Foldable Display Optical Layer Layout for Bend Wire Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices face challenges in reducing the width of the non-display area and overall thickness, particularly in flexible and foldable organic light-emitting display devices, where stress concentration on wires during bending leads to disconnection and increased visible non-display area.

Innovation Solution

The display device incorporates a substrate with a bending area containing a barrier rib layer, an input detection layer, and an optical functional layer with a second layer having a different refractive index, which extends to the peripheral area and includes valleys to reduce stress on wires, while maintaining a neutral plane, thereby minimizing the non-display area and thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the non-display area width is reduced to improve display area ratio, then the display area ratio is improved, but stress concentration on wires increases causing disconnection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay area ratioVSAvoidwire connection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a third dimension by forming a protrusion structure that extends upward from the substrate surface in the bending area. This vertical dimension provides additional space for wire routing and stress accommodation, allowing the wires to be positioned away from the high-stress bending region while maintaining compact lateral dimensions. The protrusion creates a neutral plane that protects wires from stress concentration during bending operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs curved surfaces by forming a protrusion with a rounded top surface instead of sharp edges. This curvature distributes stress more evenly across the wire routing path and prevents stress concentration points that would otherwise lead to wire disconnection. The smooth transition of the curved surface allows for better stress management during device bending while maintaining the reduced non-display area width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Length of stationary object

If the overall thickness is reduced to improve device profile, then the device profile is improved, but structural strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall thicknessVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes a composite structure combining the substrate material with a protrusion structure made of different materials having complementary properties. The protrusion can be formed from materials with higher mechanical strength or different thermal expansion coefficients, creating a composite system that maintains overall thinness while providing localized structural reinforcement where needed, particularly in the bending area where wires are routed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The curved top surface of the protrusion structure distributes mechanical loads more effectively across the thin device profile. The rounded geometry prevents stress concentration at sharp edges and provides a gradual transition that enhances structural integrity despite the reduced overall thickness. This curvature allows the thin structure to better absorb and distribute bending stresses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 design effectively reduces the visible non-display area and overall thickness by distributing stress evenly, preventing wire disconnection and enhancing the flexibility of the display device without increasing the visible non-display area.

Implementation Method 1

distributing stress evenly, preventing wire disconnection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStress distribution:

Implementation Method 2

an optical functional layer including a first layer that is disposed on the input detection layer and includes a first opening in an area corresponding to the display element, and a second layer that is disposed on the first layer and having a refractive index different from the first layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS20260068507A1Display device
Publication Date: 2026.03.05 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • US20260068507A1 patent drawing
  • US20260068507A1 patent drawing
  • US20260068507A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is a display device including: a substrate including a display area and a peripheral area that includes a bending area disposed adjacent to the display area; a plurality of pixels arranged in the display area; a driving circuit arranged in the peripheral area; a barrier rib layer arranged in the bending area; an input detection layer disposed on the plurality of pixels; and an optical functional layer including a first layer that is disposed on the input detection layer and includes a first opening in an area corresponding to the plurality of pixels, and a second layer that is disposed on the first layer and having a refractive index different from the first layer, wherein the first layer includes at least one valley located between the bending area and the driving circuit.