Electrowetting display panel with high transparence

An electro-wetting display panel including an active device array substrate, a dielectric layer, a rib structure, an opposite substrate, a first fluid and a second fluid is provided. The active device array substrate includes a first substrate and a plurality of pixel structures. Each pixel structure includes a shielding electrode connected to a common potential, an active device located between the shielding electrode and the first substrate, and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the active device. The dielectric layer covers the pixel structures. The rib structure is disposed on the active device array substrate and has openings. The active device and the pixel electrode of each pixel structure are located within one of the openings. The first fluid is configured between the dielectric layer and the opposite substrate. The second fluid is configured between the dielectric layer and the first fluid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 102118781, filed on May 28, 2013. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure discloses a display device structure and particularly to an electro-wetting display panel structure.

BACKGROUND

Generally, an electro-wetting display panel includes an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and a polar fluid as well as a non-polar fluid sandwiched between the two electrodes. A method for operating the electro-wetting display panel is that, when voltage is not applied, the non-polar fluid spreads over a pixel unit so that an incident light can be absorbed by the non-polar fluid, and the pixel unit presents a dark state consequently. In addition, when the pixel unit presents a bright state, the voltage is applied to the upper and lower electrodes so that the non-polar fluid is concentrated and the proportion of the non-polar fluid in the pixel unit is reduced. Consequently, a reflective layer or light source under the non-polar fluid is exposed, such that the incident light is reflected by the reflective layer or the light of the light source may pass through an exposed region of the pixel unit to present a bright state.

Generally speaking, the voltage may be applied through an active device (such as a thin film transistor) in the pixel unit, wherein the active device mostly uses an electrode formed of an opaque metal for transmitting signals. The active device has to maintain the transmission of electrical signals, causing the non-polar fluid unable to be stably concentrated in a region above the active device. Therefore, in the known designs, in a state where the voltage is applied to the pixel unit, the region occupied by the concentrated non-polar fluid and the region where the active device is located are independent of each other; meanwhile, both regions do not reflect light or unable to be passed through by light, that is, they are unable to become effective display regions, which restricts the display aperture ratio of the electro-wetting display panel.

SUMMARY

The disclosure provides an electro-wetting display panel having an ideal display aperture ratio.

In the disclosure, the electro-wetting display panel includes an active device array substrate, a dielectric layer, a rib structure, an opposite substrate, a first fluid, and a second fluid. The active device array substrate includes a first substrate and a plurality of pixel structures. The pixel structures are configured on the first substrate, wherein each pixel structure includes a shielding electrode, an active device, and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the active device. The active device is positioned between the shielding electrode and the first substrate, and the shielding electrode is connected to a common potential. The dielectric layer is configured on the active device array substrate and covers the pixel structures. The rib structure is configured on the active device array substrate and has a plurality of openings. The active device of each of the pixel structures and the pixel electrode are positioned within one of the openings. The pixel structure is positioned between the first substrate and the opposite substrate. The first fluid is configured between the dielectric layer and the opposite substrate. The second fluid is configured between the dielectric layer and the first fluid.

In the disclosure, another electro-wetting display panel includes an active device array substrate, a dielectric layer, a rib structure, an opposite substrate, a first fluid, and a second fluid. The active device array substrate includes a first substrate, a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of pixel structures. The pixel structures are configured on the first substrate. Each of the pixel structures includes a shielding electrode, an active device, and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the active device. The active device is positioned between the shielding electrode and the first substrate. The scan lines turns on or off the active device of the pixel structure so as to transmit the voltage on the data lines to a corresponding pixel electrode via the active device. Moreover, the shielding electrode and active device of each of the pixel structures are respectively connected to the ithand the jthscan lines, wherein i and j are positive integers and j is not equal to i. The dielectric layer is configured on the active device array substrate and covers the pixel structures. The rib structure is configured on the active device array substrate and has a plurality of openings. The active device of each of the pixel structures and the pixel electrode are located within one of the openings. The pixel structures are located between the first substrate and the opposite substrate. The first fluid is configured between the dielectric layer and the opposite substrate. The second fluid is configured between the dielectric layer and the first fluid.

