Array Substrate Bridge Structure to Prevent TFT Active Layer Climbing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The active layer of two thin film transistors in series connection has climbing positions on the interval of spaced metal light shielding layers, leading to abnormal crystallization or broken parts, resulting in poor display issues such as dark points.

Innovation Solution

An array substrate with a bridge element connecting adjacent active portions of thin film transistors, where the bridge element has greater toughness than the active portions, and the active and light shielding portions are spaced to prevent climbing issues, increasing the channel region ratio and reducing off-state leakage current.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If metal light shielding layers are spaced from each other, then static electricity protection is improved, but the active layer develops climbing positions causing abnormal crystallization or broken parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatic electricity protectionVSAvoidactive layer integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The light shielding layer is divided into multiple spaced light shielding portions, each corresponding to a specific active portion. This segmentation allows the light shielding layer to provide effective shielding while maintaining structural integrity and preventing climbing issues in the active layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Light shielding portions are positioned locally over specific active portions rather than forming continuous layers. This local positioning provides shielding exactly where needed while avoiding the creation of climbing positions that would compromise active layer integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If continuous metal light shielding layer is used, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity and static electricity protection deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight shielding effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous light shielding layer is segmented into multiple discrete light shielding portions. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process by allowing independent formation of each portion while maintaining effective light shielding over the active regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Light shielding is applied locally over specific active portions rather than as a continuous layer. This local approach reduces manufacturing complexity and improves static electricity protection while maintaining adequate shielding effectiveness where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12446311B2Array substrate and display terminal

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECH CO LTD

AI summary

The present application sets forth an array substrate and a display terminal. The array substrate includes an underlay, a light shielding layer disposed on the underlay, an active layer disposed on the light shielding layer, and a connection element disposed on the active layer. The light shielding layer includes light shielding portions spaced from one another. The active layer includes active portions spaced from one another. The active portions correspond to the light shielding portions. Furthermore, adjacent two active portions are electrically connected through a bridge element. A toughness of the bridge element is greater than a toughness of the active portion.