IPS Array Substrate Self-Repairing Data Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-plane switching (IPS) mode liquid crystal display (LCD) devices face challenges such as reduced production yield due to disconnected data lines during fabrication, imperfect horizontal electric fields causing unexpected liquid crystal arrangements, and increased power consumption due to insulating layers affecting the electric field strength between common and pixel electrodes.
Innovation Solution
The array substrate design includes a gate line, data line, thin film transistor, and alternately arranged pixel and common electrodes formed on the same level, with an auxiliary data line connected over the data line to function as a self-repairing line and ensure a perfect horizontal electric field, eliminating the need for insulating layers between electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If insulating layers are used between common and pixel electrodes, then manufacturing process is simplified, but electric field strength is reduced and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the insulating layers (gate insulating layer and passivation layer) that were previously present between the common electrode and pixel electrode. This extraction of harmful elements allows the electric field to directly couple the electrodes without attenuation, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the elimination of additional processing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful effect of insulating layers (which weakened the electric field and increased power consumption) into a benefit by completely eliminating them. The removal of these layers transforms the electrode structure into a direct coupling configuration, where the electric field operates at full strength without energy loss, turning the former disadvantage into an advantage.
2Device complexity
If data lines are formed without redundancy, then device complexity is reduced, but production yield decreases due to disconnected data lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by forming the auxiliary data line alongside the main data line during the fabrication process. This auxiliary line serves as a pre-prepared backup that can immediately take over functionality if the main data line becomes disconnected, preventing production yield loss without requiring complex post-fabrication repair procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary data line acts as an intermediary backup system that mediates between the main data line and the pixel electrodes. If the main data line fails, the auxiliary line steps in as a mediator to maintain electrical connection, ensuring continuous operation and maintaining production yield without adding significant structural complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If common and pixel electrodes are formed on different levels, then manufacturing is easier, but horizontal electric field is imperfect causing unexpected liquid crystal arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a vertical stacking arrangement (different levels) to a planar arrangement (same level) for the common and pixel electrodes. This dimensional shift enables the formation of a perfect horizontal electric field, which is crucial for precise liquid crystal molecule alignment, while the manufacturing process remains straightforward through the use of standard planar electrode fabrication techniques.
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 design enhances the production yield by allowing self-repair of disconnected data lines, improves image display with perfect horizontal electric fields, and reduces power consumption by eliminating insulating layers, resulting in improved image quality and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a horizontal electric field 'L' is generated between the common and pixel electrodes 17 and 30. liquid crystal molecules 11b between the common electrode 17 and the pixel electrode 30 are horizontally arranged due to the horizontal electric field 'L'
Implementation Method 2
The liquid crystal molecules have a definite alignment direction as a result of their thin and long shapes. Since incident light is refracted based on the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules due to the optical anisotropy of the liquid crystal molecules
Implementation Method 3
an auxiliary data line 175 disposed over the data line 135 and connected to the data line 135
Implementation Method 4
The array substrate may include a pixel electrode and the TFT, and the color filter substrate may include a color filter layer and a common electrode. The AM-LCD device is driven by an electric field between the pixel electrode and the common electrode
Data Source
AI summary
An array substrate for an in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device and its fabrication method are discussed. According to an embodiment, the array substrate includes a gate line and a data line crossing the gate line on a base substrate, so as to define a pixel region; a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line; a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed in the pixel region and connected to the thin film transistor; a common line extending substantially parallel to the gate line; and a plurality of common electrodes alternately arranged with the plurality of pixel electrodes in the pixel region, wherein the plurality of common electrodes include at least one first common electrode adjacent to the data line and connected to the common line, and at least one second common electrode extending substantially parallel to the date line and not directly connected to the common line.