Flexible Display Elastic Backing Layer Pressure Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible displays are prone to damage from mechanical stress, such as indentation and bending, especially when positioned on rigid surfaces or stored with spacer bars, which can cause damage to the delicate material and multilayer structure.

Innovation Solution

Adhering an elastic material, like a rubber or foam layer, to the back surface of the flexible display to act as a cushion and distribute pressure, and applying a similar elastic material to the non-active edge portions to protect electrical leads and prevent parasitic luminescence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spacer bars are used to prevent touching between front and back surfaces, then the display is protected from direct contact damage, but the spacer bars cause small bending radii that damage the multilayer structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from direct contact damageVSAvoidmultilayer structure integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A cushioning layer made of elastic material is introduced as an intermediary between the spacer bars and the flexible display. This layer absorbs mechanical stress and distributes pressure, preventing direct transmission of damaging forces to the multilayer structure while maintaining the spacer function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical properties of the display system are modified by adding the elastic cushioning layer, which changes the stress distribution parameters and bending radius characteristics. This softens the overall structure's mechanical response to external forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the flexible display is positioned on a hard base, then structural support is provided, but local pressure causes damage to the flexible display material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidlocal pressure damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic cushioning layer is pre-installed on the back surface of the flexible display before the display is positioned on the hard base. This beforehand cushioning absorbs local pressure forces and distributes them over a larger area, preventing damage to the flexible display material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic material acts as a mediator between the hard base and the flexible display, transferring mechanical loads in a damage-free manner while maintaining structural support stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If rigid housing is used for storage, then protection is provided, but the lack of degree of freedom causes mechanical damage to the flexible display

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from mechanical damageVSAvoidflexibility and bending capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic cushioning layer is applied beforehand to the back surface of the flexible display, enabling it to accommodate the rigid housing environment. This cushioning allows the display to bend and deform elastically within the rigid constraints without suffering mechanical damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical compliance of the display system is enhanced by the elastic layer, changing the stress-strain parameters to allow greater deformation within safe limits, thereby adapting to rigid housing constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If no protective layer is provided on the back surface, then the display remains simple, but particles pressed into the display cause damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay structure simplicityVSAvoidparticle indentation damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic cushioning layer serves as a protective intermediary between external particles and the flexible display. When particles are pressed against the display, the elastic layer absorbs and distributes the force, preventing direct contact and indentation damage to the display material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective elastic layer is applied beforehand to the back surface, creating a preemptive barrier against particle damage before particles can contact and indent the display material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 elastic material effectively reduces the risk of damage from local pressure and bending, distributes external forces to prevent indentation, and minimizes mechanical stress on fragile components, while also protecting against scratches and UV radiation.

Implementation Method 1

a layer of elastic material is provided between the flexible display and the rigid housing acting as a suitable cushion for dissipating any pressure applied to the flexible display

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The indentation force is distributed over a larger volume if the base is compliant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure distribution:

Implementation Method 3

the edge portions comprising leads are protected by an elastic material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical protection:

Implementation Method 4

By covering these areas by a protective, notably, elastic material, which is preferably not transparent, such parasitic luminiscence can be mitigated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLuminescence blocking:

Data Source

PatentEP2156430B1An electronic apparatus comprising a flexible display with pressure spreading means
Publication Date: 2014.09.03 CREATOR TECHNOLOGY BV
  • EP2156430B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2156430B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2156430B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an apparatus (20) comprising a flexible display (23) with a front surface and a back surface, wherein the back surface is provided with an adhered layer of an elastic material (24) for dissipating external pressure applied to the front surface. The thickness of the elastic material is optimized to provide sufficient resistance to external pressure on one hand, and to ensure that the plane of a weakest layer of the display device substantially coincides with the neutral line. Connecting the display and the layer of elastic material (24) using an adhesive prevents small particles to enter an area between the layer (24) and the back surface of the display.