Stretchable Display Substrate Layout for High-Resolution OLEDs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing OLED flexible display apparatuses are not suitable for complex flexibility requirements, such as those needed for wearable devices, due to limitations in stretchability and display resolution, leading to issues like low display resolution and uneven display.

Innovation Solution

A stretchable display substrate design featuring hole regions, pixel island regions, and connecting bridge regions with hollowed-out portions in the inorganic insulating layers, allowing for improved tensile properties and display resolution by routing signal lines under pixel units and disconnecting organic light-emitting layers to prevent water and oxygen invasion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If holes are formed in substrate material to create islands and bridges for wiring, then stretchability is achieved, but display resolution deteriorates due to low PPI and uneven display

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestretchabilityVSAvoiddisplay resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is segmented into pixel island regions and connecting bridge regions with hole regions, allowing independent deformation zones that enable stretchability while maintaining display quality in pixel regions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Signal lines are routed underneath pixel units in the third dimension (below the pixel electrode layer), freeing up the surface plane for higher pixel density without compromising electrical connectivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If inorganic insulating layers are completely removed in bridge regions to improve tensile properties, then stretchability improves, but reliability deteriorates due to water and oxygen invasion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetensile propertiesVSAvoidprotection against water and oxygen

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inorganic insulating layers are selectively removed only in connecting bridge regions while maintaining them in pixel island regions, providing local flexibility where needed and local protection where required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Organic insulating layers are introduced as intermediary protective barriers in bridge regions where inorganic layers are removed, preventing water and oxygen invasion while allowing mechanical deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If signal lines are routed over pixel units, then manufacturing is simplified, but display resolution deteriorates due to space occupation and uneven display

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting simplicityVSAvoiddisplay uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of routing signal lines over pixel units (top-layer approach), the design inverts the routing to place signal lines underneath pixel units (bottom-layer approach), eliminating visual interference while maintaining electrical functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12532610B2Stretchable display substrate, preparation method of stretchable display substrate, and display apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a stretchable display substrate, a preparation method of the stretchable display substrate, and a display apparatus. The stretchable display substrate includes: a plurality of hole regions; a base; pixel units, disposed on the base; signal lines, disposed on the base, and electrically connected with the pixel units; and a plurality of inorganic insulating layers, stacked on the base. At least one layer of the plurality of inorganic insulating layers has first hollowed-out portions close to the hole regions, and orthographic projections of the first hollowed-out portions on the base do not overlap orthographic projections of the signal lines and the pixel units on the base.