Array Substrate Layout With Shared Light Shield and Source-Drain Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mini/micro LED display panel manufacturing processes are complicated and costly due to the need for multiple photomask processes in forming light shielding and source/drain electrodes.
Innovation Solution
The array substrate integrates source and drain electrodes with a light shielding portion in the same layer, using the same material, allowing for simultaneous formation with reduced photomask processes, and eliminates the interlayer dielectric layer, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and lowering costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple photomask processes are used to separately form light shielding portion and source/drain electrodes, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light shielding portion and source/drain electrodes into a single conductive layer structure. By using one photomask process to pattern the conductive layer, both the light shielding portion and source/drain electrodes are formed simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate photomask processes while maintaining manufacturing precision through unified patterning.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive layer serves multiple functions: it acts as both the light shielding portion and the source/drain electrodes. This multi-functional design allows a single layer to fulfill multiple roles that traditionally required separate layers and processes, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing steps.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple photomask processes are used for patterning, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the formation of light shielding portion and source/drain electrodes into a single photomask process. This consolidation reduces the total number of processing steps required, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency and productivity while maintaining the necessary patterning precision through the unified approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive layer is designed and positioned in advance to simultaneously serve as both the light shielding portion and source/drain electrodes. This preliminary design allows a single patterning operation to accomplish multiple objectives, reducing the overall process time and improving productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If interlayer dielectric layer is deposited by CVD process, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the interlayer dielectric layer from the structure. By eliminating this layer and its associated CVD deposition process, the manufacturing process becomes simpler and more cost-effective, while the direct contact between the conductive layer and active layer maintains the necessary electrical connections without requiring additional dielectric processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive layer directly contacts the active layer to provide both electrical connection and light shielding functions. This self-service design eliminates the need for separate dielectric layers and their complex deposition processes, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an array substrate and a display panel. The array substrate includes: an underlay; a source electrode and drain electrode disposed on underlay; a light shielding portion disposed on underlay; an active layer correspondingly disposed on the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the light shielding portion. The active layer includes a channel region, and the light shielding portion is disposed to correspond to the channel region. The present invention reduces processes and lowers cost by disposing the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the light shielding portion in a same layer such that the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the light shielding portion are simultaneously formed with a same material by a same process.