Display Panel Dummy Line Routing for Narrow Bezel Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing display panels face limitations in reducing the non-display area due to the positioning of the gate driver, which hinders the development of narrow bezel structures in demand by the market.
Innovation Solution
The display panel design incorporates gate dummy lines and data dummy lines that are parallel to the gate lines and data lines, respectively, with contact parts coupling them at the edges, allowing for a more efficient layout that reduces the non-display area by overlapping certain lines and extending others diagonally, thereby minimizing the bezel size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gate driver is mounted on the non-display area, then the display panel can be driven properly, but the non-display area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dummy lines (gate dummy lines and data dummy lines) that extend into the non-display area, creating a three-dimensional routing path. These dummy lines allow the gate driver to be positioned at the edge of the display area while maintaining proper electrical connections through the dummy line extensions, effectively utilizing the vertical dimension (depth) to resolve the space conflict.
Solution Approach 2:
The dummy lines act as intermediary elements between the gate driver and the active display area. The gate dummy lines and data dummy lines serve as intermediate conductors that bridge the gap between the edge-mounted gate driver and the pixel array, allowing the driver to be positioned outside the traditional non-display area while still functioning correctly.
2Reliability
If the gate driver is positioned at the center of the non-display area, then electrical connections are established, but the bezel width increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the gate driver centrally in the non-display area (horizontal placement), the patent moves the gate driver to the vertical edge of the display area. The dummy lines extend vertically along the edges to connect the gate driver to the pixel array, changing the spatial dimension from horizontal to vertical routing and thereby reducing bezel width.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the electrical connection path into multiple components: gate lines for signal transmission, gate dummy lines for extension into the non-display area, and data dummy lines for additional routing flexibility. This segmentation allows the gate driver to be positioned at the edge while maintaining proper connections through the distributed dummy line network.
3Ease of manufacture
If dummy lines are added to extend connections, then the gate driver can be repositioned, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functional lines (gate lines and data lines) with dummy lines of the same type. Gate dummy lines are combined with gate lines, and data dummy lines are combined with data lines, creating unified routing structures. This merging approach reduces the total number of separate components and simplifies the manufacturing process despite the extended routing paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The dummy lines are designed to be homogeneous with their corresponding functional lines - gate dummy lines have the same characteristics as gate lines, and data dummy lines match data lines. This homogeneity allows the dummy lines to be manufactured using the same processes and materials as the functional lines, reducing manufacturing complexity despite the increased routing length.
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes a display panel, a timing controller, a gate driver, and a data driver. The display panel includes a display area configured to display an image and a non-display area adjacent to a side of the display area in a first direction. The display area includes gate lines, data lines, gate dummy lines, data contact parts, and pixels. The data lines cross the gate lines and are insulated from at least a portion of the gate lines. The gate dummy lines are substantially in parallel to the gate lines and spaced from the gate lines. The data contact parts couple the gate dummy lines to the data lines at a side of the display panel in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The pixels are coupled to the gate lines and the data lines.