Flexible OLED Display Bending Base Substrate to Minimize Non-Display Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with displays face challenges in minimizing the non-display area, which affects the device's size, weight, and aesthetics, as components like driving circuits and connectors occupy significant space and limit the reduction of the non-display area.
Innovation Solution
The flexible display apparatus involves bending the base substrate where the display and non-display areas are formed, allowing components to be positioned behind the display area, thereby reducing the visible non-display area and enabling new design possibilities by positioning conductive lines and components in a way that minimizes the need for masking and optimizes space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If components are placed on the display panel in the non-display area, then the display panel can be assembled with driving circuits and peripheral circuits, but the non-display area becomes large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves components from the traditional planar non-display area to the rear side of the display panel, utilizing the third dimension (depth) to resolve the space conflict. The base substrate is bent to position components behind the display area, effectively transforming a 2D layout problem into a 3D spatial solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds components within the housing structure by bending the base substrate behind the display area. The non-display area is nested within the housing volume rather than occupying additional planar space, allowing components to be housed within the device boundaries.
2Ease of manufacture
If a large non-display area is used to accommodate components, then all components can be disposed, but it requires large masking to cover, leading to unappealing device aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
By bending the base substrate and positioning components on the rear side of the display panel, the patent eliminates the need for large front-facing masking. The components are relocated to the rear dimension, allowing the front display area to extend closer to the edges without requiring aesthetic covering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts components from the visible front non-display area and relocates them to the rear side of the display panel. This separation removes the visual obstruction from the front view, allowing for minimal masking and improved aesthetic appearance.
3Area of stationary object
If the base substrate is bent to position components behind the display area, then the visible non-display area is minimized, but the conductive lines must cross the bend region which complicates the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent intentionally introduces a bend (curvature) in the base substrate to achieve component relocation. The conductive lines are routed to cross this controlled bend region, accepting the structural complexity as a necessary trade-off for minimizing the visible non-display area and achieving compact design.
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
This approach minimizes the visible non-display area, enhances design flexibility, and improves the aesthetics of electronic devices by allowing for a higher screen-to-bezel ratio and more compact designs.
Implementation Method 1
Each display pixel may include an organic light emitting diode (OLED) and a pixel circuit, and the OLEDs may be addressed in an active matrix manner
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
There is provided a flexible display comprising: a flexible base layer defined with a first area, a second area and a bend allowance section between the first area and the second area of the flexible base layer; an array of thin-film transistors and an array of organic-light emitting diode (OLED) elements disposed in the first area of the flexible base layer; and a flexible printed circuit film connected to a connection interface provided in the second area of the flexible base layer, the printed circuit film having at least one driver integrated circuit (D-IC).