Display Device Through-Hole Layout for Optical Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Display devices face challenges in maintaining aesthetic appeal and resolution due to through holes for optical sensors, which complicate wiring design and require lower resolution in areas with sensors.

Innovation Solution

A display device design with a cover window featuring light-blocking areas and through holes in non-display areas, where scan and power supply lines are arranged to avoid overlaps with through holes, allowing sensors to be positioned outside the display area, thus preserving resolution and aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If through holes are arranged in the display area for optical sensors, then optical sensing function is achieved, but aesthetic feelings deteriorate and wiring design becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical sensing functionVSAvoidwiring design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the through holes from the display area to the non-display area, utilizing the z-dimension (thickness direction) to reposition sensor openings. This dimensional relocation allows optical sensors to function while keeping the display area intact and avoiding wiring complications in the display region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the through holes containing optical sensors from the display area and places them in the non-display area. This separation removes the harmful element (through holes) from the critical display region, preserving both aesthetics and wiring simplicity while maintaining sensor functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If through holes are arranged in the display area for optical sensors, then optical sensing function is achieved, but aesthetic feelings deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical sensing functionVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Shape

If optical sensor is disposed in the display area without through holes, then aesthetic feelings are maintained, but display resolution must be lowered in sensor areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoiddisplay resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If power supply lines overlap through holes, then wiring design is simplified, but sensor light reception is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewiring design simplicityVSAvoidlight blocking by power supply line

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3860098B1Display device

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

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AI summary

A display device includes a display panel including a display area in which pixels are placed to display an image, and a non-display area located around the display area; and a cover window including a light blocking area overlapping the non-display area of the display panel in a thickness direction of the display panel, and a through hole penetrating through the light blocking area, wherein the display panel further includes a first power supply line located in the non-display area to apply a first power supply voltage, and wherein the first power supply line does not overlap the through hole in the thickness direction of the display panel.