Display Pad Insulating Layer Layout for Short-Circuit Prevention

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices face issues with residual films and short circuits at the pad portion due to the multi-layered structure of insulating layers, leading to increased steps and potential defects in the display panel.

Innovation Solution

The display device incorporates a substrate with a non-display area featuring pads and insulating layers with varying thicknesses, including a second portion that is less than the first portion, and a triple-layered conductive structure to minimize steps and prevent short circuits by reducing the edge thickness of insulating layers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a thick insulating layer is used at the pad portion, then insulation performance is improved, but step height increases causing residual film generation and short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulation performanceVSAvoidstep height

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating layer is divided into multiple segments with different thicknesses: a first insulating layer with greater thickness and a second insulating layer with lesser thickness. This segmentation allows the pad portion to have sufficient insulation where needed while reducing step height at critical transition areas, preventing residual film generation and short circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the insulating layer are assigned different thicknesses based on local requirements. The first insulating layer provides greater thickness for insulation where needed, while the second insulating layer provides lesser thickness at areas where reduced step height is critical, optimizing both insulation performance and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the insulating layer thickness is reduced at the pad portion, then step height is minimized, but insulation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestep heightVSAvoidinsulation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating layer is divided into multiple segments with different thicknesses: a first insulating layer with greater thickness and a second insulating layer with lesser thickness. This segmentation allows the pad portion to have sufficient insulation where needed while reducing step height at critical transition areas, preventing residual film generation and short circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the insulating layer are assigned different thicknesses based on local requirements. The first insulating layer provides greater thickness for insulation where needed, while the second insulating layer provides lesser thickness at areas where reduced step height is critical, optimizing both insulation performance and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple insulating layers with varying thicknesses are used, then step height is reduced and residual film generation is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresidual film generationVSAvoidinsulating layer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating layer is divided into multiple segments with different thicknesses: a first insulating layer with greater thickness and a second insulating layer with lesser thickness. This segmentation allows the pad portion to have sufficient insulation where needed while reducing step height at critical transition areas, preventing residual film generation and short circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the insulating layer are assigned different thicknesses based on local requirements. The first insulating layer provides greater thickness for insulation where needed, while the second insulating layer provides lesser thickness at areas where reduced step height is critical, optimizing both insulation performance and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12604525B2Display device

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes a display area and a non-display area which is adjacent to the display area, a pad in the non-display area and connected to the display area, and an insulating layer on the pad. A portion of the pad is exposed outside of the insulating layer to define an exposed portion of the pad, the insulating layer includes a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion having a second thickness which is less than the first thickness, and the second portion of the insulating layer is between the exposed portion of the pad and the first portion of the insulating layer.