Array Substrate Floating Metal Layout for Alignment Film Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for forming alignment films on array substrates result in uneven surfaces due to metal lines in the inverted triangle region, leading to brighter display areas and uneven brightness (mura) in liquid crystal displays, particularly in narrow-bezel designs with high resolutions.
Innovation Solution
The array substrate incorporates a design with multiple layers of metal lines and floating metal lines arranged in a specific pattern to create a non-overlapping orthographic projection, which includes first, second, and third floating metal lines distributed in the fan-out and inverted triangle regions to fill recesses and guide alignment film material uniformly, thereby reducing surface unevenness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If metal lines are arranged in the inverted triangle region to achieve narrow bezel design, then the bezel width is reduced, but the alignment film surface becomes uneven causing mura
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a filling material as an intermediary substance that fills the recesses formed by metal lines in the inverted triangle region. This filling material acts as a mediator between the uneven metal line structure and the alignment film, providing a flat surface for alignment film deposition while maintaining the narrow bezel design. The filling material is deposited through inkjet printing or spin coating to fill the recesses, creating a planarized surface that prevents alignment film thickness variation.
2Ease of manufacture
If inkjet printing is used to form alignment film with single drop volume, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the alignment film thickness becomes uneven in areas with metal lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by depositing the filling material before forming the alignment film. The filling material is printed or coated onto the substrate to fill the recesses created by metal lines, creating a pre-flattened surface. This preliminary flattening action ensures that when the alignment film is subsequently deposited by inkjet printing, the material distributes uniformly without accumulating in recess areas, thus maintaining both manufacturing simplicity and film uniformity.
3Manufacturing precision
If transfer printing method is used to form alignment film, then the alignment film can be formed, but the surface unevenness caused by metal lines still results in mura
Solution Approach 1:
The filling material serves as an intermediary layer between the metal line structure and the alignment film. By filling the recesses formed by metal lines in the inverted triangle region, it creates a uniform surface that eliminates the terrain variations causing mura. This intermediary layer ensures that regardless of the alignment film formation method used, the underlying surface is flat, preventing liquid crystal distribution disorders and resulting mura defects.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides an array substrate and a display panel. The array substrate includes fan-out regions and an inverted region formed between two adjacent fan-out regions. The array substrate includes metal lines and floating metal lines. The metal lines include first metal lines in the fan-out region and second metal lines in the inverted triangle region. The floating metal lines include a first floating metal line arranged between the first metal lines and the second metal lines. The array substrate includes an alignment film arranged on the metal lines and the floating metal lines.