Electro-Optical Electrode Layout to Block Sealing Impurity Infiltration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-optical apparatuses face issues with impurity infiltration from the sealing member into the display area, leading to display stains and degraded quality due to the flatness of electrodes and columnar plugs, which facilitate impurity penetration.
Innovation Solution
The electro-optical apparatus includes a first substrate with a divided surrounding electrode and insulating layer through holes, featuring plug-shaped contacts, and a second substrate with recesses, to create irregularities that lengthen the impurity infiltration path, preventing impurities from reaching the display area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a columnar plug is used to electrically couple the pixel electrode to the relay electrode, then flatness on the pixel electrode is improved and adhesion of the alignment film is curbed, but when the same columnar plug structure is applied to coupling electrodes in the intermediate area, impurities from the sealing member can easily infiltrate the display area
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling electrode in the intermediate area is divided into multiple segments along the light incident direction, creating a multi-layered structure. This segmentation increases the path length for impurity infiltration and reduces the direct connection between the sealing member and display area, thereby preventing impurity infiltration while maintaining electrode functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extends the coupling electrode structure into the light incident direction (depth dimension), creating a three-dimensional multi-layered configuration. By adding this vertical dimension with multiple insulating layers and electrode segments, the design increases the impurity infiltration path without compromising the flatness needed for alignment film adhesion.
2Reliability
If the electrode in the intermediate area is disposed on the same layer as the pixel electrode to improve coupling, then electrical connection is enhanced, but impurities from the sealing member can more easily reach the display area through this direct path
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling electrode is segmented into multiple sections separated by insulating layers, creating a discontinuous structure along the light incident direction. This segmentation maintains electrical coupling functionality while physically blocking the direct infiltration path for impurities from the sealing member to the display area.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple insulating layers are introduced as intermediary structures between the segmented electrode portions. These insulating layers act as barriers that prevent impurity infiltration while allowing the electrode to maintain its electrical coupling function, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of electrical reliability and impurity prevention.
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 effectively curbs impurity infiltration, enhancing display quality by preventing display stains and maintaining transmittance, thus improving the overall performance of the electro-optical apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
an electro-optical layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and having optical characteristics changing depending on an electric field
Data Source
AI summary
An electro-optical apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate, an electro-optical layer, and a sealing member, and has a display area, a sealing area, and an intermediate area, the first substrate includes a first electrode provided for each of pixels included in the display area, a first coupling electrode, a first contact that electrically couples the first electrode to the first coupling electrode, a second electrode provided in an intermediate area and located in the same layer as the first electrode, a second coupling electrode, and a second contact that electrically couples the second electrode to the second coupling electrode, and the second electrode is divided into a plurality of electrode portions directed from an outer edge of the first substrate to the display area.