This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0009880 filed on Jan. 25, 2021, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the content of which in its entirety is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a display device.

2. Description of the Related Art

As the information-oriented society evolves, various demands for a display device to display images are ever increasing. For example, the display device is being employed by a variety of electronic devices such as smart phones, digital cameras, laptop computers, navigation devices, and smart televisions. The display device may be a flat panel display device such as a liquid-crystal display device, afield emission display device, and an organic light-emitting display device.

An organic light-emitting display device includes a light-emitting element so that each of the pixels of the display panel can emit light by themselves. Accordingly, an organic light-emitting display device can display images without a backlight unit that supplies light to the display panel. An organic light-emitting display device may include a plurality of pixels. Each of the plurality of pixels may include a light-emitting element, a driving transistor for controlling the amount of driving current supplied from a power supply to the light-emitting element according to a voltage at the gate electrode, and a plurality of switching transistors performing switching in response to scan signals from scan lines. In each of the plurality of pixels, an active layer of the driving transistor and the plurality of switching transistors may be formed in an island pattern. In such case, a path for discharging static electricity on the active layer cannot be formed. As a result, when static electricity is applied to the active layer during the fabricating process, the active layer may be burned and damaged by static electricity.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a display device that can prevent the active layer from being damaged by static electricity.

It should be noted that aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned aspect; and other aspects of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following descriptions.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a display device includes: a plurality of scan lines extended in a first direction; a plurality of data lines extended in a second direction intersecting the first direction, where data voltages are applied via the data lines; a first initialization voltage line from which a first initialization voltage is applied; a second initialization voltage line from which a second initialization voltage is applied; and a plurality of sub-pixels, where each of the sub-pixels is connected to the first initialization voltage line, the second initialization voltage line, at least one of the plurality of scan lines, and at least one of the plurality of data lines. Each of the sub-pixels includes: a driving transistor which controls a driving current which flows from a first electrode thereof to a second electrode thereof according to the data voltage applied to a gate electrode thereof, a light-emitting element electrically connected to the second electrode of the driving transistor, a first transistor including a first electrode connected to the second initialization voltage line, and a second transistor and a third transistor arranged in series between the first initialization voltage line and the second initialization voltage line. A second electrode of the first transistor of an (i+1)thsub-pixel disposed in an (i+1)throw among the sub-pixels is connected to the light-emitting element of an ithsub-pixel disposed in an ithrow among the sub-pixels, where i is a positive integer. The (i+1)thsub-pixel and the ithsub-pixel are connected to the same data line of among the plurality of data lines.

The second transistor and the third transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be not turned on simultaneously.

A gate electrode of the first transistor and a gate electrode of the second transistor of the (i+1)thsub-pixel may be connected to a first scan line connected to the (i+1)thsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines.

A gate electrode of the third transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to a second scan line connected to the ithsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. A scan signal applied to the first scan line connected to the (i+1)thsub-pixel may be identical to a scan signal applied to the second scan line connected to the ithsub-pixel.

A gate electrode of the first transistor and a gate electrode of the third transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to a second scan line connected to the ithsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines.

A gate electrode of the second transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to a first scan line connected to the ithsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. A gate electrode of the third transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to a second scan line connected to the ithsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines.

A gate electrode of the first transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to a third scan line connected to the ithsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines.

The display device may further include a plurality of emission control lines extended in the first direction and arranged in parallel with the plurality of scan lines. Each of the sub-pixels may be connected to at least one of the plurality of emission control lines.

A gate electrode of the second transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to a first scan line connected to the ithsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. A gate electrode of a third transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to the one of the plurality of emission control lines.

A gate electrode of the second transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to the one of the plurality of emission control lines. A gate electrode of the third transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to a first scan line connected to the ithsub-pixel among the plurality of emission control lines.

