TFT Shield Layer Layout for Uniform OLED Sub-Pixel Luminance

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Solution Overview

Problem

In organic light-emitting display apparatuses, the luminance of sub-pixels can vary due to differences in received data signals, leading to deteriorated image quality.

Innovation Solution

The display apparatus includes a thin-film transistor with a shield layer between the data line and other components, and a storage capacitor with overlapping plates, where the shield layer is integrated with the initialization voltage line, extending between or below the data line to reduce parasitic capacitance and maintain uniform electric potential.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a data line is placed close to TFT components to transmit data signals, then signal transmission efficiency is improved, but parasitic capacitance increases causing luminance deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata signal transmission speedVSAvoidparasitic capacitance effect
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A shield layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the data line and TFT components. This shield layer acts as a mediator that blocks the harmful parasitic capacitance effect from the data line while allowing the data signal to be transmitted efficiently to the TFT, thus resolving the contradiction between transmission efficiency and harmful electromagnetic interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful parasitic capacitance effect is extracted and isolated from the TFT components by introducing a separate shield layer. This allows the data line to maintain its close proximity for efficient signal transmission while the shield layer captures and contains the harmful electromagnetic interference, preventing it from affecting the TFT operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple signal lines are arranged in different layers to improve routing flexibility, then device integration is improved, but inter-layer interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting flexibilityVSAvoidinter-layer electromagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shield layer serves as an intermediary between different signal line layers, blocking electromagnetic interference from propagating between layers. This enables flexible multi-layer routing while maintaining signal integrity by preventing inter-layer coupling and interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 ensures accurate luminance and improved image quality by minimizing the impact of adjacent electric signals on the TFTs, thereby maintaining consistent luminance across sub-pixels.

Implementation Method 1

a shield layer between the data line and a component of the thin-film transistor... to reduce parasitic capacitance and maintain uniform electric potential

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectParasitic capacitance: Parasitic Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3886169B1Display apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3886169B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3886169B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3886169B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display apparatus includes: a thin-film transistor including a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a gate electrode; a data line in a layer different from the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the gate electrode, wherein the data line is configured to transmit a data signal; and a shield layer between the data line and a component of the thin-film transistor.