Backside Driver Display Layout for Narrow-Bezel Tiled Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tiled display devices have a noticeable non-display area, known as bezels, which disrupt user immersion by making separate screens appear distinct, and existing technologies have not effectively minimized this area while maintaining reliable performance.

Innovation Solution

A display device design with a substrate having a display area featuring a pixel with a light emitting element layer and a pixel circuit layer, where drivers are positioned on the opposite surface and connected through the substrate, reducing the non-display area by optimizing the layout and structure of the display panels in a tiled configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If display panels are arranged in a tiled configuration with traditional driver placement, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the non-display area (bezel) becomes noticeable and disrupts user immersion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser immersionVSAvoiddisplay structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by moving the driver circuits from the traditional planar arrangement on the same surface as the pixels to the opposite surface of the substrate. This three-dimensional reconfiguration allows the front surface to be fully utilized for display purposes, minimizing the bezel area and enhancing user immersion while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through backside driver integration

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

2Area of stationary object

If drivers are positioned on the opposite surface of the substrate, then the non-display area is reduced, but the electrical connection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-display areaVSAvoidelectrical connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the electrical connection path into distinct segments: signal lines on the front surface, through-substrate conductors penetrating the substrate thickness, and driver connections on the back surface. This segmented approach manages the complexity of electrical connections across surfaces by creating modular connection points and intermediate conductive structures, making the overall system more manageable despite the three-dimensional arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary through-substrate conductors that act as mediators between the front surface pixel circuits and the back surface drivers. These intermediate conductive elements embedded within the substrate provide reliable electrical pathways, simplifying the overall connection architecture by creating dedicated interface points that bridge the two surfaces without requiring complex external routing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If connection portions pass through the substrate, then electrical connection is achieved between surfaces, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidthrough-substrate alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by forming the through-substrate conductors and connection portions during the substrate fabrication process itself, before the final assembly stages. This advance preparation ensures that the conductive pathways are precisely positioned and integrated into the substrate structure, reducing alignment requirements during subsequent manufacturing steps and lowering overall precision demands

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the formation of through-substrate conductors with the substrate manufacturing process, combining multiple functions into a single integrated structure. By integrating the electrical connection pathways directly into the substrate fabrication rather than adding them as separate post-processing steps, the patent reduces the number of alignment operations required and simplifies the manufacturing precision requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution minimizes the non-display area, enhancing user immersion by reducing visual recognition of bezels and improving the overall display experience by maintaining the reliability and performance of the light emitting elements.

Implementation Method 1

A display device may display an image by using a light emitting element, such as a light emitting diode (LED) as a light source of a pixel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

The light emitting diode exhibits relatively excellent durability even in a poor environmental condition and exhibits excellent performance in terms of life and luminance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS11903270B2Display device, method of manufacturing the same, and tiled display device having the same
Publication Date: 2024.02.13 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • US11903270B2 patent drawing
  • US11903270B2 patent drawing
  • US11903270B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A display device includes: a substrate having a display area configured to display an image; a pixel on a first surface of the substrate in the display area and including a display element layer and a pixel circuit layer; a first driver on a second surface of the substrate facing the first surface of the substrate in the display area; and a first connection portion passing through the substrate between the first surface and the second surface of the substrate in the display area to electrically connect a first signal line of the pixel circuit layer and the first driver to each other. The display element layer includes: a first electrode and a second electrode on the same layer and spaced from each other; and a light emitting element between the first electrode and the second electrode.