Flexible Display Motherboard Barrier Strip Crack Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Stress cracks often occur at the edge portion of flexible display panels during the cutting and subsequent processes, potentially extending into the device and causing abnormal displays or failure due to moisture ingress.

Innovation Solution

A motherboard of flexible display panel with a barrier strip made of stress barrier material is placed between display units, extending along the longitudinal direction of the space region and in contact with inorganic insulating films to prevent crack propagation, and the cutting method involves positioning the barrier strip on both sides of the cutting line to reduce cutting stress and crack occurrence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple display units are simultaneously fabricated on a motherboard in a highly-utilizable arrangement, then production efficiency increases, but stress cracks occur at the edge portion during cutting and subsequent processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidcrack occurrence

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The space region between adjacent display units is segmented into multiple zones by dividing the barrier strip into multiple segments arranged in multiple columns. This segmentation allows the barrier function to be distributed across multiple protective elements, effectively preventing stress cracks while maintaining the high-density arrangement of display units for efficient production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A barrier strip is introduced as an intermediary element in the space region between adjacent display units. This barrier strip acts as a mediator that intercepts and prevents stress cracks from propagating from the edge portion toward the display units, thereby protecting the display units during cutting and subsequent processes while maintaining close spacing for high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If display units are arranged in close proximity to increase utilization, then manufacturing area is optimized, but cracks extend into the device causing abnormal displays or failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing area utilizationVSAvoidcrack propagation

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier strip is extracted and placed specifically in the space region between adjacent display units. This extracted protective element is positioned to intercept cracks before they can reach the display units, allowing the display units to be arranged in close proximity for optimal area utilization without compromising device integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier strip is selectively positioned in the space region between adjacent display units rather than uniformly across the entire motherboard. This localized placement provides targeted protection where crack propagation is most likely to occur, enabling close spacing of display units while preventing harmful crack extension into the devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If cutting is performed to separate display units, then individual flexible display panels are obtained, but stress cracks occur at the edge portion during cutting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting processVSAvoidedge quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier strip is preliminarily positioned in the space region between adjacent display units before the cutting process. This preliminary placement of the barrier strip prepares the structure to withstand cutting stresses, preventing stress cracks from occurring at the edge portion during the subsequent cutting operation while maintaining ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The barrier strip effectively reduces the occurrence of stress cracks at the edge portion and prevents them from extending into the interior of the flexible display panel, enhancing production yield and display stability.

Implementation Method 1

a barrier strip formed of stress barrier material is provided between a central line of the space region and the display units at both sides of the central line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStress barrier:

Data Source

PatentUS10468613B2Motherboard of flexible display panel, cutting method thereof, flexible display panel and display device

Publication Date: 2019.11.05 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

Embodiment of the present disclosure provides a motherboard of flexible display panel, a cutting method thereof, a flexible display panel and a display device. The motherboard of flexible display panel includes: a plurality of display units; a space region, disposed to at least separate adjacent ones of the display unis; and a barrier strip, disposed in the space region and configured to stop a crack from extending towards the display units across the barrier strip.