Display Panel Source Terminal Protection via Inorganic Insulating Film
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid crystal display panels with bottom gate TFT elements, the source terminal leads are exposed and prone to damage, corrosion, or cutting due to lack of protection by the gate insulating film, which complicates subsequent processing steps.
Innovation Solution
A display panel structure with a terminal region where both gate and source terminals are disposed alternately, with the source terminal leads covered by an inorganic insulating film, and an intermediate region with an organic insulating film, ensuring the source terminal leads are protected and can be externally connected along a single side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If source terminals and source terminal leads are disposed above the gate insulating film, then external connections can be made along a single side, but the source terminal leads become exposed and prone to damage, corrosion, or cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing protective coverage only in specific regions where source terminal leads are exposed. The inorganic insulating film is selectively formed to cover the source terminal leads in the terminal region, while the gate insulating film covers them in the display region. This localized protection approach ensures reliability where needed without compromising the overall design for single-side external connections.
2Area of stationary object
If source terminal leads are made thin to reduce space, then external connections become more compact, but the leads become more susceptible to cutting and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by forming the inorganic insulating film to cover the thin source terminal leads before subsequent processing steps. This protective layer is deposited in advance to prevent damage, corrosion, or cutting during manufacturing processes. The insulating film acts as a cushioning protection that allows the use of thin leads for compact design while maintaining durability through the pre-applied protective barrier.
Data Source
AI summary
A display panel has a plurality of gate terminals that are formed of a gate metal layer and a plurality of source terminals that are formed of a source metal layer, disposed alternately as seen in a plane. From each of the source terminals an intermediate region and a terminal region are provided with inorganic insulating film such that a source terminal lead formed of the source metal layer is covered therewith. The intermediate region is provided with organic insulating film such that the inorganic insulating film is covered therewith. The inorganic insulating film is smaller in thickness in the terminal region than in the intermediate region. The inorganic insulating film has an opening in the terminal region to expose at least a portion of a surface of the source terminal.