Stretchable Display Panel Island-to-Island Connection Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stretchable display panels face stress concentration and cracking issues during stretching due to island-to-island connections, affecting normal display functionality.
Innovation Solution
A stretchable display panel design featuring a flexible substrate with pixel islands connected by multi-layered protective structures, including inner and outer protective layers with varying Young's modulus, and a packaging layer, where the inner protective layers are made of elastic and hydrophobic materials like polydimethylsiloxane silicone and polyurethane, and the outer layers are made of materials like polyimide and naphthoquinone diazide, providing multi-layer protection against cracking and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-layer protective structure is used for island-to-island connections, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to stress concentration and cracking during stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure is divided into multiple functional layers: an inner protective layer (first and second inner protective layers) that directly contacts and protects the conductive layer, and an outer protective layer (first and second outer protective layers) that provides additional mechanical protection. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function, with the inner layer providing flexibility and stress distribution, and the outer layer providing structural support, thereby improving reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structure where the inner protective layers are made of elastic material (such as polydimethylsiloxane or polyurethane) and the outer protective layers are made of different material properties. This composite approach combines the advantages of elastic materials (stress distribution, flexibility) with other materials (structural support, protection), enabling the connection to withstand stretching forces while maintaining reliability
2Strength
If the protective layers are made of rigid materials, then the strength is improved, but the elasticity deteriorates causing cracks during stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different material properties to different layers based on their specific functional requirements. The inner protective layers are made of elastic material to provide local flexibility and stress distribution where it is most needed (directly protecting the conductive layer during stretching), while the outer protective layers can have different properties for structural support. This local differentiation of material quality allows the structure to simultaneously achieve strength and elasticity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter (elasticity) of the protective layers by selecting elastic materials such as polydimethylsiloxane or polyurethane for the inner protective layers. This parameter change enables the protective structure to adapt to stretching deformations while maintaining protection functionality, resolving the contradiction between strength and elasticity
3Manufacturing precision
If the conductive layer is exposed, then the manufacturing precision is improved by simplifying the process, but the object-affected harmful factors increase due to water and oxygen corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive layer is nested within multiple protective layers (inner and outer protective layers) that encapsulate it completely. This nesting structure provides multi-level protection against harmful factors such as water and oxygen, preventing corrosion of the conductive layer while maintaining the precision of its formation. The conductive layer remains exposed enough for manufacturing but protected enough for operation
Solution Approach 2:
The inner protective layers act as intermediary barriers between the conductive layer and the external environment (water, oxygen). These elastic protective layers directly contact the conductive layer and provide immediate protection, mediating the interaction between the sensitive conductive layer and corrosive environmental factors, thereby preventing corrosion while allowing precise manufacturing
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enhances the elasticity of the inner protective layers, preventing cracks and corrosion, ensuring the display panel operates normally even under stress, by maintaining the conductive layer's integrity and protecting it from external water and oxygen.
Implementation Method 1
The Young's modulus of the first inner protective layer and the second inner protective layer are lower than that of the first outer protective layer and the second outer protective layer
Implementation Method 2
the first inner protective layer and the second inner protective layer are both made of material with elastic and hydrophobic properties
Implementation Method 3
The Young's modulus of the first inner protective layer and the second inner protective layer are lower than that of the first outer protective layer and the second outer protective layer. The Young's modulus of the first outer protective layer and the second outer protective layer are lower than that of the packaging layer
Implementation Method 4
a packaging layer configured to cover the second outer protective layer
Data Source
AI summary
A display device, a stretchable display panel, and a fabricating method thereof are described. The stretchable display panel includes a flexible substrate and a plurality of pixel islands and island-to-island connections disposed on the flexible substrate. The island-to-island connections include a first outer protective layer disposed on the flexible substrate; a first inner protective layer disposed on a surface of the first outer protective layer facing away from the flexible substrate; a conductive layer disposed on a part of a surface of the first inner protective layer facing away from the flexible substrate; a second inner protective layer configured to cover the conductive layer and the first inner protective layer; a second outer protective layer disposed on a surface of the second inner protective layer facing away from the flexible substrate; and a packaging layer configured to cover the second outer protective layer.