CN120447250A - Reflective display panel - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a reflective display panel which comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a plurality of pixel structures, a plurality of spacers, a first alignment layer, a second alignment layer, a liquid crystal layer and a plurality of shading patterns. The plurality of pixel structures are disposed on the first substrate. The spacers and the liquid crystal layer are arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first alignment layer is disposed on the first substrate and has a first alignment direction. The second alignment layer is disposed on the second substrate and has a second alignment direction. Each spacer has a first side edge and a second side edge which are opposite to each other and are sequentially arranged along the first alignment direction or the second alignment direction. In the stacking direction of the first substrate and the second substrate, each shading pattern is overlapped on the second side edge of one of the spacers but not overlapped on the first side edge of the one of the spacers.

Description

Reflective display panel

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a display panel, and more particularly, to a reflective display panel.

Background

In order to provide a liquid crystal layer with a uniform thickness in a display panel, it is common practice to disperse a plurality of spacers between two substrates to space out cavities for filling liquid crystal material. For reflective display panels, these spacers are mostly disposed in the reflective region of the pixel structure or the spacer region of two adjacent pixel structures. Because the gap has a significant height difference compared with the standing film surface, the alignment effect of the portion of the alignment layer, which is shielded by the gap in the alignment direction, is reduced in the alignment process, thereby affecting the alignment state of a portion of the liquid crystal layer and causing the phenomenon of dark state light leakage.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is directed to a reflective display panel having better dark state performance and display contrast.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a reflective display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a plurality of pixel structures, a plurality of spacers, a first alignment layer, a second alignment layer, a liquid crystal layer, and a plurality of light shielding patterns. The first substrate and the second substrate are overlapped along the stacking direction. The plurality of pixel structures are arranged on the first substrate and each have a reflective electrode. The spacers are disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first alignment layer is disposed on the first substrate and has a first alignment direction. The second alignment layer is disposed on the second substrate and has a second alignment direction. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer. The plurality of shading patterns are respectively overlapped with the plurality of spacers along the stacking direction. Each spacer has a first side edge and a second side edge which are opposite to each other and are sequentially arranged along the first alignment direction or the second alignment direction. In the stacking direction, each light shielding pattern overlaps the second side edge of one of the spacers but does not overlap the first side edge of the one of the spacers.

In view of the foregoing, in the reflective display panel according to an embodiment of the invention, the alignment layer is covered on the spacers disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. Each spacer has a first side edge and a second side edge which are sequentially arranged along the alignment direction of the alignment layer. By overlapping the shading patterns on the second side edge of each spacer, dark state light leakage caused by weak alignment of the alignment layer on one side of the second side edge of each spacer can be effectively reduced. In addition, since the light shielding pattern is not overlapped on the first side edge of the spacer, excessive reflectivity reduction of the reflective display panel caused by the arrangement of the light shielding pattern can be avoided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 and 2 are front views of partial films of a reflective display panel according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the reflective display panel of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of a portion of a film layer of a reflective display panel according to a second embodiment of the invention;

fig. 5 and 6 are front views of partial films of a reflective display panel according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the reflective display panel of FIGS. 5 and 6;

Fig. 8 and 9 are front views of portions of a reflective display panel according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the reflective display panel of fig. 8 and 9.

Description of the reference numerals

10. 11, 12, 20, Reflective display panels;

101, a first substrate;

101s, 102s, substrate surface;

102, a second substrate;

110 a gate insulating layer;

120. 130, an insulating layer;

150, coating layer;

AD1, a first alignment direction;

AD2, a second alignment direction;

AL1, a first alignment layer;

AL2: a second alignment layer;

CE: common electrode;

CEL is a common electrode layer;

CFP, CFP1, CFP2, CFP 3;

CP: conductive pattern;

CPE, capacitance electrode;

DE, drain electrode;

d1, D2, D3;

DL is the data line;

GE is a grid electrode;

GL is a scanning line;

LCL is a liquid crystal layer;

LSL, LSL-A, light shielding layer

LSP, LSP-A, shading pattern;

LSPe1 first pattern side edges;

LSPe 2a second pattern side edge;

OP, opening;

PX, PX1, PX2, PX 3;

RE is a reflecting electrode;

S, spacing;

A semiconductor pattern;

SE is the source electrode;

SLT, micro slit;

SP, SP-A, spacer;

SPe1, first side edge;

SPe2, second side edge;

T is an active element;

TH, contact hole;

TP light-transmitting pattern;

W is the width;

WA, weak alignment region;

A-A ', B-B ', C-C ': section line.

