Flexible Display Support Layer With Rounded Edge for Narrow Bezels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible displays face challenges in minimizing inactive areas due to the fragility and mechanical stress on components formed directly on the base substrate, leading to potential failure and performance issues during bending.

Innovation Solution

The flexible display apparatus incorporates a design that allows the inactive area to be bent behind the active area, utilizing a bend line to minimize visible inactive space, with components like gate drivers and data drivers positioned on a separate printed circuit film at the rear side, and employs strain-reducing trace designs and support layers to enhance flexibility and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If components are placed on the display panel in the inactive area, then all components can be integrated in one location, but the inactive area becomes large making the display panel bulky and aesthetically unappealing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinactive area sizeVSAvoidcomponent reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves components from the traditional 2D plane of the display panel to a 3D configuration by bending the flexible substrate. The inactive area is folded underneath the active area, creating a multi-layer structure where components remain accessible but the visible inactive area is minimized. This dimensional transition allows the display to achieve a smaller form factor without compromising component integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes a flexible substrate that can be bent and folded without damaging the integrated components. This flexibility enables the inactive area to be configured in a three-dimensional arrangement, reducing the visible footprint while maintaining all necessary component connections and functionalities on a single flexible structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Area of stationary object

If the flexible substrate is bent to reduce inactive area visibility, then aesthetics improve, but mechanical stress and fragility increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisible inactive areaVSAvoidmechanical robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a controlled curvature in the flexible substrate, bending it along a specific radius to fold the inactive area underneath the active area. This curved configuration minimizes the visible inactive area while distributing mechanical stress along the bend, preventing concentration of stress at sharp edges and improving overall structural durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates a rounded edge structure at the bend location, which acts as a stress-distributing feature that prevents crack initiation and propagation. This rounded geometry serves as a protective element that cushions the flexible substrate against mechanical failures during repeated bending operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If components are placed directly on the base substrate, then integration is simplified, but mechanical stress during bending causes component failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent integration complexityVSAvoidcomponent failure rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible substrate with integrated components that can be bent without delamination or damage. The flexible nature of the substrate allows it to accommodate the bent configuration while maintaining electrical connections and mechanical integrity of all integrated components, including the rounded edge structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite structure combining the flexible substrate with a rounded edge reinforcement feature. This composite design integrates the flexibility needed for bending with the structural strength required to protect components during deformation, creating a unified structure that resists component failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4221487B1Flexible display device having support layer with rounded edge

Publication Date: 2026.03.25 LG DISPLAY CO LTD

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AI summary

There is provided a flexible display having a plurality of innovations configured to allow bending of a portion or portions to reduce apparent border size and/or utilize a side surface of an assembled flexible display. A flexible display apparatus, comprises a flexible base layer (106) defined with a display area and a non-display area, a plurality of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) elements disposed on a first side of the flexible base layer in the display area, and a support layer (108D) attached to a second side of the flexible base layer (106), the support layer (108D) having a planar portion and a rounded edge portion arranged to extend from the display area to the non-display area, wherein the flexible base layer (106) wraps around the rounded edge portion of the support layer (108D) in the non-display area.