unit23. It should be noted that the pixel structures inFIGS. 3A and 3Bmay likewise achieve a dot inversion by a column inversion, specifically as shown inFIG. 2B, which is not described in detail herein.

According to embodiments of the disclosure, in the pixel structure in which a dot inversion is achieved by a column inversion, the transverse striations and the flicker generated due to incorrect positions of the source electrode and drain electrode relative to the gate electrode during manufacturing the thin film transistor can be avoided while ensuring the relatively small power consumption of the polarity inversion. Additionally, the similar effect can be obtained on the pixel structure in which two-dots inversion are achieved by two-columns inversion, and related embodiments will be described as below.

Referring toFIG. 4A, in an odd row of pixel units, a thin film transistor24of each pixel unit23in a column is electrically connected to a pixel electrode of a pixel unit adjacently located at a first side (i.e. the right side inFIG. 4A) of the thin film transistor24; and in an even row of pixel units, a thin film transistor of each pixel unit23in a column is electrically connected to a pixel electrode of a pixel unit adjacently located at a second side (i.e. the left side inFIG. 4A) of the thin film transistor24, where an adjacent column at the first side of the thin film transistor24is arranged opposite to an adjacent column at the second side of the thin film transistor24.

If the polarity inversion is achieved by two-column inversion in the pixel structure inFIG. 4A, two adjacent data lines are defined as a group of data lines for providing data signals with the same polarities, and two adjacent groups of data lines provides data signals with inverse polarities, as shown inFIG. 4B. InFIG. 4B, in an odd row of pixel units, a thin film transistor24of each pixel unit23in a column is electrically connected to a pixel electrode25of a pixel unit adjacently located at a first side (i.e. the right side inFIG. 4B) of the thin film transistor24, and in an even row of pixel units, a thin film transistor24of each pixel unit23in a column is electrically connected to a pixel electrode25of a pixel unit adjacently located at a second side (i.e. the left side inFIG. 4B) of the thin film transistor24, in this case, with respect to three data lines which respectively provide data signals with polarities of “+”, “−” and “−” among seven data lines sequentially arranged from left side to right side as shown inFIG. 4B(in which the omitted data lines are not considered), in each of two columns of pixel units among such three data lines, the data line21disposed adjacently at the left side of a pixel unit23from an odd row of pixel units provides a data signal with polarity of “+” to the pixel unit23, and the data line23disposed adjacently at the right side of a pixel unit23from an even row of pixel units provides a data signal with polarity of “−” to the pixel unit23; that is, in the above two adjacent columns of pixel units, the polarity of the data signal obtained by a pixel unit23from each odd row of pixel units is inverse to that of the data signal obtained by a pixel unit23from each even row of pixel units. Likewise, with respect to three data lines which respectively provide data signals with polarities of “−”, “+” and “+” among seven data lines sequentially arranged from left side to right side as shown inFIG. 4B, in each of two columns of pixel units among such three data lines, a data signal with polarity of “−” is provided to the pixel unit23in each of odd rows of pixel units, and a data signal with polarity of “+” is provided to the pixel unit23in each of even rows of pixel units. As described above, the pixel structure inFIG. 4Acan achieve two dot inversion by double-column inversion, thereby enabling the small power consumption of the polarity inversion similarly to the related art. It should be noted that in the above-mentioned polarity inversion, two frames of images may be used as a polarity inversion driving period, and alternatively, four frames of images or more even-numbered frames of images may also be used as a polarity inversion driving period. Preferably, two frames of images are used as a polarity inversion driving period.

Additionally, since each of the thin film transistors24is electrically connected to the data lines located in the same side of the thin film transistors24(for example, the left side shown inFIG. 4A), even if the source electrode and drain electrode of the thin film transistor24are not precisely positioned relative to the gate electrode during manufacturing the thin film transistor24, the overlapped area between the drain electrode and the gate electrode of the thin film transistor24from the odd rows of thin film transistors24is equal to the overlapped area between the drain electrode and the gate electrode of the thin film transistor24from the even rows of thin film transistors24, so that the capacitance formed by the drain electrode and the gate electrode of the thin film transistors24from the odd rows of thin film transistors24is equal to the capacitance formed by the drain electrode and the gate electrode of the thin film transistor24from the even rows of the thin film transistors24. In such cases, when the scanning signals applied by the scan lines22are pulled down, the voltages of the pixel electrodes25from the odd rows of pixel units are pulled down to the same degree as the voltages of the pixel electrodes25from the even rows of pixel units, and accordingly, the common electrode compensating voltage required for the pixel electrode25from the odd rows is equal to that required for the pixel electrode25from the even rows. Since the voltages of the pixel electrodes25from both the odd rows and the even rows can be completely compensated by a common electrode when compared with the related art, transverse striations and the flicker generated due to incomplete compensation by the common electrode for the voltages of the pixel electrodes25from the odd rows and from the even rows can be avoided, and thus improving the display effect of the pixel structure.