Detailed Description

The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. The directional terms mentioned in the following embodiments, such as up, down, left, right, front or rear, etc., are only directions referring to the drawings. Thus, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

Fig. 1 and 2 are front views of partial films of a reflective display panel according to a first embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the reflective display panel of fig. 1 and 2. Fig. 3 corresponds to the section line A-A' of fig. 1 and 2. For clarity of presentation, fig. 1 shows only a portion of the film on the first substrate 101 in fig. 3, and fig. 2 shows only a portion of the film on the second substrate 102 in fig. 3.

Referring to fig. 1 to 3, the reflective display panel 10 includes a first substrate 101, a second substrate 102, a plurality of data lines DL, a plurality of scan lines GL, a plurality of pixel structures PX, and a liquid crystal layer LCL. The first substrate 101 and the second substrate 102 are disposed to overlap each other, and the liquid crystal layer LCL is disposed between the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 102. The overlapping relationship here means, for example, that the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 102 overlap each other along the overlapping direction (e.g., the direction D3). In the following, unless otherwise mentioned, the overlapping relationship of the two members is defined in this way, and the overlapping direction will not be described again.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of data lines DL are arranged on the first substrate 101 at intervals along the direction D1 and extend in the direction D2, for example, and the plurality of scan lines GL are arranged on the first substrate 101 at intervals along the direction D2 and extend in the direction D1, for example. More specifically, the scanning lines GL intersect the data lines DL and define a plurality of pixel regions of the reflective display panel 10. The pixel structures PX are disposed in the pixel regions, and are electrically connected to one scanning line GL and one data line DL. For example, the pixel structures PX may be arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns along the direction D1 and the direction D2, respectively, that is, the pixel structures PX are arranged in an array on the first substrate 101.

In detail, each of the pixel structures PX may include an active device T and a reflective electrode RE electrically connected to each other. In this embodiment, the method of forming the active device T may include sequentially forming the gate electrode GE, the gate insulating layer 110, the semiconductor pattern SC, the source electrode SE, and the drain electrode DE on the first substrate 101. The semiconductor pattern SC is disposed overlapping the gate electrode GE. The source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE overlap the semiconductor pattern SC and are in electrical contact with different two regions of the semiconductor pattern SC. In the present embodiment, the gate electrode GE of the active device T is optionally disposed under the semiconductor pattern SC to form a bottom-gate thin film transistor (bottom-gate TFT), but not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the gate of the active device is optionally disposed over the semiconductor pattern to form a top-gate thin film transistor (top-gate TFT).

Further, the active device T may be sequentially covered with an insulating layer 120 and an insulating layer 130. In this embodiment, the insulating layer 120 is, for example, a passivation layer (passivation layer), and the insulating layer 130 is, for example, a planarization layer (planarization layer). For example, in the present embodiment, the pixel structure PX may further include a common electrode CE, a capacitor electrode CPE and a conductive pattern CP that overlap each other, but is not limited thereto. The common electrode CE is disposed between the first substrate 101 and the gate insulating layer 110. The capacitive electrode CPE is disposed between the gate insulating layer 110 and the insulating layer 120. Therefore, the capacitor electrode CPE, the common electrode CE, and the gate insulating layer 110 interposed therebetween may form a storage capacitor. In other embodiments, the pixel structure PX may not include the common electrode CE and the capacitive electrode CPE overlapped with each other. The conductive pattern CP is disposed between the insulating layer 120 and the insulating layer 130.

In the present embodiment, the insulating layer 130 has an opening OP, and the opening OP exposes a portion of the surface of the conductive pattern CP. The reflective electrode RE of the pixel structure PX is disposed on the surface of the insulating layer 130, and is electrically connected to the conductive pattern CP through the opening OP of the insulating layer 130. The conductive pattern CP is electrically connected to the capacitor electrode CPE through the contact hole TH of the insulating layer 120, and the capacitor electrode CPE may extend from the drain electrode DE of the active device T (i.e. the drain electrode DE and the capacitor electrode CPE are coupled to each other), but not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the pixel structure PX may not include the conductive pattern CP, and the reflective electrode RE is electrically connected to the drain electrode DE of the active device T through the through hole penetrating the insulating layer 130 and the insulating layer 120.

