Foldable Display Polarizer Edge Protection Against Water Invasion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible and foldable display devices face challenges in preventing the invasion of hydrophilic materials like water into the linear polarizer, which is particularly problematic during manufacturing and in finished products, leading to reduced productivity and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A flexible display device configuration that includes a transistor layer, light-emitting element layer, sealing layer, phase difference plate, linear polarizer, overcoat layer, and a water repellent layer, where the water repellent layer overlaps with the end portion of the overcoat layer, and a manufacturing method that involves forming these layers in a specific order on flexible substrates to prevent water invasion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an overcoat material is provided to protect the polarization layer from hydrophilic material, then the polarization layer is protected from water invasion, but the cut surfaces remain exposed and vulnerable to water invasion
Solution Approach 1:
The protection system is divided into two functional segments: the overcoat material covers the main surface of the polarization layer, while the water repellent layer specifically protects the cut surfaces. This segmentation allows each layer to address specific vulnerability points without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different protection mechanisms are applied to different locations: the overcoat material provides general protection on the main surface, while the water repellent layer provides specialized hydrophobic protection at the cut surfaces where water invasion is most likely to occur.
2Productivity
If the display device is partitioned into individual devices, then individual display devices are produced, but the partitioning step exposes cut surfaces that allow hydrophilic material invasion
Solution Approach 1:
The water repellent layer is applied to the cut surfaces during the manufacturing process, before the devices are put into service. This preliminary protection ensures that when partitioning exposes new cut surfaces, they are already protected against future water invasion during product lifecycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The water repellent layer is applied in advance to prevent the harmful effect of water invasion at cut surfaces. By treating the cut surfaces with hydrophobic material before the devices are assembled and shipped, the patent preemptively counteracts the vulnerability created by the partitioning process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a water repellent layer is added to protect cut surfaces, then water invasion is prevented, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The water repellent layer acts as an intermediary protective barrier between the hydrophilic cut surfaces and water. This thin functional layer provides the necessary hydrophobic protection without requiring substantial structural modifications or multiple complex layers.
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
The solution effectively suppresses the invasion of hydrophilic materials like water into the linear polarizer, enhancing the productivity of flexible and foldable display devices by ensuring the water repellent layer covers the critical areas, thus protecting the display device from moisture-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
a water repellent layer (7), wherein a transistor layer (23), a light-emitting element layer (24), a sealing layer (25), a first flexible substrate (3), a phase difference plate (4), the linear polarizer (5), the overcoat layer (6), and the water repellent layer (7) are provided in this order on the second flexible substrate (32), and the water repellent layer (7) is provided so as to overlap with at least an end portion of the overcoat layer (6)
Data Source
AI summary
In a flexible display device, a transistor layer, a light-emitting element layer, a sealing layer, a first flexible substrate, a λ/4 layer, a linear polarizer, an overcoat layer, and a water repellent layer are provided in this order on a second flexible substrate, and the water repellent layer is provided so as to overlap with at least an end portion of the overcoat layer.