Flexible Display Electronic Unit Mounting for Bending Stress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible flat panel displays face the issue of electronic units, such as driving ICs and flexible printed circuit boards, separating from the display when bent, leading to electrical openness and inability to display images.

Innovation Solution

The electronic units are mounted on sides perpendicular to the bent sides of the flexible display unit, using flexible printed circuit boards bonded with anisotropic conductive adhesives, ensuring they remain attached during bending.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible flat panel display is bent, then the flexibility and adaptability of the display is improved, but the electronic units (driving IC and flexible printed circuit board) separate from the display due to bending stress

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the electronic units (driving IC and flexible printed circuit board) on the flat surface of the display rather than on the bent edge. This dimensional repositioning moves the components from the high-stress bending zone to the stable flat zone, allowing the display to be bent without compromising the connection stability of the electronic units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a bonding adhesive as an intermediary substance between the electronic units and the display substrate. This adhesive layer acts as a mediator that maintains the bond between components during bending, distributing the mechanical stress and preventing separation that would occur with direct bonding alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the electronic units are mounted on the bent side of the display, then the device complexity is reduced, but the electrical connectivity is lost due to separation under bending stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting structureVSAvoidelectrical connectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of mounting electronic units on the bent edge (one-dimensional placement), the patent relocates them to the flat surface area (two-dimensional placement). This dimensional change provides sufficient mounting space while avoiding the bending stress zone, maintaining electrical connectivity without requiring complex reinforcement structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the flexible printed circuit board is bonded using anisotropic conductive adhesive, then the electrical connectivity is maintained, but the bonding strength is insufficient under bending stress when mounted on the bent side

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidbonding strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the bonding interface from the bent edge region to the flat surface region. This positional change in another dimension allows the anisotropic conductive adhesive to maintain both electrical connectivity and mechanical bonding strength, as the flat surface does not experience the same tensile stresses as the bent side during flexing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Prevents separation of electronic units from the flexible display during bending, maintaining electrical connectivity and enabling continuous image display.

Implementation Method 1

the flexible printed circuit board is bonded to the flexible display unit via an anisotropic conductive adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAnisotropic conduction: Anisotropy

Data Source

PatentEP1775773B1Flexible flat panel display
Publication Date: 2017.11.22 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP1775773B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1775773B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1775773B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A flexible flat panel display prevents electronic units, such as a flexible printed circuit board and a driving IC, from being separated from the flexible flat panel display even when the display unit is bent. The flexible flat panel display includes: a flexible display unit including a display area adapted to display an image, a first side and a second side parallel to edges of the display area, and a third side and a fourth side perpendicular to the first and second sides, the third side and the fourth being adapted to being bent; and electronic units arranged solely on at least one of the first and second sides and absent the third and fourth sides.