It should be noted that the gate electrode GE, the source electrode SE, the drain electrode DE, the semiconductor pattern SC, the gate insulating layer 110, the passivation layer (i.e., the insulating layer 120) and the planarization layer (i.e., the insulating layer 130) may be implemented by any gate electrode, any source electrode, any drain electrode, any semiconductor pattern, any gate insulating layer, any passivation layer and any planarization layer, which are known to those skilled in the art, respectively, and the gate electrode GE, the source electrode SE, the drain electrode DE, the semiconductor pattern SC, the gate insulating layer 110, the passivation layer and the planarization layer may be formed by any method known to those skilled in the art, and thus, the description thereof is omitted herein.

Further, the reflective display panel 10 further includes a plurality of color filter patterns CFP disposed on the second substrate 102 and respectively overlapped with a plurality of reflective electrodes RE of the plurality of pixel structures PX. The color filter patterns CFP have at least three filter colors. For example, each color filter pattern CFP is adapted to pass red light, green light or blue light, but not limited thereto. In this embodiment, in order to adjust the color gamut of the display colors, the reflective display panel 10 may further include a plurality of light transmissive patterns TP disposed on the second substrate 102. These light-transmitting patterns TP overlap at least a portion of the plurality of reflective electrodes RE. The light transmission pattern TP is not overlapped with the color filter pattern CFP. The light-transmitting pattern TP is suitable for allowing light of various colors to pass therethrough, for example, red light, green light and blue light can pass through the light-transmitting pattern TP without substantial loss or with only little loss. For example, the color filter patterns CFP1, CFP2, CFP3 may be green, red, and blue, respectively, and the light-transmitting pattern TP may include a transparent photoresist, but is not limited thereto. For example, one pixel may include three pixel structures PX (e.g., the pixel structures PX1, PX2, PX3 in fig. 1), the pixel structures PX1, PX2, PX3 have color filter patterns CFP1, CFP2, CFP3, respectively, the color filter patterns CFP1, CFP2, CFP3 may be green, red, and blue, respectively, the light-transmitting pattern TP is disposed in the pixel structures PX1 and PX2 but not disposed in the pixel structure PX3, the plane area of the color filter pattern CFP1 is smaller than the plane area of the color filter pattern CFP2 (i.e., the plane area of the light-transmitting pattern TP in the pixel structure PX1 is larger than the plane area of the light-transmitting pattern TP in the pixel structure PX 2), and the plane area of the color filter pattern CFP2 is smaller than the plane area of the color filter pattern CFP3, but not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the light-transmitting pattern TP is disposed in the pixel structures PX1, PX2, PX3, the plane area of the color filter pattern CFP1 is smaller than the plane area of the color filter pattern CFP2 (i.e. the plane area of the light-transmitting pattern TP in the pixel structure PX1 is larger than the plane area of the light-transmitting pattern TP in the pixel structure PX 2), and the plane area of the color filter pattern CFP2 is smaller than the plane area of the color filter pattern CFP3 (i.e. the plane area of the light-transmitting pattern TP in the pixel structure PX2 is larger than the plane area of the light-transmitting pattern TP in the pixel structure PX 3), but not limited thereto. By the arrangement of the color filter patterns CFP1, CFP2, CFP3 and the light transmission pattern TP with different plane areas, the yellowing phenomenon of the image of the reflective display panel 10 can be improved and the brightness can be improved, thereby improving the color saturation. Specifically, the planar areas of the color filter patterns and the light transmission patterns refer to the areas of the color filter patterns CFP1, CFP2, CFP3 and the light transmission patterns TP on the planes of the directions D1 and D2, that is, the projected areas of the color filter patterns CFP1, CFP2, CFP3 and the light transmission patterns TP on the substrate surface 102s of the second substrate 102.

