Array Substrate Electrostatic Protection via Layered Signal Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the manufacturing of array substrates, electrostatic charges accumulated in the non-display region can transfer to the display region, damaging electronic elements and affecting the yield due to the presence of wires in the non-display region.

Innovation Solution

The array substrate design includes separate signal lines and signal line leads in different layers, with connection portions that couple them without direct contact, and additional electrostatic protection lines to prevent charge transfer, ensuring that electrostatic charges are dispersed and do not reach the display region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If signal lines and signal line leads are directly connected in the non-display region, then electrical connection is simple and reliable, but electrostatic charges accumulated in the non-display region can transfer to the display region and damage electronic elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidelectrostatic damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the signal transmission path into separate segments: signal lines in the display region, connection portions in the non-display region, and signal line leads extending to the edge. This segmentation allows the connection portions to be isolated from both signal lines and leads, preventing electrostatic charge transfer while maintaining electrical connectivity through controlled pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces connection portions as intermediary structures that couple signal lines to signal line leads without direct contact. These connection portions act as mediators, enabling electrical connection while blocking the transfer of harmful electrostatic charges from the non-display region to the display region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If connection portions are added to couple signal lines and signal line leads separately, then electrostatic protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrostatic protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the connection portions with existing wire structures in the non-display region, integrating electrostatic protection functionality into the existing layout. The connection portions are formed as part of the overall wiring structure rather than as separate added components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining protection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection portions serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide electrical coupling between signal lines and leads, act as electrostatic protection barriers, and integrate with the existing wire layout. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate structures, thereby limiting complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If signal lines and signal line leads are arranged in different layers, then electrostatic charge transfer is prevented, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrostatic isolationVSAvoidlayer alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by arranging signal lines, connection portions, and signal line leads in different layers. This three-dimensional arrangement provides electrostatic isolation through layer separation while allowing horizontal alignment to be maintained within each layer, reducing the stringency of cross-layer alignment requirements compared to planar arrangements.

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

Data Source

PatentUS11092865B2Array substrate and display device
Publication Date: 2021.08.17 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • US11092865B2 patent drawing
  • US11092865B2 patent drawing
  • US11092865B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An array substrate having a display region and a non-display region, includes signal lines at least located in the display region, signal line leads located in the non-display region, connection portions located in the non-display region for coupling the signal lines to the signal line leads, and the signal lines and the signal line leads are two separate portions.