Foldable Display Substrate Inspection Using an Optical Separator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices with curved surfaces face challenges in inspecting cracks, particularly due to the difficulty in focusing on the lower surface of the substrate, which can lead to false or missed crack detection.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a separator with different light transmittance and reflectance properties between the substrate and protection film, allowing for optical focusing on the separator to inspect cracks on the substrate's lower surface, thereby enhancing crack detection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a curved surface is used in the display device, then the display area is enlarged and non-display area is reduced, but crack inspection becomes difficult due to focusing issues on the lower surface of the substrate
Solution Approach 1:
A separator is introduced as an intermediary layer between the substrate and protection film. This separator has different optical properties (light transmittance and reflectance) from the substrate, enabling the detector to optically focus on the separator while inspecting cracks on the lower surface of the substrate. The separator acts as a mediator that facilitates the inspection process without interfering with the curved display functionality.
2Measurement precision
If the separator with different optical properties is introduced, then crack detection accuracy is improved, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is positioned specifically at the bending line location where cracks are most likely to occur during flexing. By concentrating the inspection capability at this critical local region rather than uniformly across the entire display area, the patent achieves high crack detection accuracy while minimizing the added structural complexity. The separator's different optical properties are utilized only where needed for inspection.
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 enables accurate and efficient crack detection on the display device's substrate, distinguishing genuine from false cracks and improving inspection efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The separator may include a material having a light transmittance and a light reflectance different from those of the substrate and the protection film
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a substrate bendable about a bending line, a display element layer above the substrate, a protection film below the substrate, and a separator between the substrate and the protection film and corresponding to the bending line.