Stretchable Display Pixel Layout to Reduce Mura When Stretched

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Solution Overview

Problem

Stretchable display devices face issues with image quality deterioration and mura artifacts, such as a lattice pattern, when stretched, due to non-uniform stretching and increased distance between light-emitting elements.

Innovation Solution

A stretchable display device is designed with a specific structure that includes a lower substrate with light-emitting elements disposed on it, and additional sub-pixels in flexible regions that emit light when stretched, helping to maintain image quality and reduce mura artifacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a stretchable display device is stretched, then flexibility and shape adaptability are improved, but image quality deteriorates and mura artifacts appear due to non-uniform stretching and increased distance between light-emitting elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape adaptabilityVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The display device is divided into multiple rigid regions connected by flexible regions. Each rigid region contains light-emitting elements arranged in a matrix, while the flexible regions allow stretching without containing light-emitting elements. This segmentation enables the display to be stretched while maintaining image quality in the rigid regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the display device have different properties: rigid regions maintain structural stability and contain light-emitting elements for high-quality image display, while flexible regions provide stretchability and connect the rigid regions. This local differentiation allows the display to achieve both shape adaptability and image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the distance between light-emitting elements increases when stretched, then flexibility is improved, but aperture ratio is reduced and image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidaperture ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into rigid regions with light-emitting elements and flexible regions without light-emitting elements. When stretched, only the flexible regions expand, while the rigid regions maintain their internal structure and aperture ratio, thus preserving image quality while providing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If additional sub-pixels are disposed in flexible regions, then mura artifacts are reduced and image quality is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Additional sub-pixels are selectively disposed only in the flexible regions, which are areas that would otherwise contribute to mura artifacts during stretching. This local addition compensates for the non-uniform stretching effects specifically where needed, without adding complexity to the entire display structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3675178B1Display device
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 LG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3675178B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3675178B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3675178B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a stretchable display device (100, 400, 600, 800). According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a stretchable display device (100, 400, 600, 800) includes: a lower substrate (110) comprising a plurality of first areas (Al) on which a plurality of sub-pixels (SPX) is defined and spaced apart from one another, a plurality of second areas (A2) in which a plurality of connection lines (150) connecting between adjacent ones of the first areas (Al) is disposed, and a plurality of third areas (A3) other than the first areas (Al) and the second areas (A2); a plurality of additional sub-pixels (SPXA) disposed in the third areas (A3), respectively; and a plurality of piezoelectric patterns (PP) electrically connected to the additional sub-pixels (SPXA), respectively. The stretchable display device (100, 400, 600, 800) can suppress deterioration of image quality when it is stretched.