Display Panel Dummy Pattern for Cell Gap Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, the cell gap between substrates can vary due to height differences in column spacers, leading to display imbalances and reduced display characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A dummy pattern is formed adjacent to the column spacer on the same layer as the source, gate, or data lines to maintain a consistent cell gap, preventing misalignment and imbalance caused by column spacer height variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If column spacers are used to maintain cell gap, then cell gap maintenance is improved, but height or thickness differences between column spacers cause cell gap variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dummy pattern adjacent to the column spacer that has different height characteristics than the column spacer itself. This creates local variation in the structure - the dummy pattern is formed at a different level (either higher or lower) to compensate for the height difference of the column spacer, thereby maintaining overall cell gap consistency and display uniformity despite the column spacer's height variation
Solution Approach 2:
The dummy pattern is designed to preemptively counteract the harmful effect of column spacer height differences. By positioning the dummy pattern with appropriate height characteristics before assembly, it creates a compensatory effect that prevents cell gap variation caused by the column spacer's height or thickness differences
2Manufacturing precision
If dummy pattern is formed in separate layer, then cell gap maintenance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dummy pattern formation with the formation of other conductive patterns (gate electrode, source electrode, or data line) into a single patterning step. The dummy pattern is integrated into the same metal layer structure, allowing simultaneous formation through the same deposition and patterning processes, thereby avoiding additional manufacturing steps and reducing overall process complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A display panel includes a first substrate including a switching device array, a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate, a column spacer maintaining a cell gap between the first substrate and the second substrate, the first substrate includes a gate line on a base substrate and extending in a direction, a data line crossing with the gate line, a switching device electrically connected to the gate line and the data line and including a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode, a pixel electrode connected to the switching device and a dummy pattern adjacent to the column spacer.