Display Electrode Layout to Prevent Contact Hole Overlap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices face issues with the alignment of light emitting elements during manufacturing, leading to defects due to overlapping contact holes and conductive layers, which affects the reliability and performance of the display.

Innovation Solution

A display device design where the first and second electrodes are spaced apart on the second insulating layer, with the second electrode electrically connected to the first voltage line, and the first electrode connected to the second capacitor electrode, ensuring that the contact hole and overlying conductive layers do not overlap in the thickness direction, preventing insulating layer failures and enhancing reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If contact holes and conductive layers are designed to overlap in thickness direction, then device integration is achieved, but insulating layer defects occur leading to reliability degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice integrationVSAvoidinsulating layer reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the contradiction by transitioning from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked architecture. Multiple conductive layers (first conductive layer, second conductive layer, third conductive layer) are arranged in the thickness direction with corresponding contact holes positioned at different vertical levels. This dimensional arrangement allows electrical connections to be established without requiring contact holes to overlap with conductive layers in the same plane, thereby preventing insulating layer defects while achieving complex device integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If light emitting elements are aligned in manufacturing, then manufacturing precision is improved, but alignment defects occur in undesired areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emitting element alignmentVSAvoidalignment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the device into distinct functional layers and regions. The circuit element layer is segmented into multiple conductive layers (first, second, and third conductive layers) with各自 specific functions, and the light emitting element layer is separated from the circuit elements by intermediate insulating layers. This segmentation allows independent optimization of alignment in each layer during manufacturing, preventing alignment defects from propagating across the entire device while maintaining high manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If insulating layer is formed in area where contact hole is disposed, then electrical connection is achieved, but insulating layer failure occurs due to overlapping structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection formationVSAvoidinsulating layer integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning contact holes in the first insulating layer at locations that correspond to contact holes in the second insulating layer, before forming the conductive layers. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when conductive layers are subsequently formed, they connect through pre-aligned contact holes without requiring the insulating layer to be formed in areas where contact holes would overlap with conductive structures, thereby preventing insulating layer failure while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11830885B2Display device
Publication Date: 2023.11.28 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • US11830885B2 patent drawing
  • US11830885B2 patent drawing
  • US11830885B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A display device includes a first voltage line disposed on a substrate, a first power supply voltage being applied to the first voltage line, a buffer layer disposed on the first voltage line, a first transistor including a semiconductor pattern disposed on the buffer layer, a first insulating layer disposed on the semiconductor pattern of the first transistor, a first capacitor electrode disposed on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer disposed on the first capacitor electrode, and a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on the second insulating layer and spaced apart from each other, wherein the second electrode is electrically connected to the first voltage line, and the first voltage line overlaps the first capacitor electrode in a thickness direction of the substrate.