Pixel Electrode Auxiliary Layer Layout for Low-Resistance Display Circuits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Display devices face defects due to high contact resistance and reactivity between pixel electrodes and pixel circuit elements, which affect the performance and reliability of the display.

Innovation Solution

The display device incorporates a pixel circuit layer with a first transistor and auxiliary layers, including indium tin oxide (ITO), and a display element layer with light emitting elements, where the auxiliary layers are strategically positioned to reduce contact resistance between the transistor electrodes and pixel electrodes, using materials like titanium (Ti) and copper (Cu), and a conductive pattern connected to the gate electrode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If pixel electrodes are directly connected to transistor electrodes, then device complexity is reduced, but contact resistance and reactivity increase causing performance defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidelectrical connection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an auxiliary layer as an intermediary component between the transistor electrode and pixel electrode. This auxiliary layer mediates the electrical connection, reducing direct contact resistance and chemical reactivity between the metal electrodes while maintaining structural simplicity. The auxiliary layer acts as a buffer that improves connection reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If auxiliary layers are added to reduce contact resistance, then electrical connection reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary layer is applied locally only at the critical contact points between transistor electrodes and pixel electrodes, rather than throughout the entire device structure. This localized approach improves electrical connection reliability where needed most, while minimizing the overall increase in device complexity. The selective placement of the auxiliary layer optimizes the balance between performance improvement and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4394872A1Display device
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4394872A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4394872A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4394872A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A display device may include: a pixel circuit layer including a first transistor and a first auxiliary layer; and a display element layer on the pixel circuit layer, and including at least one light emitting element. The display element layer may include: a first pixel electrode electrically connected to a first end of the light emitting element; and a second pixel electrode electrically connected to a second end of the light emitting element. The first transistor may include: a semiconductor pattern; a first gate insulating layer on the semiconductor pattern; a gate electrode on the first gate insulating layer; and a first transistor electrode and a second transistor electrode connected to the semiconductor pattern. The first transistor electrode may be connected to the second pixel electrode by the first auxiliary layer. The first auxiliary layer may be between the first and second pixel electrodes.