Flexible Substrate Supporting Structure for Bend Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electronic devices, particularly those with flexible substrates, face reliability and yield issues due to damage from bending, as peripheral elements are prone to damage, leading to reduced performance and functionality.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a first flexible substrate, a second flexible substrate with distinct regions, a liquid crystal layer, and a supporting structure that includes a supporting film and adhesive layers to mitigate bending and protect peripheral elements, enhancing the device's structural integrity and preventing vapor intrusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If flexible substrates are used to enable bending, then adaptability and flexibility are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to damage to peripheral elements during bending

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The second flexible substrate is divided into a first region (overlapping with the first flexible substrate) and a second region (not overlapping). The supporting structure is selectively disposed only on the second region, segmenting the support function to where it is most needed while maintaining flexibility in the first region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting structure with higher rigidity is locally applied to the second region of the second flexible substrate, creating a local quality difference. This allows the second region to have enhanced support for peripheral elements while the first region maintains flexibility for bending, resolving the contradiction between overall flexibility and local reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If peripheral elements are present in flexible devices, then functionality is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to susceptibility to bending damage

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting structure is selectively positioned in the second region where peripheral elements are located, providing localized reinforcement. This allows peripheral elements to maintain their functionality while being protected from bending damage by the rigid supporting film, resolving the contradiction between functionality and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If flexible substrates are used, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to curling and deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is segmented into regions with different support characteristics. The second region with the supporting structure provides stable, curl-resistant properties for precise manufacturing and element placement, while the first region maintains flexibility for adaptability, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting structure is pre-installed on the second flexible substrate before assembling the peripheral elements. This preliminary action provides a stable, curl-free foundation that ensures precise positioning and manufacturing of subsequent elements, while the overall device remains adaptable due to the flexible first region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If flexible substrates are used, then adaptability is improved, but protection from harmful factors deteriorates due to vapor intrusion

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidvapor intrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device structure is segmented with the supporting structure forming a protective barrier in the second region. This segmentation creates a physical barrier against vapor intrusion while maintaining the flexible adaptability of the first region, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and protection from harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11402680B2Electronic device

Publication Date: 2022.08.02 INNOLUX CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an electronic device including a first flexible substrate, a second flexible substrate, a liquid crystal layer and a supporting structure. The second flexible substrate includes a first region and a second region. The first region overlaps with the first flexible substrate, and the second region does not overleap with the first flexible substrate. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate. The supporting structure is disposed on the second region and includes a supporting film.