Flexible Display Crack Detection via Pre-installed Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display panels, especially flexible ones, are prone to cracks due to impacts or repeated bending, which can lead to defects such as short-circuits, increased resistance, and moisture infiltration, ultimately affecting the reliability and operation of the display.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a substrate, a display area containing pixels and data lines, and a peripheral area featuring a pad portion, an encapsulation layer, a crack detection circuit, and first and second crack detection lines. These lines are connected to the pad portion and the crack detection circuit, and are disposed on the encapsulation layer to detect cracks and defects accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the display panel is made flexible to enable bending and twisting, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased susceptibility to cracks from repeated bending
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating crack detection lines and detection circuits before the display panel is put into service. These detection lines are pre-installed in strategic locations where cracks are most likely to occur, allowing the system to detect and respond to cracks early in their development, before they propagate and cause complete failure. This proactive approach enables the flexible display to maintain reliability despite repeated bending operations.
2Reliability
If crack detection lines are added to detect cracks early, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The detection lines serve multiple functions: they act as both structural components of the display panel and as sensing elements for crack detection. By integrating these dual functions into a single element, the patent reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliable crack detection capability. The same conductive lines that form part of the display structure also serve as the sensing mechanism for detecting cracks.
3Reliability
If the encapsulation layer is extended to cover the peripheral area, then reliability is improved by preventing moisture infiltration, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the encapsulation structure into distinct regions: a first encapsulation layer covering the display area and a second encapsulation layer extending to the peripheral area. This segmented approach allows each layer to be optimized independently for its specific function, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining comprehensive moisture protection across both the display and peripheral areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a substrate, a display area disposed on the substrate and including a plurality of pixels and data lines, a peripheral area disposed outside the display area of the substrate, a pad portion disposed in the peripheral area, an encapsulation layer disposed in the peripheral area and the display area, and disposed on the plurality of pixels of the display area, a crack detection circuit disposed in the peripheral area, and a first crack detection line connected with the pad portion and the crack detection circuit. The first crack detection line is disposed on the encapsulation layer.