Flexible Display Using Release Layer for Thermal Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible displays using organic electroluminescent devices face challenges due to high-temperature manufacturing processes that can damage plastic substrates and complicate the manufacturing process, leading to potential defects and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
A flexible display design featuring a flexible substrate with a transparent insulating layer, a counter substrate, and a reflection plate on the lower surface, utilizing a transparent electrolyte and opaque non-electrolyte layers between the substrates to create an electric field for image display, allowing for colorful imaging without the need for additional color filter layers and enhancing flexibility and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a plastic substrate is used for flexible display, then flexibility and thin profile are improved, but the substrate may melt due to high-temperature manufacturing process
Solution Approach 1:
A release layer is introduced as an intermediary between the plastic substrate and the organic EL device. This release layer acts as a protective barrier during high-temperature manufacturing processes, preventing direct thermal damage to the plastic substrate while allowing the organic EL device to be manufactured at required temperatures. The release layer can be peeled off after manufacturing, leaving the flexible plastic substrate intact.
2Reliability
If a glass substrate is attached to plastic substrate for high-temperature process, then substrate stability is improved, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The glass substrate attachment step is completely removed from the manufacturing process. Instead of attaching glass for thermal protection and then detaching it, the release layer provides continuous thermal protection throughout the manufacturing process without requiring any attachment or detachment operations, thereby eliminating the associated process complexity and potential defects.
3Reliability
If multiple lamination processes are performed for glass attachment, then substrate stability is improved, but productivity decreases due to process time and defect risk
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple lamination processes for glass attachment are completely eliminated. The release layer provides inherent thermal protection during manufacturing without requiring any lamination steps, thereby removing the associated process time, equipment requirements, and defect risks, leading to improved productivity and manufacturing efficiency.
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
Enables the display of colorful images while simplifying the manufacturing process, improving flexibility and durability by eliminating the risk of metal reflection plate cracks and reducing complexity, thus overcoming the limitations of high-temperature processes and enhancing productivity.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible display includes a first electrode disposed on a first substrate and a second substrate disposed adjacent the first substrate. A second electrode and a black matrix are disposed on a surface of the second substrate. A transparent electrolyte layer and an opaque non-electrolyte layer are disposed between the two substrates.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible display of a reflection type is disclosed. An electrolyte layer with a relatively high polarity and a non-electrolyte layer with a relatively low polarity are arranged between two electrodes such that an image is displayed in accordance with movements of the electrolyte layer and non-electrolyte layer caused by an electric field applied to the layers. A reflection plate is arranged on a lower surface of the display such that the color of the image may be modified in accordance with a change in the color of the reflection plate.