Foldable Display Panel Asymmetric Line Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display technologies face challenges in achieving high-frequency driving capabilities while maintaining reliability and display quality, particularly in foldable display apparatuses, due to issues with data line and scan line arrangements that affect resistance and parasitic capacitance.

Innovation Solution

The display panel and apparatus optimize data line and scan line arrangements, with data lines extending in the shorter direction and scan lines in the longer direction, and utilize a third area that protrudes from the second area to accommodate integrated circuit devices, ensuring efficient high-frequency driving and easy folding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data lines and scan lines are arranged in conventional configurations, then the display panel can be manufactured with standard processes, but the resistance and parasitic capacitance increase, limiting high-frequency driving capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh-frequency driving capabilityVSAvoidline arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by configuring data lines and scan lines with different orientations and spacing arrangements. Data lines extend in a first direction with specific spacing, while scan lines extend in a second direction crossing the first direction, creating an asymmetric grid pattern that optimizes electrical characteristics for high-frequency operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a third dimension by arranging connection lines on a layer different from the data lines, creating a multi-layer structure. This dimensional separation allows connection lines to connect data lines to conductive layers in the third area without interfering with the planar data line arrangement, reducing parasitic capacitance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the display panel is designed for folding applications, then portability and flexibility are improved, but reliability decreases due to stress concentration at the folding line

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoiddisplay quality and reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display panel into distinct areas: a first area and second area on respective sides of the folding line, and a third area protruding from the second area. This segmentation allows the folding line to pass through specific regions while keeping critical circuit elements in protected zones, maintaining display quality during folding operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent provides beforehand cushioning by strategically positioning the third area and connection lines to accommodate the mechanical stress of folding. The connection lines extend from the display area to the third area, allowing them to flex and deform without breaking during folding, thereby protecting the overall reliability of the display panel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If connection lines are arranged on the same layer as data lines, then manufacturing is simpler, but parasitic capacitance increases due to line crossing and interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline layer arrangementVSAvoidparasitic capacitance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by moving connection lines to a different layer than data lines, creating a multi-layer structure. This dimensional separation in the vertical direction eliminates planar interference and crossing between data lines and connection lines, significantly reducing parasitic capacitance while remaining compatible with standard multi-layer manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20240224590A1Display panel and display apparatus including the same
Publication Date: 2024.07.04 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • US20240224590A1 patent drawing
  • US20240224590A1 patent drawing
  • US20240224590A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is a display panel including a substrate including a first area and a second area disposed on respective sides of a folding line extending in a first direction and a third area protruding from the second area, display devices arranged in a display area of the first area and the second area, pixel circuits arranged in the display area and each comprising a thin-film transistor, data lines connected to the pixel circuits, respectively, and extending in the first direction, scan lines extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, and connection lines arranged on a layer different from the data lines, connecting the data lines to conductive layers arranged in the third area, respectively, and extending from the display area to the third area.