Flexible Display Edge Sealing With Side-Cover Support Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display apparatuses, particularly flexible and organic light-emitting ones, face challenges in preventing moisture and oxygen penetration, which can lead to damage and reduced reliability, especially when exposed to external environments.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus design featuring a support member with an extension part that covers the side surface of the display panel, a cover member with a light shielding layer on its rear surface, and a fixing layer to attach the support member, effectively blocking moisture and oxygen penetration and protecting the rear printed part from scratches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible substrate is used to enable bending display, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased permeability to moisture and oxygen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-layer encapsulation structure where the flexible substrate is nested within protective layers. The support member extends beneath the flexible substrate and the cover member overlays it, creating a nested configuration that protects the flexible substrate from moisture and oxygen while preserving its bending capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures combining the flexible substrate with rigid support members and protective cover members. This composite approach maintains the flexibility needed for bending applications while providing the barrier properties necessary to block moisture and oxygen penetration
2Reliability
If the support member area is enlarged to cover side surfaces, then reliability is improved by blocking moisture penetration, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is segmented into a base part and extension parts. The base part provides primary support while the extension parts specifically target the side surfaces to block moisture penetration. This segmentation allows the structure to provide enhanced protection without requiring a complete redesign of the entire support member
3Reliability
If additional protective films are added to protect rear printed parts, then reliability is improved by preventing scratches, but device complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member serves multiple functions: it protects the front display surface, and its extension also protects the rear printed parts of the flexible substrate. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate protective films for the rear surface, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive protection
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes a support member, a display panel located above the support member, a fixing layer between the support member and the display panel, a cover member located above the display panel and including an active area and a non-active area adjacent the active area, and at least one light shielding layer disposed on a rear surface of the cover member and overlapping the non-active area. The support member includes a base part overlapping the display panel and at least one extension part extending from the base part and protruding from a side surface of the display panel. Further, the extension part covers the side surface of the display panel.