Flexible Electronic Assembly With Rounded Protrusions for Low-Friction Bending

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible substrates used in flat panel displays are vulnerable to external forces such as scratches and friction, limiting their application on non-planar surfaces and increasing the risk of breakage.

Innovation Solution

A flexible electronic assembly with a supporting layer featuring protruding portions with rounded corners and tapering sections, providing structural support and reducing friction during bending, combined with a flexible substrate and a cover layer for protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If flexible substrates are used to enable displays to conform to diverse surfaces, then adaptability is improved, but vulnerability to external forces such as scratches and friction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidvulnerability to scratches and friction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite structure consisting of a flexible substrate combined with a supporting layer featuring protrusions. This composite design allows the display to maintain flexibility while the supporting layer provides enhanced mechanical protection against scratches and friction, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and vulnerability to external forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting layer with protrusions acts as a protective cushion that is integrated into the flexible substrate structure before the display is subjected to external forces. This preemptive protective structure reduces the impact of scratches and friction on the flexible substrate, allowing the display to conform to diverse surfaces without compromising durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Adaptability or versatility

If flexible substrates are used to enable bending to a radius of curvature of centimeters, then adaptability is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure of flexible substrate plus supporting layer with protrusions enables the display to bend to a radius of curvature of centimeters while maintaining structural integrity. The supporting layer's protrusions are designed to accommodate bending stresses, preventing structural failure during flexing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting layer features protrusions with rounded corners and curved surfaces that are specifically designed to match the curvature required for bending displays to a radius of centimeters. This curvature design allows the structure to flex without creating stress concentration points that would compromise structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Manufacturing precision

If rigid glass substrates are used to provide smooth surface and high transparency, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to non-planar surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface smoothness and transparencyVSAvoidadaptability to non-planar surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid glass substrates with a flexible substrate that can conform to non-planar surfaces. The flexible substrate is combined with a supporting layer featuring protrusions that provide the necessary structural support, enabling the display to adapt to diverse surfaces while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled formation of the protrusion structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The composite structure of flexible substrate plus supporting layer with protrusions achieves both adaptability to non-planar surfaces and manufacturing precision. The protrusions are formed with specific geometric features (rounded corners, tapering sections) that can be precisely manufactured while allowing the overall structure to flex and conform to various surface geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS12453278B2Flexible electronic assembly

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 RED OAK INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

A flexible electronic assembly includes a flexible supporting assembly, an electronic component, and a cover layer. The flexible supporting assembly includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. In a plan view of the flexible electronic assembly, the second surface includes a plurality of protrusions and one of the protrusions includes at least one rounded corner. The electronic component is coupled to the first surface of the flexible supporting assembly. The cover layer is coupled to the electronic component.