Multiportion Spacer for Flexible Display Stress Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display apparatuses face challenges in reducing defects during manufacturing and usage, particularly in flexible organic light-emitting display panels, due to stress and adhesive issues during bending and flexing processes.
Innovation Solution
The display apparatus incorporates a spacer system with different material portions in the bending and non-bending areas, including porous materials with varying hardness and adhesive properties, and a panel protective layer to manage stress and prevent defects, ensuring the spacer and IC chip are protected during bending and usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-material spacer is used in both bending and non-bending areas, then the manufacturing process is simple, but stress concentration and adhesive failure occur during bending
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into different material regions: a first material in the bending area with properties optimized for flexibility and stress distribution, and a second material in the non-bending area with properties optimized for structural support. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally, preventing stress concentration and adhesive failure at material interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer employs a composite structure combining at least two different materials with complementary properties. The first material (in bending area) provides flexibility and stress distribution, while the second material (in non-bending area) provides rigidity and structural support. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating the benefits of both material types in a single spacer component.
2Strength
If the spacer material is made harder for structural support, then mechanical strength is improved, but adhesive strength and flexibility during bending deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the spacer have different material hardness: the bending area uses a softer, more flexible material that maintains adhesive strength and flexibility, while the non-bending area uses a harder material that provides structural support. This spatial variation in material properties resolves the contradiction between mechanical strength and adhesive flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The material parameters (hardness, flexibility, adhesive properties) are changed spatialally across the spacer structure. The first material in the bending area has lower hardness and higher flexibility, while the second material in the non-bending area has higher hardness and greater structural rigidity. This parameter differentiation allows the spacer to simultaneously achieve both mechanical strength and adhesive flexibility where needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If the spacer curvature does not match the display panel curvature, then manufacturing is easier, but stress concentration and defect formation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer's curvature is differentiated by region: the first portion in the bending area is formed with a curvature that substantially matches the display panel's bending curvature, while the second portion in the non-bending area maintains a different curvature for structural stability. This local curvature differentiation ensures precise matching where needed while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer is segmented into multiple portions with different curvature characteristics. The first portion (bending area) is segmented to match the panel's curved geometry, while the second portion (non-bending area) is segmented to maintain structural integrity. This segmentation allows precise curvature control in critical areas without compromising overall manufacturing simplicity.
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 configuration significantly reduces defects in the display apparatus by distributing stress evenly and enhancing adhesive strength, thereby improving the durability and reliability of the flexible display panels.
Implementation Method 1
The first portion may include a porous material
Implementation Method 2
The porous material comprises a pore filled with an adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes a bending area and a non-bending area, a display panel including a first panel area, a second panel area, and a panel bending portion that is bent such that at least a portion of the first panel area overlaps a portion of the second panel area, the display panel may have a curvature in the bending area, and a spacer between the first panel area and the second panel area, the spacer including a first portion in the bending area and a second portion in the non-bending area, wherein the first portion of the spacer is different in material from the second portion, and wherein the first portion of the spacer may have a curvature in the bending area substantially equal to a curvature of the display panel in the bending area.