The display device may further include: a plurality of driving voltage lines extended in the second direction, and a plurality of emission control lines extended in the first direction. Each of the sub-pixels may be connected to at least one of the plurality of driving voltage lines and the plurality of emission control lines. The display device may further include: a fourth transistor disposed between the gate electrode of the driving transistor and the first initialization voltage line, a fifth transistor disposed between one of the data lines and the first electrode of the driving transistor, a sixth transistor disposed between the gate electrode of the driving transistor and the second electrode of the driving transistor, a seventh transistor disposed between the one of the plurality of driving voltage lines and the first electrode of the driving transistor, an eighth transistor disposed between the second electrode of the driving transistor and a first electrode of the light-emitting element, and a first capacitor disposed between the one of the plurality of driving voltage lines and the gate electrode of the driving transistor.

A gate electrode of the first transistor, a gate electrode of the second transistor and a gate electrode of the fourth transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to a first scan line connected to the ithsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. A gate electrode of the third transistor, a gate electrode of the fifth transistor and a gate electrode of the sixth transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to a second scan line connected to the ithsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. A gate electrode of the first transistor of the (i+1)thsub-pixel may be connected to a third scan line connected to the (i+1)thsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. The same scan signal may be applied to the second scan line connected the ithsub-pixel and the third scan line connected the (i+1)thsub-pixel.

A gate electrode of the first transistor, a gate electrode of the third transistor and a gate electrode of the fourth transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to a first scan line connected to the ithsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. A gate electrode of the second transistor, a gate electrode of the fifth transistor and a gate electrode of the sixth transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to a second scan line connected to the ithsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. A gate electrode of the first transistor of the (i+1)thsub-pixel may be connected to a third scan line connected to the (i+1)thsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. The same scan signal may be applied to the second scan line connected the ithsub-pixel and the third scan line connected the (i+1)thsub-pixel.

A gate electrode of the first transistor, a gate electrode of the second transistor and a gate electrode of the fourth transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to a first scan line connected to the ithsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. A gate electrode of the fifth transistor and a gate electrode of the sixth transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to a second scan line connected to the ithsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. A gate electrode of the first transistor of the (i+1)thsub-pixel may be connected to a third scan line connected to the (i+1)thsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. A gate electrode of the third transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to one of the plurality of emission control lines. The same scan signal may be applied to the second scan line connected the ithsub-pixel and the third scan line connected the (i+1)thsub-pixel.

A gate electrode of the first transistor and a gate electrode of the fourth transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to a first scan line connected to the ithsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. A gate electrode of the second transistor, a gate electrode of the fifth transistor and a gate electrode of the sixth transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to a second scan line connected to the ithsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. A gate electrode of the first transistor of the (i+1)thsub-pixel may be connected to a third scan line connected to the (i+1)thsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. A gate electrode of the third transistor of the ithsub-pixel is connected to one of the plurality of emission control lines. The same scan signal may be applied to the second scan line connected the ithsub-pixel and the third scan line connected the (i+1)thsub-pixel.

A gate electrode of the first transistor, a gate electrode of the third transistor and a gate electrode of the fourth transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to a first scan line connected to the ithsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. A gate electrode of the fifth transistor and a gate electrode of the sixth transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to a second scan line connected to the ihsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. A gate electrode of the first transistor of the (i+1)thsub-pixel may be connected to a third scan line connected to the (i+1)thsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. A gate electrode of the second transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to one of the plurality of emission control lines. The same scan signal may be applied to the second scan line connected the ithsub-pixel and the third scan line connected the (i+1)thsub-pixel.

