Foldable Display Stress Dispersion Pattern for Encapsulation Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible display devices face challenges in effectively dispersing stress applied during bending, folding, or rolling, which can lead to damage and reduced lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A foldable display device with a supporter containing segments and openings, an encapsulation layer, stress dispersion patterns, and an insulating layer that overlap the openings, using organic insulating materials to disperse stress and prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stress depression patterns are added to the photoresist layer, then bending stress is relieved and encapsulation failure is prevented, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible support structure with patterns that can bend and deform to accommodate stress during flexing operations. This flexible support layer absorbs mechanical stress before it reaches the encapsulation layers, preventing failure without requiring complex modifications to the encapsulation structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a stress management layer as an intermediary between the flexible display panel and the encapsulation structure. This intermediate layer specifically addresses stress concentration issues at bending regions, protecting the encapsulation from direct mechanical stress while maintaining structural integrity.
2Strength
If openings are added to the supporter in the folding area, then stress on the flexible display panel is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporter is segmented into multiple regions with different structural characteristics. The folding area contains openings or cutouts that divide the continuous structure into discrete segments, allowing independent deformation and stress distribution. This segmentation reduces stress concentration while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporter incorporates a porous or open-work structure in the folding region, where material is strategically removed to create a lattice-like pattern. This porous configuration reduces the moment of inertia in bending zones, lowering stress on the flexible display panel while adding minimal manufacturing complexity through standard fabrication techniques.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a display device. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a display device includes a supporter including a plurality of segments disposed to be spaced apart from each other and defining a plurality of holes between the plurality of segments, and a display panel disposed on the supporter. The display panel includes: an active element layer including a light emitting element and a thin film transistor for driving the light emitting element, an encapsulation layer disposed on the active element layer, a plurality of stress dispersion pattern disposed on the encapsulation layer to overlap the plurality of holes in a thickness direction, and an insulating layer disposed on the plurality of stress dispersion pattern and filling a plurality of holes defined between the plurality of stress dispersion pattern .