In the present embodiment, the second substrate 102 may further have a common electrode layer CEL and a coating layer 150, but not limited thereto. In other embodiments, a common electrode layer CEL may be disposed on the first substrate 101 (i.e., the common electrode layer CEL is located between the first substrate 101 and the liquid crystal layer LCL). The cladding layer 150 covers the plurality of color filter patterns CFP and the light transmission patterns TP, and the common electrode layer CEL is disposed on the cladding layer 150. Since the coating layer 150 may be a light-transmitting layer, in another embodiment, the light-transmitting pattern TP may include a portion of the coating layer 150, that is, the coating layer 150 of the reflective display panel 10 covers the color filter patterns CFP and fills in the region marked TP in fig. 2. The electric field generated between the common electrode layer CEL and the reflective electrode RE is suitable for driving a plurality of liquid crystal molecules (not shown) of the liquid crystal layer LCL to rotate to form an alignment state corresponding to the direction and intensity of the electric field. By changing the arrangement state of the liquid crystal molecules, the polarization state of the light passing through the LCL of the liquid crystal layer is changed to form the brightness of the light output corresponding to the arrangement state.

In order to orient the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer LCL in a natural state (i.e., without external force), the first substrate 101 may further be provided with a first alignment layer AL1 covering the plurality of reflective electrodes RE, and the second substrate 102 may further be provided with a second alignment layer AL2 covering the common electrode layer CEL. The liquid crystal layer LCL is sandwiched between the first alignment layer AL1 and the second alignment layer AL2. For example, in the present embodiment, the first alignment direction AD1 of the first alignment layer AL1 may be antiparallel to the second alignment direction AD2 of the second alignment layer AL2, that is, the liquid crystal layer LCL may be driven in an electrically controlled birefringence (ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED BIREFRINGENCE, ECB) mode, an in-plane switching (in-PLANE SWITCHING, IPS) mode, or a Fringe Field Switching (FFS) mode. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the first alignment direction AD1 may be perpendicular to the second alignment direction AD2, i.e. the liquid crystal layer LCL may be driven in a twisted nematic (TWISTED NEMATIC, TN) mode.

A plurality of spacers SP are further disposed between the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 102 to space a chamber capable of filling the liquid crystal layer LCL. Fig. 3 shows only the main spacers among these spacers SP. In some embodiments, the spacers SP may further include a sub-spacer (not shown), wherein the height of the sub-spacer in the direction D3 is lower than the height of the main spacer in the direction D3. In the present embodiment, the spacers SP are disposed on the second substrate 102 in a scattering manner and overlap the reflective electrodes RE of the pixel structures PX. The spacers SP are located between the second alignment layer AL2 and the second substrate 102. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the spacer SP may be disposed on the first substrate 101 (i.e., the spacer SP may be disposed between the first alignment layer AL1 and the first substrate 101). In the present embodiment, the spacers SP may be completely overlapped with at least a portion of the color filter pattern CFP (or the reflective electrode RE), but not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the spacer SP may be disposed between two adjacent pixel structures PX and simultaneously overlap two reflective electrodes RE of two pixel structures PX.

In the present embodiment, the spacers SP have a first side edge SPe1 and a second side edge SPe2 facing away from each other and sequentially arranged along the second alignment direction AD 2. Specifically, since the spacer SP has a significant height difference compared to the film surface (e.g., the surface of the common electrode layer CEL) on which it stands, during the alignment process (e.g., rubbing alignment) of the second alignment layer AL2, the alignment effect of the portion of the second alignment layer AL2 blocked by the spacer SP along the second alignment direction AD2 (i.e., the portion of the second alignment layer AL2 located near the second side edge SPe2 of the spacer SP, see the area near the arrow marked with the weak alignment area WA in fig. 3) is reduced, thereby affecting the alignment state of the portion of the liquid crystal layer LCL, resulting in the light leakage phenomenon when the reflective display panel 10 operates in the dark state.

In order to solve the light leakage phenomenon, the reflective display panel 10 of the present embodiment is further provided with a plurality of light shielding patterns LSP, and the light shielding patterns LSP are respectively overlapped with a plurality of spacers SP. The light shielding patterns LSP are located between the spacers SP and the second substrate 102. More specifically, each of the light shielding patterns LSP overlaps the second side edge SPe2 of a corresponding one of the spacers SP. The orthographic projection of the second side edge SPe2 of each spacer SP on the substrate surface 102s of the second substrate 102 is located in the orthographic projection of one light shielding pattern LSP overlapped therewith on the substrate surface 102 s. Accordingly, dark light leakage caused by weak alignment of the second alignment layer AL2 on the second side edge SPe2 side of the spacer SP can be effectively reduced.

