Segmented Flexible Driving Substrate Signal Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flexible display apparatuses have poor reliability due to brittle metallic signal transmission lines that crack or break when bent, leading to display flaws and damage.
Innovation Solution
A driving substrate design featuring signal transmission lines constructed from line segments and connecting segments on different layers, with insulation layers exposing portions of the lines for electrical connection, allowing for flexural properties and preventing cracking or breaking upon repeated bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metallic signal transmission lines are used for signal transmission, then electrical conductivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to brittleness and poor ductility causing cracks after bending
Solution Approach 1:
The signal transmission line is divided into multiple line segments (first line segment, second line segment, etc.) that are disposed on different layers. Each line segment is electrically connected to adjacent segments through connecting segments, creating a segmented structure that can flex without cracking while maintaining electrical conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar single-layer structure to a three-dimensional multi-layer structure. Line segments are disposed on different layers (first layer, second layer, etc.), allowing the signal transmission line to bend in multiple dimensions without creating stress concentration points that would cause cracking.
2Reliability
If single-layer planar signal transmission lines are used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to withstand repeated bending
Solution Approach 1:
The signal transmission line is segmented into multiple line segments disposed on different layers, with connecting segments electrically linking them. This segmentation allows the structure to accommodate bending stresses while maintaining electrical functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested multi-layer structure where line segments on different layers are vertically aligned or offset, with insulation layers nested between them. This nested arrangement creates a compact three-dimensional structure that maintains electrical connectivity while providing mechanical flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If metallic signal transmission lines are used, then electrical conductivity is improved, but flexibility deteriorates due to brittleness causing breaks after several bends
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the signal transmission line into multiple line segments on different layers connected by connecting segments, the structure gains flexibility to bend without cracking, while the segmented design maintains electrical conductivity through the connecting segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition to a multi-layer three-dimensional structure allows the signal transmission line to flex in multiple directions and planes, significantly improving adaptability to bending while preventing the stress concentration that causes failure in single-layer structures.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary driving substrate includes a substrate, a plurality of first and second signal transmission lines, a first insulation layer and a plurality of switch devices. The first signal transmission lines are disposed on the substrate, and each includes a first line segment(s) and a first connecting segment(s). The first insulation layer is disposed between each first line segment and each first connecting segment, and each first connecting segment is electrically connected to the adjacent first line segment(s) through an opening(s) of the first insulation layer. The second signal transmission lines are disposed on the substrate and electrically insulated and intersected with the first signal transmission lines thereby defining a plurality of pixel regions on the substrate. The switch devices are respectively disposed in the pixel regions, and each is electrically connected to corresponding first and second signal transmission lines. The driving substrate has better reliability.