Based on the above, the pixel structures in an embodiment of the disclosure include the shielding electrode covering the active device, and the shielding electrode may even further cover a storage capacitor structure. Therefore, when the active device transmits of the electrical signals, the shielding effect provided by the shielding electrode may reduce the influence of signal transmission on the first fluid. Thus, the second fluid may be concentrated above the active device without having to be concentrated outside the active device, thereby improving the display aperture ratio of the electro-wetting display panel.

In order to make the aforementioned features and advantages of the disclosure more comprehensible, embodiments accompanying figures are described in detail below.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1Ais a local top view illustrating an electro-wetting display panel in a first embodiment in the disclosure.FIGS. 1B and 1Care cross-sectional views illustrating the electro-wetting display panel inFIG. 1Acut along line I-I′ and line II-II′, whereinFIGS. 1B and 1Crepresent different display statuses. Please refer to bothFIGS. 1A and 1B. An electro-wetting display panel100includes an active device array substrate110, an opposite substrate120, a dielectric layer130, a rib structure140, a first fluid150, and a second fluid160. In the embodiment, the active device array substrate110faces the opposite substrate120. The dielectric layer130and the rib structure140are both configured on the active device array substrate110, and the rib structure140defines a plurality of openings142. The first fluid150and the second fluid160are both configured between the active device array substrate110and the opposite substrate120. Meanwhile, the second fluid160is located between the first fluid150and the active device array substrate110. Here, one of the first fluid150and the second fluid160is a polar fluid and the other one is a non-polar fluid; therefore, the first fluid150and the second fluid160are substantially immiscible. It should be noted thatFIG. 1represents a top view of the electro-wetting display panel100; therefore, some of the stacked components are unable to be shown inFIG. 1A. Nevertheless, persons having ordinary skill in the art can refer toFIGS. 1A and 1Bto see the components not shown inFIG. 1A.

Specifically, the active device array substrate110includes a first substrate112, a plurality of scan lines114, a plurality of data lines116, and a plurality of pixel structures118, wherein each of the pixel structures118includes an active device118A, a pixel electrode118B, and a shielding electrode118C, and each of the pixel structure118is located within one of the corresponding openings142. That is to say, in the embodiment, the rib structure140does not completely block the active device118A, the pixel electrode118B, and the shielding electrode118C. The active device118A is connected to a corresponding scan line114and a corresponding data line116; the pixel electrode118B is electrically connected to the active device118A. In addition, at least a portion of the region of the shielding electrode118C is located above the active device118A so that the active device118A is located between the shielding electrode118C and the first substrate112. In the embodiment, the pixel electrode118B and the shielding electrode118C may be fabricated with the same conductive material layer in the same process; however, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Moreover, the shielding electrode118C is electrically independent of the pixel electrode118B and connected to a common potential. For example, at least one common electrode line170may be configured on the active device array substrate110, and the shielding electrode118C may be electrically connected to the common electrode line170. At this time, the common electrode line170is used to transmit the common potential, and the common potential may be a ground potential or a reference potential. In addition, the pixel electrode118B may be partially overlapped on the common electrode line170so as to constitute a storage capacitor structure Cs required by the pixel structure118. Therefore, the portion where the common electrode line170overlaps with the pixel electrode118B may be regarded as a storage capacitor electrode172.

In the active device array substrate110, the active device118A in each of the pixel structures118includes a gate G, a channel layer C, a source S, and a drain D, wherein the gate G is connected to the scan lines114, the channel layer C is located above the gate G, the source S is connected to the data lines116, and the source S as well as the drain D are in contact with the channel layer C and located at two sides of the gate G. Accordingly, the scan lines114are user for turning on or off the active device118A so that the voltage on the data lines116is correspondingly transmitted to the pixel electrode118B. Here, the active device118A is described using the structure of a bottom gate type thin film transistor as an example; however, the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in other embodiments, the active device118A may be realized via a top gate type thin film transistor. In addition, the channel layer C in the active device118A may be fabricated using a semiconductor material, wherein the semiconductor material includes an amorphous-Si, a polysilicon, an oxide semiconductor, an organic semiconductor, or other materials with a semiconductor property.

