Segmented Gate Line Flat Panel Display for Short Circuit Repair

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing LCD manufacturing process faces challenges with short circuits between gate and data lines, or between gate and source electrodes, due to conductive particles, which complicates the fabrication process and reduces yield and productivity.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves designing a flat panel display with gate and data lines that cross each other in multiple separated portions, allowing for easy repair of short circuits by laser irradiation, and source electrodes with multiple portions to prevent electrical shorts, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and increasing yield.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple cleaning processes are performed to remove conductive particles, then short circuit occurrence is reduced, but fabrication process complexity increases and fabrication time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshort circuit occurrenceVSAvoidfabrication process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gate line is divided into multiple separated portions (first gate line portion and second gate line portion) at the crossing region with the data line. This segmentation allows that if a short circuit occurs in one portion, the other portion remains functional, enabling easy repair by disconnecting only the defective portion through laser irradiation rather than requiring complete gate line replacement or multiple cleaning processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gate line is pre-designed with separated portions at potential short circuit locations before fabrication is complete. This preliminary structural preparation enables rapid repair through simple laser disconnection of defective segments, avoiding the need for complex post-fabrication cleaning processes or complete rework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple cleaning processes are performed to remove conductive particles, then short circuit occurrence is reduced, but fabrication time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshort circuit occurrenceVSAvoidfabrication time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The gate line is divided into multiple separated portions (first gate line portion and second gate line portion) at the crossing region with the data line. This segmentation allows that if a short circuit occurs in one portion, the other portion remains functional, enabling easy repair by disconnecting only the defective portion through laser irradiation rather than requiring complete gate line replacement or multiple cleaning processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gate line is pre-designed with separated portions at potential short circuit locations before fabrication is complete. This preliminary structural preparation enables rapid repair through simple laser disconnection of defective segments, avoiding the need for complex post-fabrication cleaning processes or complete rework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If gate line and data line cross in single continuous portions, then device structure is simpler, but short circuit repair becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidshort circuit repair difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The gate line is divided into multiple separated portions (first gate line portion and second gate line portion) at the crossing region with the data line. This segmentation allows that if a short circuit occurs in one portion, the other portion remains functional, enabling easy repair by disconnecting only the defective portion through laser irradiation rather than requiring complete gate line replacement or multiple cleaning processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The potentially defective crossing section of the gate line is extracted as a separate, disconnectable portion. This allows the defective segment to be independently removed or deactivated through laser irradiation while preserving the rest of the gate line and device functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach effectively reduces the occurrence of short circuits and allows for easy repair, simplifying the fabrication process and enhancing the productivity and yield of LCD devices.

Implementation Method 1

the gate line has at least two or more separated gate line portions where the gate line crosses the data line... allows for easy repair of short circuits by laser irradiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Data Source

PatentUS8223288B2Flat panel display and fabricating method thereof

Publication Date: 2012.07.17 LG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A flat panel display device includes a gate line and a data line crossing each other to define a pixel area, a pixel electrode in the pixel area, and a thin film transistor having a gate electrode connected to the gate line, a source electrode connected to the data line, and a drain electrode connected to the pixel electrode, wherein the gate line has at least two or more separated gate line portions where the gate line crosses the data line.