Display Panel Terminal Corrosion Protection via Nested Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid crystal display panels face issues with corrosion and electrical corrosion of metal thin films due to water and impurities entering through contact holes, particularly in areas not covered by alignment layers, leading to display defects and unevenness.
Innovation Solution
A display panel design featuring a first substrate and a second substrate bonded by a sealing material, with a protective transparent conductive film and an insulating film forming a contact hole outside the display area within the sealing material, connecting a transparent conductive film to the metal thin film, forming a two-layer structure to prevent corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contact holes are formed in the insulating film to electrically connect the transparent conductive film and the metal thin film, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but water and impurities can enter through the contact holes causing corrosion of the metal thin film
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested protective structure where the sealing material is positioned within the groove to form a first protective layer, and the resin material is filled into the groove to form a second protective layer. This multi-layer nested configuration creates progressive barriers that prevent water and impurities from reaching the metal thin film through the contact holes, while maintaining electrical connectivity functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-forming the groove structure and filling it with sealing material and resin material before the corrosion problem can occur. This preventive measure creates a protective barrier in advance that cushions the metal thin film against the harmful effects of water and impurities that might otherwise enter through the contact holes.
2Ease of operation
If the metal thin film is exposed to form terminals for electrical connection, then electrical connectivity is enabled, but the exposed metal thin film becomes vulnerable to water and impurity ingress leading to corrosion and display defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the groove structure filled with resin material as a flexible protective shell that conforms to the substrate surface. This thin film-like protective layer covers the exposed metal thin film terminals, allowing electrical connection functionality while providing a barrier against water and impurity ingress that would cause corrosion.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing material and resin material act as intermediary substances between the external environment (water and impurities) and the metal thin film terminals. These intermediary materials prevent direct contact between the harmful substances and the metal, thereby eliminating corrosion while maintaining the electrical connection function of the terminals.
3Area of stationary object
If the display area is maximized to improve display quality, then visual performance is enhanced, but areas outside the display area become more susceptible to environmental damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the vulnerability of areas outside the display area by extending protection into a new dimensional space - the groove structure. By creating a three-dimensional protective feature (groove with sealing material and resin) at the periphery, the patent protects the edges and surrounding areas from environmental damage without reducing the display area, thus solving the problem in a different spatial dimension.
Data Source
AI summary
A display panel according to the present invention includes: a common wiring (4) formed above a TFT array substrate (30) and having a first terminal (5); a first transparent conductive film (6) formed above the common wiring (4); an interlayer insulating film (15) formed above the first transparent conductive film (6) and having a first terminal portion contact hole (17) formed outside a display area (54) and inside a sealing material (50); and a terminal pad (20) formed above the interlayer insulating film (15) and electrically connected to the common wiring (4) through the first transparent conductive film (6) in the first terminal portion contact hole (17).