Drive Substrate Signal Layout to Prevent ESD Line Corrosion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive substrates for light-emitting elements suffer from electrochemical corrosion due to overlapping signal lines, which affects safety performance, especially in high temperature and high humidity environments.

Innovation Solution

A drive substrate design with a pixel drive circuit in the light-emitting area and electrostatic discharge circuit in the frame area, where the second signal line is positioned away from the first signal line to prevent overlap and ion migration, ensuring no bridging between the signal lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If signal lines are placed in the frame area for electrical connection, then the drive substrate can be compactly designed, but overlapping signal lines cause electrochemical corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal line layoutVSAvoidelectrochemical corrosion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a two-dimensional planar layout to a three-dimensional stacked architecture. Signal lines are divided into multiple layers (first signal line layer, second signal line layer) stacked vertically, allowing signal transmission paths to be separated in the vertical dimension while maintaining compact horizontal footprint. This resolves the contradiction by enabling compact design without signal line overlap-induced corrosion.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the signal line system into multiple independent layers (first signal line layer and second signal line layer) with different functions. The first layer handles pixel drive signals while the second layer handles electrostatic discharge signals, separating their paths both spatially and functionally. This segmentation prevents harmful overlaps while maintaining compact overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If signal lines are spaced apart to prevent overlap, then electrochemical corrosion is reduced, but the frame area requires more space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrochemical corrosion resistanceVSAvoidframe area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By utilizing the vertical dimension through multi-layer stacking, the patent accommodates multiple signal lines without increasing the horizontal frame area. The stacked architecture allows signal lines to be closely spaced in the vertical dimension while maintaining adequate isolation to prevent electrochemical corrosion, thus preserving compact frame area while ensuring reliability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements nesting by placing the first signal line layer and second signal line layer within each other's vertical projection footprint. The signal lines are nested in the vertical dimension, allowing efficient space utilization in the horizontal plane while maintaining functional separation through vertical stacking and insulating layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If the second signal line is disposed on the side of the first signal line away from the light-emitting area, then electrochemical corrosion is prevented, but routing flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrochemical corrosion resistanceVSAvoidsignal line routing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the routing flexibility issue by adding the vertical dimension to the signal line arrangement. Instead of being constrained to horizontal placement options, signal lines can be routed independently in different vertical layers, providing enhanced routing flexibility while maintaining the beneficial spacing for corrosion prevention.

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

Data Source

PatentUS20230269976A1Drive substrate, light-emitting panel and display device
Publication Date: 2023.08.24 SHANGHAI TIANMA MICRO ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US20230269976A1 patent drawing
  • US20230269976A1 patent drawing
  • US20230269976A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The application relates to a drive substrate, light-emitting panel and display device. The drive substrate is configured to drive a light-emitting element. The drive substrate includes a light-emitting area and a frame area surrounding at least a part of the light-emitting area. The drive substrate includes a substrate; and a device layer disposed on the substrate, the device layer including a pixel drive circuit disposed in the light-emitting area, and an electrostatic discharge circuit, a first signal line and a second signal line disposed in the frame area, the first signal line being electrically connected to at least one of the pixel drive circuit and the light-emitting element, and the second signal line being electrically connected to the electrostatic discharge circuit; wherein the second signal line is disposed on a side of the first signal line away from the light-emitting area and is spaced from the first signal line.