Flexible Display Crack Detection Circuit for Bending Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cracks in the substrate or stacked layers of display panels can lead to defects such as short-circuits, increased resistance, and moisture ingress, especially in flexible displays that are intentionally bent or twisted, causing reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a bending area with crack detection circuits and lines, including a first crack detection circuit between the display and pad portion, and a second crack detection line in the peripheral area, to detect defects like cracks through resistance changes in the main and bending crack detection lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the display panel is made flexible to enable bending, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to crack occurrence in bending areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating crack detection lines and detection circuits into the display panel structure before the panel is put into use. These detection lines are pre-positioned in strategic locations including bending areas to detect cracks early. When a crack occurs, the detection circuit identifies it through electrical continuity changes, allowing preventive maintenance before the crack causes functional failure. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining flexibility while proactively managing reliability risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses crack detection lines as an intermediary element between the structural components of the display panel. These detection lines act as sensors that mediate between the physical stress of bending and the electronic monitoring system. When stress causes a crack, the detection line experiences a change in electrical properties that the detection circuit can measure, thus translating mechanical damage into detectable electrical signals without compromising the flexibility of the panel.
2Reliability
If crack detection circuits are added to detect defects, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the crack detection lines to serve multiple functions. The same conductive lines that are part of the display panel's electrical structure also function as crack sensors. The detection circuits utilize existing electrical pathways and components within the panel, rather than requiring entirely separate sensing systems. This multi-functionality approach improves reliability through defect detection while minimizing the increase in device complexity by reusing existing structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection lines are designed to self-diagnose cracks through changes in their own electrical properties. When a crack occurs in or near a detection line, the line's electrical continuity or resistance changes automatically indicate the defect without requiring external sensing mechanisms. The system essentially monitors itself, reducing the complexity that would arise from adding separate, complex sensing systems while maintaining reliable defect detection capability.
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
Enables effective detection and prevention of cracks in the bending and edge areas of display panels, maintaining display reliability by identifying and addressing potential defects before they worsen.
Implementation Method 1
to detect defects like cracks through resistance changes in the main and bending crack detection lines
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a display area, a peripheral area, a pad portion, a bending area, a first crack detection circuit, and a first crack detection line. The display area includes pixels and data lines. The peripheral area is disposed outside the display area. The pad portion is disposed in the peripheral area. The bending area is disposed in the peripheral area. The bending area is bendable or in a bent state. The first crack detection circuit is disposed between the display area and the pad portion. The first crack detection circuit includes switches. The first crack detection line includes a first curved portion disposed in the bending area. The first crack detection line is connected between the pad portion and the first crack detection circuit.