Common Power Supply Line Extension for Electrostatic Discharge Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Display devices with touch panels are prone to defects due to electrostatic discharge, which can affect the input sensing units, particularly the capacitance-type input sensing units.

Innovation Solution

The display device incorporates a common power supply line with an extension area that protrudes beyond the sealing unit, acting as a conduit for external electrostatic discharge, thereby preventing it from reaching the input sensing unit and minimizing the risk of defects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the common power supply line is completely enclosed by the sealing unit, then the sealing integrity is improved, but the touch panel becomes vulnerable to electrostatic discharge defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing integrityVSAvoidelectrostatic discharge vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful electrostatic discharge into a beneficial protective mechanism by extending the common power supply line outside the sealing unit. This extension acts as a lightning rod that intentionally attracts and conducts electrostatic discharge away from the fragile input sensing units, transforming what would be a harmful factor into a protective feature that safeguards the touch panel functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The extended common power supply line serves as an intermediary element between the external environment and the sealed display device. It provides a dedicated conductive path that mediates the interaction between electrostatic discharge and the internal components, allowing the discharge to be safely directed through the extension area rather than affecting the sensitive input sensing units inside the sealing unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the common power supply line extends outside the sealing unit, then electrostatic discharge is diverted away from the input sensing unit, but the sealing unit's protective coverage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrostatic discharge protectionVSAvoidsealing unit coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the common power supply line into two distinct functional segments: a first area enclosed by the sealing unit that maintains sealing integrity, and a second extension area that protrudes outside the sealing unit to provide electrostatic discharge protection. This segmentation allows each segment to fulfill its specific function without compromising the overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by giving different spatial configurations to different parts of the common power supply line. The portion within the sealing unit maintains standard encapsulation for reliability, while the extended portion outside the sealing unit is specifically positioned to provide electrostatic discharge protection in the peripheral area, allowing each region to have the quality needed for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If the pad area is positioned at the edge of the substrate, then the electrical connection is simplified, but the common power supply line configuration becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection simplicityVSAvoidcommon power supply line configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetry in the common power supply line configuration, where the line extends in a specific direction toward the peripheral area rather than being symmetrically distributed. This asymmetric extension is strategically directed toward the pad area location, allowing the power supply line to reach the edge-mounted pad area for simplified electrical connection while maintaining the necessary protective functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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

This design effectively induces and disperses electrostatic discharge away from the input sensing unit, ensuring the touch panel's functionality and reliability by preventing defects caused by external electrostatic discharge.

Implementation Method 1

Electrostatic discharge may cause a defect in the touch panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Data Source

PatentUS11588002B2Display device including common power supply line

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device may include a first substrate, a second substrate, a plurality of display elements, a sealing unit, and a common power supply line. The second substrate may overlap the first substrate. The display elements may be positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate. The sealing unit may surround the display elements in a plan view of the display device and may be arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate. The common power supply line may at least partially surround the display elements in the plan view of the display device and may include a protrusion. The protrusion may protrude beyond the sealing unit and may be positioned between the sealing unit and a first edge of the first substrate in the plan view of the display device.