Flexible Display Device with Segmented Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display devices have limited flexibility, leading to increased dead space in electronic devices due to rigid substrate structures, which hampers their ability to be bent and maintain reliability.
Innovation Solution
A display device design featuring a first rigid glass substrate for the display area and a second flexible substrate with a carbonized region in the bending areas, allowing for a reduction in dead space while maintaining substrate reliability through a layered structure with an organic material layer, encapsulation layer, and signal lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rigid glass substrate is used for the display area, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but flexibility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is divided into two distinct regions: a first substrate made of rigid glass material for the display area requiring high precision, and a second substrate made of flexible material for the bending area requiring adaptability. This segmentation allows each region to have optimized properties for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between precision and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different material properties are applied to different locations of the substrate structure. The first substrate in the display area uses rigid glass for manufacturing precision, while the second substrate in the bending area uses flexible material for adaptability. This local differentiation of material quality enables both precision and flexibility to coexist in their respective regions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible substrate is used in bending areas, then adaptability and flexibility are improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate structure is segmented into a first substrate for precision-critical display areas and a second substrate for flexibility-critical bending areas. This segmentation ensures that manufacturing precision is maintained where needed while flexibility is provided where required, without compromising either property.
Solution Approach 2:
The second substrate made of flexible material is specifically positioned in the bending area where adaptability is required, while the first rigid substrate maintains manufacturing precision in the display area. This local application of appropriate material properties resolves the contradiction between flexibility and precision.
3Reliability
If the substrate structure is made fully rigid, then reliability is improved, but dead space in peripheral areas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate structure transitions from a fully rigid configuration to a dynamic configuration where the second substrate in the bending area can flex and adapt. This dynamic design allows the peripheral bending area to be utilized effectively, reducing dead space while the first rigid substrate maintains reliability in the display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state parameter of the substrate is changed from completely rigid to a combination of rigid (first substrate) and flexible (second substrate) regions. This parameter change enables the bending area to be functional rather than dead space, while maintaining reliability through the rigid first substrate in critical areas.
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
The design enables the display device to be bent while minimizing the occupied area by the peripheral space, enhancing flexibility and reliability by using a carbonized region in the flexible substrate.
Implementation Method 1
The second substrate may include a carbonized region that is disposed at least in the bending area and the second area. The carbon content of the carbonized region may be greater than the carbon content of remaining areas of the second substrate.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a first area, a second area, and a bending area; a first substrate that is disposed at least in the first area where a display layer is disposed, and is formed of a glass material; a second substrate that is disposed on the first substrate, is disposed at least in the bending area and the second area, and is bendable; an organic material layer that is disposed at least in the bending area and the second area; an encapsulation layer that is disposed on the display layer; and a signal line that extends from the display layer and is disposed in the bending area and the second area, wherein the first substrate is spaced apart from the second area.