Flexible Display Wiring Structure for Bend-Resistant Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display apparatuses face challenges in maintaining visibility at various angles and reducing the non-display region while bending, as stress concentration on connection wirings can lead to defects such as short-circuits and cracks during bending.

Innovation Solution

The display apparatus incorporates a multi-wiring structure in the bending area with varying curvatures and shapes, including branch wirings with different conductive lines and bridge lines, to distribute stress uniformly and provide a bypass for electrical connections, thereby preventing complete short-circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If connection wirings are placed in the bending area to maintain electrical connections, then visibility at various angles and reduced non-display area are improved, but stress concentration leads to defects such as short-circuits and cracks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-display areaVSAvoidelectrical connection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wiring structure is segmented into multiple parallel wirings rather than using a single continuous wiring. This segmentation allows the electrical current to be distributed across multiple paths, and if one wiring fails due to stress, other wirings can still maintain the electrical connection, thus preventing complete short-circuits while occupying minimal additional area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wirings are arranged in different spatial configurations including parallel arrangements and inclined angles relative to the bending axis. This multi-dimensional arrangement distributes the stress across different orientations, preventing stress concentration at a single location while maintaining electrical connectivity in the bending area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the display apparatus is bent to improve visibility at various angles, then viewing angle is improved, but stress concentration on wirings causes defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing angleVSAvoidwiring strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The wiring is divided into multiple segmented portions arranged in parallel. Each segment experiences reduced individual stress compared to a single continuous wiring, as the stress is distributed across multiple segments. This allows the display to be bent for improved viewing angles while maintaining wiring integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different wiring segments are positioned at different locations and orientations within the bending area. Some wirings are arranged parallel to the bending axis while others are inclined, creating local variations in stress distribution. This local quality differentiation ensures that no single wiring bears excessive stress, preserving wiring strength during bending

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If wiring area is increased to provide stress bypass paths, then stress resistance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress resistanceVSAvoidwiring structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wiring system uses multiple simple parallel conductive lines rather than a single complex routing path. This segmented approach provides redundant stress bypass paths while maintaining relatively simple individual wiring structures, balancing stress resistance with manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The parallel wiring structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical connectivity, distributes mechanical stress, and offers redundant failure paths. This multi-functionality achieves improved stress resistance without proportionally increasing structural complexity, as the same wiring elements perform multiple roles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3637473B1Display apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3637473B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3637473B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3637473B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A display apparatus including a flexible substrate (100), the flexible substrate (100) including a first area (1A) where an image is displayed, a second area (2A) separated from the first area (1A), and a bending area (BA) between the first area (1A) and the second area (2A); a display on the first area (1A) of the substrate (100); a pad on the second area (2A) of the substrate (100); and a plurality of wirings (200) on the substrate, the plurality of wirings (200) including a first wiring (210) having a first shape; and a second wiring (220) having a second shape that is different from the first shape, the first wiring (210) and the second wiring (220) passing through the bending area (BA).