ESD Protection Wiring for Narrow Bezel Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Highly integrated display devices with narrow bezels are prone to electrostatic discharge (ESD) in areas with concentrated wirings, leading to potential damage such as snapping or short-circuiting, which adversely affects display quality.
Innovation Solution
A display device design featuring a substrate with a non-display area containing a first conductive wiring and a second conductive wiring with lower resistivity that surrounds the first wiring, applied with a gate voltage and power supply voltage respectively, to protect against ESD. The second conductive wiring, often made of aluminum, forms a closed loop or extension to encompass the first wiring, particularly around edges and corners, enhancing ESD diffusion and prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wirings are concentrated in non-display area to achieve narrow bezel, then device integration is improved, but susceptibility to electrostatic discharge increases
Solution Approach 1:
A second conductive wiring is introduced as an intermediary protective layer that surrounds the first conductive wiring in the non-display area. This second wiring acts as a mediator that intercepts and dissipates electrostatic discharge before it can damage the first wiring, while allowing the first wiring to maintain its signal transmission function. The second wiring is connected to a grounding terminal to provide a safe discharge path.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive wiring structure is segmented into two distinct layers: the first conductive wiring for signal transmission and the second conductive wiring for ESD protection. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, with the first wiring maintaining narrow gap design for high integration and the second wiring providing distributed protection against electrostatic discharge.
2Area of stationary object
If gap between wirings is reduced for narrow bezel, then display area is increased, but wiring damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection mechanism transitions from a two-dimensional planar wiring layout to a three-dimensional layered structure. The second conductive wiring is positioned above the first conductive wiring in the vertical dimension, creating a protective envelope around the signal transmission path without increasing the horizontal gap between wirings. This allows the display area to remain maximized while adding protective functionality in the vertical dimension.
3Reliability
If second conductive wiring is added for ESD protection, then wiring protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second conductive wiring that provides ESD protection is merged with the existing gate wiring structure in the non-display area. By combining the protective function with the existing gate signal transmission pathway, the patent avoids adding completely separate protective wiring, thereby reducing the increase in device complexity while still achieving comprehensive ESD protection for the first conductive wiring.
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
Effectively protects the wirings from electrostatic discharge by diffusing external ESD and preventing local damage, ensuring stable operation and improved display quality by forming a closed loop or extension around the first conductive wiring, particularly in vulnerable areas like corners adjacent to flexible films.
Implementation Method 1
protect a plurality of wirings from electrostatic discharge (ESD)
Implementation Method 2
a second conductive wiring at the non-display area of the substrate and on the first conductive wiring
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a substrate which has a display area and a non-display area adjacent to the display area, a first conductive wiring at the non-display area of the substrate, and a second conductive wiring at the non-display area of the substrate and on the first conductive wiring. The second conductive wiring surrounds at least a part of the first conductive wiring.