Flexible Display Edge Structure for Substrate Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display devices face damage during the removal of the glass substrate due to particle generation on the scribing line, leading to potential malfunction of touch electrodes during user input operations.

Innovation Solution

An auxiliary pattern is provided on the boundary of a flexible film from which the glass substrate is removed, incorporating metal dummy patterns with low reactivity to laser energy, which prevent damage by absorbing the energy and maintaining the integrity of the transparent electrode wires.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the glass substrate is removed to achieve flexibility and slim design, then the device becomes flexible and thin, but particles are generated on the scribing line causing damage to the flexible film and connection wires

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidintegrity of connection wires
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A protective layer is formed on the flexible film before the glass substrate removal process. This protective layer prevents particles generated during scribing line cutting from damaging the connection wires and transparent electrodes, thereby maintaining device reliability while enabling flexibility through glass substrate removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective layer acts as an intermediary between the harmful particles generated during glass substrate removal and the vulnerable connection wires on the flexible film. This intermediary layer absorbs the harmful effects of particles, preventing direct damage to the electrical connections and ensuring stable touch operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the glass substrate is removed to achieve flexibility, then the device can be folded and bent, but damage due to particles generated on scribing line occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoldable formVSAvoidparticle damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective layer is applied to the flexible film before the glass substrate is removed. This preliminary protective measure prevents particle damage that would otherwise occur during the scribing line cutting process, enabling the device to achieve foldable form without suffering from particle-induced damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective layer converts the harmful particle generation process into a beneficial outcome by being designed to withstand or absorb particle impact. The scribing line cutting that generates particles also simultaneously tests and validates the protective layer's effectiveness, ensuring the flexible film remains intact for foldable applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The solution effectively prevents peeling and damage of the connection wires during the removal of the glass substrate, ensuring stable touch operations and maintaining the flexibility and slim design of the display device.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating metal dummy patterns with low reactivity to laser energy, which prevent damage by absorbing the energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser energy absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3291073B1Flexible display device
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 LG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3291073B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3291073B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3291073B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Disclosed is a flexible display device in which a flexible film is first patterned and in a subsequent process of removing a glass substrate, a structure around the flexible film is removed therewith by external physical force, in order to make the device slim. In the flexible display device, the edge structure of the flexible film may be changed to minimize the generation of particles on the cut plane of the flexible film, thereby preventing damage to the periphery of the flexible film.