Crack-Sensing Line in Display Non-Display Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display devices are prone to defects due to cracks generated during manufacturing, which can allow moisture to permeate and cause defects, and existing technologies fail to effectively sense or prevent such cracks from propagating.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a crack-sensing line integrated into the non-display area, buried in trenches within an insulating layer, which is electrically connected to pixels and extends along the non-display area, allowing for the detection of minute cracks and prevention of their propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cracks are detected in the display device, then defective devices can be identified, but minute cracks without significant quality impact may lead to unnecessary rejection of good products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing different crack sensing mechanisms in different regions: the display area uses pixel-based sensing for critical defect detection, while the non-display area uses dedicated crack sensing lines for structural crack detection. This differentiated approach ensures that minute cracks in non-critical areas do not lead to unnecessary rejections, thereby improving product yield while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If crack sensing lines are added to the display device, then crack detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges crack sensing functionality with existing device structures by integrating crack sensing lines into the non-display area and connecting them to pixel circuits. This consolidation approach adds crack detection capability without requiring entirely separate sensing systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The crack sensing lines serve multiple functions: they detect cracks in the non-display area, provide structural reinforcement, and can be integrated with existing pixel circuits for signal processing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thus limiting complexity increase while enhancing crack sensing capability.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If cracks are prevented from propagating, then device durability is improved, but the presence of cracks may still indicate manufacturing issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by designing crack sensing lines that can detect and contain cracks before they propagate to critical areas. The sensing lines act as barriers that prevent crack propagation, and their detection capability allows for early intervention, thereby improving device durability while providing feedback on manufacturing quality.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a substrate, an insulating layer, and a crack-sensing line. The substrate includes a display area having a plurality of pixels to display images, and a non-display area surrounding the display area. The insulating layer is disposed in the non-display area and includes a recess. The crack-sensing line is disposed in and extends along the recess, and electrically connected to at least one of the pixels. The recess is disposed at a surface or inside of the insulating layer, and extends along the non-display area.