Flexible Display Cover Plate with Recessed Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible display modules face reduced mechanical strength and susceptibility to scratches due to the use of flexible materials like polyimide for the cover plate, compromising user experience and bending performance.
Innovation Solution
A cover plate design comprising a multi-film layer structure with a first and second flexible planarization layer and an intermediate reinforcing layer, where the intermediate reinforcing layer has an open recess filled with a flexible filler, enhancing surface strength and flexibility while maintaining bending performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cover plate is made of flexible material to enable bending function, then the bending performance is improved, but the mechanical strength and scratch resistance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cover plate uses a composite structure with a flexible planarization layer and a reinforcing layer. The flexible planarization layer provides bending performance while the reinforcing layer (made of material with higher Young's modulus) provides mechanical strength and scratch resistance. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by combining materials with different properties to achieve both flexibility and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing layer is positioned at specific locations where mechanical strength is most needed, such as near the bending region but in the planar area. This local reinforcement approach allows the cover plate to maintain flexibility in the bending region while having enhanced strength in the planar region where scratches occur during writing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cover plate is made of flexible material to enable bending function, then the bending performance is improved, but the tactile sensation and writing experience are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure combines a flexible planarization layer that maintains the soft tactile sensation needed for writing with a reinforcing layer that provides scratch resistance. The flexible planarization layer's material properties are optimized to preserve good tactile feedback while the reinforcing layer prevents surface damage during stylus use.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single flexible material is used for the cover plate, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the surface strength and scratch resistance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cover plate employs a multi-layer composite structure where the flexible planarization layer is combined with a reinforcing layer. This composite design improves surface strength and scratch resistance while remaining manufacturable through standard lamination or bonding processes used in the display industry.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover plate is divided into distinct functional layers: a flexible planarization layer for bending and tactile properties, and a reinforcing layer for strength and scratch resistance. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturability.
Data Source
AI summary
A cover plate is divided into planar regions and a bending region connected to the planar regions. The cover plate includes a first flexible planarization layer, an intermediate reinforcing layer and a second flexible planarization layer which are sequentially stacked. The first flexible planarization layer is arranged close to the light exit surface of a display panel. The second flexible planarization layer is arranged away from the display panel. The intermediate reinforcing layer has an open recess extending across the bending region. The cover plate further includes a flexible filler filled in the open recess. The Young's modulus of the intermediate reinforcing layer is greater than the Young's modulus of the first flexible planarization layer and the Young's modulus of the second flexible planarization layer respectively. The Young's modulus of the flexible filler is less than the Young's modulus of the second flexible planarization layer.