Segmented Display Spacer Structure for Pressure Light Leakage

Solution Overview

Problem

Flat display devices are prone to light leakage due to external pressure causing spacers to displace, which damages film layers and results in light leakage.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a spacer with specific dimensions and placement between substrates, along with bumps and trenches to stabilize the spacer and prevent it from shifting, thereby reducing the likelihood of light leakage by trapping the spacer within these structures when external pressure is applied.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If spacers are disposed between substrates to maintain cell gaps, then the cell gap is maintained, but the spacers may displace under external pressure causing light leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell gap maintenanceVSAvoidanti-light leakage performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer is divided into multiple segments (first spacer segment, second spacer segment, third spacer segment) arranged in sequence. This segmentation allows each segment to independently bear and distribute external pressure, preventing the entire spacer from displacing laterally and causing light leakage while maintaining the cell gap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer structure is extended from a simple linear form to a three-dimensional configuration with segments arranged in sequence along the thickness direction. This dimensional enhancement provides multiple contact points with the film layers, distributing the load and preventing lateral displacement that would cause light leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the spacer is made larger to prevent displacement, then stability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespacer stabilityVSAvoidspacer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer is divided into multiple segments (first spacer segment, second spacer segment, third spacer segment) arranged in sequence. This segmentation allows each segment to independently bear and distribute external pressure, preventing the entire spacer from displacing laterally and causing light leakage while maintaining the cell gap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer structure is extended from a simple linear form to a three-dimensional configuration with segments arranged in sequence along the thickness direction. This dimensional enhancement provides multiple contact points with the film layers, distributing the load and preventing lateral displacement that would cause light leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11774804B2Display device

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 INNOLUX CORP

AI summary

A display device comprises a first substrate, a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, a scan line disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a spacer disposed between the scan line and the second substrate. The spacer overlaps the scan line.