Stretchable Display Interconnect Layout for Step and Adhesion Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stretchable display devices face issues with connection line separation and damage due to repeated extension, undercut portions on substrates, and increased resistance, which affect the reliability and performance of thin film transistors, capacitors, and circuit areas.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a stretchable display device design that includes a lower soft substrate with rigid first and third substrates, inorganic insulating layers, an organic insulating layer, and a step alleviating layer to minimize contact points and reduce stress on connection lines, along with the use of different directionally extending connection lines to alleviate steps and enhance adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If connection lines are disposed directly on inorganic insulating layers, then manufacturing process is simplified, but connection lines separate from the substrate during repeated extension
Solution Approach 1:
An organic insulating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the inorganic insulating layer and the connection line. This organic insulating layer covers the side surface of the inorganic insulating layer, providing a transition zone that improves adhesion and prevents connection line separation during substrate extension, while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through sequential layer deposition
2Reliability
If multiple contact points are disposed on the first substrate, then electrical connections are improved, but the area of the first substrate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Connection lines are extended into the depth direction by disposing them between the inorganic insulating layer and the organic insulating layer, utilizing the vertical dimension rather than only the horizontal plane. This three-dimensional arrangement provides additional electrical connection paths without consuming lateral substrate area, thereby maintaining both connection reliability and substrate area
3Loss of energy
If connection lines are made thinner to reduce resistance, then voltage drop is reduced, but the connection lines become more susceptible to damage during extension
Solution Approach 1:
The connection line structure is made composite by surrounding it with both inorganic insulating layers (bottom layer) and organic insulating layers (top layer). This multi-layer composite structure provides mechanical protection and stress distribution, enhancing the durability of thin connection lines while maintaining their low-resistance electrical properties
Data Source
AI summary
A stretchable display device according to present disclosure may include a base substrate, a plurality of first substrates on the base substrate, a plurality of second substrates connecting adjacent first substrates, inorganic insulating layers on the first substrates, an organic insulating layer disposed on the first substrates so as to cover top surfaces and side surfaces of the inorganic insulating layers. The device includes first connection lines disposed on the organic insulating layer on the first substrates and disposed on a second substrate extending in a first direction, second connection lines disposed between the inorganic insulating layers and the organic insulating layer on the first substrates and disposed on a second substrate extending in a second direction, and a step alleviating layer disposed between the second connection lines and the inorganic insulating layers.