Stretchable Display Bridges: Curved Design and Corrosion-Resistant Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bridges connecting encapsulated islands in stretchable display panels are prone to damage due to frequent bending and stretching, and even if encapsulated, the encapsulating layer can break, exposing connecting lines.

Innovation Solution

A stretchable display panel design where the bridges connecting encapsulated islands are made more stretchable than the islands, and the connecting lines are made of a corrosion-resistant material different from the second electrode, ensuring functionality even if the encapsulating layer is damaged.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the encapsulating layer is used to protect bridges connecting islands, then the protection against environmental factors is improved, but the encapsulating layer is prone to break during use, thus exposing the connecting lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of connecting linesVSAvoiddurability of encapsulating layer
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by designing the bridge structure with curved convex and concave regions that can elastically deform to absorb stress before it reaches the encapsulating layer. This pre-cushioning mechanism prevents the encapsulating layer from breaking under frequent bending and stretching, thereby maintaining protection of the connecting lines even under mechanical stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the bridges are made more stretchable than the islands, then the stretchability of the display panel is improved, but the bridges become more susceptible to damage from frequent bending and stretching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestretchability of display panelVSAvoiddamage resistance of bridges
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by creating a bridge structure with curved convex and concave regions that can dynamically deform during stretching and bending. The bridge transitions from a rigid structure to a flexible, adaptive structure that can change its shape to accommodate mechanical stress, thereby maintaining both stretchability and damage resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies curvature by designing the bridge with curved convex and concave regions instead of straight lines. These curved structures are more resistant to stress concentration and can better distribute mechanical loads during bending and stretching, improving both the stretchability and durability of the bridge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the connecting lines are made of corrosion-resistant material, then the resistance to environmental factors is improved, but the device complexity increases due to using different materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to oxygen and moistureVSAvoidmaterial composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using different materials for different parts of the bridge structure. Specifically, the connecting lines are made of corrosion-resistant material while other parts of the bridge can use different materials optimized for their specific functions. This localized material selection provides targeted protection where needed without requiring the entire structure to use complex multi-material construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3891817B1Stretchable display panel, stretchable display apparatus, and method of fabricating stretchable display panel
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3891817B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3891817B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3891817B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A stretchable display panel having a plurality of encapsulated islands and a plurality of bridges connecting the plurality of encapsulated islands. The stretchable display panel includes a plurality of light emitting elements. A respective one of the plurality of encapsulated islands includes at least one of the plurality of light emitting elements encapsulated therein on a base substrate. A respective one of the plurality of light emitting elements includes a first electrode, a light emitting layer on the first electrode, and a second electrode on a side of the light emitting layer away from the first electrode. The stretchable display panel further includes a plurality of connecting lines connecting second electrodes of the plurality of light emitting elements respectively through the plurality of bridges. The plurality of connecting lines include a material different from a material of the second electrode.