Static Electricity Prevention Capacitor in Display Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flat panel display devices are prone to damage and failure due to static electricity during fabrication and operation, which can cause voltage differences and charge transfer, leading to component breakdown.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a static electricity prevention capacitor is designed, featuring a substrate with a pixel area and a non-display area, including a substrate, signal lines, and a static electricity prevention capacitor with different conductivity regions, an insulating layer, and a floating pattern to divert static electricity charges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional display device structure is used, then the device can be fabricated with standard processes, but the device is vulnerable to static electricity damage during fabrication and operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the static electricity prevention capacitor with existing display device components by forming the capacitor's lower electrode and upper electrode as integrated structures within the display device architecture. The lower electrode is formed in the non-display area using the same semiconductor layer formation process as the pixel electrodes, and the upper electrode overlaps with signal lines, combining multiple functions into a unified structure that prevents static electricity damage without requiring separate additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor structure serves multiple functions: it acts as a static electricity prevention mechanism, provides electrical connection between signal lines and reference potential, and utilizes existing semiconductor layers and insulating layers already present in the display device. The lower electrode pattern serves both as a capacitor electrode and as an electrical connection structure, eliminating the need for dedicated separate structures.
2Reliability
If additional static electricity prevention structures are added, then static electricity resistance improves, but the number of fabrication processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the static electricity prevention capacitor formation with existing fabrication processes. The lower electrode is formed simultaneously with pixel electrode structures using the same semiconductor layer deposition and patterning processes. The upper electrode is formed as part of the signal line structure formation process. This integration ensures that static electricity prevention is achieved without adding separate fabrication steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower electrode pattern is formed in advance during the semiconductor layer formation process, before the upper electrode and signal lines are created. The insulating layer is formed between these electrodes during the standard dielectric layer deposition process. This preliminary formation of capacitor components during existing process steps prevents static electricity vulnerability from the outset without requiring post-fabrication additions.
3Reliability
If the capacitor uses doped semiconductor regions, then electrical conductivity improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different doping characteristics to different regions of the lower electrode pattern. The first region is doped to provide high electrical conductivity for effective static electricity discharge, while the second region has different doping characteristics to provide appropriate electrical connection properties. This local differentiation of semiconductor properties allows optimization of each region's function while using standard doping processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the doping parameters (such as dopant concentration and doping method) of the semiconductor layer in different regions of the lower electrode. By adjusting these parameters, the electrical conductivity is optimized for static electricity prevention in the first region while maintaining appropriate electrical connection characteristics in the second region, achieving high reliability without excessive precision requirements.
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
The static electricity prevention capacitor effectively reduces the negative effects of static electricity on display device components, preventing defects and improving display quality by charging and diverting static electricity without additional processing steps.
Implementation Method 1
a static electricity prevention capacitor at the non-display area and including a lower pattern having a first region and a second region that have different electrical conductivities from each other
Implementation Method 2
a lower pattern having a first region and a second region that have different electrical conductivities from each other
Implementation Method 3
an insulating layer on the lower pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A display device having a display area and a non-display area includes a substrate, a pixel at the display area, a signal line on the substrate and electrically connected to the pixel, and a static electricity prevention capacitor at the non-display area and including a lower pattern having a first region and a second region that have different electrical conductivities from each other, an insulating layer on the lower pattern, and an upper pattern including a portion of the signal line and overlapping the first region of the lower pattern in a plan view.