Conductive Barrier Layer for Foldable Display Thickness Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current display devices face challenges in manufacturing thinned displays due to the need for protection films that resist ultraviolet light and water while covering the electronic ink layer and driving electrodes, leading to adhesive failure and functional failures when bent.
Innovation Solution
The display device incorporates a conductive barrier layer with a conductive layer separated from the electronic ink layer, a vapor barrier layer, and a base layer, eliminating the need for a protection film and allowing for reduced thickness and improved foldability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protection film is used to cover the electronic ink layer and driving electrode layer, then waterproof and ultraviolet resistance are improved, but device thickness increases and adhesive failure occurs when bent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (protection, conductivity, barrier properties) into the conductive barrier layer itself, eliminating the need for a separate protection film. The conductive barrier layer integrates ultraviolet resistance, water resistance, and electrode driving functions, thereby reducing device thickness while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive barrier layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides ultraviolet resistance, water resistance, electrical conductivity for driving electrodes, and structural support. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated protection films, solving the contradiction between protection and thickness.
2Reliability
If a protection film covers the top surfaces and side walls of the electronic ink layer and driving electrode layer, then protection is improved, but adhesive failure occurs due to stress when the display device is bent
Solution Approach 1:
The protection functions are merged into the conductive barrier layer which is already part of the device structure. This integrated approach eliminates the need for additional adhesive layers between a separate protection film and the electronic ink layer, thereby avoiding adhesive failure under bending stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the protection function from a separate protection film and integrates it into the conductive barrier layer. This eliminates the interface between protection film and electronic ink layer that would otherwise be prone to adhesive failure, while maintaining comprehensive protection capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the conductive layer is separated from the electronic ink layer, then foldability is improved and stress damage is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the conductive layer with the barrier layer structure, creating an integrated conductive barrier layer. This integration simplifies the overall layer structure while maintaining the separated conductive layer design that enables foldability and reduces stress damage.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a driving substrate, an electronic ink layer, and a conductive barrier layer. The electronic ink layer is located on the driving substrate. The conductive barrier layer is located on the electronic ink layer, the conductive barrier layer includes a conductive layer and a base layer, the conductive layer is located between the base layer and the electronic ink layer, and the conductive layer is separated from the electronic ink layer.