A gate electrode of the first transistor and a gate electrode of the fourth transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to a first scan line connected to the ithsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. A gate electrode of the third transistor, a gate electrode of the fifth transistor and a gate electrode of the sixth transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to a second scan line connected to the ihsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. A gate electrode of the first transistor of the (i+1)thsub-pixel may be connected to a third scan line connected to the (i+1)thsub-pixel among the plurality of scan lines. A gate electrode of the second transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be connected to one of the plurality of emission control lines. The same scan signal may be applied to the second scan line connected the ithsub-pixel and the third scan line connected the (i+1)thsub-pixel.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a display device includes: a first initialization voltage line from which a first initialization voltage is applied, a second initialization voltage line from which a second initialization voltage is applied, and a plurality of sub-pixels, each of the sub-pixels being connected to the first initialization voltage line and the second initialization voltage line. Each of the sub-pixels includes: a driving transistor which controls a driving current which flows from a first electrode thereof to a second electrode thereof according to a data voltage applied to a gate electrode thereof, a light-emitting element electrically connected to the second electrode of the driving transistor, a first transistor including a first electrode connected to the second initialization voltage line, a second transistor and a third transistor arranged in series between the first initialization voltage line and the second initialization voltage line, and a fourth transistor disposed between the gate electrode of the driving transistor and the first initialization voltage line. A second electrode of the first transistor of an (i+1)thsub-pixel disposed in an (i+1)throw among the sub-pixels is connected to the light-emitting element of an ithsub-pixel disposed in an ithrow, where i is a positive integer. At least one of the second transistor and the third transistor is turned off in each of a first time period, a second time period and a third time period, where the first initialization voltage is applied to the gate electrode of the driving transistor during the first time period, the data voltage is applied to the gate electrode of the driving transistor during the second time period, and the light-emitting element emits light during the third time period.

The second transistor and the fourth transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be turned on during the first time period. The first transistor of the (i+1)thsub-pixel may be turned on during the second time period. The third transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be turned on during one of the second time period and the third time period.

The fourth transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be turned on during the first time period. The second transistor of the ithsub-pixel and the first transistor of the (i+1)thsub-pixel may be turned on during the second time period. The third transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be turned on during one of the first time period and the third time period.

The fourth transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be turned on during the first time period. The first transistor of the (i+1)thsub-pixel may be turned on during the second period. The second transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be turned on during the third period. The third transistor of the ithsub-pixel may be turned on during one of the first period and the second period.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a display device includes: a plurality of scan lines, and a plurality of sub-pixels, each of the sub-pixels including a driving transistor, a plurality of transistors connected to the plurality of scan lines, and a light-emitting element electrically connected to the driving transistor. Each of the sub-pixels includes an active layer including a channel region, a first electrode, and a second electrode of each of the plurality of transistors. A first scan line among the plurality of scan lines includes a first extension extended in a first direction and a first protrusion extended in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The active layer overlaps with the first protrusion in a plan view.

A second scan line among the plurality of scan lines may include a second extension extended in the first direction and a second protrusion extended in the second direction. The active layer overlaps with the second protrusion in the plan view.

The active layer of an ithsub-pixel among the plurality of sub-pixels may be monolithic with the active layer of an (i+1)thsub-pixel adjacent to the ithsub-pixel in the second direction, where i is a positive integer.

A first length between the first protrusion and the second extension may be different from a second length between the second protrusion and the first extension.

The display device may further include: a first initialization voltage line from which a first initialization voltage is applied, and a second initialization voltage line from which a second initialization voltage is applied. The driving transistor may control a driving current which flows from a first electrode thereof to a second electrode thereof according to a data voltage applied to a gate electrode thereof. The plurality of transistors may include: a first transistor including a first electrode connected to the second initialization voltage line, and a second transistor disposed between the first transistor and the first initialization voltage line. A region where the active layer and the first protrusion overlap each other in the plan view may be defined as a channel region of the second transistor.

The plurality of transistors may further include a third transistor disposed between the second transistor and the first initialization voltage line. A region where the active layer and the second protrusion overlap each other in the plan view may be defined as a channel region of the third transistor.

The display device may further include a first initialization voltage connection line connected to the first initialization voltage line and extended in the second direction. The active layer may overlap the first initialization voltage connection line in the plan view.

The channel region of the third transistor may overlap the first initialization voltage connection line in the plan view.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the active layer of a sub-pixel is connected to the active layer of other sub-pixels in a display device. Accordingly, when static electricity is applied to the active layer during the fabricating process, a path for discharging static electricity can be formed by the active layers of the sub-pixels, so that the static electricity can be discharged or dispersed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the active layer from being burnt and damaged by static electricity during the process.

In addition, by preventing a short circuit between the first initialization voltage line applying the first initialization voltage and the second initialization voltage line applying the second initialization voltage, the first initialization voltage and the second initialization voltage do not affect each other and can be applied uniformly.

