Flexible Display Substrate Prominence Pattern Stress Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible display devices face challenges in maintaining display performance when bent due to bending stress, which causes cracking and deterioration of thin film layers and electronic elements formed on a flexible substrate, leading to physical and electrical property degradation.
Innovation Solution
A flexible display device is designed with a lower substrate featuring a prominence pattern and a planarization film, along with a barrier layer pattern, to enhance flexibility and stability, where elements like thin film transistors are formed on the prominence pattern to isolate them from bending stress, using a manufacturing method that includes forming a barrier layer, prominence pattern, and planarization film on the substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible display device is severely bent or curved, then flexibility is enhanced, but bending stress causes thin film layers to crack or deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a prominence pattern (raised structure) at specific locations on the flexible substrate where electronic elements are positioned. This localized structural modification provides stress relief exactly where needed (under the thin film layers and electronic elements) without compromising the overall flexibility of the display device. The prominence pattern acts as a cushion that locally absorbs bending stress, preventing cracking while maintaining device flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If thin film layers and electronic elements are formed on a flexible substrate, then device functionality is achieved, but bending stress transfers to these elements causing property deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by pre-forming the prominence pattern on the flexible substrate before depositing the thin film layers and electronic elements. This pre-existing raised structure serves as a protective cushion that will absorb bending stress during subsequent operation. The prominence pattern is positioned to directly underlying critical electronic elements, ensuring they are protected from stress-induced damage before any bending occurs.
3Reliability
If elements are disposed on a prominence pattern of a lower substrate, then property deterioration is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the flexible substrate into distinct regions: a lower substrate with the prominence pattern, and an upper substrate that will be bonded to it. The prominence pattern creates a segmented structure where the raised portions provide stress relief while the bonded interfaces create distinct functional zones. This segmentation allows the device to maintain flexibility in non-element regions while providing protection in element regions.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible display device includes: a flexible substrate having a lower substrate including a prominence pattern, a barrier layer pattern on the prominence pattern, and a planarization film; a gate line on the flexible substrate; a data line crossing the gate line with having a gate insulation film therebetween to define a pixel region; a thin film transistor formed at an intersection of the gate line and the data line; and a passivation layer on the flexible substrate including the thin film transistor. With this configuration, the flexible substrate and the flexible display device can be enhanced by preventing property deterioration of the elements due to bending stresses.