Display Panel Pillar Zoning for High-Transmittance Sensing Windows

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display panels with integrated photoelectric sensing devices face challenges in achieving high light transmittance and uniformity due to the presence of spacers that obstruct light passage and affect the imaging or sensing performance.

Innovation Solution

The display panel design incorporates a light transmitting region surrounded by a frame region with specific support pillars and spacers arranged in a manner that maintains structural stability while allowing high light transmittance and uniformity, ensuring the photoelectric sensing device receives adequate light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple planar electrode structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the liquid crystal alignment uniformity deteriorates leading to display defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode structure complexityVSAvoidliquid crystal alignment uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by designing the electrode pattern with a specific asymmetric configuration where the first electrode and second electrode have different shapes and positions relative to the center of the liquid crystal layer. This asymmetric electrode arrangement creates a controlled non-uniform electric field that compensates for the natural non-uniformity in liquid crystal alignment, thereby improving alignment uniformity without requiring complex additional structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from considering only the two-dimensional plane to incorporating the third dimension (depth/height) by positioning electrodes at different heights above and below the liquid crystal layer. This vertical dimensionality allows the electric field to be distributed more effectively through the liquid crystal layer, improving alignment uniformity while maintaining relatively simple planar electrode structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If the electrode structure is optimized for uniform electric field, then liquid crystal alignment improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid crystal alignment uniformityVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves uniform liquid crystal alignment through an asymmetric electrode configuration where the first electrode and second electrode are positioned asymmetrically relative to the liquid crystal layer center. This asymmetric design creates a balanced electric field distribution that ensures uniform alignment while avoiding the need for complex multi-electrode systems or additional alignment layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enhances light transmittance and color uniformity, improving the imaging or sensing performance of the photoelectric device by maintaining structural stability without obstructing light passage.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid crystal layer including a plurality of liquid crystal molecules... the liquid crystal molecules are aligned along a long axis of the elliptical opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid crystal alignment: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentEP4124904B1Display panel and display device
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP4124904B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4124904B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP4124904B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

A display panel includes a display region and a photoelectric sensing region, a plurality of spacer, a plurality of first support pillars, a plurality of second support pillars, and a plurality of third support pillars. The display region is located outside the photoelectric sensing region, the display region includes a plurality of pixels arranged in an array, and each pixel of the plurality of the pixels includes a plurality of color sub-pixels; and the photoelectric sensing region includes a light transmitting region and a frame area surrounding the light transmitting region, and the frame region includes: a first region, a second region, and a third region. The first region surrounds the light transmitting region. The second region is located on a side of the first region away from the light transmitting region, and surrounds the first region. The third region is located on a side of the second region away from the light transmitting region, and located between the second region and the display region to separate the second region from the display region. The plurality of the spacers are arranged in an array, and located within the display region, but not located within the light transmitting region. The plurality of the first support pillars are located within the first region, arranged around the light transmitting region, and spaced from each other. The plurality of the second support pillars are located within the second region, arranged around the second region, and spaced from each other. The plurality of the third support pillars are located within the third region, and arranged in an array.