It is noted that, since each light shielding pattern LSP does not overlap the first side edge SPe1 of the corresponding spacer SP (i.e., the front projection of the first side edge SPe1 of each spacer SP on the substrate surface 102s of the second substrate 102 does not overlap the front projection of the light shielding pattern LSP on the substrate surface 102 s), the area of the light shielding pattern LSP can be reduced to avoid excessive reflectivity degradation of the reflective display panel 10 due to the arrangement of the light shielding pattern LSP. For example, in the present embodiment, the front projection profile of the spacer SP on the substrate surface 102s of the second substrate 102 is circular, and the front projection profile of the light shielding pattern LSP on the substrate surface 102s is in a meniscus shape (as shown in fig. 2), but is not limited thereto. Specifically, since the reflective electrode RE of the pixel structure PX of the reflective display panel 10 is used to reflect the ambient light or the light of the front light module to display the corresponding screen, the planar area of the reflective electrode RE of the pixel structure PX corresponds to the display area of the pixel structure PX. The spacer SP overlaps the reflective electrode RE in the direction D3, so that in order to shield the weak alignment area WA located near the spacer SP and avoid shielding the display area of the excessive pixel structure PX to reduce the reflectivity, the light shielding pattern LSP overlaps a portion of the spacer SP (a portion overlapping the spacer SP having the second side edge SPe 2) in the direction D3, that is, an orthographic projection of the light shielding pattern LSP on the substrate surface 102s of the second substrate 102 overlaps a portion of an orthographic projection of the spacer SP on the substrate surface 102s of the second substrate 102, and the portion includes an orthographic projection of the second side edge SPe2 of the spacer SP on the substrate surface 102s of the second substrate 102.

From another point of view, the light shielding pattern LSP has a first pattern side edge LSPe and a second pattern side edge LSPe that are opposite to each other and are sequentially arranged along the second alignment direction AD 2. In the present embodiment, the second pattern side edge LSPe of the light-shielding pattern LSP can be conformal to the second side edge SPe2 of the spacer SP, so that the light-shielding pattern LSP with a small area can shield the weak alignment area WA and can avoid excessive decrease of reflectivity, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the first pattern side edge LSPe of the light-shielding pattern LSP may be conformal to the second side edge SPe2 of the spacer SP to further reduce the area of the light-shielding pattern LSP, so that the orthographic projection profile of the light-shielding pattern LSP on the substrate surface 102s may be, but is not limited to, a meniscus shape. Each spacer SP overlaps the first pattern side edge LSPe of a corresponding one of the light-shielding patterns LSP, but does not overlap the second pattern side edge LSPe of the light-shielding pattern LSP.

In the present embodiment, the spacers SP have a width W along the second alignment direction AD2 (or the first alignment direction AD 1), and the second pattern side edge LSPe of each light shielding pattern LSP and the second side edge SPe2 of one overlapping spacer SP have a spacing S along the second alignment direction AD2, and the spacing S is greater than 0, so that the second pattern side edge LSPe2 of the light shielding pattern LSP does not overlap the spacer SP. As shown in fig. 1 to 3, in the present embodiment, a portion of the light shielding pattern LSP overlaps a portion of the spacer SP as seen in the direction D3, and another portion of the light shielding pattern LSP protrudes outward from the second side edge SPe2 of the spacer SP and does not overlap the spacer SP, and an edge of the protruding portion (i.e., the second pattern side edge LSPe2 of the light shielding pattern LSP) and the second side edge SPe2 of the spacer SP have a spacing S greater than 0. In addition, in the embodiment where the plurality of spacers SP of the reflective display panel 10 include the main spacers and the sub-spacers with different heights, it is preferable to use two masks to form the main spacers and the sub-spacers respectively (i.e. one mask is used to form the main spacers and the other mask is used to form the sub-spacers), but not limited thereto. Compared with the traditional manufacturing method of simultaneously forming a main spacer and a sub spacer by using a half tone mask, the manufacturing method of respectively forming the main spacer and the sub spacer by using two masks can reduce the dimensional variation of the spacer and the variation of the gap difference between the spacers, so the setting method of matching the light shielding pattern LSP can further meet the requirement of extremely comparing.

