Segmented Light Blocking Layers for Flexible Display Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display devices with integrated fingerprint sensors face challenges in minimizing bending stress, which can lead to deformation and damage when the devices are bent, affecting their durability and functionality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a light blocking layer structure with specific openings and sub-light blocking layers that overlap and are spaced apart to allow light transmission while minimizing bending stress, including a first light blocking layer between the substrate and circuit element layer and a second light blocking layer on top, with openings that provide an optical path for the sensor layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a light blocking layer is provided between the substrate and the sensor layer to block light, then light blocking performance is improved, but bending stress increases causing deformation and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The light blocking layer is divided into multiple segments (first light blocking layer and second light blocking layer) with openings between them. This segmentation allows the layer to flex during bending while still maintaining light blocking functionality in the regions between openings, resolving the contradiction between light blocking performance and bending resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light blocking layer have different properties - solid regions provide light blocking while opening regions provide flexibility during bending. The first and second light blocking layers have openings at different positions, creating local variations in light blocking and flexibility characteristics throughout the layer structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the light blocking layer is made continuous to improve light blocking, then light blocking performance is improved, but the layer becomes more prone to deformation and damage when bent
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous light blocking layer is segmented into first and second light blocking layers with openings. This segmentation maintains reliability under bending by allowing the structure to flex, while still preventing light leakage through the multiple blocking layers and their overlapping configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The openings in the light blocking layers act as pre-designed stress relief zones that cushion bending stresses before they can cause deformation or damage. These openings are strategically positioned to absorb and distribute bending forces, protecting the overall structure during flexing operations.
3Reliability
If openings are provided in the light blocking layer to reduce stress, then bending durability is improved, but light blocking performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light blocking layer is segmented into multiple layers with openings, where the openings provide bending durability while the multiple blocking regions maintain light blocking performance. The segmentation allows each layer to contribute to both flexibility and light blocking functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a single-layer light blocking approach to a multi-layer approach with openings. By adding the dimension of layer stacking (first light blocking layer and second light blocking layer at different heights), the system achieves both bending durability through openings and light blocking performance through multiple blocking surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device including a substrate; a display element layer on the substrate, the display element layer including light emitting devices; a circuit element layer between the substrate and the display element layer, the circuit element layer including signal lines and light transmitting areas which are located between the signal lines in a plan view and allow light to be transmitted therethrough; a first light blocking layer between the substrate and the circuit element layer, the first light blocking layer including first openings; and a second light blocking layer on the first light blocking layer, the second light blocking layer including second openings. The second light blocking layer includes second sub-light blocking layers disposed to be spaced apart from each other, the second sub-light blocking layers each having the second openings. The first openings of the first light blocking layer overlaps with an area between the second sub-light blocking layers.