Flexible Display Insulating Layer Trenches for Crack Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display devices are prone to cracks due to external impacts, which can propagate and affect the reliability of the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) layer, especially when made without a rigid glass substrate.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating line insertion parts or trenches in the gate and interlayer insulating layers with specific shapes and dimensions to block crack propagation, these features allow gate and data lines to be inserted, enhancing the structural integrity and reliability of the flexible display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible display is made without a rigid glass substrate to enable folding and rolling, then portability and flexibility are improved, but the display becomes prone to cracks due to external impacts

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidcrack resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating layers are segmented by forming line insertion parts (trenches) that divide the continuous insulating layer into sections. These trenches act as independent segments that can absorb stress and prevent crack propagation across the entire display structure, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The line insertion parts (trenches) are pre-formed in the insulating layers before the display device encounters external impacts. These trenches serve as predetermined stress absorption zones that cushion against crack propagation when external forces are applied, protecting the OLED layer and other critical components from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If line insertion parts are formed in the insulating layers to block crack propagation, then reliability is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrack resistanceVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of modifying the entire display structure, the line insertion parts are localized to specific regions within the insulating layers where they are most needed for crack prevention. This localized approach adds minimal structural complexity while effectively improving reliability at critical stress points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The line insertion parts are formed as thin trench structures within the insulating layers, maintaining the overall thin-film architecture of the flexible display. These shallow trenches provide crack-blocking functionality without significantly increasing the overall device thickness or structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS9881988B2Flexible display

Publication Date: 2018.01.30 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A flexible display is disclosed. In one aspect, the flexible display includes a substrate, a gate insulating layer formed over the substrate, an interlayer insulating layer formed over the gate insulating layer, and a trench disposed between the gate and interlayer insulating layers and configured to accommodate a signal line therein.