FIG. 4Ashows just a specific example for the pixel structure in which two-dot inversion is achieved by two-column inversion. In another example, as shown inFIG. 4C, it is possible in the pixel structure that in an even row of pixel units, a thin film transistor24of each pixel unit23in a column is electrically connected to a pixel electrode of a pixel unit adjacently located at a right side of the thin film transistor24; and in an odd row of pixel units, a thin film transistor24of each pixel unit23in a column is electrically connected to a pixel electrode of a pixel unit adjacently located at a left side of the thin film transistor24.

In embodiments of the disclosure, the source electrode of the thin film transistor is electrically connected to the data line corresponding to the pixel unit including the pixel electrode electrically connected to the thin film transistor; and a gate electrode of the thin film transistor is electrically connected to the scan line corresponding to the pixel unit including the pixel electrode electrically connected to the thin film transistor. For example, as shown inFIG. 2A, the gate electrode of each of the thin film transistors24is electrically connected to the scan line22adjacently located below the thin film transistor24, that is, the scan line22corresponding to the pixel unit23is adjacently located below the pixel unit23; the source electrode of the thin film transistor24is electrically connected to the data line21adjacently located at the left side of the pixel unit23including the thin film transistor24. In an odd row of pixel units, the data line21corresponds to a pixel unit23adjacently located at the right side of the thin film transistor24electrically connected to said data line21, and is configured to provide a data signal to the pixel unit23; in an even row of pixel units, the data line21corresponds to a pixel unit23including the thin film transistor24electrically connected to said data line21, and is configured to provide a data signal to the pixel unit23. The description for the connection ways between the thin film transistors24and the data lines21and between the thin film transistors24and the scan lines22inFIGS. 2C, 3A,3B,4A and4C, can be referred to the above-mentioned related description forFIG. 2A, and will not be described repeatedly herein.

In the above embodiments, it merely shows that each of the thin film transistors24is electrically connected to the data line21adjacently located at the left side of the thin film transistor24. However, it is also possible that each of the thin film transistors24is electrically connected to the data line21adjacently located at the right side of the thin film transistor24, which is not limited thereto.

In the above embodiments, the pixel units23in the pixel structure are arranged as a matrix. Alternatively, the pixel units23may also be arranged in a staggered way. The description for the case that a dot inversion is achieved by a column inversion or two-dot inversion is achieved by two-column inversion in the pixel structure formed by the pixel unit23arranged in a staggered way can be referred toFIGS. 2A to 2C, 3A, 3B and 4A to 4Cand the related description thereof, which will not be described repeatedly herein.

Further, referring toFIGS. 2A, 3A, 4A and 4C, in the same row, the pixel electrode25, which is electrically connected to the thin film transistor24of a pixel unit23adjacently located at the left side of the pixel electrode25, partially overlaps with the data line21adjacently located at the left side of the pixel electrode25; or referring toFIGS. 2C, 3B, 4A and 4C, in the same row, the pixel electrode25, which is electrically connected to the thin film transistor24of a pixel unit23adjacently located at the right side of the pixel electrode25, partially intersects with the data line21adjacently located at the right side of the pixel electrode25.

Based on the pixel structure described above, in some embodiments, a pixel structure includes a common electrode26as shown inFIG. 5A. The common electrode26is located between the pixel electrode25and a film layer where the source electrode242and the drain electrode243of the thin film transistor24electrically connected to the pixel electrode25are located, and the common electrode26is electrically insulated from the pixel electrode25and the film layer by a second insulating layer272. Additionally as shown inFIG. 5A, the gate electrode241is covered by a first insulating layer271; an active layer244is located on the first insulating layer271; the source electrode242and drain electrode243are arranged on two lateral sides of the active layer244and are both electrically connected to the active layer244; the source electrode242, the drain electrode243, and the active layer244are insulated from the gate electrode241via the first insulating layer271, the drain electrode243is electrically connected to the pixel electrode25, and the common electrode26is insulated from the pixel electrode25via a third insulating layer273.

