Bridge Electrodes Reduce Contact Resistance in Display Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices face challenges in minimizing contact resistance and protecting voltage lines, as well as preventing material damage between connection electrodes and electrodes, due to direct contact and exposure issues.
Innovation Solution
The display device incorporates bridge electrodes that connect electrodes to voltage lines without direct contact, using a configuration of bridge electrodes overlapping voltage lines and electrodes, with via holes and contact portions to ensure electrical connection while maintaining the integrity of the voltage lines and preventing material damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connection electrodes directly contact voltage lines and electrodes, then electrical connection is achieved, but contact resistance increases and material damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces bridge electrodes as intermediary elements between the connection electrodes and the voltage lines/electodes. These bridge electrodes serve as mediators that enable electrical connection while preventing direct contact between the connection electrodes and the voltage lines, thereby reducing contact resistance and preventing material damage. The bridge electrodes are positioned to overlap both the voltage lines and the electrodes, creating an indirect connection path that resolves the technical contradiction.
2Ease of manufacture
If voltage lines are exposed for connection, then electrical connection is enabled, but voltage lines are vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar connection approach to a three-dimensional overlapping structure. The bridge electrodes are positioned in a different spatial dimension, overlapping the voltage lines and electrodes vertically rather than requiring horizontal exposure. This dimensional change enables electrical connection while keeping the voltage lines protected and non-exposed, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and protection from damage.
3Reliability
If connection electrodes contact electrodes directly, then electrical connection is established, but material damage occurs between contact points
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge electrodes function as protective intermediaries that prevent direct mechanical and electrical contact between the connection electrodes and the electrodes. By introducing this intermediate layer, the patent maintains electrical connection reliability while preserving the material integrity of the electrodes, preventing damage at the contact points.
4Reliability
If bridge electrodes overlap voltage lines and electrodes, then electrical connection without direct contact is achieved, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge electrodes serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide electrical connection, reduce contact resistance, protect voltage lines from damage, and maintain material integrity. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single structural element, the patent achieves improved reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the bridge electrodes integrate several protective and connective roles in one component.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A display device includes an emission area, a first sub-region on one side of the emission area in a first direction, and a second sub-region on an other side of the emission area in the first direction, a bank layer surrounding the emission area, the first sub-region, and the second sub-region, a first voltage line extending in a second direction crossing the first direction in the first sub-region, and a second voltage line extending in the second direction in the second sub-region, a first electrode extending in the first direction and disposed across the first sub-region, the emission area, and the second sub-region, a second electrode extending in the first direction and including a portion spaced from the first electrode in the second direction in the emission area, and a plurality of light emitting elements on the first electrode and the second electrode in the emission area.