Resistance Sensor Integration in Flexible Display Bending Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sensing the bending state of flexible display screens, such as attaching a flexible bending sensor directly to the screen, increase the screen thickness, manufacturing costs, and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating resistance sensors in the bending region of a display panel, with their extending direction perpendicular to the bending axis, and connecting them to a detecting circuit to sense voltage changes caused by resistance value changes during bending, allowing for the detection of bending angles, neutral layer positions, and broken film layers without increasing the panel thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flexible bending sensor is attached directly to the screen, then the bending state can be sensed, but the screen thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance sensor is merged with the existing metal layers (light-shielding metal layer, source-drain metal layer, or touch metal layer) of the display panel. By integrating the sensor function into these existing structural layers rather than adding a separate sensor layer, the patent achieves bending state detection without increasing the overall panel thickness.
2Reliability
If a flexible bending sensor is attached directly to the screen, then the bending state can be sensed, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance sensor is manufactured using the same material and process as the existing metal layers in the display panel. This integration approach eliminates the need for separate sensor manufacturing processes and reduces material costs, thereby lowering overall manufacturing costs while maintaining detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal layers serve dual purposes: they perform their original functions (light-shielding, source-drain conduction, or touch sensing) while simultaneously functioning as resistance sensors for bending detection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and manufacturing steps, thereby reducing costs.
3Reliability
If a flexible bending sensor is attached directly to the screen, then the bending state can be sensed, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance sensor utilizes the existing electrical conductivity of the metal layers without requiring additional power supply circuits or active sensing components. The change in resistance value directly reflects the bending state, enabling passive detection that consumes minimal power compared to active sensor systems.
4Ease of manufacture
If resistance sensors are integrated into existing metal layers, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the sensors must be precisely positioned perpendicular to the bending axis
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance sensor is positioned specifically in the bending region of the display panel, with its extending direction perpendicular to the bending axis. This localized positioning ensures that the sensor experiences maximum resistance change during bending, optimizing detection sensitivity while maintaining manufacturability through standard fabrication processes.
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 approach enables accurate detection of bending states, positions of neutral and broken layers, and reduces manufacturing complexity and costs by integrating sensors into existing metal layers without adding thickness, thus enhancing the flexibility and reliability of the display panel.
Implementation Method 1
detecting circuit electrically connected to the resistance sensor, wherein the detecting circuit is configured to detect a voltage change amount caused by a change of a resistance value of the resistance sensor when the bending region is bent around the axis
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a display panel and a detecting method thereof. By providing at least one resistance sensor in a bending region, an extending direction of the resistance sensor is perpendicular to an extending direction of an axis for bending and overlaps with the axis for bending. By electrically connecting the resistance sensor to a detecting circuit, a change of the resistance value of the resistance sensor can be reflected as a change of voltage.