Grid Common Electrode Lines for Display Panel Voltage Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing array substrates with common electrode lines only in the horizontal direction result in non-uniform and unstable common voltage distribution, leading to poor display performance.

Innovation Solution

The array substrate incorporates a grid structure formed by intersecting first and second common electrode lines, coupled with transparent common electrodes through via-holes, to reduce resistance and ensure uniform voltage distribution, with the option of using metallic or transparent conductive materials and shared layers to minimize thickness and mask usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If common electrode lines are arranged only in horizontal direction, then device complexity is reduced, but voltage distribution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommon electrode line arrangementVSAvoidvoltage distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional horizontal common electrode lines to a two-dimensional grid structure by adding vertical common electrode lines that intersect with horizontal ones. This dimensional expansion enables uniform voltage distribution across the entire display panel while maintaining manageable device complexity through systematic arrangement.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The common electrode line system is segmented into multiple independent lines arranged in a grid pattern, with horizontal and vertical lines interconnected through via holes. This segmentation allows each line to contribute to voltage distribution in its specific region, collectively achieving uniform voltage across the panel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of moving object

If transparent common electrode material is used, then aperture ratio is improved, but electrical resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaperture ratioVSAvoidelectrical resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent common electrode is segmented and interconnected through a grid of metallic common electrode lines, creating multiple parallel conduction paths. This segmentation allows the transparent electrode to maintain high aperture ratio while the metallic lines provide low-resistance electrical pathways to ensure reliable signal transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite structure combining transparent conductive material (for the common electrode) with metallic conductive material (for the common electrode lines). This composite approach leverages the high transparency of the first material and the low resistance of the second material to simultaneously achieve high aperture ratio and reliable electrical performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If common electrode lines are made wider to reduce resistance, then electrical resistance decreases, but aperture ratio deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical resistanceVSAvoidaperture ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical conduction function is segmented across multiple narrow common electrode lines arranged in a grid pattern, rather than relying on a single wide line. This segmentation allows each line to remain narrow (preserving aperture ratio) while the collective network of lines provides sufficient conduction capacity to maintain low overall resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional horizontal lines to a two-dimensional grid network, increasing the total conductive path length and number of parallel conduction channels without increasing the width of individual lines. This dimensional expansion reduces overall resistance while maintaining narrow line widths that preserve aperture ratio.

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

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach effectively reduces common electrode resistance, stabilizes voltage, and improves aperture ratio by allowing narrower common electrode lines and simplified connections without additional bridge wires, reducing capacitance and charging issues.

Implementation Method 1

Metallic common electrode lines (also referred as gate layer common electrode lines) may be provided in a gate metal layer and arranged in parallel with a gate line in order to reduce a resistance of a transparent common electrode and transmit a signal for the common electrode. The gate layer common electrode line is coupled with the transparent common electrode through a via-hole.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3598495B1Array substrate and manufacturing method therefor, display panel and display apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3598495B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

An array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof, a display panel and a display device are provided. The array substrate includes transparent common electrodes, multiple first common electrode lines and multiple second common electrode lines. The multiple first common electrode lines intersect with the multiple second common electrode lines to form grids. The multiple first common electrode lines are coupled with the common electrodes through first via-holes and the multiple second common electrode lines are coupled with the common electrodes through second via-holes.