LCD Glass Substrate Crack Detection via Integrated Testing Line

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting microcracks in LCD glass substrates during manufacturing and assembly are inefficient, often leading to missed detections due to reliance on visual inspection or microscopic examination, which are labor-intensive and require disassembly of electronic products.

Innovation Solution

An automatic detection method using a testing line formed on the glass substrate that extends close to the edge and connects to a driver chip, allowing for closed circuit detection without disassembly, utilizing deposition technologies like magnetron sputtering to form indium tin oxide lines that indicate cracks by circuit breakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If visual inspection or microscopic examination is used to detect microcracks, then detection capability is provided, but missed detection occurs and the process requires disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidtesting process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A testing line is pre-formed on the glass substrate during the manufacturing process, extending from the edge to the center. This preliminary preparation enables automatic electrical detection without requiring subsequent disassembly or complex inspection equipment, directly resolving the contradiction between detection reliability and process complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/visual inspection methods with an electrical detection system. The testing line forms an electrical circuit that can be automatically tested using electrical signals, substituting the mechanical process of visual inspection with an automated electrical measurement system, thereby eliminating missed detections and simplifying the testing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If visual inspection or microscopic examination is used, then crack detection is attempted, but electronic products need to be disassembled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidtesting operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The testing line is incorporated into the glass substrate during manufacturing, creating a built-in detection pathway. This preliminary integration allows detection to be performed on assembled products without disassembly, directly improving ease of operation while maintaining detection capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The testing line serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural element on the glass substrate and an electrical conduction path for crack detection. This multi-functionality enables the detection system to work seamlessly within the assembled product, eliminating the need for disassembly while preserving detection reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If traditional inspection methods are used, then detection is performed, but detection efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddetection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection with automated electrical detection. The testing line creates an electrical circuit that can be rapidly tested using automated equipment, significantly increasing detection efficiency while maintaining or improving detection accuracy through objective electrical measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The testing line is designed to work with the existing driver chip and its idle pins, allowing the LCD module itself to participate in the detection process. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate, complex inspection equipment, thereby improving detection efficiency while maintaining reliable crack detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables efficient and accurate detection of glass substrate cracks within the LCD without disassembly, increasing detection efficiency and reducing errors, while minimizing additional costs by repurposing idle pins on the driver chip.

Implementation Method 1

whether a testing line 16 is in a closed circuit is determined by using a CPU 30 of an electronic apparatus 200, thereby determining whether the glass substrate 12 of the liquid crystal display 10 has a crack

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

utilizing deposition technologies like magnetron sputtering to form indium tin oxide lines

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSputtering: Sputtering

Data Source

PatentEP3001242B1Liquid crystal display, detection method for liquid crystal display and electronic device
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 HUAWEI DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP3001242B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3001242B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3001242B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A liquid crystal display includes a glass substrate and a driver chip, where the driver chip is configured to drive the liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display further includes a testing line, where the testing line is formed in the glass substrate and extends close to an edge of the glass substrate. The driver chip includes an input pin and an output pin, and two ends of the testing line are separately connected to the input pin and the output pin to form a closed loop. Whether the glass substrate has a crack is determined by measuring whether the testing line is in a closed circuit. The present invention further provides an electronic apparatus and a liquid crystal display testing method. In the present invention, whether a glass substrate has a crack is determined by detecting whether a testing line is in a closed circuit, so as to implement automatic detection without disassembling, thereby increasing detection efficiency.