Flexible Display Substrate Shielding for Pixel Circuit ESD Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices face challenges in protecting their pixel circuits from electrostatic discharges (ESD) during manufacturing and usage, which can lead to image quality degradation.
Innovation Solution
A flexible display device is designed with a substrate that includes a shielding layer with specific portions and openings, allowing for effective protection of the pixel circuits from ESD by controlling the discharge path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shielding layer is added to protect pixel circuits from ESD, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding layer is nested within the flexible substrate structure, positioned between the pixel circuit and the external environment. This nested configuration allows the shielding layer to be integrated into the existing substrate without requiring separate external shielding components, thus providing ESD protection while minimizing additional complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding layer acts as an intermediary between the pixel circuit and electrostatic discharge sources. It provides a controlled path for ESD current to dissipate safely without directly impacting the sensitive pixel circuit components, thereby protecting the circuit while maintaining structural integration
2Reliability
If the shielding layer covers the entire substrate, then ESD protection is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to potential interference with pixel circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding layer is selectively positioned to cover only specific regions where ESD protection is most critical, such as areas adjacent to pixel circuits and signal lines, rather than uniformly covering the entire substrate. This localized approach provides effective protection while reducing the risk of interfering with pixel circuit operations and simplifying manufacturing alignment requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a flexible substrate, a buffer layer on the flexible substrate and including an inorganic material, a display area including a plurality of pixels on the buffer layer and each including a pixel circuit including a first thin film transistor (TFT), a second TFT, and a storage capacitor and a display device connected to the pixel circuit, and a non-display area that is adjacent to the display area. The flexible substrate includes at least one base layer, at least one inorganic barrier layer, and a shielding layer including a portion having a certain area and an opening adjacent to the portion.