Display Panel Dummy Hole Layout for Hydrogen Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Display panels face reliability issues due to hydrogen accumulation, which can negatively affect the threshold voltage of transistors and degrade performance, particularly in the manufacturing process where hydrogen is not effectively discharged.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating dummy holes in the display panel design that penetrate specific insulating layers to facilitate the discharge of hydrogen, with these holes being strategically positioned near transistors and filled with a metal material, allowing for efficient hydrogen removal during the manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dummy holes are formed to discharge hydrogen, then hydrogen emission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen emission reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the insulating layer into multiple segments by forming dummy holes at specific positions, allowing hydrogen to be discharged through these segmented pathways. This segmentation approach enables controlled hydrogen emission without compromising the overall structural integrity of the display panel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dummy holes act as intermediary structures that facilitate hydrogen discharge. These holes are filled with conductive material to serve as both hydrogen emission pathways and electrical conductors, mediating between the insulating layer and the need for both hydrogen removal and electrical functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If dummy holes are formed near transistors, then hydrogen discharge efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen discharge efficiencyVSAvoidhole positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dummy holes are formed in advance during the manufacturing process, before the display panel is fully assembled. This preliminary action allows hydrogen to be discharged early in the manufacturing sequence, preventing hydrogen accumulation that would occur if discharge pathways were created later.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The dummy holes are strategically positioned at specific locations near transistors where hydrogen accumulation is most problematic. This local quality approach concentrates discharge capacity at critical areas rather than distributing it uniformly, maximizing hydrogen removal efficiency where it is most needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If insulating layers are penetrated for dummy holes, then hydrogen discharge is facilitated, but electrical insulation reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen discharge reliabilityVSAvoidelectrical insulation degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts small portions of the insulating layer to create dummy holes, removing just enough material to enable hydrogen discharge while preserving the majority of the insulating layer's integrity. This selective extraction maintains electrical insulation reliability while providing necessary discharge pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The dummy holes are filled with conductive material to create a composite structure that combines the insulating properties of the surrounding layer with the conductive properties of the filler material. This composite approach allows the structure to simultaneously provide electrical conduction for hydrogen discharge and maintain insulation elsewhere.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4333065A1Display panel and method for manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4333065A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4333065A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4333065A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display panel including a plurality of insulating layers, a light emitting element disposed above the plurality of insulating layers, a first transistor including an oxide semiconductor pattern, and a first gate disposed above the oxide semiconductor pattern, and a first dummy conductive pattern spaced apart from the first transistor. A first dummy hole is defined spaced apart from the first transistor in a direction perpendicular to a thickness direction and penetrating first contact insulating layers in contact with at least the first transistor among the plurality of insulating layers. The first dummy conductive pattern is disposed in the first dummy hole.