Panel Substrate Bridge Patterns for Curved Display Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices face challenges in providing a single-layer protective layer that effectively protects the display panel from external impacts and dissipates heat while maintaining structural integrity, particularly in devices with curved surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A panel substrate with a protective layer comprising a plurality of main parts and bridge patterns that connect adjacent main parts, designed to enhance tensile force and reduce sagging during transfer, is used to form a display module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single-layer protective layer is used to protect the display panel, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the structural integrity and resistance to external impacts deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotective layer structureVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The protective layer is segmented into multiple main parts corresponding to different cell regions, with bridge patterns connecting these parts. This segmentation allows each part to independently support its corresponding cell region while maintaining overall structural integrity through the bridge connections, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective layer combines different functional regions (main parts over cell regions, bridge patterns over peripheral regions) within a single layer structure. This composite design enables the layer to provide both protection for active display areas and structural support for peripheral regions, achieving enhanced strength without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If a single-layer protective layer is used to dissipate heat, then the heat dissipation function is simplified, but the effectiveness of heat dissipation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotective layer configurationVSAvoidheat dissipation effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The protective layer is divided into multiple main parts that can be independently optimized for heat dissipation. Each main part corresponds to a cell region and can be designed with specific thermal properties, allowing targeted heat management while maintaining overall structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the protective layer are designed with different properties - main parts over cell regions for active heat dissipation and bridge patterns over peripheral regions for structural support. This local differentiation enables effective heat dissipation in critical areas without compromising overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Force

If the protective layer is designed with bridge patterns connecting main parts, then the tensile force is increased and sagging is reduced during transfer, but the manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile forceVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bridge patterns are designed into the protective layer structure before the actual display module assembly. This preliminary structuring provides the necessary tensile strength and sagging prevention during transfer operations, while the patterns are configured to be compatible with standard manufacturing processes, balancing force requirements with manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Area of stationary object

If the protective layer covers the entire mother substrate including peripheral region, then the protection coverage is maximized, but the stress distribution and structural integrity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection coverageVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective layer is segmented into main parts over cell regions and bridge patterns over peripheral regions. This segmentation allows the layer to cover the entire mother substrate area while distributing stress appropriately - main parts provide protection for active regions and bridge patterns provide structural support for peripheral regions, thereby maintaining both coverage and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4618730A1Panel substrate and method of manufacturing display module using the same
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4618730A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4618730A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4618730A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A panel substrate includes a mother substrate having a plurality of cell regions and a peripheral region surrounding the plurality of cell regions. A protective layer is disposed under the mother substrate. The protective layer includes a plurality of main parts overlapping the plurality of cell regions, and a plurality of bridge patterns overlapping the peripheral region. The plurality of bridge patterns connect main parts adjacent to each other among the plurality of main parts.