Metal Layer Positioning in Foldable Display Stress Zone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current OLED display panels face reliability issues due to metal traces in the folding area being easily broken, leading to signal transmission failures, as they are placed above the stress balance line and prone to deformation-related stress.
Innovation Solution
A display panel design with a film layer in the folding area that includes a stress balance line with upper and lower boundaries, where a metal layer is positioned between these boundaries, supported by organic and inorganic layers, to distribute stress effectively and enhance fracture resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal traces are placed above the stress balance line in the folding area, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the metal traces are easily broken and reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-line stress balance concept to a two-dimensional stress balance line with upper and lower boundaries. This dimensional expansion allows the metal layer to be positioned within a stress-balanced zone rather than on a single line, distributing stress more effectively and preventing trace breakage while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the stress balance parameter by creating a zone (area between upper and lower boundaries) rather than a single line. This parameter change from one-dimensional to two-dimensional stress distribution enables the metal layer to withstand bending stresses without breaking, directly improving fracture resistance.
2Reliability
If metal traces are placed above the stress balance line, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but signal transmission fails due to trace breakage
Solution Approach 1:
By expanding the stress balance from a line to an area with upper and lower boundaries, the patent provides a larger target zone for metal layer placement. This increases the tolerance for manufacturing variations while ensuring the metal remains within the stress-balanced region, improving both reliability and reducing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the positioning parameter from a single-line coordinate to a two-dimensional zone defined by upper and lower boundaries. This parameter transformation allows for greater manufacturing tolerance while maintaining the metal layer within the stress-balanced region, ensuring signal transmission reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the folding area is bent, then the display panel achieves foldable characteristics, but tensile and compressive stresses cause metal trace breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent expands the stress balance concept to a two-dimensional zone with upper and lower boundaries, allowing the metal layer to be positioned within this stress-balanced area during folding. This dimensional expansion ensures that the metal remains in a region where tensile and compressive stresses are balanced, preventing breakage while maintaining foldability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the stress distribution parameter by creating a zone rather than a line, enabling the metal layer to withstand the tensile and compressive stresses generated during bending. This parameter change allows the display panel to maintain both foldable characteristics and metal trace strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A display panel and a display device are provided, which including a folding area configured to bend the display panel. The display panel further comprising a film layer. The film layer is disposed in the folding area, and the film layer includes a metal layer. A stress balance line is provided in the film layer. When the folding area is bent, the stress balance line is a curve having an upper boundary and a lower boundary. A resultant force of tensile stress and compressive stress at any point on the stress balance line is zero. The metal layer is disposed between the upper boundary and the lower boundary of the stress balance line.