Display Panel Inspection System for Fan-Out Trace Defect Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display panel inspection systems cannot detect open and short circuit defects in fan-out traces outside the display region, leading to reduced production yield rates in large-sized TFT LCD manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A display panel inspection system and method that includes bi-directional driving signal lines with fan-out traces and test pads, allowing signal transmission and reception at starting and end terminals, enabling detection of open and short circuit phenomena in both signal lines and fan-out traces within and outside the display region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional OST machine is used for inspection, then the inspection system is simple, but it cannot detect open and short defects in fan-out traces outside the display region
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system is segmented into multiple functional components: a signal transmitter positioned at the starting terminal of electrode signal lines within the display region, and a signal receiver positioned at the end terminal of fan-out traces outside the display region. This segmentation allows the system to inspect both internal signal lines and external fan-out traces separately, achieving comprehensive detection coverage while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection capability is extended from the two-dimensional display region to the three-dimensional structure by adding fan-out traces that extend outward from the display region. The signal transmitter and receiver are positioned at opposite ends of this extended path, enabling detection across multiple spatial dimensions and ensuring complete inspection coverage including previously undetectable fan-out trace defects.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fan-out traces are added for bi-directional driving, then the display panel functionality is improved, but open and short defects in fan-out traces become undetectable
Solution Approach 1:
The signal transmitter and receiver are positioned and configured in advance at the starting terminal of electrode signal lines and the end terminal of fan-out traces, respectively. This preliminary positioning enables the inspection system to detect open and short defects in fan-out traces before they cause issues during bi-directional driving operation, allowing for early detection and correction of defects while maintaining the enhanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system establishes a feedback mechanism where the signal receiver captures signals from the end terminal of fan-out traces and transmits this information back to the signal transmitter. This feedback loop enables real-time monitoring of fan-out trace integrity, allowing the system to detect defects such as open circuits or short circuits and provide feedback for immediate correction, thereby maintaining reliability alongside bi-directional driving capability.
3Productivity
If inspection is limited to the display region, then the inspection process is fast, but production yield rate is reduced due to undetected defects
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection process achieves continuity by seamlessly transitioning from inspecting electrode signal lines within the display region to inspecting fan-out traces outside the display region. The signal transmitter and receiver are positioned to enable continuous signal transmission through both regions without interruption, allowing defects to be detected in real-time as the inspection signal passes through the entire signal path, thereby maintaining high inspection speed while improving production yield rate through comprehensive defect detection.
Data Source
AI summary
A display panel inspection system and an inspection method for the same are provided. The system includes multiple electrode signal lines located in a display region, each has a starting terminal and an end terminal, multiple fan-out traces connected with the multiple electrode signal lines, multiple electrode signal input terminals connected with the multiple fan-out traces, multiple test pads connected with the multiple electrode signal input terminals, each has an end terminal, a signal transmitter and a signal receiver, wherein the signal transmitter transmits a signal at the starting terminal the electrode signal line, and the signal receiver receives a signal from the end terminal of the electrode signal line or the test pad. Accordingly, an open or short can be detected at the fan-out traces to decrease a light line ratio in the module process to increase the product yield rate.