Display Substrate Dummy Line Protection for Signal Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
During the manufacture of display panels, signal lines at the peripheral region are prone to being scratched or cut off due to inadequate protection, leading to defective display effects and reduced yield, especially when the signal lines are arranged at different levels with insufficient strength from the passivation layer.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a dummy line along each signal line, positioned at a higher level than the signal line, which acts as a sacrificial layer to protect the signal lines during the cutting process by being cut first, thereby preventing damage from debris and foreign matters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the signal lines are arranged at two layers with source/drain electrode layer higher than gate electrode layer, then the signal transmission function is improved, but the signal lines become more prone to scratches and cuts during cutting process
Solution Approach 1:
The dummy line is positioned higher than the signal line in the vertical direction, so that during the cutting process, the dummy line is cut first before the signal line. This preliminary arrangement protects the signal line from direct exposure to cutting debris and foreign matters.
Solution Approach 2:
The dummy line acts as an intermediary protective element between the cutting process and the signal line. By being positioned higher, it intercepts cutting debris and foreign matters before they can reach and damage the signal line.
2Ease of manufacture
If only a passivation layer is used to protect signal lines, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the signal lines are easily cut off during subsequent operations
Solution Approach 1:
The dummy line is formed in advance during the manufacturing process at a higher level than the signal line. This preliminary structure provides proactive protection without requiring complex additional manufacturing steps, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving reliability.
3Productivity
If the peripheral region of the array substrate is exposed after cutting, then the cutting process is completed, but the exposed signal lines are vulnerable to damage during subsequent operations
Solution Approach 1:
The dummy line is positioned higher than the signal line, creating a protective overhang structure before any cutting occurs. This allows the cutting process to proceed efficiently while the dummy line remains in place to protect the exposed signal lines during subsequent operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A display substrate, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display panel are provided. The display substrate includes a base substrate, a display region on the base substrate and a wiring region surrounding the display region. The wiring region includes at least one signal line and at least one dummy line arranged parallel to the signal line. A distance between a surface of the dummy line away from the base substrate and the base substrate is greater than a distance between a surface of the signal line away from the base substrate and the base substrate. The dummy line is arranged along the signal line, and the distance between the surface of the dummy line and the base substrate is larger than the distance between the surface of the signal line and the base substrate, i.e., a height of the signal line is greater than a height of the signal line.