Other embodiments will be listed below to describe the present disclosure in detail, wherein like components will be denoted by like reference numerals, and descriptions of the same technical content will be omitted, and reference is made to the foregoing embodiments for parts, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

Fig. 4 is a front view schematically showing a portion of a film layer of a reflective display panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is noted that the film structure of the display panel 11 on the first substrate is similar to the display panel 10 of fig. 1 except for the film layer shown in fig. 4, and thus, for the illustration and description of these film structures, reference may be made to the relevant paragraphs and corresponding drawings of the foregoing embodiments.

Referring to fig. 1, 3 and 4, the reflective display panel 11 of the present embodiment is different from the reflective display panel 10 of fig. 2 in that the reflective display panel 11 further includes a light shielding layer LSL. In the present embodiment, the micro slit SLT (i.e., the gap between the two pixel structures PX) is formed between the two reflective electrodes RE of any two pixel structures PX arranged adjacently along the direction D1 or the direction D2, and the light shielding layer LSL is overlapped with the micro slit SLT. More specifically, the orthographic projection of the micro slit SLT on the substrate surface 101s of the first substrate 101 is located within the orthographic projection of the light shielding layer LSL on the substrate surface 101 s. In the present embodiment, the light shielding layer LSL and the light shielding pattern LSP are optionally the same film (i.e. a film is used to form the light shielding layer LSL and the light shielding pattern LSP), but not limited thereto. For example, the reflective display panel 11 may include a black matrix layer (Black Matrix layer), and the black matrix layer includes a light shielding layer LSL and a light shielding pattern LSP, but is not limited thereto.

For example, since the micro slit SLT is not overlapped with the reflective electrode RE in the direction D3, the arrangement of at least a portion of the liquid crystal layer LCL in the region of the micro slit SLT (i.e., the liquid crystal layer LCL overlapped with the micro slit SLT in the direction D3) cannot be controlled by the reflective electrode RE, which results in the dark state light leakage phenomenon. In addition, in the present embodiment, the polarities of voltages of two reflective electrodes RE adjacently arranged along the direction D1 or the direction D2 within the same frame period (frame period) may be opposite. That is, the reflective display panel 11 is driven by an electrical structure such as a row inversion (row inversion), a column inversion (column inversion) or a dot inversion (dot inversion), but not limited thereto. The liquid crystal layer LCL driven based on the above electrical structure is prone to inversion of the liquid crystal molecular arrangement in the region of the micro slit SLT, resulting in light leakage in a dark state. Therefore, by providing the light shielding layer LSL, the light leakage phenomenon of the reflective display panel 11 when operated in the dark state can be significantly improved, thereby improving the display contrast thereof. From another point of view, the flexibility of choice of the reflective display panel 11 in driving electrical architecture can be increased.

Fig. 5 and 6 are front views of partial films of a reflective display panel according to a third embodiment of the invention. Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the reflective display panel of fig. 5 and 6. Fig. 7 corresponds to section line B-B' of fig. 5 and 6. For clarity of presentation, fig. 5 shows only a portion of the film on the first substrate 101 in fig. 7, and fig. 6 shows only a portion of the film on the second substrate 102 in fig. 7.

Referring to fig. 5 to 7, the reflective display panel 12 of the present embodiment is different from the reflective display panel 10 of fig. 1 to 3 in that the reflective display panel 11 further includes a light shielding layer LSL-a. In this embodiment, the light shielding layer LSL-A overlaps the opening OP of the insulating layer 130. More specifically, the orthographic projection of the opening OP on the substrate surface 101s of the first substrate 101 overlaps the orthographic projection of the light shielding layer LSL-a on the substrate surface 101 s. In the present embodiment, the front projection of the opening OP on the substrate surface 101s of the first substrate 101 may be located in the front projection of the light shielding layer LSL-a on the substrate surface 101s, but is not limited thereto. For example, in the present embodiment, the light shielding layer LSL-A and the light shielding pattern LSP are optionally the same film layer, but not limited thereto. For example, the reflective display panel 12 may include a black matrix layer, and the black matrix layer includes a light shielding layer LSL-A and a light shielding pattern LSP, but is not limited thereto.

