Flexible OLED Support Layer With Rounded Edge for Narrow Bezels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face challenges in minimizing the inactive area, which results in bulkiness and unappealing aesthetics due to the placement of components on the display panel, and the flexibility of components on thin sheets makes them fragile and prone to mechanical stress.

Innovation Solution

A flexible display apparatus with a flexible base layer and a support layer having a rounded edge, allowing the base layer to wrap around the support layer in the non-display area, and incorporating a thicker support layer in the bend portion to enhance rigidity and reduce mechanical stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If components are placed on the display panel in the inactive area, then functional integration is improved, but the display panel becomes bulky and aesthetics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional integrationVSAvoiddisplay panel thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves components from the two-dimensional plane of the display panel to the third dimension by placing them on the rear side of the panel. The flexible base layer is bent to position components on the rear surface, effectively utilizing vertical space rather than lateral space, thereby reducing the visible inactive area while maintaining functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent embeds components within the structure of the display panel itself by placing them on the rear side of the flexible base layer. This nesting approach allows components to be integrated into the existing panel structure without adding external bulk, as they are contained within the panel's overall form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible base layer is made extremely thin to provide flexibility, then flexibility is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates and components become fragile

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite structure consisting of the flexible base layer, support layer, and multiple functional layers (encapsulation, OLED elements, conductive layers). This composite construction provides both flexibility from the thin base layer and mechanical strength from the combined layers, particularly the support layer that reinforces the flexible substrate without compromising its flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes a flexible base layer made of thin film material that inherently provides flexibility. This thin film structure is then combined with other layers to create a composite that maintains flexibility while adding necessary mechanical strength and protection for the components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Area of stationary object

If the flexible base layer is bent to reduce inactive area, then visible inactive area is reduced, but mechanical stress increases and component reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisible inactive areaVSAvoidcomponent reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a support layer with a rounded edge portion that guides the bending of the flexible base layer along a curved path. This controlled curvature distributes mechanical stress more evenly across the bent region, preventing stress concentration that would otherwise damage components. The rounded geometry of the support layer edge ensures smooth bending without sharp angles that could cause failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The support layer is positioned beforehand to provide mechanical reinforcement to the flexible base layer in the bend portion. This pre-positioned support structure cushions and protects the components from excessive mechanical stress during bending, preventing damage before it occurs by distributing the stress across a larger area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4719018A2Flexible display device having support layer with rounded edge

Publication Date: 2026.04.01 LG DISPLAY CO LTD

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AI summary

There is provided a flexible display having a plurality of innovations configured to allow bending of a portion or portions to reduce apparent border size and/or utilize a side surface of an assembled flexible display. A flexible display apparatus, comprises a flexible base layer defined with a display area and a non-display area, a plurality of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) elements disposed on a first side of the flexible base layer in the display area, and a support layer attached to a second side of the flexible base layer, the support layer having a planar portion and a rounded edge portion arranged to extend from the display area to the non-display area, wherein the flexible base layer wraps around the rounded edge portion of the support layer in the non-display area.