Flexible Substrate Tiled Display with Z-Axis Signal Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tiled electronic devices with multiple display panels face challenges in achieving seamless image integration due to the formation of grid-like lines at the edges, which degrades the overall image quality.
Innovation Solution
The use of a bent flexible substrate with notches allows for uniform pixel spacing and signal wire extension, enabling a narrow frame and improved image quality by ensuring consistent distances between adjacent pixels across adjacent panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple display panels are connected into a screen wall to display large-area advertisements, then the display area is increased, but grid-like lines appear at the edges of adjacent panels which degrades image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends signal wires from the traditional planar arrangement into the third dimension by routing them through the thickness of the display panel. This allows the wires to connect pixels at different positions (including edge pixels) without occupying lateral space that would reduce the display area, thereby enabling seamless tiling while maintaining full display area utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the signal wire routing into multiple paths: some wires extend through the panel thickness to connect edge pixels, while others follow traditional planar routes. This segmentation allows different regions of the display panel to have optimized wire routing, enabling precise alignment at panel edges while maintaining overall system functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If the display panel uses traditional wire routing to connect pixels, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the frame area is large and image quality at panel edges is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Z-axis routing where signal wires extend through the panel thickness to reach edge pixels. This three-dimensional routing approach maintains manufacturing simplicity by using standard wire extension techniques while achieving precise pixel spacing uniformity at panel edges, eliminating the need for complex lateral wire routing adjustments.
3Shape
If the frame area is reduced to improve the narrow frame effect, then the aesthetic performance is improved, but the signal wire routing becomes more difficult and pixel alignment precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By routing signal wires through the panel thickness (Z-axis), the patent eliminates the need for large lateral frame areas to accommodate wire routing. This allows the frame to be minimized for aesthetic purposes while maintaining precise pixel alignment through the three-dimensional wire extension approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the panel thickness as an intermediary space for signal wire routing. Instead of requiring lateral space in the frame area, the wires utilize the Z-dimension as a mediator to connect pixels, enabling narrow frame design while preserving pixel alignment precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
A tiled electronic device includes a plurality of display panels, and at least one of the display panels includes a flexible substrate, a pixel, and two signal wires. The flexible substrate has a display portion and a bent portion connected to the display portion. The pixel is disposed on the display portion. The signal wires are disposed on the flexible substrate, and electrically connected to the pixel. Each of the signal wires has a first segment disposed on the display portion, and a second segment disposed on the bent portion. The two first sections have a first pitch, and the two second sections have a second pitch. The first pitch is different than the second pitch.