Flexible Display Conductive Tape ESD Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display devices are prone to damage due to electrostatic discharge, which can degrade the quality of the image displayed, as static electricity accumulates in the insulating substrates and windows, leading to potential damage from electrostatic discharge.

Innovation Solution

A display device design that includes a display panel with a non-display area overlapping the display area, a window with protruding portions, and conductive tapes connecting these portions to a metal layer on the opposite surface of the panel, allowing static electricity to escape and preventing damage from electrostatic discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If flexible display devices use insulating substrates and windows, then the device can be bent and flexed, but static electricity accumulates in these insulating components leading to electrostatic discharge damage

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidelectrostatic discharge resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the electrostatic protection function into separate conductive components (conductive tape and metal layer) that are applied to specific areas of the flexible display device. The conductive tape is applied to the front surface in the non-display area, while the metal layer is applied to the rear surface, creating segmented electrostatic discharge paths that protect different regions of the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive tape serves as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between the insulating window/substrate and the metal layer. It provides a conductive path through the otherwise insulating structure, allowing static electricity to flow from the front surface through the conductive tape to the metal layer on the rear surface, preventing accumulation and discharge damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conductive elements are added to prevent electrostatic discharge, then electrostatic discharge damage is prevented, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrostatic discharge resistanceVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive tape is applied as a thin, flexible, and relatively simple component that can be easily manufactured and applied to the display device. It serves as a cost-effective solution compared to redesigning the entire flexible display structure, providing electrostatic protection through a simple adhesive tape application rather than complex structural modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The metal layer on the rear surface serves multiple functions: it acts as an electrostatic discharge ground, provides structural support, and can serve as a back reflector for display optimization. By combining multiple functions into a single component, the invention reduces overall device complexity while achieving electrostatic protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 conductive tapes effectively redirect static electricity away from sensitive components, preventing damage and maintaining image quality by ensuring that electrostatic discharge does not harm the display device.

Implementation Method 1

static electricity may be accumulated in an insulating substrate, the window, etc., in a process of using the display device. Elements included in the display device may be damaged by electrostatic discharge due to the static electricity accumulated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Implementation Method 2

a first conductive tape connecting an outer surface of the display device corresponding to the non-display area to the metal layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3800873B1Display device
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3800873B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3800873B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3800873B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A display device (10) includes a display panel (100), a window (200), a metal layer (300), and a first conductive tape (500). The display panel (100) includes a display area (DA), a non-display area (NDA), and a bending area (BA) disposed between the display area (DA) and the non-display area (NDA) and bent such that the non-display area (NDA) overlaps the display area (DA). The window (200) is disposed on a first surface (101) of the display panel (100) and may include a protruding portion overlapping the non-display area. The metal layer (300) is disposed on a second surface (102) of the display panel (100) opposite to the first surface (101). The first conductive tape (500) connects an outer surface of the display device (10) corresponding to the non-display area (NDA) to the metal layer (300).