In the same row of pixel units23, the pixel electrode25, which is electrically connected to the thin film transistor24of a pixel unit adjacently disposed at the first side of the pixel electrode25, partly overlaps the data line adjacently located at the first side of the pixel electrode25; or in the same row of pixel units23, the pixel electrode25, which is electrically connected to the thin film transistor24of a pixel unit adjacently disposed at the second side of the pixel electrode25, partly overlaps the data line21adjacently located at the second side of the pixel electrode25. The electric signal affection will be generated at the overlapped area during working. Therefore, the common electrode26is arranged between the source electrode242and drain electrode243of the thin film transistor24such that the common electrode26has a function on shielding the electric signal at the overlapped area.

In embodiments of the pixel structure described above, the pixel electrode25has a structure including slits, while the common electrode employs a whole planar structure. However, in other embodiments of the pixel structure, the common electrode may also employ a structure including slits, while the pixel electrode employs the whole planar structure within the pixel unit. In this case, referring toFIG. 5B, the common electrode26may be arranged on the pixel electrode25and insulated from the pixel electrode25via the third insulating layer273.

It should be noted that, a specific example of the arrangement of the gate electrode241as shown inFIGS. 5A and 5Bis exemplary, where the gate electrode241of the thin film transistor24is arranged below the source electrode242and drain electrode243. However, in other examples, the gate electrode241may alternatively be arranged above the source electrode242and drain electrode243, the arrangement manner of which is not limited herein.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide an array substrate.FIG. 6is a schematic diagram of the structure of the array substrate according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 6, the array substrate includes a glass substrate31and a pixel structure32which may be the pixel structure according to the above embodiments.

Embodiment of the disclosure provide a display panel.FIG. 7is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display panel according to embodiments of the disclosure. Referring toFIG. 7, the display panel includes an array substrate41, a color filter substrate42disposed opposite to the array substrate41, and a liquid crystal layer43located between the array substrate41and the color filter substrate42. The liquid crystal layer43is formed of liquid crystal molecules431. The array substrate41may be the array substrate according to the above embodiments.

It should be noted that the above display panel may have or not have a touch sensing function, depending on requirements in manufacturing. The touch sensing function may be an electromagnetic touch sensing function, a capacitive touch sensing function or an electromagnetism and capacitance integrated touch sensing function.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a display device50.FIG. 8is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display device50. Referring toFIG. 8, the display device50includes a display panel51, and further includes a driving circuit and other devices for supporting a normal operation of the display device50. The display panel51is the display panel according to the above embodiments. The display device50may be one of a cellphone, a laptop computer, a notebook, a tablet computer and an electronic paper.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a driving method of the display device, which is implemented by the display device according to the above embodiments.FIG. 9is a schematic flowchart of the driving method of a display device, according to embodiments of the disclosure. Referring toFIG. 9, the driving method of the display device includes the following Steps601to602.

At Step601, each of the scan lines sequentially turns on a pixel unit controlled by the scan line, where the pixel unit includes a pixel electrode and a thin film transistor, and in one of two adjacent rows of pixel units, the thin film transistor of each pixel unit in a column is electrically connected to a pixel electrode of a pixel unit adjacently located at a first side of the thin film transistor, and in the other one of the two adjacent rows of pixel units, the thin film transistor of each pixel unit is electrically connected to the pixel electrode of the pixel unit, or the thin film transistor of each pixel unit in a column is electrically connected to the pixel electrode of a pixel unit adjacently located at a second side of the thin film transistor; and an adjacent column at the first side of the thin film transistor is arranged opposite to an adjacent column at the second side of the thin film transistor.

At Step602, first data signals are applied to the turned-on pixel units by odd groups of data lines, second data signals are applied to the turned-on pixel units by even groups of data lines, where the polarity of the second data signal is inverse to the polarity of the first data signal; and each group of data lines comprises at least one data line.

It should be noted that the polarity of the data signal is determined by the voltage difference between the voltages of the data signal and the common voltage. If the voltage difference is greater than “0”, the polarity of the data signal is positive and usually indicated by “+”; and if the voltage difference is less than “0”, the polarity of the data signal is negative and usually indicated by “−”. Therefore, the fact that the polarity of a second data signal is inverse to the polarity of a first data signal, specifically means that: when the polarity of the first data signal is positive, the polarity of the second data signal is negative; or when the polarity of the first data signal is negative, the polarity of the second data signal is positive.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, each group of data lines includes one data line or two data lines.

