Flexible Display Substrate Layout for Moisture Blocking and Crack Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display devices using plastic substrates face issues with moisture blocking performance and are prone to cracks in the outer peripheral portion, particularly in flexible display devices where a flexible film is disposed.
Innovation Solution
The use of a transparent conductive oxide or oxide semiconductor layer as a substrate, combined with inorganic insulating layers and a filling layer, to enhance moisture blocking and prevent cracks in the outer peripheral portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a plastic substrate is used in the display device, then the device can be made flexible and have reduced volume, but moisture blocking performance deteriorates and cracks occur in the outer peripheral portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the substrate from plastic to transparent conductive oxide (TCO) or oxide semiconductor, which fundamentally alters the moisture blocking properties while maintaining flexibility. This material substitution resolves the contradiction by selecting a material that inherently provides both flexibility and superior moisture resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures by combining transparent conductive oxide or oxide semiconductor substrate with inorganic insulating layers and flexible films. This composite approach leverages the moisture blocking properties of the TCO/oxide semiconductor substrate while maintaining the flexibility needed for flexible display applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a plastic substrate is used in the display device, then the device can be made flexible and have reduced volume, but cracks occur in the outer peripheral portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the substrate from plastic to transparent conductive oxide (TCO) or oxide semiconductor, which fundamentally alters the mechanical properties. These materials provide superior tensile strength and crack resistance while maintaining flexibility, thereby resolving the contradiction between flexibility and crack resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies inorganic insulating layers as a cushioning protective layer over the TCO or oxide semiconductor substrate. This beforehand cushioning protects the substrate from mechanical damage and prevents crack propagation, particularly in the outer peripheral portions where stress concentration occurs.
3Reliability
If inorganic insulating layers are disposed in the area where the tip end of the second substrate overlaps the third line pattern, then moisture blocking is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inorganic insulating layers selectively only in the area where the tip end of the second substrate overlaps the third line pattern, rather than covering the entire substrate. This local application provides targeted moisture blocking where most needed while minimizing the addition of structural complexity and manufacturing steps.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a display device. The display device comprises a first substrate which includes an active area with a plurality of sub-pixels and a non-active area enclosing the active area and is made of one of transparent conductive oxides or oxide semiconductors, a plurality of signal lines disposed on the first substrate, a pad part disposed on the first substrate in the non-active area, a plurality of link lines which connects the pad part and the plurality of signal lines, a plurality of inorganic insulating layers disposed between the first substrate and the plurality of link lines; and a second substrate disposed on the first substrate and the plurality of link lines, wherein a plurality of first link lines among the plurality of link lines includes a first line pattern connected to the plurality of signal lines, a second line pattern connected to the pad part; and a third line pattern which connects the first line pattern and the second line pattern of the first link line and overlaps a tip end of the second substrate, and the plurality of inorganic insulating layers is disposed except an area where the tip end of the second substrate overlaps the third line pattern of the first link line to improve moisture blocking performance, and suppress the occurrence of cracks in an outer peripheral portion.