Flexible Display Panel Buffer Holes for Wire Stress Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing display panels face issues with wire damage due to high stress during the bending process, which affects display performance and increases the risk of wire breakage in the bending area.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating buffer holes and a buffer material, such as glue or polymer, on the rear surface of the bending portion of a flexible substrate, which reduces stress during bending and prevents wire damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the bending area is bent to reduce frame size, then the frame size is reduced, but the wires in the bending area are easily damaged due to large stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe sizeVSAvoidwire integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a buffer layer in the bending area before the bending process. This buffer layer absorbs and distributes the stress that occurs during bending, preventing wire damage while enabling the frame size reduction. The buffer layer is specifically positioned in the bending area to provide protective cushioning exactly where the stress concentration occurs during the bending operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If the bending area is bent to connect OLB area to drive chip, then the connection is achieved, but the stress during bending damages wires

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection capabilityVSAvoidwire strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a buffer layer as a mediator between the wires and the bending stress. This buffer layer acts as an intermediate substance that absorbs the mechanical stress during bending, allowing the connection to be formed while protecting the wires from direct stress exposure. The buffer layer mediates the interaction between the bending force and the wire structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If buffer holes are provided in bending portion, then stress is reduced during bending, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire protectionVSAvoidsubstrate structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the porous materials principle by creating buffer holes within the bending portion of the flexible substrate. These holes reduce the overall density and rigidity of the substrate in the bending area, allowing it to flex more easily while maintaining structural integrity. The porous structure formed by the buffer holes enables stress reduction during bending while adding minimal complexity to the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Data Source

PatentUS20200176362A1Display panel, display module, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2020.06.04 WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICONDUCTOR DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • US20200176362A1 patent drawing
  • US20200176362A1 patent drawing
  • US20200176362A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A display panel, a display module, and an electronic device are provided. The display panel includes a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate includes a bending portion, and a position of the bending portion corresponds to a position of a bending area of the display panel. The bending portion is provided with at least one buffer hole, and a buffer material is provided in the buffer hole and on a rear surface of the bending portion.