Display Panel Crack Detection Around Window Regions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display panels lack efficient methods for detecting cracks, particularly in areas surrounding window regions and touch control structures, which can lead to circuit damage and operational failures.

Innovation Solution

A display panel design incorporating a crack detection circuit with a first conduction loop comprising metal lines in multiple layers, connected via vias through a touch insulating layer, to detect cracks in both the display area and window regions, utilizing an integrated circuit and touch electrode layers for precise crack detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a crack detection line is arranged on the same layer as touch control electrodes, then the detection line can be formed through one process reducing production cost, but the detection line may interfere with touch control functionality and cannot effectively detect cracks in window regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidtouch control functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions the crack detection line from a single-layer arrangement to a multi-layer configuration. The first crack detection line is disposed in the first layer while the second crack detection line is disposed in the second layer, allowing independent optimization of each layer's function and avoiding interference between touch control and crack detection operations.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The crack detection function is segmented into multiple independent detection lines arranged in different layers. The first crack detection line detects cracks in the first substrate, while the second crack detection line detects cracks in the second substrate, enabling separate detection of different regions without mutual interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If crack detection lines are arranged in single layer, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the detection coverage is limited and cannot detect cracks in both display area and window region

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoiddetection coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the detection capability to multiple layers, with the first crack detection line in the first layer surrounding the display area and the second crack detection line in the second layer surrounding the window region. This multi-layer arrangement provides comprehensive detection coverage for different functional regions of the display panel.

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

3Ease of manufacture

If crack detection is performed after display panel assembly, then existing structures can be used, but cracks may have already caused circuit damage and operational failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing processVSAvoidcircuit integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The crack detection lines are integrated into the display panel structure during the manufacturing process, allowing crack detection to be performed before the display panel is assembled and put into service. This preliminary detection prevents cracks from causing circuit damage and operational failures during product use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4128203B1Display panel, display apparatus, and method of detecting crack in display panel
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP4128203B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4128203B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4128203B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A display panel is provided. The display panel includes display elements in a display area (DA); a touch electrode layer at least partially in the display area (DA), wherein the display elements and the touch electrode layer are absent in a window region that is at least partially surrounded by the display area (DA); and a crack detection circuit. The crack detection circuit includes an integrated circuit (IC); and a first conduction loop (CLP1) electrically connected to the integrated circuit (IC). The first conduction loop (CLP1) includes a window region crack detection line (WCDL) substantially the window region (WR); and at least a portion of the first conduction loop (CLP1) includes a first metal line in a first layer (SL1) and a second metal line in a second layer (SL2), the first metal line connected to the second metal line through a via extending through a touch insulating layer (TI).