Variable-Thickness Display Substrate for Zero-Bezel Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible display devices face stress issues due to increased bending levels, leading to problems such as shorted thin film transistors and light emitting diode layer damage, which hinder the achievement of a zero bezel design.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus with a first substrate and a second substrate of varying thicknesses, where the second substrate is bent from a thicker first area to a thinner second area, reducing stress and allowing for flexible bending without damaging the panel components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the bending level is increased to reduce bezel size, then the bezel width is reduced, but the stress on the panel edges and inside the panel increases causing component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The second substrate is designed with non-uniform thickness, being thinner at the bending area and thicker at the non-bending area. This local variation in thickness allows the substrate to better accommodate bending stresses at the curved portion while maintaining structural integrity in the flat display area, thereby reducing overall panel stress during bending
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness parameter of the second substrate is changed from a constant value to a variable value that depends on the position. By adjusting the thickness parameter locally, the substrate can flex more easily at the bending area without compromising the strength of the display area, thus reducing stress concentration during bending operations
2Length of stationary object
If the bending level is increased to achieve zero bezel, then the bezel size is reduced to 10 μm or less, but the thin film transistor and light emitting diode layer become damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The second substrate has different thickness in different areas: a thinner portion at the bending area to facilitate flexing and a thicker portion at the non-bending area to protect the display components. This local differentiation allows high bending levels to be achieved without damaging the thin film transistors and light emitting diode layer in the display area
Solution Approach 2:
The second substrate is effectively segmented into functional zones with different thickness characteristics - a bending area with reduced thickness for flexibility and a non-bending area with increased thickness for component protection. This segmentation allows the structure to accommodate both the mechanical requirements of bending and the protective requirements of sensitive components
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes a first substrate having a display area and a non-display area; a pixel array layer provided on the display area of the first substrate; and a second substrate provided on the pixel array layer and having first and second grooves at side edges of the second substrate, wherein the first and second grooves are respectively located at first and second bending areas to facilitate a curvature radius of the end portions of the display and achieve a zero bezel display.