Display Panel Alignment Marks for Four-Side Folding Bezels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display panel technologies face challenges in accurately implementing alignment marks for four-surface-folding display panels, which are necessary for precise folding and heat dissipation film attachment, especially when the panel's surfaces are curved, making it difficult to maintain alignment accuracy without increasing the bezel width.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves arranging alignment marks within flat regions of the display panel's peripheral area, where the alignment mark region has a higher light transmittance than the surrounding areas, allowing for accurate alignment using an alignment camera without the need for additional space, thus reducing the bezel width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If alignment marks are arranged on curved surfaces of four-surface-folding display panel, then alignment can be performed, but alignment accuracy deteriorates due to surface curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by arranging alignment marks on flat regions before the folding process. The flat regions are prepared in advance during panel manufacturing, allowing alignment marks to be placed on surfaces that will later be folded. This ensures that alignment can be performed accurately on flat surfaces before curvature is introduced, resolving the contradiction between needing alignment marks and avoiding curved surfaces for placement.
2Measurement precision
If alignment mark region is added to display panel, then alignment accuracy is improved, but bezel width increases due to additional space requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the alignment mark region with existing flat regions in the peripheral area of the display panel. Instead of adding separate alignment mark structures that would increase bezel width, the invention utilizes already-present flat regions (such as flat fan-out regions or flat signal line regions) to place alignment marks. This combining approach allows alignment functionality to be integrated without increasing the overall bezel dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat regions in the peripheral area serve multiple functions: they act as routing areas for signal lines or fan-out connections, and simultaneously serve as locations for placing alignment marks. This multi-functionality allows the same structural elements to fulfill both electrical routing purposes and alignment reference purposes, eliminating the need for dedicated alignment mark spaces that would increase bezel width.
3Measurement precision
If alignment marks are placed on flat regions with hollowed-out film layers, then light transmittance and alignment visibility are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by hollowing out film layers only in specific alignment mark regions rather than throughout the entire panel. The hollowing is localized to small areas where alignment marks are placed, leaving the rest of the film layers intact. This localized modification improves light transmittance and alignment mark visibility at specific points without significantly increasing overall manufacturing complexity, as the hollowing process is applied only where needed rather than globally.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Provided are a display panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device. The display panel includes an alignment mark region arranged within a flat region of a peripheral region of the display panel. The peripheral region is a region of the display panel other than an active area of the display panel. An alignment mark pattern is arranged within the alignment mark region, and/or at least one film layer within the alignment mark region is hollowed out.