Flexible Display Wiring Structure for Impact Crack Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional display devices lack sufficient strength to withstand external impacts, leading to potential damage and defects in the wiring and signal lines due to cracks and disconnections.

Innovation Solution

A flexible display device design featuring an organic material layer extending to the upper surface of an inorganic insulating layer with grooves between pixels, filled by an organic material layer, and connection wirings with high elongation rates to absorb stress and prevent crack propagation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the display device uses a conventional rigid structure, then manufacturing is simpler, but the device lacks strength to withstand external impacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite structure combining flexible substrate, inorganic insulating layers, organic material layers, and connection wirings with different elongation rates. This multi-material composite approach enhances impact resistance while maintaining flexibility, resolving the contradiction between strength improvement and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the elongation rate parameter of connection wirings to be higher than that of scan lines and data lines. This parameter optimization allows the connection wirings to absorb stress during bending and impact, improving overall device strength without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the display device uses flexible materials, then adaptability to bending is improved, but strength against external impact deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebending flexibilityVSAvoidimpact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different material properties to different regions: the flexible substrate and organic material layers provide bending flexibility, while the inorganic insulating layers and optimized connection wirings provide impact resistance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between flexibility and strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs connection wirings with higher elongation rates than scan and data lines, creating a cushioning effect that absorbs impact stress before it reaches critical components. This beforehand cushioning allows flexible materials to maintain both adaptability and strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If connection wirings have high elongation rate, then stress absorption is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress absorptionVSAvoidwiring fabrication precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the elongation rate parameter of connection wirings to be higher than other lines, creating a gradient structure that naturally guides stress distribution. This parameter change improves reliability while maintaining manufacturable precision levels through controlled material selection and layer design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances the display device's resistance to external impacts by absorbing stress and reducing the likelihood of cracks and disconnections in the wiring, ensuring reliable operation and improved durability.

Implementation Method 1

an organic material layer 161 extending to an upper surface of the inorganic insulating layer 114 with grooves between pixels, filled by an organic material layer, and connection wirings with high elongation rates to absorb stress and prevent crack propagation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStress absorption: Viscoelasticity

Implementation Method 2

connection wirings with high elongation rates to absorb stress and prevent crack propagation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3486948B1Display device
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3486948B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3486948B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3486948B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device includes a substrate including a display area and a peripheral area disposed outside of the display area. The display area includes a plurality of pixels. The display device further includes an inorganic insulating layer disposed in the display area. The inorganic insulating layer includes a groove disposed in a region between the plurality of pixels. The display device further includes an organic material layer filling the groove, a first connection wiring, and a second connection wiring. The first connection wiring is disposed on the organic material layer, overlaps the plurality of pixels, and extends in a second direction. The second connection wiring is insulated from the first connection wiring, and extends in a first direction that crosses the second direction.