Flexible Display Substrate With Composite Barrier Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible display devices are vulnerable to moisture and oxygen penetration due to their substrate material, which can affect their reliability.
Innovation Solution
A flexible display device is designed with a substrate structure that includes a first and second base layer, each surrounded by barrier layers made of inorganic insulating films, with the barrier layers contacting each other at the outer region to block external moisture and oxygen, and an encapsulation portion to seal the display portion from external oxygen or moisture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible plastic substrate is used to enable folding, then flexibility is improved, but moisture and oxygen penetration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is constructed as a composite structure combining flexible plastic base layers with inorganic barrier layers. The plastic base layers provide flexibility and foldability, while the inorganic barrier layers (such as aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, or silicon oxide) provide impermeability to moisture and oxygen. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate employs a multi-layer nested structure where inorganic barrier layers are positioned between and among plastic base layers. Specifically, a first inorganic barrier layer is located between the first and second base layers, and a second inorganic barrier layer is positioned between the second base layer and the display portion. This nested arrangement ensures that moisture and oxygen penetration paths are blocked at multiple levels while maintaining overall substrate flexibility.
2Reliability
If barrier layers are added to prevent moisture penetration, then protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inorganic barrier layers are selectively positioned at critical locations within the substrate structure rather than uniformly throughout. The first barrier layer is placed between the base layers where moisture penetration is most likely, and the second barrier layer is positioned near the display portion which requires maximum protection. This localized approach provides effective protection while minimizing overall structural complexity.
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 solution effectively prevents the penetration of moisture and oxygen, enhancing the reliability of the flexible display device by using inorganic insulating films that offer lower penetration and mobility compared to plastic materials, thereby protecting the display portion.
Implementation Method 1
The first barrier layer and the second barrier layer may each include an inorganic insulating film... effectively prevents the penetration of moisture and oxygen, enhancing the reliability of the flexible display device by using inorganic insulating films that offer lower penetration and mobility compared to plastic materials
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible display device may include a substrate and a display unit provided over the substrate. The substrate may include: a first base layer, a second base layer provided over the first base layer, and a first barrier layer provided between the first and second base layers. A face of the first base layer is larger than a face of the second base layer and is parallel to the face of the second base layer.