Flexible Display Alignment Key via Transparent Transmission Part
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible displays face challenges in aligning positions between film layers due to the opaque nature of metal substrates, making it difficult to detect alignment keys using vision cameras, which is not possible with traditional transparent glass substrates.
Innovation Solution
A flexible display with an alignment key forming part on the substrate's non-display area, where the alignment key is surrounded by a transparent transmission part, formed through oxidation or electro-polishing of metal substrates, allowing vision cameras to detect the alignment key and facilitate layer alignment without additional alignment apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a metal substrate is used for flexible display, then flexibility and thin profile are improved, but alignment key detection by vision camera becomes impossible due to opacity
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is segmented into two functional regions: an opaque metal substrate providing flexibility and a transparent transmission part enabling vision camera detection. The transparent part is formed by removing metal material in a specific region, creating a spatial separation between the flexible substrate body and the detection-enabling window.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent transmission part acts as an intermediary element that bridges the contradiction between opaque metal substrate and vision camera detection requirements. It allows light to pass through the substrate region where alignment keys are formed, enabling optical detection while the rest of the metal substrate maintains flexibility.
2Shape
If alignment key is formed on opaque metal substrate, then flexibility is maintained, but alignment precision between film layers deteriorates due to inability to detect alignment key
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate surface is segmented into opaque regions (maintaining flexibility) and a transparent transmission part (enabling precise alignment detection). This segmentation allows the alignment key to be visible through the transparent part while the overall substrate remains flexible due to its metal composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate exhibits a change in optical property (from opaque to transparent) in the transmission part region. This optical change enables the vision camera to detect the alignment key through the substrate, improving alignment precision without compromising the flexible nature of the metal substrate.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If transparent glass substrate is used, then alignment key detection is enabled, but flexibility and thin profile are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate combines metal material (providing flexibility) with a transparent transmission part (enabling detection). This composite structure integrates the advantages of both materials: the metal substrate provides flexibility and thin profile, while the transparent part enables alignment key detection, avoiding the need for rigid glass substrates.
4Manufacturing precision
If additional alignment apparatus is used for opaque substrate, then alignment precision can be improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate itself provides the alignment detection function through its transparent transmission part, eliminating the need for external alignment apparatus. The vision camera can directly detect the alignment key through the transparent part, allowing the substrate to serve its own alignment needs without additional complex equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical transparency of the transmission part enables direct visual detection of the alignment key by the vision camera, simplifying the alignment process. This optical property change eliminates the need for complex alignment apparatus that would be required for opaque substrates.
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
Enables accurate alignment of film layers in flexible displays without the need for extra alignment tools, simplifying the process and improving the alignment precision during the formation of organic emitting layers.
Implementation Method 1
the transmission part is formed in a state in which a region except a region corresponding to the alignment key in the alignment key forming part is oxidized
Implementation Method 2
formed through oxidation or electro-polishing of metal substrates
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible display and method for forming alignment key of the same are disclosed, which includes an alignment key required to align positions between film layers, the flexible display comprising a substrate defined display area and non-display area and an alignment key forming part including an alignment key and transmission part at the circumference of the alignment key, wherein the alignment key forming part is formed at the non-display area of the substrate.