Flexible Display Lamination with Pre-Stress Neutralization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laminating technologies for flexible display modules fail to manage stress effectively, leading to increased inward tension/compressive stresses in folded states, which can cause fatigue and reduce the service life of foldable display products.

Innovation Solution

A laminating device with a stress applying component that controls the lamination of layers with pre-applied stresses opposite to those in the folded state, using a first and second laminating base platform with different elastic moduli and vacuum chambers to apply and manage stresses during the lamination process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing laminating technologies are used for flexible display modules, then the lamination process is simple, but the inward tension/compressive stresses increase in folded states leading to fatigue and reduced service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice life of foldable display productVSAvoidinward tension/compressive stress in folded state
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by introducing pre-applied stress during the lamination process in the unfolded state. The stress applying component generates compressive stress on the first laminate layer before folding occurs, which counteracts the tensile stress that would normally develop during folding. This preliminary stress application prevents fatigue accumulation and extends service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary anti-action by applying stress in the opposite direction to the stress that occurs during folding. The stress applying component generates compressive stress on the first laminate layer during lamination in the unfolded state, which is opposite to the tensile stress experienced during folding. This counter-stress neutralizes the harmful effects of folding stress and reduces fatigue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If a stress applying component is added to control pre-applied stress during lamination, then the stress borne by laminate layers in folded states is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefatigue resistance of laminate layersVSAvoidstructure of lamination device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating the stress application function on specific components rather than redesigning the entire lamination system. The stress applying component (including stress applying rollers and vacuum chambers) is localized to where it is most needed - on the laminate layers during lamination - allowing precise stress control without unnecessary system-wide complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a dedicated stress applying component as a mediator between the lamination process and the laminate layers. This component (with rollers and vacuum chambers) serves as an intermediate device that applies the necessary pre-stress during lamination without requiring fundamental changes to the base lamination system, thus managing complexity while achieving the reliability improvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution reduces the stress borne by the laminate layers in folded states, thereby reducing the risk of fatigue failure and prolonging the service life of foldable display products by applying pre-applied stresses that neutralize the stress in the unfolded state.

Implementation Method 1

a first laminating base platform, provided with a tension stress and configured to bear a first laminate layer of the flexible display module; a second laminating base platform, opposite to the first laminating base platform, wherein the second laminating base platform is provided with a tension stress

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension stress: Tension

Implementation Method 2

a first vacuum chamber and a second vacuum chamber which are oppositely disposed, wherein the first laminating base platform and the first driving track are fixed inside the first vacuum chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS11858244B2Laminating device, laminating method thereof, flexible display module and display device
Publication Date: 2024.01.02 CHENGDU BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECH CO LTD
  • US11858244B2 patent drawing
  • US11858244B2 patent drawing
  • US11858244B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The disclosure provides a laminating device, a laminating method thereof, a flexible display module and a display device. The laminating device is configured to laminate layers of the flexible display module. The laminating device includes a stress applying component, configured to control the first laminating base platform and the second laminating base platform to laminate in a lamination direction, and control at least one of the first laminating base platform and the second laminating base platform to be deformed in a direction perpendicular to the lamination direction during lamination, such that the first laminate layer, that has been laminated, in an unfolded state is provided with a pre-applied stress, wherein a direction of the pre-applied stress is opposite to a direction of a stress borne by the first laminate layer in a folded state.