Additionally, the active device array substrate110further includes a gate insulating layer GI and a protecting layer PA, wherein the gate insulating layer GI is configured between the gate G and the channel layer C, and can cover the scan lines114and the common electrode line170; the protecting layer PA covers the active device118A, the scan lines114, the data lines116, and the common electrode line170. At this time, in order for the pixel electrode118B to be connected to the active device118A, a via V1is configured in the protecting layer PA so that the pixel electrode118B is in contact with the drain D through the via V1. Besides, in order to realize the electrical connection between the shielding electrode118C and the common electrode line170, a via V2is configured in the gate insulating layer GI, and another via V3is configured in the protecting layer PA. The via V2and the via V3are communicated to each other so that the shielding electrode118C is in contact with the common electrode line170via the via V2and the via V3. In an embodiment, the via V1, the via V2, and the via V3may be fabricated through the same patterning process.

An opposite substrate120includes a second substrate122and an opposite electrode124, wherein the first substrate112and the second substrate122are, for example, transparent substrates. The opposite electrode124may be applied with a common voltage; therefore, when the pixel electrode118B is also applied with voltage, a voltage difference between the opposite electrode124and the pixel electrode118B causes that a polar first fluid150has affinity to the dielectric layer130surface, which then changes the distribution status of the second fluid160and the first fluid150.

In the embodiment, the dielectric layer130is configured on the active device substrate110and covers the pixel structures118. Meanwhile, the rib structure140is configured on the dielectric layer130. In a preferred embodiment, the rib structure140is used for limiting the distribution of the second fluid160; as a result, the second fluid160may flow between the first fluid150and the dielectric layer130without overflowing into the adjacent pixel structures. Moreover, in order to achieve the display effect, the first fluid150may be a transparent fluid, and the second fluid160may have a light absorption property or may be a non-transparent fluid with visible color. Therefore, the second fluid160may provide different display effects under different distribution statuses.

In the embodiment, the dielectric layer130and the rib structure140have different properties so that the second fluid160keeps flowing between the first fluid150and the dielectric layer130. When the rib structure140is hydrophilic, the dielectric layer130may be hydrophobic; the first fluid150is a polar fluid whereas the second fluid160is a non-polar fluid. The dielectric layer130may be a multilayer structure. In an embodiment, the dielectric layer130may be formed by stacking an insulating film layer with a hydrophobic film layer, and the hydrophobic film layer covers the insulating film layer. In addition, the dielectric layer130may be formed optionally by stacking multiple insulating layers with multiple hydrophobic film layers alternately upon one another.

Specifically, please refer toFIG. 1B. In the embodiment, when the voltage is not applied to the pixel electrode118B of the pixel structure118, the dielectric layer130has greater affinity with the second fluid160than with the first fluid150. Therefore, the second fluid160will be distributed diffusely between the dielectric layer130and the first fluid150. In addition, please refer toFIGS. 1C and 1A, when the voltage is applied to the pixel electrode118B and the opposite electrode124, the surface of the dielectric layer130has an increased affinity with the first fluid150. Therefore, the second fluid160will be pushed against the first fluid150to flow to an edge of the opening142and is concentrated in a concentrating region R to expose a large portion of the area of the opening142.

When the electro-wetting display panel100is applied in the transmissive type display, the electro-wetting display panel100may be configured above a backlight module (not shown). Under the status shown inFIG. 1B, based on the light absorption property of the second fluid160, the light of the backlight module is unable to pass through the opening142to present a dark state. Under the status shown inFIG. 1C, based on a large portion of the area of the opening142which is exposed when the second fluid160is concentrated in the concentrating region R, the light of the back light module can pass through the opening142to present a bright state.

