Segmented Light Shielding for Display Transistor Photo-Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image quality degradation in electronic devices due to photo-leakage current, which affects display panels used in various electronic devices such as mobile phones, televisions, and monitors, is a persistent issue as existing technologies have not effectively addressed this problem.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates two adjacent transistors and light shielding elements arranged on a substrate, with gap regions between them, where the light shielding layers overlap the conductive elements to prevent direct light irradiation and reduce photo-leakage current, thereby enhancing image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If light shielding layers are continuously arranged without gaps, then photo-leakage current is reduced, but signal interference between adjacent transistors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephoto-leakage currentVSAvoidsignal interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light shielding layer is segmented into multiple sections with gap regions between them. Each light shielding element is divided into first, second, third, and fourth sections arranged sequentially along the first direction, with gap regions between adjacent sections. This segmentation allows the light shielding function to be maintained while reducing signal interference by introducing controlled interruptions in the continuous shielding structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the light shielding layer have different properties: the light shielding sections provide light blocking functionality, while the gap regions provide signal isolation functionality. The first and second sections of each light shielding element have different widths, creating local variations in shielding intensity. This local quality differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of light leakage prevention and signal interference reduction in different spatial locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If light shielding layers are made wider to improve shielding effect, then photo-leakage current is reduced, but device area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephoto-leakage currentVSAvoiddevice area

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing continuous full-width light shielding, the patent applies light shielding partially through segmented elements with gap regions. The light shielding elements have varying widths (first section narrower than second section) to provide sufficient shielding coverage only where needed, rather than uniformly across the entire transistor structure. This partial action approach reduces the total area occupied by light shielding structures while maintaining effective photo-leakage prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If transistors are arranged closer to increase pixel density, then display resolution is improved, but photo-leakage current increases due to reduced shielding effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepixel densityVSAvoidphoto-leakage current

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses the two-dimensional packing density issue by introducing structural complexity in the vertical dimension through multi-section light shielding elements with varying widths. The first and second sections have different widths and are positioned at different locations, creating a three-dimensional shielding architecture that provides enhanced light blocking capability within a compact footprint, enabling closer transistor arrangement without compromising shielding effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration effectively reduces image quality degradation caused by photo-leakage current, stabilizes pixel voltage, and minimizes mutual interference of signals, leading to improved display performance.

Implementation Method 1

the light shielding layers overlap the conductive elements to prevent direct light irradiation and reduce photo-leakage current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight shielding: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS12148759B2Electronic device comprising transistors arranged along with shielding layers

Publication Date: 2024.11.19 INNOLUX CORP

AI summary

The disclosure provides an electronic device, which includes a substrate, two adjacent transistors, a first scan line, and two adjacent light shielding elements. The two adjacent transistors are disposed on the substrate and arranged along a first direction. A first transistor of the two adjacent transistors includes a first active element and a first conductive element electrically connected to the first active element. The first scan line is extending along the first direction. The two adjacent light shielding elements are respectively disposed between the two adjacent transistors and the substrate. The two adjacent light shielding elements are spaced apart by a first gap region, and the first gap region overlaps the first conductive element. The display device of the disclosure can reduce the problem of image quality degradation caused by photo-leakage current.