Flexible Display Shock Protection via High-Modulus Insulating Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible display apparatuses face damage from external shocks due to the inability to use high-hardness protection windows like glass, which compromises the protection of internal elements.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus design featuring a base substrate with a thin film transistor, inorganic and organic insulating layers, and a flexible cover window, where the insulating layer with a high Young's modulus (≥70 GPa) absorbs external shocks, preventing crack propagation to the inorganic insulating layers and circuit wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible display apparatus is designed without a high-hardness protection window like glass, then flexibility and portability are improved, but internal elements become vulnerable to external shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a buffer layer comprising a first organic insulating layer, second organic insulating layer, and insulating layer with high Young's modulus (≥70 GPa) positioned between the flexible cover window and the thin film transistor. This buffer layer acts as a cushioning structure that absorbs external shocks before they reach the internal elements, preventing crack propagation while maintaining the flexibility of the display apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite buffer layer structure combining multiple materials with different mechanical properties: organic insulating layers (first and second) and an inorganic insulating layer with high Young's modulus. This composite structure integrates the flexibility of organic materials with the shock resistance of high-modulus inorganic materials, achieving both flexibility and protection simultaneously.
2Reliability
If an insulating layer with high Young's modulus (≥70 GPa) is introduced to protect against shocks, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating layer with high Young's modulus serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides shock resistance by absorbing external impacts, prevents crack propagation to the thin film transistor, and maintains electrical insulation between conductive elements. By combining these functions in a single layer, the patent reduces device complexity while achieving reliable shock protection.
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 effectively dissipates external shock and prevents damage to the inorganic insulating layers and adjacent thin film transistors, ensuring the integrity of the display apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
an insulating layer disposed between the first organic insulating layer and the second organic insulating layer and in direct contact with the first organic insulating layer and the second organic insulating layer, wherein Young's modulus of the insulating layer is equal to or greater than about 70 gigapascals (GPa)
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes a base substrate, a thin film transistor disposed on the base substrate and including an active pattern, a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, an inorganic insulating layer disposed between the active pattern and the gate electrode, a first organic insulating layer disposed on the thin film transistor, a second organic insulating layer disposed on the first organic insulating layer, and an insulating layer disposed between the first organic insulating layer and the second organic insulating layer and in direct contact with the first organic insulating layer and the second organic insulating layer.