Distributive Gate Driving Circuit for Minimized Bezel OLED Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing design of gate driving circuits in OLED display panels makes it difficult to minimize the bezel area and integrate the gate driving circuit within the display region, especially in free-form displays with non-traditional bezel shapes, as the circuit is typically disposed outside the active region.

Innovation Solution

The OLED display panel incorporates a gate driving circuit (GIP circuit) that is distributively arranged within the display region, allowing it to be positioned regardless of the bezel shape, with elements of the circuit split across multiple subpixels and arranged functionally to minimize interference and maximize the light-emitting area, while also incorporating an electrostatic discharge protection element in the display region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the gate driving circuit is disposed in the bezel area, then the circuit can be separated from the display region, but the bezel size increases and cannot be minimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit separationVSAvoidbezel area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The gate driving circuit is divided into multiple stages, with each stage disposed in different subpixels within the display region. This segmentation allows the circuit to be distributed across the display area rather than concentrated in the bezel, thereby minimizing bezel size while maintaining circuit functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit layout transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement in the bezel to a three-dimensional distributed structure within the display region, utilizing vertical stacking and multi-layer configurations to accommodate circuit elements within the display area without increasing bezel size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the gate driving circuit is disposed in the display region, then the bezel can be minimized, but the circuit may interfere with the light-emitting region

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebezel areaVSAvoidcircuit interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gate driving circuit elements are nested within the subpixel structures, with circuit components disposed in non-light-emitting areas of each subpixel. This nesting allows the circuit to occupy space within the display region without reducing the light-emitting aperture ratio or causing significant interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the subpixels are assigned different functions: light-emitting regions maintain high optical quality while circuit-containing regions are designed with minimal optical impact. This local differentiation allows circuit integration without compromising overall display performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Area of stationary object

If the gate driving circuit elements are distributed across multiple subpixels, then the circuit can be integrated in the display region, but the circuit complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay region utilizationVSAvoidcircuit distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each subpixel is designed to serve dual purposes: light emission for display and housing for gate driving circuit elements. This multi-functionality reduces overall circuit complexity by using identical structural templates across multiple subpixels rather than requiring unique circuit layouts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit design utilizes parameter variations such as different transistor sizes, capacitance values, and wiring configurations optimized for each stage's specific function while maintaining a consistent overall architecture. This allows complex distributed circuits to be managed through systematic parameter adjustment rather than fundamental design changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3321920B1Display panel and organic light-emitting diode display device using the same
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 LG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3321920B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3321920B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3321920B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A display panel (PNL) and an OLED display device using the same are disclosed. The display panel (PNL) includes an active region (A/A) including data lines (DL), gate lines (GL) crossing the data lines (DL), and pixels arranged in a matrix, and a shift register arranged distributively in the active region (A/A) and configured to supply a gate pulse to the gate lines (GL).