Since, in the driving method of the display device, according to embodiments of the disclosure, the display device employs the pixel structure according to the above embodiments, the dot inversion can be achieved by the row inversion (corresponding to the case that each group of data lines includes one data line) or the two-dot inversion can be achieved by two-column inversion (corresponding to the case that each group of data lines includes two data lines), within a frame of image by driving the display device through Steps601to602. Next, illustratively, the dot inversion is achieved by the row inversion within a frame of image by driving the display device through the above Steps601to602. The description for the case that the two-dot inversion is achieved by the two-column inversion within a frame of image by driving the display device through the above Steps601to602can be referred to the description for the case that the dot inversion is achieved by the column inversion, or can be referred to the description for the related principle with respect to the above pixel structure in which the two-dot inversion is achieved by the two-column inversion, which will not be described repeatedly herein.

The pixel structure shown inFIG. 2A, for example, is used to further explain the principle used to implement the dot inversion by the column inversion in the display device driven through the Steps601to602. Provided that the pixel unit includes seven columns of data lines and seven rows of scan lines, the driving method includes Steps one to three as below.

At Step one, the pixel units controlled by the first row of scan line are turned on, and a first data signal with a negative polarity “−” is applied to the turned-on pixel units by, odd columns of data lines and a second data signal with a positive polarity “+” is applied to the turned-on pixel units by even columns of data lines.

Referring toFIG. 10A, the first row of scan line51turns on the pixel units controlled by the first row of scan lines51, and then the first data signal with a negative polarity “−” is applied to the turned-on pixel units by the odd columns of data lines D1, D3, D5and D7, and the second data signal with a positive polarity “+” is applied to the turned-on pixel units by the even columns of data lines D2, D4and D6. As shown inFIG. 2A, since in a row of pixel units, a pixel electrode of each pixel unit in a column is electrically connected to a thin film transistor of a pixel unit adjacently located at the left side of the pixel unit, and the thin film transistor is electrically connected to the data line adjacently located at the left side of said thin film transistor, the data signal with a positive polarity “+” and the data signal with a negative polarity “−” are sequentially and alternately obtained from the left side to the right side by the pixel units from the first row of pixel units after applying the first data signal and the second data signal to the pixel units from the first row of pixel units, as shown inFIG. 10A.

At Step two, the pixel units turned on by the first row of the scan lines are turned off, and then the pixel units controlled by a second row of scan lines are turned on by the second row of scan lines, and a first data signal with polarity of “−” is applied to the turned-on pixel units by odd columns of data lines, and a second data signal with polarity of “+” is applied to the turned-on pixel units by even columns of data lines.

Referring to10B, the pixel units turned on by the first row of scan line51are turned off, the pixel units controlled by the second row of scan line S2are turned on by the second row of scan line S2, and then the first data signal with a negative polarity “−” is applied to the turned-on pixel units by the odd columns of data lines D1, D3, D3and D7, and the second data signal with a positive polarity “+” is applied to the turned-on pixel units by the even columns of data lines D2, D4and D6. As shown inFIG. 2A, in a row of pixel units, since in a row of pixel units, a pixel electrode of each pixel unit in a column is electrically connected to the thin film transistor of the pixel unit, and the thin film transistor is electrically connected to the data line adjacently located at the left side of said thin film transistor, the data signal with polarity of “+” and the data signal with polarity of “−” are sequentially and alternately obtained from the left side to the right side by the pixel units from the second row of pixel units after applying the first data signal and the second data signal to the pixel units from the second row of pixel units, as shown inFIG. 10B.

At Step three, the pixel units turned on by the second row of scan line are turned off, and then the pixel units controlled by a third row of scan lines are turned on by the third row of scan lines, and the first data signal with a negative polarity “−” is applied to the turned-on pixel units by the odd columns of data lines, and the second data signal with a positive polarity “+” is applied to the turned-on pixel units by the even columns of data lines, and so on, until the remaining rows of scan lines are processed in the above manner.

