AMOLED Array Substrate Auxiliary Lines for Plate Electrode Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

In top-emission AMOLED panels, the large in-plane resistance of the top electrode leads to nonuniform in-plane brightness due to excessive IR drop, affecting the uniformity of the picture, especially as panel size increases.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of auxiliary lines that overlap with the plate electrode, connected via via holes, forms a resistor network in parallel with the plate electrode, reducing its in-plane resistance and improving uniformity by distributing electrical connections evenly across the panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the top electrode is made thin to be light-transmissive, then the light transmissivity is improved, but the in-plane resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight transmissivityVSAvoidin-plane resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces auxiliary lines (first auxiliary lines and second auxiliary lines) that divide the plate electrode into multiple regions, creating a segmented electrical connection network. This segmentation allows current to flow through multiple parallel paths, reducing the overall in-plane resistance without requiring the main plate electrode to be thicker, thus maintaining light transmissivity while improving electrical conductivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If the panel size is increased, then the display area is improved, but the in-plane resistance of the top electrode increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidin-plane resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses the in-plane resistance issue in large panels by introducing auxiliary lines that extend in additional dimensional directions. The first auxiliary lines connect regions along one dimension while the second auxiliary lines connect regions along another dimension, creating a two-dimensional network of electrical pathways that effectively reduces resistance across the entire large panel area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If the plate electrode is formed as an integral planar electrode, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the in-plane resistance increases leading to nonuniform brightness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidbrightness uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains the simplicity of the integral plate electrode structure while introducing localized auxiliary lines at specific positions and orientations. These auxiliary lines are strategically placed to address local resistance issues in different regions of the panel, creating non-uniform electrical enhancement where needed while preserving the overall simplicity of the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3242326B1Amoled array substrate, method for manufacturing amoled array substrate, and display device
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3242326B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to an AMOLED array substrate which includes a plate electrode; pixel electrodes; an organic light emitting body; at least one first auxiliary line provided in the same layer as but not intersecting with the pixel electrodes; and at least one second auxiliary line provided in the same layer as source and drain electrodes of the array substrate but not intersecting with data lines and the source and drain electrodes of the array substrate, wherein: projections of the first and second auxiliary lines on the plate electrode are within projection of pixel define layer of the array substrate and at least partially overlap; and the first auxiliary line is electrically connected to the second auxiliary line via a first via hole and to the plate electrode via a second via hole formed in pixel define layer of the array substrate, wherein projection of the first via hole on the plate electrode is within overlapped projection of the first and second auxiliary lines. The present invention further relates to a display device and a method for manufacturing an array substrate. The technical solutions of the present invention can decrease in-plane resistance of the plate electrode and improve uniformity of the in-plane resistance of the plate electrode.