Since the first alignment layer AL1 is recessed near the opening OP due to the shape of the opening OP, weak alignment of the first alignment layer AL1 near the opening OP is caused during the alignment of the first alignment layer AL1, resulting in a dark state light leakage phenomenon. In addition, the alignment state of the liquid crystal layer LCL near the opening OP is affected by the surface topography of the insulating layer 130 defining the opening OP, and a phenomenon of poor alignment of liquid crystal molecules is likely to occur, resulting in a light leakage phenomenon in a dark state. Therefore, by the arrangement of the light shielding layer LSL-A, the light leakage phenomenon of the reflective display panel 12 when operating in the dark state can be effectively improved, thereby improving the dark state performance and the display contrast.

Fig. 8 and 9 are front views of portions of a reflective display panel according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the reflective display panel of fig. 8 and 9. Fig. 10 corresponds to section line C-C' of fig. 8 and 9. For clarity of presentation, fig. 8 shows only a portion of the film layer on the first substrate 101 in fig. 10, and fig. 9 shows only a portion of the film layer on the second substrate 102 in fig. 10. Referring to fig. 8 to 10, the reflective display panel 20 of the present embodiment is different from the reflective display panel 10 of fig. 3 in that the spacer is disposed on a different substrate. Specifically, in the reflective display panel 20 of the present embodiment, the spacers SP-a may be disposed on the first substrate 101 and located between the first alignment layer AL1 and the first substrate 101.

It is specifically noted that fig. 8 to fig. 10 illustrate the first alignment direction AD1 of the first alignment layer AL1 being antiparallel to the second alignment direction AD2 of the second alignment layer AL2, but are not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the first alignment direction AD1 may be perpendicular to the second alignment direction AD2 of the second alignment layer AL 2. As shown in fig. 8 to 10, the first side edge SPe1 and the second side edge SPe2 of each spacer SP-a are sequentially arranged along the first alignment direction AD 1. Referring to fig. 1 to 3 and fig. 8 to 10, the arrangement direction of the first side edge SPe1 and the second side edge SPe2 of the spacer SP-a in the present embodiment is opposite to the arrangement direction of the first side edge SPe1 and the second side edge SPe2 of the spacer SP in fig. 3. Therefore, the position of the light shielding pattern LSP-A on the second substrate 102 is adjusted correspondingly so that the light shielding pattern LSP-A overlaps the second side edge SPe2 of a corresponding spacer SP-A and does not overlap the first side edge SPe1. From another point of view, the arrangement direction of the first pattern side edge LSPe and the second pattern side edge LSPe2 of the light shielding pattern LSP-a of the present embodiment is opposite to the arrangement direction of the first pattern side edge LSPe and the second pattern side edge LSPe2 of the light shielding pattern LSP of fig. 3, that is, the light shielding pattern LSP-a has the first pattern side edge LSPe1 and the second pattern side edge LSPe which are opposite to each other and are sequentially arranged along the first alignment direction AD 1. Similar to the first embodiment, the second pattern side edge LSPe of the light-shielding pattern LSP-a of the present embodiment may conform to the second side edge SPe2 of the spacer SP-a, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the first pattern side edge LSPe of the light shielding pattern LSP-A may also conform to the second side edge SPe2 of the spacer SP-A. Each spacer SP-a overlaps the first pattern side edge LSPe of a corresponding one of the light-shielding patterns LSP-a, but does not overlap the second pattern side edge LSPe of the light-shielding pattern LSP-a. In addition, the reflective display panel 20 of the present embodiment may further include a light shielding layer (similar to the light shielding layer LSL of fig. 4) overlapping the micro slit SLT and/or a light shielding layer (similar to the light shielding layer LSL-a of fig. 6 and 7) overlapping the opening OP of the insulating layer 130, and the related description will be made with reference to fig. 4 to 7.

Although the light shielding patterns LSP, LSP-A and the light shielding layers LSL, LSL-A are disposed on the second substrate 102 (i.e. the light shielding patterns LSP, LSP-A and the light shielding layers LSL, LSL-A are disposed between the second substrate 102 and the liquid crystal layer LCL) in the drawings of the first to fourth embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the light shielding patterns LSP, LSP-A and the light shielding layers LSL, LSL-A may be disposed on the first substrate 101 (i.e. the light shielding patterns LSP, LSP-A and the light shielding layers LSL, LSL-A are disposed between the first substrate 101 and the liquid crystal layer LCL).

