Display Panel Crack Detection via Resistance Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices face challenges in detecting cracks, particularly in the periphery of panels during the cutting process and in flexible panels, where conventional methods are inadequate for reliable inspection.
Innovation Solution
A display device and method that includes a plurality of pixels, data and scan drivers, an inspection unit, and detection lines to supply inspection signals and reset power, allowing for crack detection by analyzing resistance changes in detection lines, which increases with crack formation, enabling reliable crack detection through light emission states of pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional inspection methods are used, then the inspection process is simple, but crack detection reliability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system is segmented into dedicated functional modules: detection lines for signal acquisition, control transistors for signal routing, reset transistors for signal initialization, and inspection units for analysis. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, improving crack detection reliability while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Detection lines are introduced as intermediary elements between the panel and the inspection unit. These detection lines transmit electrical signals that change in response to crack formation, serving as a mediator that converts physical crack states into measurable electrical parameters, thereby enabling reliable crack detection without direct physical contact with the panel.
2Measurement precision
If detection lines are added to improve crack detection, then inspection accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection lines are merged with the existing data line structure of the display panel. The detection lines utilize the same physical infrastructure as the data lines, combining the display function and the inspection function into a single integrated system. This merging approach enables crack detection accuracy improvement while minimizing the increase in device complexity by reusing existing structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The data lines serve dual functions: they transmit data signals during normal display operation and serve as detection lines for crack inspection. This multi-functionality allows the same structural elements to perform both display and inspection tasks, improving measurement precision for crack detection without adding separate dedicated detection infrastructure, thereby controlling device complexity.
3Reliability
If reset transistors are coupled to detection lines, then inspection reliability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Reset transistors are used to initialize the detection lines to a known reference voltage state before inspection signals are applied. This preliminary action ensures that the detection lines start from a consistent baseline condition, improving inspection reliability by eliminating variability from residual charges or previous states. The reset operation is performed automatically as part of the inspection sequence, maintaining manufacturing simplicity through integration into the existing inspection workflow.
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
The solution effectively detects cracks in display panels by utilizing resistance changes in detection lines, ensuring reliable operation and improved inspection accuracy, even in flexible panels.
Implementation Method 1
detecting a crack of the panel according to a change in resistance of the at least one detection line
Data Source
AI summary
A display device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes a plurality of pixels located at crossing regions of a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of data lines; a data driver coupled to ends of the plurality of data lines at a first side and configured to supply a plurality of data signals to the plurality of data lines; an inspection unit coupled to ends of the plurality of data lines at a second side and configured to supply a plurality of inspection signals to the plurality of pixels; at least one detection line electrically coupled to the inspection unit and extending from a first side of the panel to a second side of the panel; and a reset transistor coupled between the detection line and a reset power supply and configured to turn on when it receives a first control signal.