Bridge Line Routing for Reduced Bezel Area in Electronic Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing integration density and number of signal lines in electronic devices lead to a larger area for arranging signal lines, requiring finer patterning processes and increasing manufacturing complexity, which complicates the reduction of the bezel area in electronic devices capable of displaying images and detecting external inputs.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a display unit with pixels, an encapsulation layer, and a sensing unit with overlapping sensing patterns and lines, where bridge lines connect sensing lines and pads in a manner that reduces the area required for signal line arrangement, potentially allowing for a narrower bezel by overlapping and efficiently connecting components without overlapping the encapsulation layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the integration density and number of signal lines are increased, then the functionality and performance of the electronic device are improved, but the area required for arranging signal lines increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by routing signal lines through the thickness direction (z-axis) using multiple layers. The first signal line is arranged in the first non-display region and the second signal line is arranged in the second non-display region at a different layer level, allowing both lines to coexist without occupying the same planar space. This resolves the contradiction by transitioning from 2D planar arrangement to 3D spatial arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the signal line arrangement into multiple independent regions and layers. The first non-display region and second non-display region are spatially separated and positioned at different layer levels, allowing independent routing of signal lines. This segmentation enables increased signal line capacity without proportionally increasing the planar area occupied.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the integration density and number of signal lines are increased, then the functionality and performance of the electronic device are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to finer patterning processes
Solution Approach 1:
By moving signal line arrangement to multiple layers in the thickness direction, the patent reduces the required patterning precision in the planar direction. Each layer can use standard patterning processes without requiring excessively fine features, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while supporting increased functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Segmenting signal lines into different layers and regions allows each segment to be manufactured using standard patterning processes rather than requiring a single ultra-fine patterning process for all lines. This division of the manufacturing task reduces overall complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If the bezel area is reduced, then the appearance and display area ratio are improved, but the space available for arranging signal lines and sensing components decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the thickness direction (z-axis) by arranging signal lines at different layer levels within the non-display regions. This vertical arrangement allows compact planar footprint with reduced bezel area while providing sufficient space for all required signal lines and sensing components through multi-layer stacking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing the sensing unit and signal lines in a stacked configuration where components are arranged in the thickness direction rather than side-by-side in the planar direction. This nested arrangement maximizes component density within the reduced bezel area.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a display unit having a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels includes a transistor and a light-emitting element. A plurality of signal lines is connected to the pixels. An encapsulation layer covers the pixels. The display unit includes a display region and a non-display region adjacent to the display region in a plan view. A sensing unit includes a plurality of sensing patterns overlapping the display region. A plurality of sensing pads overlaps the non-display region. A plurality of sensing lines electrically connects the sensing patterns and the sensing pads. A bridge line is connected to a first sensing line and a corresponding first sensing pad. The bridge line is bent to extend in a direction that is different from an extending direction of the first sensing line to connect the bridge line to the first sensing pad.