Segmented Display Electrode Layout for Leakage and IR Drop Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices experience issues with leakage currents and voltage drops between adjacent light emitting elements, affecting display quality.

Innovation Solution

The display device incorporates a substrate with a power supply line, first electrodes, a pixel defining layer, an auxiliary connection electrode, and a separator that separates electrodes into multiple second electrodes, reducing leakage currents and voltage drops by optimizing the electrical connections and power distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If power supply lines are extended to supply power to all electrodes, then power distribution is improved, but leakage currents and voltage drops increase between adjacent light emitting elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower distributionVSAvoidleakage current

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous electrode layer is segmented into multiple separate second electrodes by introducing separators. This segmentation prevents lateral leakage currents between adjacent light emitting elements while maintaining proper power distribution to each electrode through the auxiliary connection electrode structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An auxiliary connection electrode is introduced as an intermediary element to connect the power supply line to the segmented electrode layer. This intermediary structure enables proper power distribution while isolating adjacent electrodes to prevent leakage currents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If power supply lines are extended to supply power to all electrodes, then power distribution is improved, but IR drops increase between adjacent light emitting elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower distributionVSAvoidvoltage drop

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode layer is segmented into separate second electrodes by separators, which prevents lateral current leakage and reduces IR voltage drops between adjacent light emitting elements while maintaining effective power distribution through the auxiliary connection electrode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary connection electrode serves as an intermediary that provides dedicated power supply paths to each segmented electrode, reducing voltage drops by preventing current leakage while ensuring proper power distribution to all light emitting elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If separators are added to separate electrodes, then leakage currents are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage currentVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separator is introduced to segment the continuous electrode layer into separate second electrodes. This segmentation effectively reduces leakage currents between adjacent light emitting elements. The auxiliary connection electrode is configured to connect to multiple segmented electrodes, providing a systematic approach to reduce complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Power

If auxiliary connection electrodes are added to connect power supply, then power distribution is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower distributionVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary connection electrode performs multiple functions: it connects the power supply line to the segmented electrode layer, provides dedicated power paths to reduce voltage drops, and works with the separator to prevent leakage currents. This multi-functionality justifies the additional structure by addressing multiple problems simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary connection electrode acts as an intermediary between the power supply line and the segmented electrode layer, enabling improved power distribution and reduced voltage drops. The configuration with the separator creates a coordinated system where the auxiliary connection electrode's complexity is offset by the benefits of reduced leakage and improved power delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20260047256A1Display device and electronic device including the same

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes a substrate including a display area and a peripheral area, a power supply line disposed in the peripheral area and supplying a low power voltage, multiple first electrodes disposed in the display area and supplied with a high power voltage, a pixel defining layer disposed on the first electrodes and exposing a portion of each of the first electrodes to define an emission area, an auxiliary connection electrode disposed on the pixel defining layer and connected to the power supply line, an electrode layer disposed on the first electrodes and the auxiliary connection electrode, connected to the auxiliary connection electrode, and supplied with the low power voltage, and a separator disposed on the auxiliary connection electrode, overlapping a portion of the auxiliary connection electrode, and separating the electrode layer into multiple second electrodes spaced apart from each other in the display area.