Display Line Layout With Offset Contact Holes in Narrow Bezels

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Solution Overview

Problem

The narrowing of the non-display area in display devices makes it difficult to arrange and configure lines, particularly power and signal lines, which can lead to inefficiencies and reliability issues.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a display device with a substrate that includes a display area and a non-display area, featuring signal lines extending in one direction and power lines overlapping in a different direction, with specific contact holes spacing apart the overlapping areas of sub-signal and sub-power lines by at least 2 micrometers, and utilizing multiple electrode layers with different semiconductor materials for transistors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the non-display area is narrowed to improve aesthetics and functionality, then the display area ratio is improved, but the ease of arranging and configuring power and signal lines deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay area ratioVSAvoidease of arranging lines
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a two-dimensional planar arrangement of power and signal lines to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. Power lines and signal lines are arranged in different layers (first power line in first electrode layer, second power line in second electrode layer), allowing them to overlap in the planar view while maintaining vertical separation. This resolves the contradiction by enabling compact line arrangement in the reduced non-display area while preventing interference through vertical spacing.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements nesting by placing multiple conductive layers within each other in the vertical dimension. The first power line and second power line are nested in different electrode layers, with insulating layers between them. This nested structure allows efficient use of the limited non-display area while maintaining electrical isolation and proper configuration of all lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If power lines and signal lines are arranged in overlapping configurations to save space, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential interference and short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline arrangement complexityVSAvoidline reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses nested doll principle by arranging power lines and signal lines in concentric layers. The first power line is in the first electrode layer, the second power line is in the second electrode layer, with insulating layers nested between them. This vertical nesting reduces planar complexity while maintaining reliability through electrical isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces insulating layers as intermediary elements between the first power line and second power line. These intermediary layers prevent direct contact and potential short circuits between overlapping conductors, ensuring reliability while allowing compact overlapping arrangement in the non-display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If contact holes are positioned close to overlapping line areas to reduce spacing, then the manufacturing precision requirement increases, but the productivity improves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidcontact hole positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the contact hole arrangement into multiple distinct groups: contact holes connecting first and second power lines are positioned at first locations, while contact holes connecting first and second signal lines are positioned at second locations. This segmentation allows optimized spacing for each connection type, improving manufacturing precision by reducing interference between adjacent contact holes while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different spatial characteristics to different contact hole groups based on their functional requirements. Contact holes for power line connections are positioned with specific spacing from overlapping areas, while contact holes for signal line connections have different spacing requirements. This localized optimization balances manufacturing precision and productivity for each line type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4669057A1Display device and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4669057A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4669057A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4669057A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device includes: a substrate comprising a display area and a non-display area; a signal line extending in a first direction across the display area and the non-display area; and a power line overlapping with the signal line in the non-display area, and extending in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the signal line comprises a first sub signal line and a second sub signal line, the power line comprises a first sub power line and a second sub power line connected through a first contact hole, and the first contact hole is spaced apart in the second direction from an overlapping area of the first sub signal line and the second sub signal line.