Flexible Display Polarization Layer Trimming Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible displays face challenges in minimizing the inactive area, which affects their size and aesthetics, and the components on the base substrate are fragile due to mechanical and environmental stresses during bending, leading to potential component failure and performance issues.
Innovation Solution
A flexible display apparatus with a flexible base layer featuring a bend allowance section, where the inactive area is positioned behind the active area, and a polarization layer is configured to avoid trimming paths, allowing for bending without compromising the display's functionality and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the inactive area is reduced to minimize display panel size and improve aesthetics, then the screen to bezel ratio is improved, but the components require larger inactive area which makes the display panel bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions components on the rear side of the display panel in the inactive area, utilizing the third dimension (depth) rather than expanding the two-dimensional inactive area. This allows the display panel to maintain a thin profile while accommodating necessary components, resolving the contradiction between minimizing inactive area and avoiding bulkiness.
2Area of stationary object
If components are placed on the display panel in the periphery areas, then the screen to bezel ratio is improved, but the interfaces and wires limit how much reduction in inactive area size can be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the components directly onto the rear side of the display panel substrate, merging the component mounting function with the display panel structure itself. This eliminates the need for separate FPC interfaces and extensive wiring, reducing both inactive area requirements and device complexity.
3Shape
If the flexible display is bent to reduce apparent border size, then the aesthetics are improved, but the components become fragile due to mechanical and environmental stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions components in the inactive area on the rear side, which is a region that experiences different stress characteristics during bending compared to the active display area. This local positioning strategy allows the display to achieve the desired bent shape for aesthetics while placing components in a location that minimizes mechanical stress and maintains reliability.
4Ease of manufacture
If the inactive area is made large to accommodate components, then the components can be properly mounted, but the masking required to cover the inactive area increases leading to unappealing device aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves components from the front-view two-dimensional plane to the rear side third dimension, allowing the display to maintain a minimal visible inactive area for aesthetics while providing sufficient space on the rear side for proper component mounting and assembly.
Data Source
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AI summary
A flexible display apparatus is provided with a flexible base layer. The flexible base layer is defined with a first area, a second area and a bend allowance section, which is positioned between the first area and the second area of the flexible base layer. An active area, which includes an array of organic-light emitting diode (OLED) elements, is provided in at least one of the first area and the second area of the flexible base layer. An array of pixel circuits is also provided in the active area to control emission of the array of OLED elements. A driving circuit is provided in an inactive area, which is at the periphery of the active area. The driving circuit in the inactive area is configured to transmit various signals to the array of pixel circuits in the active area. The inactive area may be provided in at least one of the first area and the second area of the flexible base layer. In the active area, a polarization layer has a configuration (e.g., a shape, a size, a position and an orientation) such that the polarization layer is unaffected by a trimming of the flexible base layer.