Stretchable Display Substrate Composite for Moisture Barrier and Adhesion

Solution Overview

Problem

Current stretchable display devices face challenges in withstanding mechanical stress and preventing moisture infiltration, leading to issues like peeling off of sealing layers and damage during stretching.

Innovation Solution

A stretchable display device with a substrate featuring a pixel area and a non-pixel area, where a polar functional group polymer and an inorganic compound form a composite, preventing moisture infiltration and enhancing flexibility by selectively penetrating into the pixel area and sealing layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a sealing layer is applied to cover the pixel unit, then moisture infiltration is prevented, but the sealing layer peels off during stretching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture infiltrationVSAvoidsealing layer adhesion

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a dual-composition substrate where the first region contains both polymer and inorganic compound for enhanced moisture barrier and adhesion, while the second region contains only polymer for flexibility. This localized differentiation allows the sealing layer to adhere strongly where needed without compromising overall stretchability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining polymer and inorganic compound in the first region of the substrate. The inorganic compound particles are dispersed within the polymer matrix, creating a composite structure that provides both moisture barrier properties and improved adhesion for the sealing layer, resolving the peeling issue during stretching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If the substrate is made flexible for stretching, then device adaptability is improved, but mechanical stress causes damage to pixel and sealing layer

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestretchabilityVSAvoidmechanical durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a dual-composition substrate where the first region contains both polymer and inorganic compound for enhanced moisture barrier and adhesion, while the second region contains only polymer for flexibility. This localized differentiation allows the sealing layer to adhere strongly where needed without compromising overall stretchability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The inorganic compound embedded in the polymer substrate acts as a reinforcing filler that provides mechanical strength beforehand, cushioning the substrate against damage during stretching. This pre-reinforcement allows the flexible substrate to withstand repeated mechanical stress without damaging the pixel or sealing layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If inorganic compound is added to prevent moisture infiltration, then barrier performance is improved, but flexibility and stretchability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture barrierVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a dual-composition substrate where the first region contains both polymer and inorganic compound for enhanced moisture barrier and adhesion, while the second region contains only polymer for flexibility. This localized differentiation allows the sealing layer to adhere strongly where needed without compromising overall stretchability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs segmentation by dividing the substrate into two distinct regions: a first region with polymer and inorganic compound for moisture barrier, and a second region with only polymer for flexibility. This spatial segmentation allows each region to perform its specialized function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution provides excellent flexibility and durability, preventing moisture infiltration and peeling off, even when the device is repeatedly stretched, thereby protecting the pixel and sealing layer from damage.

Implementation Method 1

allowing the inorganic compound to selectively penetrate into the pixel area between the non-pixel area and the pixel area of the substrate and bind to the polar functional group on the chains of the first polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical adsorption: Chemisorption

Implementation Method 2

the inorganic compound may be provided in the substrate via diffusion and reaction by penetrating into the substrate in an inorganic compound precursor form, and reacting with the C═O bond

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS11917864B2Stretchable display device and manufacturing method thereof

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 KOREA INST OF SCI & TECH

AI summary

Provided is a display device including a film structure having excellent flexibility and moisture infiltration prevention effects via a structure including a first polymer and a second polymer in which an inorganic compound penetrates into the first polymer. The display device may have excellent durability without causing problems such as peeling off of a sealing layer and moisture infiltration even after the display device is repeatedly stretched.