Display Electrode Layout With Dummy Patterns for Contact Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices face challenges in achieving uniformity of contact holes and electrodes in the display area, leading to potential defects and non-uniform lighting.

Innovation Solution

The display device incorporates a via layer and dummy pattern layers on the same layer, with dummy electrodes covering signal lines and light emitting elements, and a method of fabrication that includes forming electrodes and dummy electrodes through etching processes to enhance uniformity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If dummy pattern layers are added in the non-display area, then uniformity of contact holes and electrodes is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of contact holes and electrodesVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the electrode structure into two segments: functional electrodes in the display area and dummy electrodes in the non-display area. This segmentation allows the dummy electrodes to independently compensate for uniformity issues without affecting the functional electrodes, thereby improving contact hole and electrode uniformity while maintaining clear functional boundaries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates dummy pattern layers that replicate the structure and material composition of the via layer and electrode layer. By copying the same materials and formation processes, the dummy electrodes serve as reference structures that improve manufacturing uniformity across the substrate without requiring new materials or processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of manufacture

If via layer and dummy pattern layers are formed on the same layer, then manufacturing process is simplified, but manufacturing precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidcontact hole and electrode uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the formation of via layers and dummy pattern layers into a single etching process step. By combining these two operations into one process, the patent simplifies manufacturing while maintaining precision because both structures are created simultaneously under identical process conditions, ensuring consistent etching depth and uniformity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates equipotential process conditions by forming both via layers and dummy pattern layers in the same etching step. This ensures that both structures experience identical process parameters (temperature, pressure, chemistry), thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while simplifying the overall process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

Data Source

PatentUS12543374B2Display device and method of fabricating the same

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

Provided herein is a display device and a method of fabricating the display device. The display device includes a substrate including a display area and a non-display area, a via layer disposed in the display area, electrodes disposed on the via layer and spaced apart from each other, light emitting elements disposed between the electrodes, dummy pattern layers disposed in the non-display area, and dummy electrodes disposed on the dummy pattern layers. The via layer and the dummy pattern layers may be disposed on a same layer. The electrodes and the dummy electrodes may be disposed on a same layer.