Stepwise Gate-Driver Stages for Rounded-Corner Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display panels face challenges in minimizing the non-display area while maintaining a high display area ratio, particularly with the increasing demand for thinner and lighter designs.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus with a substrate featuring a display area including rounded corners and a peripheral area, incorporating a stepwise configuration of driving circuits and light-emitting diodes, along with voltage and gate lines that overlap and bend to optimize space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the display area is expanded to increase the display area ratio, then the non-display area is reduced, but the circuit layout becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The gate driver circuit is divided into multiple stages (first stage, second stage, third stage) that are distributed in the display area. Each stage generates gate signals for specific rows of pixel circuits, allowing the circuit to be segmented across the display area rather than concentrated in one location, thus reducing the non-display area while managing layout complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by having stages extend in the first direction (vertical) while rows extend in the second direction (horizontal). The stepwise configuration allows the circuit to utilize both dimensional spaces efficiently, transitioning from a two-dimensional layout problem to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement.
2Weight of moving object
If the display panel is made thinner and lighter, then the weight and thickness are reduced, but the space for circuit integration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the second stage within the display area occupied by pixel circuits, and the third stage within the area occupied by the second stage. This nested arrangement allows multiple circuit stages to share the same physical space vertically, maximizing the utilization of limited integration space in thin-panel designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the space limitation by transitioning to a three-dimensional arrangement where stages are positioned at different vertical levels. The first stage is in the first display area, the second stage is in the second display area (overlapping with pixel circuits), and the third stage is in the third display area (overlapping with the second stage), effectively using the vertical dimension to accommodate multiple circuit layers.
3Device complexity
If the circuit is arranged in a conventional linear fashion, then the layout is simple, but the non-display area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a stepwise configuration that follows the curved boundary of the display area. The stages are arranged in a curved pattern along the rounded corner of the display area, allowing the circuit to conform to the display area's geometry and minimize the non-display area while maintaining layout manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional linear or grid-based layout to a multi-dimensional stepwise arrangement. The stages are positioned at different locations (first, second, and third display areas) with overlapping regions, creating a three-dimensional spatial distribution that reduces the footprint of the non-display area.
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes: a substrate comprising a display area including a rounded corner and a peripheral area outside the display area, wherein the display area comprises a first display area and a second display area; a plurality of first driving circuits in the first display area; a plurality of first light-emitting diodes electrically connected to the plurality of first driving circuits; a plurality of second driving circuits in the second display area; a plurality of second light-emitting diodes electrically connected to the plurality of second driving circuits; a plurality of gate lines electrically connected to the plurality of first driving circuits and the plurality of second driving circuits; and a plurality of stages in the second display area and electrically connected to the plurality of gate lines, wherein the plurality of stages have a stepwise configuration along the rounded corner of the display area in a plan view.