In other embodiments, when the electro-wetting display panel100is applied in the reflective display, an additional reflective layer (not shown) may be configured in a non-active device region of the electro-wetting display panel100, or configured between the first substrate112and the dielectric layer130(not shown), or the dielectric layer itself is a reflective layer, or the pixel electrode118B itself is a reflective electrode. Under the status shown inFIG. 1B, based on the light absorption property of the second fluid160, the incident light coming from the outside cannot pass through the second fluid160, and therefore it is not reflected by the reflective layer or the pixel electrode118B to present a dark state. Under the status shown inFIG. 1C, based on the large portion of the area of the opening142exposed in the second fluid160, the incident light coming from the outside can pass through the first fluid150to be reflected by the reflective layer or the pixel electrode118B to present a bright state. With the operation described above, the electro-wetting display panel100may display different gray levels to show a desired image.

In the embodiment, a shielding electrode118C is configured between the dielectric layer130and the active device118A so that the influence of the electrical signal transmission by the active device118A on the dielectric layer130will be blocked. Therefore, in the embodiment, when the bright state is presented, the second fluid160may be concentrated above the active device118A, that is, at least blocks the region where the active device118A is located; or the active device118A is located in the concentrating region R. Consequently, the opaque active device118A and the second fluid160are stacked together so that the transparent area increases to improve the display aperture ratio.

FIG. 2is a local top view illustrating an electro-wetting display panel in a second embodiment of the disclosure. Please refer toFIG. 2. The electro-wetting display panel100A is mostly the same as the electro-wetting display panel100; the same components of the two panels are labeled with the same reference numbers. The similarity between the two panels will not be repeated herein. Specifically, in the electro-wetting display panel100A, the pixel structure118is arranged in arrays. Moreover, the pixel structure118in each array corresponds to one of the common electrode lines170. In the embodiment, the shielding electrode118C′ extends toward the pixel structure118in the previous array or the subsequent array to be connected to the common electrode lines170corresponding to the pixel structure118in the previous array or the subsequent array. Therefore, the shielding electrode118C′ may cross over the scan lines114.

In the aforementioned embodiments, the pixel structure118includes a shielding electrode118C or118C′ blocking the active device118A, and the shielding electrode118C or118C′ is electrically connected to the common electrode lines170so as to be connected to a reference potential; however, the disclosure is not limited thereto.FIG. 3is a local top view illustrating an electro-wetting display panel in a third embodiment of the disclosure. Please refer toFIG. 3A. The electro-wetting display panel200is mostly the same as the electro-wetting display panel100. Moreover, the same components of the two panels are labeled with the same reference numbers. The similarities will not be repeated herein. Specifically, the difference between the electro-wetting display panel200and the electro-wetting display panel100lies in that, in each of the pixel structures118of the electro-wetting display panel200, the shielding electrode118C and the active device118A are respectively connected to different scan lines114. That is to say, for the same pixel structure118, when the active device118A is connected to the ihscan line114, the shielding electrode118C is connected to the jthscan line, wherein i and j are positive integers, and j is not equal to i. At this time, the pixel electrode118B of each of the pixel structures118may be optionally connected to the previous scan line114or the subsequent scan line114to constitute a structural design in which the storage capacitor structure Cs is on the scan lines114. Certainly, in other embodiments, the storage capacitor structure Cs may be generally constituted by the pixel electrode118B and additionally configured common electrode lines170as shown inFIG. 1.

Specifically,FIGS. 3B and 3Care schematic views illustrating an electro-wetting display panel200inFIG. 3Aduring operation, wherein a shadow region inFIGS. 3B and 3Crepresents the distribution of the second fluid in one of the pixel structures. Please refer toFIG. 3Bfirst. When the operation voltage is not applied to the electro-wetting display panel200, such as in a stand-by status, the second fluid160may be uniformly distributed in a region surrounded by the rib structure140. At this time, if the second fluid160has a light absorptive property or a light shielding property, then the corresponding pixel structure118will present a dark state. InFIG. 3C, the operation voltage is applied to the electro-wetting display panel200, and therefore the distribution of the second fluid160will be concentrated near the active device118A. At this time, since the pixel structure118includes a shielding electrode118C so that the interference from the electrical signal in the active device118A can be blocked. Consequently, the second fluid160may be stably distributed above the active device118A to be overlapped with the active device118A.

