Flexible Display Gate-In-Panel Circuit Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible displays face challenges in minimizing inactive areas, which are critical for reducing device size and aesthetics, while maintaining component reliability and flexibility, as components on the substrate are fragile and prone to mechanical stress during bending.
Innovation Solution
A flexible display apparatus with a base layer featuring a first area for OLED elements, a second area for gate-in-panel circuits, and a bend allowance section between them, where the wire traces have a strain-reducing diamond-shaped link design, and thin-film transistors with different semiconductor layers for enhanced flexibility and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If components are placed on the display panel in periphery areas, then driving circuit functionality is achieved, but inactive area size increases making the display panel bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves components from the planar periphery area to a folded configuration along the edge of the display panel. By utilizing the third dimension (folding the inactive area downward), the patent achieves driving circuit functionality without increasing the visible inactive area, effectively resolving the contradiction between functionality and area occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the driving circuit components within the folded inactive area, which is positioned along the edge of the display panel. This nesting approach allows the inactive area to contain functional components while remaining compact and not adding significant bulk to the overall display structure.
2Area of stationary object
If inactive area is reduced to minimize device size, then screen to bezel ratio improves, but component placement space becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible display panel that can be dynamically folded along its edge. This dynamic configuration allows the inactive area to be positioned in a folded state during operation, providing sufficient space for component placement while maintaining a minimized appearance when the display is in use, thus resolving the contradiction between area reduction and component placement capability.
3Area of stationary object
If flexible display is bent to reduce inactive area visibility, then device aesthetics improve, but mechanical stress on fragile components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by providing a support structure and protective layers to the inactive area before bending occurs. The support structure reinforces the flexible substrate in the inactive area, and protective layers are applied to components, enabling the display to be bent without compromising component reliability, thus resolving the contradiction between aesthetics and reliability.
4Reliability
If wire traces are made rigid to ensure electrical connection, then connection reliability improves, but flexibility of the display panel deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible wire traces formed as thin film structures on the flexible substrate. These thin film traces maintain electrical connection reliability while conforming to the flexibility requirements of the display panel, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and panel flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A flexible display apparatus to an embodiment of the invention includes a flexible base layer defined with a first area, second area and a first bend allowance section, which is positioned between the first area and the second area of the flexible base layer, an array of organic-light emitting diode (OLED) elements and an array of pixel circuits disposed in the first area of the flexible base layer, the array of pixel circuits being configured to control emission of the array of OLED elements, and a gate-in-panel (GIP) circuit in the second area of the flexible base layer. Electronic devices with a flexible display having a plurality of innovations configured to allow bending of a portion or portions to reduce apparent border size and utilize the side surface of an assembled flexible display are provided in this invention.