OLED Display Electrode Layout With Single-Mask Anode Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing process of display devices requires multiple mask processes, increasing costs and time due to the complexity of forming gate electrodes, source electrodes, drain electrodes, and anodes, as well as passivation layers and banks.
Innovation Solution
A method that forms gate electrodes, source electrodes, drain electrodes, and anodes of a thin film transistor and an organic light emitting diode using a single mask process, and forms passivation layers and banks using a single mask process, simplifying the structure and reducing the number of mask processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple mask processes are used to form gate electrodes, source electrodes, drain electrodes, and anodes separately, then each component can be precisely formed, but the manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the formation of gate electrodes, source electrodes, drain electrodes, and anodes into a single mask process. A conductive layer is formed across the entire substrate, and a single mask pattern simultaneously defines all electrode regions, eliminating the need for multiple separate mask processes while maintaining precise electrode formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The single mask process serves multiple functions: it defines gate electrodes, source electrodes, drain electrodes, and anodes all in one operation. The mask layer acts as a universal patterning tool for all conductive elements, reducing process complexity and manufacturing time.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple mask processes are used to form passivation layers and banks separately, then each layer can be precisely positioned, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the formation of passivation layers and banks into a single mask process. The mask layer is used to define both the passivation layer regions and bank regions simultaneously, allowing precise positioning of both structures while reducing the number of separate mask processes required.
3Reliability
If separate contact holes are formed to electrically connect anode and drain electrode, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex and manufacturing steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the anode and drain electrode into a single continuous conductive structure formed by the same conductive layer. This eliminates the need for separate contact holes to establish electrical connection, as the conductive material inherently provides the electrical pathway between what would traditionally be separate components.
Data Source
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AI summary
A display device is disclosed. The display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a substrate including an active area and a non-active area; an active layer, a thin film transistor including a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode disposed on the substrate; and an organic light emitting diode including an anode which is electrically connected to the thin film transistor, in which the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode are formed of a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer on the first conductive layer and the anode is formed of the same material as the first conductive layer. Therefore, the anode and the first conductive layer of the drain electrode are integrally connected so that a separate contact hole for electrically connecting the anode and the drain electrode is not necessary and the structure may be simplified.