Cathode Electrode Width Variation for Display Miniaturization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices face limitations in miniaturization due to the identical size of electrode layers and their contacts compared to luminescent areas, hindering size and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The display device design features cathode electrode layers with one end having a width greater than the luminescent area, allowing for wider contact hole sections and reducing the device's size by not forming long contact holes in the exterior area, while maintaining efficient coupling with scan lines through contact hole sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If electrode layers and contacts are made identical in size to luminescent areas, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but device size cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode layer is segmented into two distinct regions: a luminescent area portion that aligns with the luminescent area, and an exterior area portion that extends beyond it. This segmentation allows contact hole sections to be formed only in the exterior area, separating the contact formation function from the luminescent area and enabling device miniaturization without compromising manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode layer is designed to extend into a spatial dimension beyond the luminescent area boundary. By positioning the exterior area portion of the electrode layer outside the luminescent area, the patent creates additional space for contact hole formation without increasing the overall device footprint, thus resolving the contradiction between size reduction and manufacturing precision.
2Volume of moving object
If contact hole sections are formed in exterior area, then device size is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact hole sections are merged with the exterior area portion of the electrode layer, forming an integrated structure where the contact hole sections and electrode layer work together as a unified component. This merging simplifies the overall device structure by eliminating the need for separate contact structures, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving device size reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The exterior area portion of the electrode layer serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connection through the contact hole sections and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, simplifying the device structure and reducing manufacturing complexity while enabling size reduction.
3Productivity
If electrode layer width is increased beyond luminescent area, then operational efficiency is improved, but device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode layer is designed with different widths in different locations: it has a first width within the luminescent area and a second, greater width in the exterior area. This local quality variation allows the electrode to provide enhanced electrical connection and operational efficiency in the exterior area without increasing the overall device area, as the wider portion is positioned outside the luminescent area boundary.
Data Source
AI summary
A display panel includes a first plurality of scan lines, a second plurality of scan lines, and a cell section that includes first and second electrode layers that cross form a plurality of display cells. Each cell includes a light-emitting layer which is formed between the first and second electrode layers. The panel also includes a plurality of contacts, each of which electrically couples at least one of the first or second scan lines to a corresponding one of the second electrode layers. One or more of the contacts have a dimension which is different from a dimension of one of the display cells.