Flexible OLED Panel with Intersecting Bendable Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible OLED panels have limited bending directions and large bending radii, restricting their flexibility and usability in various applications.

Innovation Solution

A flexible OLED panel design featuring first and second bendable structures that intersect to form sub-display areas, with a recessed structure and organic interlayer dielectric layer to reduce bending stress, allowing for bending and twisting in multiple directions, and a manufacturing method that includes forming these structures on a substrate with specific metal layers and photolithography processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional flexible OLED panel structures are used, then the panel can be bent, but the bending direction is limited and the bending radius is large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending directionVSAvoidbending radius

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The panel is divided into multiple sub-display areas by introducing first and second bendable structures that intersect each other. These bendable structures segment the continuous display area into discrete sub-areas, allowing independent bending at the segment boundaries while maintaining display functionality in each sub-area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from single-direction bending to multi-directional bending by adding bendable structures in both horizontal and vertical directions. The intersection of first bendable structures (extending in one direction) and second bendable structures (extending in perpendicular direction) creates a two-dimensional bending capability, enabling the panel to bend along multiple axes simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If bendable structures are added to enable multi-directional bending, then bending flexibility improves, but bending stress in the display area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending flexibilityVSAvoidbending stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The recess structures are selectively positioned at the intersections of bendable structures where bending stress concentrates. By creating localized recesses at these high-stress regions, the panel accommodates stress concentration without propagating cracks across the entire display area, thus protecting the display while enabling flexible bending.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The recess structures are pre-formed at locations where bending stress will occur during panel flexing. These recesses act as stress-absorbing features that cushion the impact of bending forces before they can damage the display layers, effectively preparing the structure to withstand anticipated mechanical stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11196012B2Flexible organic light-emitting panel and manufacturing method thereof

Publication Date: 2021.12.07 WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICONDUCTOR DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides a flexible OLED panel including a display area for configuring a pixel structure, the display area including a plurality of first bendable structures extending along a first direction, a plurality of second bendable structures extending along a second direction and a display unit. The second bendable structure intersects the first bendable structure to form a plurality of sub-display areas. The display unit is disposed in the sub-display area, and the display unit includes at least one sub-pixel.