Stretchable OLED Interconnect Layout to Prevent Line Cracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stretchable OLED displays face issues with interconnection lines breaking when the substrate is stretched, leading to disrupted display operations.
Innovation Solution
The use of interconnection lines with bent portions that straighten and rotate connected electrodes, allowing for increased substrate stretching without damaging the lines, by connecting to corner portions of electrodes such as the pixel, gate, source, drain, and opposite electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If interconnection lines are made straight and rigid to ensure electrical connection, then electrical connectivity is maintained, but the lines break when the substrate is stretched
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnection lines are designed with bent portions instead of straight configurations. These bent portions allow the lines to flex and deform elastically when the substrate is stretched, preventing breakage while maintaining electrical connectivity between electrodes during deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnection lines are designed to dynamically change their shape in response to substrate stretching. The bent portions rotate and reconfigure during stretching, allowing the system to adapt to mechanical deformation while maintaining functional electrical connections
2Adaptability or versatility
If the substrate is made stretchable to enable flexible display applications, then flexibility and wearability are improved, but interconnection lines crack and cutting occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The bent portions in the interconnection lines serve as flexible elements that can withstand substrate stretching without cracking. The curved geometry distributes mechanical stress and allows the lines to accommodate substrate deformation while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnection lines are designed as flexible conductive structures that can bend and deform with the stretchable substrate. This flexibility allows the display to be stretched and conform to different shapes while preventing line cracking and cutting
3Adaptability or versatility
If interconnection lines are connected to corner portions of electrodes to allow rotation during stretching, then stretching capability is enhanced, but the complexity of connection design increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnection lines are segmented into straight portions and bent portions, with the bent portions strategically positioned at electrode corners. This segmentation allows the lines to rotate and reconfigure during stretching, enhancing stretching capability while maintaining manageable design complexity through modular connection structures
Data Source
AI summary
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display is disclosed. In one aspect, the display includes a stretchable substrate, a thin film transistor (TFT) formed over the stretchable substrate and including a plurality of electrodes, an OLED electrically connected to the TFT and including a plurality of electrodes, and a plurality of interconnection lines connected to the electrodes of the OLED and the TFT. At least one of the interconnection lines is configured to move in a stretching direction and rotate an electrode selected from the electrodes of the OLED and the TFT connected to the at least one interconnection line.