Driving Circuit Board Layout for Micro-LED Transfer Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for transferring micro-LEDs to driving circuit boards are inefficient, especially as the size of the display device increases, leading to productivity losses and alignment errors that can degrade the performance of the display device due to the complexity of connecting pad electrodes and driving electrodes.

Innovation Solution

A driving circuit board design with symmetrically arranged driving electrode regions, including dummy electrodes not connected to the driving circuit, allows for efficient alignment and connection of micro-LEDs, enabling independent electrical signaling and reducing alignment errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wet or dry transfer techniques are used to transfer micro-LEDs to a driving circuit board, then the micro-LEDs can be transferred to the driving circuit board, but alignment errors occur between pad electrodes and driving electrodes, degrading connection reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicro-LED transfer efficiencyVSAvoidalignment precision between pad electrodes and driving electrodes
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming dummy electrodes at predetermined positions on the driving circuit board before the transfer process. These dummy electrodes serve as alignment reference markers that guide the positioning of pad electrodes during the transfer process, enabling accurate alignment even when transfer techniques introduce positioning variations. This preparatory step ensures that subsequent transfer operations can achieve proper alignment without requiring high precision in each individual transfer action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Area of stationary object

If the area of the display device increases, then more micro-LEDs need to be transferred, but the transfer process takes more time and incurs higher costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay device areaVSAvoidtransfer process time
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the large-area driving circuit board into multiple regions, each containing a set of driving electrodes and corresponding dummy electrodes. This segmentation allows for modular transfer processes where micro-LEDs can be transferred in organized batches or sequences, improving process efficiency. The segmented structure with reference electrodes in each region enables parallel processing and reduces the overall transfer time compared to handling the entire large area as a single unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple colors of light are emitted by micro-LEDs, then the display capability is enhanced, but the number of transfer processes increases, reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor emission capabilityVSAvoidtransfer process efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single transfer process structure that can accommodate micro-LEDs of different colors. The dummy electrodes and driving electrode regions are configured in a universal manner that works for various LED types (different colors, sizes, and configurations). This universal structure allows red, green, blue, and other colored micro-LEDs to be transferred using the same alignment reference system, eliminating the need for separate transfer processes for each color and thereby maintaining high productivity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4280826A1Driving circuit board, electronic apparatus including driving circuit board, and method of fabricating electronic apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4280826A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4280826A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4280826A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A driving circuit board 10 includes: a plurality of driving electrode regions K1, K2 on a surface 10a of the driving circuit board; a plurality of driving electrodes OE1, DE2, OE3 symmetrically arranged on the plurality of driving electrode regions; and a driving circuit electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of driving electrodes, wherein the plurality of driving electrodes include at least one dummy electrode DE2 that is not connected to the driving circuit.