Flexible Electroluminescent Display Bending Layout for Narrow Bezels
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Solution Overview
Problem
As display apparatuses miniaturize, there is a challenge in minimizing the bezel area while maintaining space for lines and driving circuits, particularly in flexible electroluminescent displays where bending can cause defects like cracks.
Innovation Solution
A flexible electroluminescent display apparatus with a bending area extended from the active area, featuring a thin film transistor, planarization layers, and lines configured as dual layers to minimize defects and bezel area by optimizing the layout and material flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the bezel area is minimized to increase the effective display area, then the display area ratio is improved, but there is insufficient space for lines and driving circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by extending lines and driving circuits from the plane of the active area into a bending area that is folded back underneath. This transforms a 2D layout problem into a 3D spatial solution, allowing circuit elements to occupy space that would otherwise be wasted bezel area, thereby increasing the effective display area without compromising circuit functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The bending area structure implements nesting by folding the non-active area containing lines and driving circuits underneath the active area. This nested configuration allows the circuit elements to be housed within the volume created by the fold, effectively hiding them from the front view and maximizing the visible display area while maintaining all necessary circuit functions
2Area of stationary object
If the flexible substrate is bent to minimize the bezel area, then the effective display area is increased, but defects such as cracks may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible substrates and thin film structures throughout the display device, including the bending area. These flexible materials can accommodate the mechanical stress of bending without fracturing, allowing the device to achieve minimal bezel area through folding while maintaining structural integrity and preventing crack formation in the substrate and deposited layers
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates a bending area specifically engineered to absorb and distribute mechanical stress before it reaches critical components. By creating a dedicated flexible zone with appropriate material properties and geometric design, the structure cushions against stress concentration that would otherwise cause cracks in the substrate, electrodes, or organic layers during bending operations
3Area of stationary object
If lines and driving circuits are placed in the bending area, then the bezel area is minimized, but the lines may be subjected to mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving the bending area distinct material properties and structural characteristics different from the rigid active area. The bending area is designed with enhanced flexibility and stress-distribution properties, creating a localized zone that can accommodate mechanical deformation while protecting the lines and driving circuits from excessive stress that would occur in a rigid structure
Solution Approach 2:
The bending area acts as an intermediary structure between the rigid active display area and the external environment. This intermediate zone absorbs and redistributes mechanical stresses before they reach the lines and driving circuits, protecting these sensitive conductive elements from damage while still allowing the overall device to achieve minimal bezel area through bending
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
This configuration allows for efficient use of space, reduces defects, and minimizes the bezel area, ensuring reliable operation and display performance even when bent.
Implementation Method 1
electroluminescent display apparatuses including OLEDs are self-emitting display apparatuses
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible electroluminescent display apparatus can include a flexible substrate including an active area and a bending area extending from the active area; a thin film transistor disposed on the active area and including a semiconductor layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode; an planarization layer disposed on the thin film transistor; a light emitting element disposed on the planarization layer in the active area and connected to the thin film transistor through a connection electrode; and a first wiring line and a second wiring line disposed in the bending area, in which the first wiring line, the source electrode and the drain electrode are configured as a same layer, and the second wiring line and the connection electrode are configured as a same layer, and the first wiring line and the second wiring line are directly connected to each other.