In addition,FIGS. 4A and 4Bare local cross-sectional views illustrating an electro-wetting display panel in a fourth embodiment in the disclosure, whereinFIGS. 4A and 4Brepresent different statuses. Please refer toFIG. 4Afirst. The electro-wetting display panel300is mostly the same as the electro-wetting display panel100. Moreover, the same components of the two panels are labeled with the same reference numbers. The similarities are not repeated herein. Specifically, the difference between the electro-wetting display panel300and the eletro-wetting display panel100lies in that, in each of the pixel structures118of the electro-wetting display panel300, the shielding electrode118C is connected to an opposite electrode124on the opposite substrate120via a conductive component.

Here, the electro-wetting display panel300, for example, further includes a spacer310configured on the second substrate122. An end of the spacer310is connected to the second substrate122, and another end, for example, leans against the active device array substrate110. In addition, the opposite electrode124covers the spacer310and the surface of the second substrate122. Thus, based on the configuration of the spacer310, the opposite electrode124may be in contact with the shielding electrode118C on the active device array substrate110. Here, an opening132may be configured in the dielectric layer130to allow the spacer310to be protruding toward the opening132to realize the contact between the opposite electrode124with the shielding electrode118C.

InFIG. 4A, the electro-wetting display panel300is, for example, in a stand-by status or in a status of being input with operation voltage. Therefore, the second fluid160is mostly distributed uniformly on the dielectric layer130. After the operation voltage is inputted in the electro-wetting display panel300, the distribution of the second fluid160is distributed as shown inFIG. 4B, which is intensively distributed above the active device118A. When the second fluid160has a light shielding or a light absorptive property,FIG. 4Bmay present a bright state andFIG. 4Amay present a dark state.

FIG. 4Cis a local cross-sectional view illustrating an electro-wetting display panel in a fifth embodiment in the disclosure. Please refer toFIG. 4C. The electro-wetting display panel300A is mostly the same as the electro-wetting display panel300; the same components in the two panels are labeled with the same reference numbers. The similarities are not repeated herein. Specifically, the difference between the electro-wetting display panel300A and the electro-wetting display panel300lies in that the spacer310A is formed of a conductive material so as to directly provide a function as a conductive component. At this time, the opposite electrode124may optionally not have to cover the spacer310A to be located between the spacer310A and the second substrate122.

In the embodiments inFIGS. 3A and 4A, the shielding electrode118C above the active device118A is connected to a reference potential to block the influence of the electrical signal transmission by the active device on the first fluid150. Therefore, when the second fluid160is driven by the pixel electrode118B to be concentrated, it may be concentrated above the active device118A so as to increase the display aperture ratio of the pixel structure118. It should be noted that the aforementioned embodiments are not intended to limit the disclosure. In other embodiments, any design that allows the shielding electrode118C to be concentrated to the reference potential may be used as one of the embodiments in the disclosure. For example, in other embodiments, when an electrostatic discharge protector structure connected to a ground potential is configured on the electro-wetting display panel, all the shielding electrode of the pixel structures may be connected to the electrostatic discharge protector structure. In addition, apart from blocking the active device, the shielding electrode may also optionally block other conductive components on the active device array substrate, such as a storage capacitor structure.

For example,FIG. 5is a local top view illustrating the electro-wetting display panel in a sixth embodiment of the disclosure.FIGS. 6A and 6Bare cross-sectional views illustrating the electro-wetting display panel inFIG. 5cut along line III-III′, whereinFIGS. 6A and 6Brepresent different statuses. Please refer to bothFIGS. 5 and 6. The electro-wetting display panel400is mostly the same as the foregoing electro-wetting display panel. Therefore, in the embodiment, the reference numbers for some of the components denote identical or similar meanings as described in the previous paragraphs. However, the active device array substrate400A in the embodiment is different from the active device array substrate110illustrated inFIGS. 1B and 1C.

