Display Device Light Shielding Layer and Relay Electrode Connection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices face challenges in suppressing deterioration in display quality due to light reflection and leakage of impurities, which affect the contrast ratio and alignment of liquid crystal molecules, particularly in the connection between metal lines and common electrodes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a first light-shielding layer stacked on the metal line, which blocks light and suppresses undesired reflection, and the electrical connection of metal lines and common electrodes through a relay electrode in the non-display area, eliminating the need for contact holes in the display area and reducing surface level differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal lines are directly connected to common electrodes through contact holes in the display area, then electrical connection is achieved, but light reflection occurs and display quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the connection structure into separate components: metal lines, contact holes, and common electrodes are segmented into distinct layers and regions. The connection is split between the display area (where metal lines end) and the non-display area (where common electrodes begin), with contact holes providing the bridging connection. This segmentation allows optimization of each component's function while minimizing harmful interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electrical connection function from the display area by extending metal lines into the non-display area where they connect to common electrodes. This extraction removes the source of light reflection (metal-line-to-electrode connections) from the display region, eliminating the harmful effect while preserving the electrical connection functionality in a separate location.
2Reliability
If contact holes are formed in the display area for electrical connection, then metal lines can connect to common electrodes, but surface level differences occur affecting liquid crystal alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the surface flatness issue by extending connections in the planar dimension (x-y plane) from the display area into the non-display area, rather than creating vertical discontinuities (z-dimension variations) within the display area. This dimensional approach allows electrical connections to be established without compromising the surface flatness required for liquid crystal alignment.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If metal lines extend into the non-display area for connection, then light reflection is reduced in the display area, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality to the non-display area, which serves dual purposes: (1) providing electrical connection pathways between metal lines and common electrodes, and (2) acting as a light-shielding region that prevents light reflection from reaching the display area. This universal use of the non-display area reduces overall device complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single region rather than requiring separate structures.
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
This solution effectively reduces light reflection, maintains high contrast ratios, and enhances the reliability of electrical connections, thereby improving display quality and preventing alignment issues of liquid crystal molecules.
Implementation Method 1
a first light-shielding layer stacked on the metal line
Implementation Method 2
a liquid crystal layer held between the first substrate and the second substrate
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a display device includes a first substrate including an insulating substrate, a color filter layer located above the insulating substrate, a signal line located between the insulating substrate and the color filter layer, a metal line located above the color filter layer, a first light-shielding layer stacked on the metal line, a common electrode located above the first light-shielding layer, a pixel electrode opposed to the common electrode, a second substrate opposed to the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer held between the first substrate and the second substrate.