Bending Area Protection in Flexible Display Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display modules face vulnerability in bending areas due to internal stress and external impacts, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed in terms of reinforcing strength and protecting the display parts effectively.
Innovation Solution
A display module design incorporating a protective film with a cushion layer and a polyethylene terephthalate film, where the cushion layer covers the opening in the protective film, and the protective film overlaps the bending area, providing a simple and cost-effective solution to enhance the bending area's strength and protect it from damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the bending area is reinforced with additional protective structures, then the strength of the bending area is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining a protective film and a cushion layer to reinforce the bending area. The protective film provides basic protection while the cushion layer adds shock absorption capability, creating a composite protective system that enhances strength without requiring complex structural modifications to the display panel itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion layer is positioned to cover the bending area before external impacts occur, providing pre-positioned shock absorption. This allows the bending area to be protected in advance from potential damage during bending operations or external impacts, reinforcing strength without adding operational complexity.
2Reliability
If a protective film with cushion layer is added to protect the bending area, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure is segmented into two distinct functional layers: a protective film for basic protection and a cushion layer for shock absorption. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently and potentially manufactured or applied separately, which can simplify the manufacturing process and reduce overall cost compared to creating a single complex protective structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin film structures (protective film and cushion layer) that provide effective protection while minimizing material usage and adding minimal thickness to the overall device. These thin films can be applied using standard coating or lamination techniques, which are cost-effective and do not require complex manufacturing processes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the protective film covers the bending area, then the protection from external impacts is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective film and cushion layer are designed to cover at least the bending area, with the cushion layer extending slightly beyond the bending region. This partial coverage approach provides sufficient protection for the critical bending area without requiring the entire display surface to be covered with high-precision alignment, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining effective protection.
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 solution effectively reduces stress on the bending area, enhances its strength, and prevents damage from external impacts, improving the reliability and manufacturing efficiency of the display module.
Implementation Method 1
a cushion layer disposed on the top surface of the protective film
Implementation Method 2
The solution effectively reduces stress on the bending area, enhances its strength
Data Source
AI summary
A display module includes a display part and a protection part disposed under the display part. The display part may include a display panel including a bending area bent about a bending axis extending in a direction, a first area disposed at a side of the bending area and displaying an image, and a second area disposed at another side of the bending area and overlapping the first area in a plan view; and a circuit board disposed on the display panel in the second area. The protection part may include a protective film including a top surface facing the second area and the circuit board and an opening overlapping the bending area in a plan view; and a cushion layer disposed on the top surface of the protective film.