The active device array substrate400A includes a first substrate402, a scan line404, a data line406, a common electrode line408, and a pixel structure410. In the embodiment, in order to keep the figure clear and simple, only one scan line404, one data line406, one common electrode line408, and one pixel structure410are illustrated, which should not be construed as limitations to the disclosure. In other words, in practical implementations, a plurality of scan lines404, data lines406, common electrode lines408and the pixel structures410are adopted and they are arranged in arrays.

The pixel structure410includes an active device412, a pixel electrode414, a shielding electrode416, and a storage capacitor electrode418. The active device412includes a gate G, a channel layer C, a source S, and a drain D. Similar to the aforementioned embodiments, the gate G is connected to the scan line404, the source S is connected to the data line406, and the drain D is connected to the pixel electrode414. The storage capacitor electrode418is connected to the common electrode line408and may be integrally formed with the common electrode line408. Meanwhile, a portion of the pixel electrode414and the storage capacitor electrode418are stacked vertically to constitute a storage capacitor structure Cs. In addition, in the embodiment, the shielding electrode416is electrically connected to the common electrode line408. However, in other embodiments, the shielding electrode416may optionally be electrically connected to other scan lines404(as shown inFIG. 3A), or electrically connected to the electrode on the opposite substrate (as shown inFIG. 4A).

Specifically, in order to realize electrical independence of each component, the active device array substrate400also includes a gate insulating layer G1, a first protecting layer PV1, a second protecting layer PV2and a dielectric layer IL. The gate insulating layer G1is located between the gate G and the channel layer C and covers the scan line404, the common electrode line408, and the storage capacitor electrode418. The first protecting layer PV1covers the active device412and located between the storage capacitor electrode418and the pixel electrode414. The second protection layer PV2covers the pixel electrode414so that the pixel electrode414and the shielding electrode416are separated from each other. That is to say, the pixel electrode414in the embodiment and the shielding electrode416are formed of different film layers. Moreover, the second protecting layer PV2is sandwiched between the pixel electrode414and the shielding electrode416. In addition, the dielectric layer IL covers the pixel structure410so that the entire pixel structure410is located between the dielectric layer IL and the first substrate402. Here, the property of dielectric layer IL is mostly the same as the dielectric layer130described in the aforementioned embodiments, and therefore no further descriptions are incorporated herein.

FIGS. 5 and 6Ashow that the storage capacitor structure Cs and the active device412in the embodiment are blocked by the shielding electrode416; that is, they are both located between the shielding electrode416and the first substrate402. In the meantime, the shielding electrode416is electrically connected to the common electrode line408and has a common potential, such as a ground potential or a reference potential. When the pixel structure410drives the first fluid150and the second fluid160, which allows the second fluid160to be concentrated at a position where the shielding electrode416is located. For example,FIG. 6Brepresents a status where the pixel structure410inputs the operation voltage to drive the first fluid150and the second fluid160. At this time, the second fluid160will be located above the active device412and the storage capacitor structure Cs. When the active device412and the storage capacitor structure Cs are designed to be opaque or have low level of transparency, that the second fluid160is concentrated above the active device412and the storage capacitor structure Cs may be regarded as that the opaque or low transparent devices are stacked in the same region, which facilitates to increase the area of a transparent region or reduce the area of a non-transparent region. Therefore, the active device array substrate400A being applied in the electro-wetting display panel400helps to promote display aperture ratio.

FIG. 7is a local top view illustrating an electro-wetting display panel in a seventh embodiment in the disclosure.FIGS. 8A and 8Bare cross-sectional views illustrating an electro-wetting display panel inFIG. 7cut along line IV-IV′, whereinFIGS. 8A and 8Brepresent different statuses. Please refer to bothFIGS. 7 and 8. The electro-wetting display panel500is similar to the aforementioned electro-wetting display panel400; however, the active device array substrate500A in the embodiment is different from the active device array substrate400A.

