Flexible Display Border Unit Notch Structure Stress Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible display devices face stress concentration and damage when bent due to continuous metal layers in the border area, leading to reduced lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A border unit in the flexible display device is designed with a third metal layer having a notch structure, creating a discontinuous layout that distributes force and prevents stress concentration, comprising a substrate, insulation, protection, semiconductor, and planarization layers with a U-shaped or wave-shaped third metal layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal layers are designed as continuous layout for electrical connection, then electrical conductivity is improved, but stress concentration occurs during bending causing reduced lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The third metal layer is segmented into multiple parts (first part, second part, third part) with notches between them, transforming the continuous metal layer into a discontinuous structure. This segmentation allows the metal layer to flex during bending without continuous stress transmission, preventing stress concentration while maintaining electrical connectivity through the segmented structure
Solution Approach 2:
The third metal layer is designed with curved or bent geometry (U-shaped configuration) instead of straight lines. The curved structure naturally distributes stress during bending operations, as the curvature allows for stress relaxation through geometric deformation rather than forcing stress through a rigid linear path
2Reliability
If metal layers are made continuous for electrical connection, then electrical conductivity is improved, but force transmission causes stress concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The third metal layer is divided into discrete segments (first part, second part, third part) separated by notches. This segmentation interrupts the continuous force transmission path, allowing each segment to move independently during bending, thereby preventing force from being continuously transmitted through the entire metal layer structure
Solution Approach 2:
The notches act as intermediary elements between metal layer segments. These notches serve as stress relief zones that mediate the force transmission, allowing controlled deformation and stress distribution rather than direct force transfer between adjacent metal segments
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible display device includes a substrate and a border unit. The substrate has a display area and a border area that surrounds the display area. The border unit is located in the border area and includes a first metal layer on the substrate, an insulation layer covering the first metal layer and the substrate, a second metal layer on the insulation layer, a protection layer covering the second metal layer and the insulation layer, a semiconductor layer between the insulation layer and the protection layer, a planarization layer covering the protection layer, and a third metal layer on the planarization layer. The third metal layer has a first part, a second part, and a third part that is between and physically connected to the first and second parts. A notch is defined by the first, second, and third parts.