Display Device Crack Detection Line ESD Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices face challenges in effectively managing electrostatic discharge (ESD) in crack detection lines, which can lead to defects and reduce the efficiency of the display.
Innovation Solution
The display device incorporates a substrate with a display area and a non-display area, featuring first and second crack detection lines, dams, a common voltage line with a concave part, and a second crack detection line connected to the first crack detection lines. This configuration helps to improve ESD management and reduce dead space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If crack detection lines are disposed close to the display area to reduce dead space, then the area utilization is improved, but electrostatic discharge defects occur more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
A ground line is introduced as an intermediary element between the crack detection line and the display area. This ground line acts as a mediator that provides a safe discharge path for electrostatic charges, allowing the crack detection line to be positioned closer to the display area without increasing ESD defects. The ground line effectively decouples the spatial proximity from the electrical hazard.
Solution Approach 2:
The grounding function is extracted from the crack detection line itself and separated into a dedicated ground line structure. By taking out the ESD protection function as a separate element, the crack detection line can be optimized for its primary function of detecting cracks while the ground line handles the electrostatic discharge protection, allowing closer positioning to the display area.
2Reliability
If crack detection lines are disposed far from the display area to reduce electrostatic discharge defects, then the reliability is improved, but the dead space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground line serves as a mediator that enables the crack detection line to maintain close proximity to the display area while still achieving reliable ESD protection. Without this intermediary, the only solution would be to increase distance, but the ground line provides an alternative mechanism for ESD protection that allows optimized spatial arrangement.
3Reliability
If ground lines are added between crack detection lines and display area to reduce ESD defects, then electrostatic discharge resistance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground line is integrated into the existing pixel electrode structure, serving multiple functions: it provides ESD protection for the crack detection line, maintains electrical connectivity to the common voltage line, and utilizes the same conductive material and deposition processes as the pixel electrodes. This multi-functionality approach minimizes additional complexity while achieving ESD protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground line is merged with the pixel electrode structure, using the same ITO layer and deposition process. Instead of creating a separate ground line structure with different materials and processes, the solution combines the grounding function with the existing transparent electrode material, thereby reducing device complexity.
4Reliability
If additional layers are added to protect crack detection lines from electrostatic discharge, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel electrode layer is designed to serve dual purposes: as the functional pixel electrode and as the ground line for ESD protection. This eliminates the need for additional protective layers or structures, as the existing ITO layer performs both functions, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The grounding function is merged into the pixel electrode layer formation process. The same ITO deposition step that creates the pixel electrode also creates the ground line, eliminating the need for separate layer deposition processes and simplifying the manufacturing workflow.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes: a substrate including a display area where pixels are arranged and a non-display area positioned around the display area; first crack detection lines disposed in the non-display area; a first dam positioned between the first crack detection lines and the display area; a second dam between the first dam and the first crack detection lines and including sub-layers; a common voltage line disposed in the non-display area, and which provides a common voltage to the pixels, and includes a concave part defined at an edge of the common voltage line facing the first crack detection lines; a second crack detection line electrically connected to the first crack detection lines, positioned between the first crack detection lines and the display area, and including a first line part and a first connection part contacting the first line part through a first contact hole overlapping one of the sub-layers.