Flexible Underlay Slots for Array Substrate Trace Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current display screens face defects due to fracture of peripheral metal traces in the non-display region during flexing, which compromises the screen's functionality and reliability.

Innovation Solution

An array substrate with a flexible underlay featuring slots that separate the inorganic film layer into independent parts, reducing flexing stress and preventing fractures of the inorganic film layer and peripheral metal traces, includes a first inorganic film layer in the trace region and a second inorganic film layer on the slot bottom walls, with the metal traces formed on the surface of the first film layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the non-display region is flexed to narrow the frame, then the frame width is reduced, but the peripheral metal traces are easily fractured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe widthVSAvoidmetal trace integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inorganic film layer is segmented into multiple independent parts by introducing slots between adjacent metal traces. This segmentation allows each segment to independently accommodate flexing stress, preventing the propagation of stress across the entire inorganic film layer and thereby protecting the metal traces from fracture during screen flexing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If the inorganic film layer is made continuous to ensure coverage, then the coverage is improved, but the flexing stress increases causing fracture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinorganic film coverageVSAvoidresistance to flexing stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The inorganic film layer is divided into multiple independent segments by introducing slots between adjacent metal traces. This segmentation allows each segment to independently accommodate flexing stress through slight movements, preventing stress accumulation and fracture while maintaining adequate coverage over the metal traces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inorganic film layer is designed with different structural characteristics in different regions: continuous coverage over metal traces for protection, and discontinuous (with slots) in between traces for stress relief. This local differentiation allows the film to simultaneously provide coverage and resistance to flexing stress

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11227877B2Array substrates and manufacturing methods thereof and display screens

Publication Date: 2022.01.18 SUZHOU GOVISIONOX INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY CO LTD

AI summary

An array substrate includes a display region and a non-display region located outside the display region. The non-display region includes a flexible underlay and an inorganic film layer. A surface of the flexible underlay is provided with a number of slots thereon. The plurality of slots including a pair of adjacent slots. A region positioned between the adjacent slots on the flexible underlay is a trace region. The inorganic film layer includes a first inorganic film layer formed in the trace region and a second inorganic film layer formed on a bottom wall of the slots. The first inorganic film layer and the second inorganic film layer are divided by sidewalls of the slots. A peripheral metal trace is formed on the surface of the first inorganic film layer.