Foldable Display Panel Dummy Line Layout for Short-Circuit Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices face challenges in minimizing the non-display area, which can lead to increased risk of short circuits due to residual metal films, affecting the reliability of the device.

Innovation Solution

The display device incorporates a substrate with a display area, first and second non-display areas, and a bending area, where a first inorganic film and a second inorganic film are used, along with power lines and dummy lines that extend along the bending area, ensuring that residual metal films do not remain in the boundaries between these areas, thus preventing short circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the non-display area is reduced by bending the display panel, then the area efficiency is improved, but residual metal films may remain at the bending boundaries causing short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-display areaVSAvoidshort circuit prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dummy lines are formed in advance during the manufacturing process, extending from the power lines through the bending area to the other non-display area. This preliminary structure prevents residual metal film accumulation at the bending boundaries before the actual bending operation occurs, thereby preventing short circuits while maintaining the reduced non-display area design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The dummy lines act as intermediary structures that bridge the power lines across the bending area. These intermediate conductive paths provide a controlled route for metal deposition, preventing uncontrolled residual metal film formation at the bending boundaries while maintaining electrical connectivity through the bent region

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If dummy lines are added to prevent short circuits, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort circuit preventionVSAvoidline structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dummy lines are merged with the existing power line structure, extending continuously from the power lines through the bending area. This integration approach allows the dummy lines to perform multiple functions (electrical connection and short circuit prevention) without requiring separate independent structures, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while improving reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20230282794A1Display device
Publication Date: 2023.09.07 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • US20230282794A1 patent drawing
  • US20230282794A1 patent drawing
  • US20230282794A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A display device includes: a substrate including a display area, a first non-display area, a second non-display area, and a bending area and extending in a second direction, a first inorganic film disposed in the display area, the first non-display area, the second non-display area and a portion of the bending area on the substrate, a second inorganic film disposed on the first inorganic film and overlapping the display area, the first non-display area, and the second non-display area in a plan view, a first power line disposed on the second inorganic film and overlapping the first non-display area in a plan view, and a first dummy line extending from the first power line, disposed on the first inorganic film in the bending area, covering a first side surface of the second inorganic film in the first non-display area, and extending in the second direction.