Display Panel Fan-Out Layer Layout for Seamless Tiled Screens

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large-size displays require splicing multiple panels, which results in visible gaps and a sense of image discontinuity due to non-display regions where fan-out lines are located, necessitating a design that minimizes these gaps.

Innovation Solution

The fan-out lines are arranged in a conductive layer separate from the data lines, overlapping pixels to reduce the non-display region and increase the display-to-substrate ratio, with the fan-out lines connected to driving elements via a flexible printed circuit board on the substrate's side surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If fan-out lines are arranged in the same layer as data lines, then routing is simpler, but the non-display region area increases causing visible gaps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-display region areaVSAvoidconductive layer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fan-out lines are moved from the same plane as data lines to a different conductive layer, utilizing the third dimension (layer stacking) to resolve the spatial conflict. This allows fan-out lines to overlap with pixel regions in the top view while being electrically isolated in the vertical dimension, thereby reducing the non-display region area and eliminating visible gaps without causing short circuits.

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

2Area of stationary object

If fan-out lines are placed in a separate conductive layer overlapping pixels, then the display-to-substrate ratio increases, but the risk of electrical interference with data lines increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay region areaVSAvoidelectrical isolation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By transitioning to multi-layer conductive structure, the patent places fan-out lines and data lines in different vertical layers, allowing their projections to overlap in the horizontal plane without physical contact. This spatial separation in the vertical dimension enables both high display-to-substrate ratio and reliable electrical isolation simultaneously.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Insulating layers are introduced as intermediary elements between the fan-out lines and data lines in different conductive layers. These insulating layers act as mediators that prevent electrical interference while allowing the fan-out lines to overlap with pixel regions, thus enabling both compact layout and electrical reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If fan-out lines are routed through larger non-display regions, then routing is easier, but the sense of image discontinuity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting easeVSAvoiddisplay continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes vertical layering to allow fan-out lines to traverse through the display region's vertical space rather than being constrained to horizontal routing in the non-display region. This enables the fan-out lines to pass over pixel regions without disrupting the visual display, maintaining image continuity while providing routing flexibility in the vertical dimension.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3876278B1Display device
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 INNOLUX CORP
  • EP3876278B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3876278B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3876278B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A display device (10) includes a substrate (100), a first signal line (DL1) disposed on the substrate (100), and a first pixel (PU12) including a first transistor (202) having a gate electrode (GE), a source electrode (S) and a drain electrode (D), wherein the source electrode (S) is electrically connected to the first signal line (DL1) . The display device (10) includes a fan-out line (FL1) electrically connected to the first signal line (DL1), wherein the fan-out line (FL1) partially overlaps the first pixel (PU12) and is formed in a layer (CL3) different from layers (CL1, CL2)of the gate electrode (GE), the source electrode (S) and the drain electrode (D).