OLED Signal Link Cover Structure for RC Delay and Etch Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
As organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays are developed for high definition and high resolution, the increased load on signal lines and electrodes leads to resistor-capacitor (RC) delay, causing signal delay and difficulties in driving subpixels effectively.
Innovation Solution
A display device design featuring a substrate with thin film transistors, planarization layers, signal links, and outer cover layers to reduce signal delay and protect the signal links, including a pixel connection electrode connected to the drain electrode of the thin film transistor and a protective film to prevent damage during etching processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If OLED display is developed for high definition and high resolution, then image quality is improved, but RC delay increases causing signal transmission problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a three-dimensional outer cover layer structure that overlaps the signal links from above, adding a vertical dimension to the protection mechanism. This spatial arrangement allows the cover layer to shield the signal links without interfering with the horizontal signal transmission path, thus protecting against damage while maintaining signal integrity and minimizing delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer cover layer is formed beforehand to cover and protect the signal links before subsequent manufacturing processes. This preliminary protective action prevents damage to the signal links and protective film during etching and other fabrication steps, ensuring that the high-resolution signal transmission paths are established without degradation.
2Measurement precision
If signal links are made thinner for high resolution, then definition is improved, but signal links become more vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The outer cover layer serves as a protective cushion formed beforehand to shield the thin signal links from mechanical damage during manufacturing. This pre-established protective layer absorbs or distributes stresses and prevents direct exposure of the fragile signal links to harmful processes, thereby maintaining their integrity while allowing them to remain thin for high resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer cover layer acts as a thin film structure that provides protection without adding significant thickness or rigidity that would interfere with the underlying thin signal links. This thin film approach allows the signal links to maintain their slender profile for high resolution while still receiving protective coverage from the overlying film layer.
3Reliability
If protective film is added to protect signal links, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer cover layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the signal links from damage, covers the protective film, and provides a planar surface for subsequent manufacturing steps. By consolidating these protection and preparation functions into a single structural element, the patent reduces the need for separate protective layers and processes, thereby managing manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a display device. The display device includes a substrate having an active area and a non-active area, a thin film transistor arranged on the active area of the substrate, at least two planarization layers arranged on the thin film transistor, signal links arranged on the non-active area of the substrate, and an outer cover layer spaced apart from the at least two planarization layers and configured to overlap upper and side surfaces of the signal links, thus preventing or reducing damage to the signal links.