Flexible Substrate with Polyimide Foam Pressure Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current flexible display devices require externally purchased pressure sensitive layers, leading to high procurement costs and increased thickness, which complicates manufacturing and affects device performance.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a polyimide foam material as a pressure sensitive layer between two flexible polyimide layers, with electrodes on either side, allowing for improved pressure detection and reduced thickness by simplifying the manufacturing process and enabling adjustable elastic parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an externally purchased pressure sensitive layer is used, then pressure detection function is achieved, but device thickness increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure detection functionVSAvoidsubstrate thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the pressure sensitive layer with the flexible substrate into a single integrated structure. The pressure sensitive layer is formed by coating a pressure sensitive material directly onto the flexible substrate, eliminating the need for separate external pressure sensitive layers and reducing overall device thickness while maintaining pressure detection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible substrate serves multiple functions: it acts as both the structural base and the pressure sensitive layer. By selecting materials with appropriate piezoresistive properties, the substrate simultaneously provides mechanical support and pressure sensing capability, reducing the number of separate components needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If an externally purchased pressure sensitive layer is used, then pressure detection function is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure detection functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible substrate itself provides pressure sensing functionality through its inherent piezoresistive properties. By selecting or treating the substrate material to exhibit pressure sensitivity, the device serves itself with pressure detection capability without requiring additional externally purchased components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Length of stationary object

If a pressure sensitive layer is integrated into the flexible substrate, then substrate thickness is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstrate thicknessVSAvoidpressure detection sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the piezoresistive coefficient and thickness of the pressure sensitive layer to optimize pressure detection sensitivity. By carefully controlling these parameters during the coating process, the invention achieves accurate pressure sensing in a thin substrate structure without requiring excessive manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different treatments or material compositions to different regions of the flexible substrate to optimize local pressure sensitivity. This allows for enhanced detection capability in specific areas while maintaining overall thinness, balancing manufacturing feasibility with detection precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution reduces manufacturing costs, enhances pressure detection sensitivity, and allows for thinner flexible substrates with improved applicability, while enabling 3D touching and pressure detection functions, including operation in underwater environments.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure sensitive layer and an electrode between the first flexible layer and the second flexible layer. The pressure sensitive layer has a first side facing the first flexible layer and a second surface facing the second flexible layer.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensitivity: Piezoresistive Effect

Implementation Method 2

the pressure sensitive layer includes an elastic layer. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the elastic layer includes a polyimide foam material.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10955954B2Flexible substrate and flexible display panel, flexible display device thereof and method of using flexible display device

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a flexible substrate and a flexible display panel, a flexible display device thereof, and a method of using the flexible display device. The flexible substrate includes a first flexible layer and a second flexible layer, and a pressure sensitive layer and an electrode between the first flexible layer and the second flexible layer, the pressure sensitive layer having a first side facing the first flexible layer and a second surface facing the second flexible layer, wherein the electrode is located on at least one of the first side and the second side. The pressure sensitive layer includes an elastic layer. The elastic layer includes a polyimide foam material.