Display Panel Side Printing Structure for Open- and Short-Circuit Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The side printing process in mini LED and micro LED technologies faces challenges with open circuits and short circuits due to the complexity of the process, leading to low yield in display panel manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

A display panel design featuring alternately arranged bonding terminals and conductors with specific groove and protrusion structures, along with a printing device having corresponding grooves and protrusions, uses hydrophobic and oleophobic layers to prevent short circuits and improve manufacturing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the printing device uses a plane printing surface with printing heads at the same height, then the device structure is simple, but open circuits and short circuits occur in the conductive liquid leading to low yield

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveyieldVSAvoidprinting device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional plane printing surface to a three-dimensional surface with grooves and protrusions. The printing surface includes alternating grooves (lower regions) and protrusions (higher regions), creating height differences that prevent conductive liquid from spreading between adjacent bonding terminals, thereby eliminating short circuits while maintaining print accuracy.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The printing surface is segmented into distinct grooves and protrusions, dividing the continuous plane into separated regions. Each groove corresponds to a bonding terminal, and the protrusions act as physical barriers between adjacent terminals, preventing unwanted conductive liquid migration and ensuring electrical isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the conductive liquid is applied on a plane surface, then the printing process is simple, but short circuits occur due to liquid spreading between multiple side printing areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidprinting process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces height variation on the printing surface by forming grooves and protrusions. The grooves have lower heights while protrusions have higher heights, creating physical barriers that confine conductive liquid within specific printing areas and prevent it from spreading to adjacent areas, thereby ensuring electrical insulation between conductors.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions act as intermediary barriers between adjacent grooves and bonding terminals. These protrusions physically separate the conductive liquid in different grooves, preventing direct contact between conductors on adjacent bonding terminals, thus serving as an insulating mediator without requiring additional insulating materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the printing heads are positioned at the same height on the main body, then the device structure is simplified, but open circuits occur due to improper conductive liquid deposition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconductive liquid deposition accuracyVSAvoidprinting device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the printing device by creating corresponding grooves and protrusions on the printing surface of the main body. The grooves align with bonding terminals to receive conductive liquid, while protrusions prevent liquid overflow. This three-dimensional structure ensures precise conductive liquid deposition directly onto bonding terminals, eliminating open circuits caused by improper placement.

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

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 reduces the risk of open and short circuits, enhances manufacturing efficiency, and results in a less noticeable splicing seam when panels are combined, improving user experience.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of hydrophobic and oleophobic layers are arranged on two sidewalls of each of the second grooves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic and oleophobic properties: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP4528834A1Display panel, printing device, and method for preparing display panel
Publication Date: 2025.03.26 TCL CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP4528834A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4528834A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4528834A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a display panel, a printing device, and a method of manufacturing the display panel. In the present invention, the width of the first conductor and the second conductor can be increased by matching the printing device with the display panel, and the risk of the open circuit between the first conductor and the first bonding terminal and the open circuit between the second conductor and the second bonding terminal is reduced. The first conductor and the second conductor of the present invention are not on the same plane, so that the risk of short circuit between the first conductor and the second conductor can be reduced.