Flexible Substrate Layout for Curved Electronics Reliability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with driving components on surfaces having non-zero Gaussian curvature face electrical abnormalities and component detachment, reducing their reliability.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device features a flexible substrate with distinct regions of zero and non-zero Gaussian curvature, where driving units are placed only on the zero-curvature region to prevent electrical issues and component loss during bending.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If driving components are disposed on a surface having a Gaussian curvature that is not equal to 0, then the screen-to-body ratio is increased, but electrical abnormalities occur and driving components may fall off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen-to-body ratioVSAvoidelectrical stability and component attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible substrate is divided into a first region with zero Gaussian curvature and a second region with non-zero Gaussian curvature. Electronic components are disposed on the second region while driving components are disposed on the first region, separating the placement of different component types according to the curvature characteristics of each region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the flexible substrate are assigned different functional qualities based on their curvature properties. The first region (zero curvature) is designated for driving components requiring electrical stability, while the second region (non-zero curvature) is designated for electronic components that can tolerate curvature-induced stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If driving components are disposed on a curved surface, then device integration is improved, but component detachment occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice integrationVSAvoidcomponent attachment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate surface is segmented into distinct regions based on curvature characteristics. Driving components are placed on the flat first region while electronic components are placed on the curved second region, preventing detachment by matching component placement with appropriate surface geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes the curvature properties of the flexible substrate by creating a surface with both zero-curvature and non-zero-curvature regions. This allows the device to achieve integrated curved design while maintaining component stability on the zero-curvature region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS20250098385A1Electronic device

Publication Date: 2025.03.20 INNOLUX CORP

AI summary

An electronic device including a flexible substrate, a plurality of electronic components, and a first driving unit is provided. The flexible substrate includes a surface having a first region and a second region. The first region has a Gaussian curvature of 0 and the second region has a non-zero Gaussian curvature. The plurality of electronic components are disposed on the flexible substrate. The first driving unit is disposed on the first region of the flexible substrate. One of the plurality of electronic components located on the second region of the flexible substrate is driven by the first driving unit.