Display Panel Electrode Groove Layout Against Spacer Cracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

The pixel electrode in liquid crystal display panels is prone to cracking due to compressive stress caused by spacers sliding under external forces, leading to display failures.

Innovation Solution

A groove is defined in the planarization layer near the signal lines, with the electrode layer embedded within, ensuring the electrode layer's upper surface aligns with the planarization layer's surface, preventing spacer contact and potential damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the pixel electrode is made of transparent conductive ITO material to achieve high transmittance, then the transmittance is improved, but the electrode becomes brittle and prone to cracks under external forces

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetransmittanceVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a groove structure as an intermediary element between the spacer and the pixel electrode. This groove acts as a mediator that redirects the spacer away from the electrode, preventing direct contact and the harmful compressive stress that would cause cracking in the brittle ITO material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the spacer is positioned to maintain stable cell thickness, then the cell thickness stability is improved, but the spacer may slide under external forces and contact the pixel electrode causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell thickness stabilityVSAvoidelectrode reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The groove structure is designed in advance to prevent the harmful sliding action of the spacer. By creating this preliminary protective structure, the patent anticipates and counteracts the potential sliding movement before it can cause damage to the pixel electrode, thus maintaining both cell thickness stability and electrode reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the spacer slides under external force to reach a new position, then the spacer adjusts its position, but it invades the display area and contacts the pixel electrode causing compressive stress and fracture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespacer position adjustmentVSAvoidcompressive stress on electrode
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The groove structure creates a localized protective zone specifically at the boundary between the display area and the spacer region. This local modification changes the quality of the surface topology, creating a depression that guides the spacer away from the electrode while maintaining the overall functionality of the display structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4246221B1Display panel and display apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 MIANYANG HKC OPTOELECTRONICS TECH CO LTD
  • EP4246221B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4246221B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4246221B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A display panel (20) and a display device (10) are disclosed. The display panel (20) includes a first substrate (201), a second substrate (202), and a spacer (203). The first substrate (201) includes a substrate (210), a signal line (221), a planarization layer (230), and an electrode layer (250). The electrode layer (250) includes at least a trunk (251) and a plurality of branches (252). The plurality of branches (252) are disposed at intervals and connected to the trunk (251). A groove (231) is defined in the planarization layer (230) in a region adjacent to the spacer (203), and the portion of the electrode layer (250) in the region adjacent to the spacer (203) is embedded in the groove (231). In the present application, the portion of electrode layer (250) at the position adjacent to the signal line (220) is arranged in the groove (231) by the above method, so as to avoid the driving abnormality caused by the pressure fracture of the electrode layer (250) when the spacer (203) slides, thereby improving the stability of the display panel (20).