Stretchable Display Line Structure With Grooved Floating Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional display devices face challenges in maintaining stretching reliability and reducing stress on line units during deformation, as they are prone to interference and structural limitations that hinder their flexibility and durability.

Innovation Solution

A stretchable display device design featuring a lower substrate with a pattern layer and connection lines that include grooves to separate the adhesive layer, allowing the line units to float within a filling layer, thereby reducing interference and enhancing flexibility by distributing stress and increasing the length of deformed portions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If line units are directly attached to the adhesive layer, then structural stability is improved, but stretching reliability deteriorates due to interference and stress concentration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidstretching reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The line units are segmented into multiple sections with deformed portions (such as meandering shapes, zigzag patterns, or circular arcs) inserted between straight sections. This segmentation allows the line units to distribute stretching stress across multiple deformation zones, improving stretching reliability while maintaining structural stability through the combination of rigid and flexible sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A release layer is introduced as an intermediary between the adhesive layer and the line units. This release layer prevents direct adhesion between the adhesive and the line units, reducing stress concentration and interference during stretching. The release layer acts as a mediator that allows the line units to move more freely while still being positioned correctly on the flexible substrate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If line units are made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but flexibility deteriorates reducing stretchability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidflexibility and stretchability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The line units incorporate deformed portions with varying degrees of flexibility that can dynamically adapt to stretching forces. These deformed sections (meandering, zigzag, or circular arc patterns) act as flexible joints that allow the line units to change shape during stretching while maintaining electrical connectivity and structural integrity. The rigid straight sections provide strength while the deformed sections provide flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The line units are designed with thin-film structures that inherently possess flexibility. By using thin-film deposition techniques and incorporating deformed portions, the line units achieve a balance between strength and flexibility, allowing them to conform to the stretching of the flexible substrate while maintaining their structural integrity and electrical functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If adhesive layer directly contacts line units, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but stress concentration increases reducing durability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A release layer is introduced as an intermediary between the adhesive layer and the line units. This release layer prevents direct adhesion, reducing stress concentration and improving durability during stretching. Although this adds a manufacturing step, it can be integrated into existing lamination processes, and the improvement in reliability and reduced risk of line unit damage during assembly and operation justifies the additional process step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4355055A1Display device
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 LG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4355055A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4355055A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4355055A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a lower substrate that is stretchable; a first adhesive layer disposed on the lower substrate; a pattern layer disposed on the first adhesive layer and including a plurality of first line patterns; a plurality of connection lines disposed on each of the plurality of first line patterns; and a filling layer covering the pattern layer and the plurality of connection lines, wherein the plurality of first line patterns include grooves disposed in lower portions thereof, so that the plurality of first line patterns and the plurality of connection lines are separated from the first adhesive layer and easily stretched.