Display Device Sensor Area Substrate Thickness Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional display devices with sensors positioned in the display area receive less light due to the material of the substrate portion, leading to reduced light transmission and efficiency of the optical sensor.

Innovation Solution

The display device incorporates a substrate portion with a through hole in the sensor area, exposing a carbonized surface of the barrier layer, and a light-blocking metal layer to enhance light reception and prevent light from entering the semiconductor layer, while maintaining a thinner structure in the sensor area to improve light transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a sensor is positioned in the display area to reduce bezel size, then the non-display area is minimized, but the sensor receives less light due to the substrate portion material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-display areaVSAvoidlight reception by sensor
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate portion is segmented into sensor area and non-sensor area with different thicknesses. The sensor area has a thinner substrate portion that allows more light to reach the optical sensor, while the non-sensor area maintains a thicker substrate portion for structural support and protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the substrate portion are given different local qualities (thicknesses) according to their functional requirements. The sensor area receives enhanced light transmission properties through thinner substrate material, while other areas maintain standard thickness for structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If the substrate portion is made thinner in the sensor area to improve light transmission, then light reception is enhanced, but the structural strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight transmission to sensorVSAvoidsubstrate structural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is segmented into different thickness regions, allowing the sensor area to have reduced thickness for improved light transmission while other areas maintain full thickness for structural support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate portion may utilize composite material structures or multi-layer constructions where different materials or layers provide different properties - thinner sections for light transmission and thicker sections for structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

This configuration allows for increased light reception by the optical sensor, enhancing image definition and operational efficiency by ensuring a desired quantity of sensor light reaches the object and is incident on the light receiving portion.

Implementation Method 1

A thickness of the substrate portion in the sensor area is smaller than a thickness of the substrate portion in the non-sensor area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

The exposed part of the bottom surface of the first barrier layer further includes a carbonized surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3770969B1Display device
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3770969B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3770969B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3770969B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device is provided including a display area and a non-display area located on a periphery of the display area. The display area includes a sensor area for an optical sensor and a non-sensor area. The display device includes a substrate portion, a thin film transistor (TFT) layer disposed over an entire surface of the substrate portion, and a light emitting diode (LED) disposed on the TFT layer. The TFT layer includes at least one TFT. A thickness of the substrate portion in the sensor area is smaller than a thickness of the substrate portion in the non-sensor area.