Display Device Spacer Design for Edge Stain and Scan Driver Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display devices face issues with edge stain defects due to step differences between display and peripheral areas, and the deterioration of switching elements in scan drivers, which are not adequately addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a display device design featuring a base substrate with a scan driver and spacers of different heights, where the spacers overlap the scan driver to maintain a gap between substrates and block blue light, reducing light transmittance and preventing edge stain defects and deterioration of switching elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-height spacer is used to maintain the gap between substrates, then the manufacturing process is simple, but step difference occurs between display and peripheral areas causing edge stain defects
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into multiple regions with different heights (first spacer region and second spacer region). The first spacer region has a first height to maintain the gap over the scan driver, while the second spacer region has a second height to match the display area substrate thickness. This segmentation eliminates step differences and edge stain defects while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through a single patterning process.
2Reliability
If the spacer fully covers the scan driver, then edge stain defects are prevented, but blue light reaches the scan driver causing deterioration of switching elements
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is designed with different optical properties in different regions. The first spacer region (over the scan driver) has high light transmittance to allow blue light to pass through and prevent deterioration of switching elements. The second spacer region (at the edges) has low light transmittance to block blue light and prevent edge stain defects. This local differentiation of optical properties resolves the contradiction between preventing edge stains and protecting against blue light damage.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the spacer has high light transmittance, then blue light reaches the scan driver which may be necessary for operation, but the scan driver deteriorates due to blue light exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is segmented into a first spacer region with high light transmittance for blue light to ensure scan driver operation, and a second spacer region with low light transmittance to protect switching elements from deterioration. This spatial segmentation allows differentiated light management across different functional zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Different optical qualities are assigned to different regions of the spacer. The first spacer region exhibits high transmittance to blue light to support scan driver functionality, while the second spacer region exhibits low transmittance to protect sensitive switching elements. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between operational requirements and durability concerns.
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 design effectively reduces edge stain defects and prevents the deterioration of switching elements in scan drivers, enhancing the durability and manufacturing efficiency of display devices by simplifying the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
the spacer may block blue light having a center wavelength of about 420 nm to about 480 nm
Implementation Method 2
the spacer may be configured to maintain a gap between the base substrate and the counter substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes: a base substrate including a display area and a peripheral area; a scan driver disposed on the peripheral area of the base substrate; and a spacer overlapping the scan driver, wherein the spacer includes a first spacer and a second spacer which are spaced apart from each other and have different heights.