Bent Display Panel ESD Layout Against Moisture Corrosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display devices with bent lines in the bending area suffer from electrical corrosion and oxidation of ESD circuits due to moisture permeation through cracks or separation of peripheral components.
Innovation Solution
A display device design with a display panel divided into display, non-display, bending, and pad areas, featuring an electrostatic discharge circuit in the pad area connected to the gate driver through discharge lines, and a planarization layer with trenches to prevent moisture and oxygen penetration, ensuring the ESD circuit remains protected during bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the display panel is bent in the bending area to reduce bezel, then the device achieves a more compact form factor, but cracks and separation occur in peripheral components causing moisture permeation
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel is divided into distinct functional areas (display area, non-display area, bending area, and pad area), with the ESD circuit specifically positioned in the pad area. This segmentation allows the bending area to flex without compromising the integrity of the ESD circuit located in a separate, protected zone.
Solution Approach 2:
A planarization layer with trenches is introduced as an intermediary protective structure between the external environment and the ESD circuit. The trenches in the planarization layer create physical barriers that prevent moisture and oxygen from reaching the ESD circuit, while still allowing the panel to bend in the designated bending area.
2Device complexity
If the ESD circuit is positioned adjacent to the bending area for compact layout, then device complexity is reduced, but moisture and oxygen penetrate causing electrical corrosion and oxidation
Solution Approach 1:
The planarization layer is configured with trenches specifically at the location of the ESD circuit in the pad area, providing localized protection only where needed. This allows the rest of the panel to maintain its bending capability while the ESD circuit area receives enhanced protection against moisture and oxygen penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective structure combines the planarization layer with trenches to create a composite barrier system. The planarization layer provides a base protective barrier, while the trenches introduce additional geometric features that enhance protection against moisture and oxygen penetration, creating a multi-layered defense system.
3Ease of manufacture
If the planarization layer covers the ESD circuit without trenches, then manufacturing is simpler, but the layer comes off during bending allowing moisture penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The planarization layer is segmented by introducing trenches that divide it into separate regions. These trenches prevent the planarization layer from forming a continuous stressed structure that would delaminate during bending, while still maintaining adequate coverage and protection of the ESD circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The trenches are formed in the planarization layer during the manufacturing process, before the bending operation. This preliminary structuring of the planarization layer ensures that when bending occurs later, the layer is pre-configured to accommodate the stress without delaminating, preventing moisture penetration pathways.
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 effectively protects the gate driver and pixels by discharging static electricity and prevents external moisture or oxygen from penetrating the ESD circuit, enhancing its reliability and preventing damage during panel bending.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuit disposed in the pad area and connected to the at least one gate driver through a discharge line
Implementation Method 2
due to a first trench and a second trench, even when a display panel is bent, a planarization layer configured to cover an electrostatic discharge circuit does not come off, so that external moisture or oxygen cannot penetrate into the electrostatic discharge circuit
Data Source
AI summary
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a display device includes a display panel divided into a display area, a non-display area, a bending area, and a pad area and bent in one direction in the bending area; a plurality of pixels disposed in the display area; at least one gate driver disposed in the non-display area and configured to supply a gate voltage to the plurality of pixels; flexible films connected to a plurality of pads disposed in the pad area; and at least one electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuit disposed in the pad area and connected to the at least one gate driver through a discharge line.