OLED Display Stretching Structure for Opening-Edge Crack Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

OLED display devices with bent regions are prone to wrinkling or cracking when bent, affecting display quality due to stress concentration at the edges of openings during laser cutting, which compromises the integrity and reliability of the stretchable structure.

Innovation Solution

The OLED display device incorporates a first etching region that bypasses the openings in the display region, ensuring the integrity of the openings and improving stretching performance by uniformly distributing stress through alternating concave and convex portions along the boundary between the etching and display regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the OLED display device is bent to increase screen-to-body ratio, then the display device achieves integrated display effect, but the edge of the OLED display device becomes wrinkled or cracked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrated display effectVSAvoidedge integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the display region into multiple segments by setting openings (through-holes) in the display film layer. These openings segment the continuous structure, allowing the bent region to deform without causing wrinkles or cracks at the edges. The segmentation reduces stress concentration and enables the display device to maintain integrity during bending.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different structural characteristics to different regions: the display region maintains continuous film structure for optimal display quality, while the bent region incorporates openings and etching regions to enable flexibility. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function without compromising overall reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If openings are opened in the OLED display device to form stretchable structure, then the display device achieves stretchability, but stress concentration occurs at the edge of openings during laser cutting

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestretchabilityVSAvoidopening integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary etching to form an etching region that extends beyond the opening boundaries before the final laser cutting process. This preliminary action creates a buffer zone that prevents stress concentration at the opening edges during subsequent manufacturing steps, ensuring opening integrity while maintaining stretchability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The etching region acts as an intermediary structure between the opening and the display region. It provides a transition zone that distributes stress uniformly, preventing direct stress concentration at the opening edges while still allowing the stretchable structure to function effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the first etching region is connected with the edge of the display region, then the stretchable structure is enhanced, but the openings may crack due to stress concentration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestretchable structureVSAvoidopening strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful stress concentration effect into a beneficial uniform stress distribution by designing the etching region boundary to bypass openings and incorporate alternating concave and convex portions. This design transforms the stress concentration problem into a stress distribution solution, enhancing both stretchability and opening strength simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses curved boundaries (concave and convex portions) instead of straight lines to define the etching region. These curved features help distribute stress more uniformly around openings, preventing crack formation while maintaining the stretchable structure's flexibility and strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS12389781B2OLED display device and preparation method thereof

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

An OLED display device and a preparation method thereof are provided. The OLED display device includes a flat region and a bent region around the flat region; the bent region is bent toward a backlight side of the flat region, and the bent region includes at least one stretching region; the stretching region comprises a display region and a first etching region, the first etching region is located at an edge of the display region away from the flat region and is connected with at least part the edge of the display region at the side away from the flat region; the display region includes at least one opening, and a boundary of the first etching region and the display region bypasses the opening; the display region includes a first display film layer, and the first etching region is a region where the first display film layer is etched away.