Referring toFIG. 10C, the pixel units turned on by the second row of scan line S2are turned off, and then the pixel units controlled by a third row of scan lines S3are turned on by the third row of scan lines S3, and the first data signal with a negative polarity “−” is applied to the turned-on pixel units by the odd columns of data lines D1, D3, D5and D7, and the second data signal with a positive polarity “+” is applied to the turned-on pixel units by the even columns of data lines D2, D4and D6, and so on, until the remaining rows of scan lines S4to S7are processed in the above manner. Among the remaining pixel units, the polarity of the data signal applied to the odd rows of pixel units is the same as the polarity of data signal applied to the first row of pixel units, and can be referred to the related description in Step one; and the polarity of the data signal applied to the even rows of pixel units is the same as the polarity of data signal applied to the second row of pixel units, and can be referred to the related description in Step two. Additionally,FIG. 10Cshows the polarity of the data signal applied to each of the pixel units within one frame of image. As can be seen fromFIG. 10C, in the display device employing the pixel structure shown inFIG. 2A, the dot inversion can be implemented by the column inversion via Steps one to three.

In some embodiments, an amplitude value of the polarity of the first data signal (i.e. an absolute value of a voltage difference between the voltage of the first data signal and the common voltage) is the same as the amplitude value of the polarity of the second data signal (i.e. an absolute value of a voltage difference between the voltage of the second data signal and the common voltage). For example, if the voltage of the first data signal is 10V and the common voltage is 6V, the voltage of the second data signal should be 2V, so that the voltage difference between the voltage of the first data signal and the common voltage is 4V, and the voltage difference between the voltage of the second data signal and the common voltage is −4V. Therefore, the polarity of the first data signal is inverse to the polarity of the second data signal, and the amplitude value of the polarity of the first data signal is the same as the amplitude value of the polarity of the second data signal.

In some embodiments, the driving method of the display device is preferably carried out in a polarity inversion driving period including two frames of images.FIG. 11Ashows the polarity distribution of the data signals when the display device implements the dot inversion by the row inversion in displaying the first frame of image.FIG. 11Bshows the polarity distribution of the data signals when the display device implements the dot inversion by the row inversion in displaying the second frame of image. It can be seen fromFIGS. 11A and 11Bthat the polarity of each dot (corresponding to one pixel unit) in displaying the first frame of image is inverse to the polarity of the same dot in displaying the second frame of image, that is, the polarity of the data signal in displaying the second frame of image is inverted as compared with that in displaying the first frame of image, meaning that the driving method of the display device is carried out in a polarity inversion driving period including two frames of images.

In addition to a polarity inversion driving period including two frames of images, the driving method of the display device can be carried out in a polarity inversion driving period including four frames of images or a larger even number of frames of images. For example,FIGS. 12A to 12Dshow that the driving method of the display device is carried out in a polarity inversion driving period including four frames of images. However, it can be seen fromFIGS. 11A, 11B, and 12A to 12Dthat, if the driving method of the display device is carried out in a polarity inversion driving period including two frames of images, the polarity inversion frequency is increased, thereby reducing the possibility of permanent damage to the liquid crystal material caused by polarization of the liquid crystal material, so as to better protect the liquid crystal material.

According to the pixel structure, array substrate, display panel, display device, and driving methods of the display device described above, in one of two adjacent rows of pixel units, the thin film transistor of each pixel unit is electrically connected to the pixel electrode of a pixel unit adjacently located at a first side of the thin film transistor; and in the other one of the two adjacent rows of pixel units, the thin film transistor of each pixel unit is electrically connected to the pixel electrode of the pixel unit, or the thin film transistor of each pixel unit in a column is electrically connected to the pixel electrode of a pixel unit adjacently located at a second side of the thin film transistor, thus the pixel structure can achieve a dot inversion by a column inversion or can achieve two dot inversion by double-column inversion, thereby ensuring the small power consumption of the polarity inversion. Also, even if the source electrode and drain electrode are not precisely aligned with the gate electrode during manufacturing the thin film transistor, the lowered degree of the voltage of the pixel electrodes of the odd rows are the same as that of the pixel electrodes of the even rows when the scan signals applied by the scan lines are lowered, accordingly, the compensate voltage of the common electrode required by the pixel electrodes of the odd rows is equal to that required by the pixel electrodes of the even rows, namely the common electrode can completely compensate the voltage of the pixel electrodes of the odd rows and the even rows, so that the stripes or flicker generated because the common electrode cannot completely compensate the voltage of the pixel electrode of the odd rows and the even rows can be avoided, and thus improving the display effect of the pixel structure.

It should be understood for those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to particular embodiments described herein. Various apparent changes, readjustment and alternative can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, although the disclosure is illustrated in detail through the above embodiments, the disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and can further include more of other equivalent embodiments without departing from the present disclosure.