In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the reflective electrode RE defines the reflective area of the reflective display panels 10, 11, 12, 20. Specifically, the reflective display panel of the present invention may be a total reflection display panel having only a reflective region, or a transflective (TRANSFLECTIVE) display panel having a reflective region and a transmissive region (not shown).

In summary, in the reflective display panel according to an embodiment of the invention, the alignment layer is covered on the spacers disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. Each spacer has a first side edge and a second side edge which are sequentially arranged along the alignment direction of the alignment layer. By overlapping the shading patterns on the second side edge of each spacer, dark state light leakage caused by weak alignment of the alignment layer on one side of the second side edge of each spacer can be effectively reduced. In addition, since the light shielding pattern is not overlapped on the first side edge of the spacer, excessive reflectivity reduction of the reflective display panel caused by the arrangement of the light shielding pattern can be avoided.

It should be noted that the above embodiments are merely for illustrating the technical solution of the present invention and not for limiting the same, and although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the technical solution described in the above embodiments may be modified or some or all of the technical features may be equivalently replaced, and these modifications or substitutions do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solution deviate from the scope of the technical solution of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims (11)

1. A reflective display panel, comprising:

The first substrate and the second substrate are overlapped along the stacking direction;

a plurality of pixel structures disposed on the first substrate and each having a reflective electrode;

a plurality of spacers disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate;

The first alignment layer is arranged on the first substrate and provided with a first alignment direction;

the second alignment layer is arranged on the second substrate and provided with a second alignment direction;

A liquid crystal layer disposed between the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer, and

The plurality of light shielding patterns are respectively overlapped with the plurality of spacers along the stacking direction, wherein each of the plurality of spacers is provided with a first side edge and a second side edge which are opposite to each other and are sequentially arranged along the first alignment direction or the second alignment direction, and each of the plurality of light shielding patterns is overlapped with the second side edge of one of the plurality of spacers but not overlapped with the first side edge of the one of the plurality of spacers in the stacking direction.

2. The reflective display panel of claim 1, wherein an orthographic projection of the second side edge of each of the plurality of spacers on a substrate surface of the first substrate or the second substrate is within an orthographic projection of one of the plurality of light shielding patterns on the substrate surface.

3. The reflective display panel of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spacers are disposed on the second substrate and between the second alignment layer and the second substrate, and the first side edge and the second side edge of each of the plurality of spacers are sequentially aligned along the second alignment direction.

4. The reflective display panel of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light shielding patterns are disposed on the second substrate and between the plurality of spacers and the second substrate.

5. The reflective display panel of claim 1, wherein an orthographic projection profile of each of the plurality of spacers on a substrate surface of the first substrate or the second substrate is circular, and an orthographic projection profile of each of the plurality of light shielding patterns on the substrate surface is meniscus-shaped.

6. The reflective display panel according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of light shielding patterns has a first pattern side and a second pattern side facing away from each other and sequentially arranged along the first alignment direction or the second alignment direction, and each of the plurality of spacers overlaps the first pattern side of one of the plurality of light shielding patterns but does not overlap the second pattern side of the one of the plurality of light shielding patterns in the stacking direction.

7. The reflective display panel of claim 6, wherein the second side edge of each of the plurality of spacers conforms to the second pattern side edge of the one of the plurality of light shielding patterns.

8. The reflective display panel of claim 1, wherein said plurality of spacers overlap a plurality of said reflective electrodes of said plurality of pixel structures.

9. The reflective display panel according to claim 1, wherein a micro gap is formed between the reflective electrodes of the pixel structures, the micro gap is overlapped with a light shielding layer along the stacking direction, and the light shielding layer and the light shielding patterns are the same film layer.

10. The reflective display panel of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of pixel structures further comprises:

active element, and

The insulation layer is arranged between the active element and the reflecting electrode and is provided with an opening, wherein the reflecting electrode is arranged on the insulation layer and extends into the opening to be electrically connected with the active element, the opening is overlapped with a shading layer along the stacking direction, and the shading layer and the plurality of shading patterns are the same film layer.

11. The reflective display panel of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spacers are disposed on the first substrate and between the first alignment layer and the first substrate, and the first side edge and the second side edge of each of the plurality of spacers are sequentially aligned along the first alignment direction.