The active device array substrate500A and500inFIGS. 7 and 8Aincludes a first substrate502, a scan line504, a data line506, a common electrode line508, and a pixel structure510. In the embodiment, in order to keep the drawing to be clear and simple, only one scan line504, one data line506, one common electrode line508, and one pixel structure510are illustrated, which should not be construed as limitations to the disclosure. In other words, in practical implementations, the scan line504, the data line506, the common electrode line508, and the pixel structure510are in multiple numbers respectively, and they are arranged in arrays.

The pixel structure510includes an active device512, a pixel electrode514, a shielding electrode516, and a capacitor electrode518, wherein the capacitor electrode518includes a storage capacitor upper electrode518A and a storage capacitor lower electrode518B. The active device512includes a gate G, a channel layer C, a source S, and a drain D. Similar to the previous embodiments, the gate G is connected to the scan line504, the source S is connected to the data line506, and the drain D is connected to the pixel electrode514. The storage capacitor upper electrode518A is connected to the drain D and substantially formed integrally with the drain D, and is also electrically connected to the pixel electrode514. The storage capacitor lower electrode518B is connected to the common electrode line508and may be formed integrally with the common electrode line508. Meanwhile, the storage capacitor upper electrode518A and the storage capacitor lower electrode518B are stacked vertically to constitute a storage capacitor structure Cs. In addition, the shielding electrode516in the embodiment is electrically connected to the common electrode line508and is in the same film layer as the pixel electrode514. However, in other embodiments, the shielding electrode516may optionally be electrically connected to other scan lines504(as shown inFIG. 3A) or electrically connected to the electrode on the opposite substrate (as shown inFIG. 4A).

Specifically, in order to realize electrical independence of each component, the active device array substrate500further includes a gate insulating layer GI, a protecting layer PV, and a dielectric layer IL. The gate insulating layer GI is located between the gate G and the channel layer C and covers the scan line504, the common electrode line508, and the storage capacitor lower electrode518B. The protecting layer PV covers the active device512and the storage capacitor structure Cs. In addition, the dielectric layer IL covers the pixel structure510, such that the entire pixel structure510is positioned between the dielectric layer IL and the first substrate502. Here, the property of the dielectric layer IL is mostly the same as the dielectric layer130described in the previous embodiment; therefore, no further description is incorporated herein.

FIGS. 7 and 8Ashow that the storage capacitor structure Cs and the active device512in the embodiment are all blocked by the shielding electrode516. That is, they are all positioned between the shielding electrode516and the first substrate502. In the meantime, the shielding electrode516is electrically connected to the common electrode line508and has a common electric potential, such as a ground potential or a reference potential. When the pixel structure510drives the first fluid150and the second fluid160as shown inFIG. 8B, the second fluid160may be concentrated at a position where the shielding electrode516is located. At this time, the second fluid160will be located above the active device512and the storage capacitor structure Cs. When the active device512and the storage capacitor structure Cs are designed to be opaque or have low level of transparency, that the second fluid160is concentrated above the active device512and the storage capacitor structure Cs may be regarded as that the opaque or low transparent devices are stacked in the same region, which facilitates to increase the area of a transparent region or reduce the area of a non-transparent region. Therefore, the active device array substrate500A being applied in the electro-wetting display panel500helps to promote the display aperture ratio.

To sum up, the electro-wetting display panel in the embodiments of the disclosure, a shielding electrode connected to the ground or common potential is configured above the active device. Therefore, the opaque fluid in the electro-wetting display panel may be concentrated above the active device without being interfered by the electrical signal of the active device. Furthermore, the opaque fluid in the electro-wetting display panel may be further concentrated above the storage capacitor structure. In that case, the opaque active device, the storage capacitor structure, and the design of stacked opaque fluid help to increase the display aperture ratio of the electro-wetting display panel.