Segmented Stiffener for Flexible Carrier Bending Stress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible electronic devices with rigid components are prone to de-adhesion due to mechanical stress, particularly bending, leading to reduced durability and endurance.

Innovation Solution

A stiffener with a combination of a rigid and flexible region is applied to the flexible carrier, where the flexible region directs bending forces away from the rigid components, reducing the risk of de-adhesion by allowing controlled bending and protecting vulnerable areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a stiffener is applied to protect the flexible carrier, then protection against mechanical stress is improved, but flexibility and bendability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against mechanical stressVSAvoidflexibility and bendability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The stiffener is divided into a first region (rigid area) and a second region (flexible area), allowing different parts of the stiffener to have different mechanical properties. This segmentation enables the stiffener to provide protection where needed while maintaining flexibility in other areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stiffener exhibits non-uniform mechanical properties across its structure, with the first region being substantially rigid and the second region being substantially flexible. This local quality differentiation allows the stiffener to optimize both protection and flexibility in specific locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible carrier is made thinner to improve flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but resistance to mechanical stress deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidresistance to mechanical stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The stiffener is segmented into rigid and flexible regions, with the rigid first region providing mechanical strength support and the flexible second region maintaining adaptability. This segmentation allows thin flexible carriers to gain stress resistance without sacrificing overall flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stiffener combines materials or structures with different mechanical properties (rigid and flexible regions) to create a composite structure that simultaneously provides both strength and flexibility to the thin flexible carrier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS8488328B2Electronic device comprising a flexible area with a specific bending region

Publication Date: 2013.07.16 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement 10 comprising a flexible carrier 6 having a front surface and a back surface; a component 2 adhered to the front surface of the flexible carrier, and a stiffener 8 extending at least partially over said front surface or said back surface for protecting at least a portion of the front surface or the back surface of the flexible carrier 6, wherein the stiffener 8 comprises a first region 8c extending over an area covered by the component 2 and a second region 8a, 8b extending over an area not covered by the component 2, the second region being more flexible than the first region.