Display Device Alignment Using Variable-Width Group Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

As display device resolution increases, the reduced gap between circuit boards and terminal pitch leads to misalignment issues due to insufficient space for alignment keys, causing misalignment between circuit boards and pads.

Innovation Solution

The display device incorporates circuit boards with group terminals of varying widths, including outermost and middle circuit boards with different widths, and employs alignment keys to maintain proper alignment, with specific positioning of alignment keys relative to terminal sides.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the resolution of the display device is increased, then the display quality is improved, but the gap between circuit boards and terminal pitch are reduced making alignment difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay resolutionVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the circuit board structure into multiple segments with different terminal pitch specifications. Outermost circuit boards use a first terminal pitch while middle circuit boards use a second terminal pitch, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific function and alignment requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the circuit board system are assigned different terminal pitch characteristics. The outermost circuit boards have larger terminal pitch for better alignment, while middle circuit boards have smaller terminal pitch for higher resolution, creating local optimization throughout the system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If the gap between circuit boards is reduced to accommodate high resolution, then the device area is reduced, but the area for placing alignment keys becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice areaVSAvoidalignment key placement
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment function is segmented and distributed across multiple locations. Instead of relying on a single alignment key, the patent places alignment keys at multiple positions including between outermost and middle circuit boards, ensuring alignment can be achieved even when gaps are reduced

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces non-conductive spacers as intermediary elements between circuit boards. These spacers maintain precise gaps while providing reference features for alignment, enabling both reduced overall device area and sufficient alignment key placement area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If the terminal pitch of circuit boards is reduced, then more terminals can be accommodated, but misalignment between terminals and pads occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of terminalsVSAvoidterminal-to-pad alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal configuration is segmented into different pitch specifications based on location. Outermost circuit boards use a first terminal pitch optimized for alignment, while middle circuit boards use a second terminal pitch optimized for terminal density, allowing both alignment precision and high terminal quantity to be achieved

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4629801A1Display device
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4629801A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4629801A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4629801A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device includes: a display panel; a pixel in a display area of the display panel; a plurality of circuit boards connected to a non-display area of the display panel; and a plurality of driving circuits on the circuit boards, wherein each of the circuit boards comprises a group terminal connected to pads of the non-display area, the group terminal comprises a plurality of terminals adjacent to each other on a corresponding circuit board, and group terminals of at least two circuit boards have different widths.