Spacer Layer for Flexible Display Panel Stress Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible display devices face stress and adhesion issues when folded or bent, leading to potential detachment of the thin film encapsulation layer due to direct adhesion between the display panel and the touch panel.
Innovation Solution
A spacer layer with protruding spacer members and an adhesive layer is introduced between the display panel and the touch panel, maintaining a uniform gap and allowing relative movement to reduce stress, while the guide protrusion and groove facilitate adhesion without full surface contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the display panel and touch panel are directly adhered together, then the adhesion strength is improved, but stress concentration occurs during folding or bending causing detachment of the encapsulation layer
Solution Approach 1:
The contact interface between the display panel and touch panel is segmented from full surface contact to discrete contact points through the spacer members. The adhesive layer is applied only at the ends of the spacer members rather than across the entire surface, creating multiple localized adhesion points that distribute stress and prevent encapsulation layer detachment during folding or bending operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer layer acts as an intermediary component between the display panel and touch panel. It includes a base member attached to the display panel and spacer members that protrude from the base member to contact the touch panel. This intermediary structure allows the two panels to be held together while maintaining relative movement capability, reducing stress concentration on the encapsulation layer.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the display panel and touch panel are fixed together rigidly, then structural stability is improved, but flexibility and relative movement capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer layer structure enables dynamic relative movement between the display panel and touch panel while maintaining structural stability. The spacer members protruding from the base member create a stable framework, but the adhesive layer is applied only at the ends of the spacer members, allowing the panels to move relative to each other within certain limits. This dynamic capability is essential for flexible display devices that need to fold or bend.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer layer is formed of a flexible material that can accommodate bending and folding of the display device. The thin film structure of the spacer layer allows it to maintain structural stability while enabling relative movement between the display panel and touch panel during flexing operations.
3Strength
If full surface adhesion is used between display panel and touch panel, then bonding strength is improved, but stress distribution during folding is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive bonding is segmented from full surface coverage to localized application at the ends of the spacer members. This segmentation creates multiple discrete bonding points that distribute stress more effectively across the structure during folding or bending, preventing stress concentration that would occur with full surface adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layer is applied with local quality - specifically at the ends of the spacer members where contact between the display panel and touch panel occurs. This localized adhesion provides sufficient bonding strength at critical contact points while avoiding the stress concentration problems associated with full surface adhesion.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device that includes a display panel to display an image; a touch panel on the display panel; a spacer layer between the display panel and the touch panel; and a window attached onto the touch panel, wherein the display panel and the touch panel are relatively movable.