Display device configured to prevent propagation of cracks, and method of repairing same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12041841-B2
Application number	US-202117560143-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 22, 2021
Priority date	Dec 24, 2020
Publication date	Jul 16, 2024
Grant date	Jul 16, 2024

Abstract

A display device includes: a substrate on which circuit elements constituting a pixel are arranged; a repair pattern arranged overlying the substrate; a buffer layer covering the repair pattern; an active layer arranged overlying the buffer layer; a conductive layer which is arranged overlying the active layer and on which electrodes of the circuit elements are arranged; an overcoat layer covering the conductive layer; and a light emitting element arranged overlying the overcoat layer. The repair pattern is arranged in such a manner that one region thereof overlaps the active layer.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A display device comprising:
a substrate on which circuit elements are arranged, the circuit elements being configured to drive a pixel;
a repair pattern arranged overlying the substrate, wherein the repair pattern has been repaired using a laser beam;
a buffer layer covering the repair pattern;
an active layer arranged on top of the buffer layer;
a conductive layer which is arranged overlying the active layer, the conductive layer including electrodes of the circuit elements;
an overcoat layer covering the conductive layer; and
a light emitting element arranged overlying the overcoat layer,
wherein the repair pattern is arranged in such a manner that one region thereof overlaps the active layer, and
wherein the active layer is divided into cut-off regions at a vicinity of opposite ends of the repair pattern.

2. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the repair pattern is an electrode in an isolated form, the electrode being formed of a metal material.

3. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the active layer comprises:
a first region overlapping the repair pattern; and
second regions arranged adjacent to opposite end portions, respectively, of the first region.

4. The display device of claim 3 , wherein the first region and the second regions are separated from each other.

5. The display device of claim 4 , wherein a step is formed between the first region and each of the second regions.

6. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the circuit elements each comprise:
a storage capacitor;
a switching transistor storing a voltage corresponding to a data signal in the storage capacitor, in response to a first gate signal;
a drive transistor configured to control an amount of drive electric current to be applied to the light emitting element in a manner that corresponds to the voltage stored in the storage capacitor; and
a sensing transistor configured to sense features of the circuit elements in response to a second gate signal,
wherein the active layer overlapping the repair pattern is an active layer constituting the sensing transistor.

7. The display device of claim 6 further comprising:
a light blocking layer arranged on a layer that is the same as the repair pattern and arranged in a manner that overlaps the drive transistor.

8. The display device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a lower polarizer arranged underneath the substrate.

9. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the active layer is formed of indium-gallium-zinc-oxide, and the repair pattern is formed of copper.

10. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the active layer is formed in such a manner to have a thickness of about 300 Å.

11. A display device comprising:
a substrate on which circuit elements are arranged, the circuit elements being configured to drive a pixel;
a repair pattern arranged overlying the substrate, wherein the repair pattern has been repaired using a laser beam;
a buffer layer covering the repair pattern;
an active layer arranged on top of the buffer layer, the active layer including a first region overlapping the repair pattern and a second region adjacent to an end portion of the first region, a step being present between the first region and the second region;
a conductive layer which is arranged overlying the active layer, the conductive layer including electrodes of the circuit elements;
an overcoat layer covering the conductive layer; and
a light emitting element arranged overlying the overcoat layer,
wherein the repair pattern is arranged in such a manner that one region thereof overlaps the active layer.

12. The display device of claim 11 , wherein the repair pattern is an electrode in an isolated form, the electrode being formed of a metal material.

13. The display device of claim 11 , wherein the circuit elements each comprise:
a storage capacitor;
a switching transistor storing a voltage corresponding to a data signal in the storage capacitor, in response to a first gate signal;
a drive transistor configured to control an amount of drive electric current to be applied to the light emitting element in a manner that corresponds to the voltage stored in the storage capacitor; and
a sensing transistor configured to sense features of the circuit elements in response to a second gate signal,
wherein the active layer overlapping the repair pattern is an active layer constituting the sensing transistor.

14. The display device of claim 13 further comprising:
a light blocking layer arranged on a layer that is the same as the repair pattern and arranged in a manner that overlaps the drive transistor.

Assignees

• Lg Display Co Ltd

Inventors

• Kim Juhyuk
• JO Yongsun
• JUNG DeukSoo
• Lee Junggil

Classifications

• H10P74/232

  comprising connection or disconnection of parts of a device in response to a measurement · CPC title

• H10P74/20

  characterised by the properties tested or measured, e.g. structural or electrical properties · CPC title

• H10K59/131 Primary

  Interconnections, e.g. wiring lines or terminals · CPC title

• H10K59/8791

  Arrangements for improving contrast, e.g. preventing reflection of ambient light · CPC title

• H10K71/00 Primary

  Manufacture or treatment specially adapted for the organic devices covered by this subclass · CPC title