Flexible Glass Encapsulation for Bend-Resistant Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible display modules are prone to fracture failure during bending due to the fragility of the thin film encapsulation layer and the separation of the thin film encapsulation (TFE) from the display light emitting device at their connection point.
Innovation Solution
A flexible display module design featuring a flexible glass layer with a groove to encapsulate the display panel, where the panel is positioned within the groove and surrounded by a second flexible glass layer, with a sealing layer and silicone oil layers to enhance bending resistance and prevent water and oxygen erosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a thicker inorganic layer is used in the TFE to improve protection against water and oxygen erosion, then the encapsulation performance is improved, but the layer becomes prone to fracture during bending
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid inorganic TFE layer with an organic flexible encapsulation layer that can bend without fracturing. This organic layer maintains the encapsulation function of protecting against water and oxygen while eliminating the brittleness issue of inorganic materials during bending operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from inorganic to organic, fundamentally altering the mechanical properties of the encapsulation layer. This material substitution allows the encapsulation layer to achieve both protection against harmful factors and flexibility for bending applications.
2Strength
If the TFE and display light emitting device are strongly bonded to prevent separation, then the connection strength is improved, but the stress concentration at the connection point increases during bending
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible organic encapsulation layer reduces stress concentration at connection points during bending, allowing for reliable bonding without the fracture risks associated with rigid inorganic layers. The flexibility of the organic material distributes stress more evenly throughout the structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the display panel is made completely flexible to enable bending, then the flexibility is improved, but the structural stability and protection against external erosion deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible organic encapsulation layer that provides both the bending capability needed for flexibility and the protective barrier needed to prevent water and oxygen erosion. This single layer simultaneously addresses both requirements without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining flexible substrates with organic encapsulation layers, creating a multi-functional system that provides both mechanical flexibility and environmental protection through the integrated material system.
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 disperses stress during bending, prevents fracture failure, and maintains encapsulation performance, ensuring the flexible display module remains functional and resistant to external erosion.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing layer disposed between the first flexible glass layer and the second flexible glass layer
Implementation Method 2
a first silicone oil layer disposed between the display panel and the first flexible glass layer; and/or a second silicone oil layer disposed between the display panel and the second flexible glass layer
Implementation Method 3
a periphery of the second flexible glass layer and sides of the groove of the first flexible glass layer are encapsulated by a process of laser sintering glass powder
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible display module and a method for manufacturing the same solve a problem that the existing flexible display module is easy to be failure after being bent. The flexible display module includes: a flexible glass layer; and a display panel disposed inside the flexible glass layer.