ELECTRONIC DEVICE

The present disclosure provides an electronic device including a flexible substrate, an electronic unit, and a cover. The flexible substrate has a first portion and a second portion. The electronic unit is disposed on the flexible substrate. The cover is disposed on the electronic unit and includes a first layer. The first layer is retreated from an edge of the first portion by a first distance and retreated from an edge of the second portion by a second distance, and the second distance is different from the first distance.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device and particularly to an electronic device with a flexible substrate.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Recently, electronic devices have been developed to have a flexible, foldable or bendable property, so that they can be applied to different kinds of objects. In the conventional flexible electronic device, an organic material is used as a cover of the flexible electronic device to maintain the flexibility. However, although the organic cover has the flexibility, an appearance or image displayed by the flexible electronic device must penetrate through the organic cover, so that the flexible electronic device has a problem of poor display quality.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is an objective of the present disclosure to provide an electronic device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a flexible substrate, an electronic unit, and a cover. The flexible substrate has a first portion and a second portion. The electronic unit is disposed on the flexible substrate, and the cover is disposed on the electronic unit and includes a first layer. The first layer is retreated from an edge of the first portion by a first distance and retreated from an edge of the second portion by a second distance, and the second distance is different from the first distance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The contents of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments and drawings. It is noted that, for purposes of illustrative clarity and being easily understood by the readers, the following drawings may be simplified schematic diagrams, and elements therein may not be drawn to scale. The numbers and sizes of the elements in the drawings are just illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Certain terms are used throughout the specification and the appended claims of the present disclosure to refer to specific elements. Those skilled in the art should understand that electronic equipment manufacturers may refer to an element by different names, and this document does not intend to distinguish between elements that differ in name but not function. In the following specification and claims, the terms “comprise”, “include” and “have” are open-ended fashion, so they should be interpreted as “including but not limited to . . . ”.

The ordinal numbers used in the specification and the appended claims, such as “first”, “second”, etc., are used to describe the elements of the claims. It does not mean that the element has any previous ordinal numbers, nor does it represent the order of a certain element and another element, or the sequence in a manufacturing method. These ordinal numbers are just used to make a claimed element with a certain name be clearly distinguishable from another claimed element with the same name.

Spatially relative terms, such as “above”, “on”, “beneath”, “below”, “under”, “left”, “right”, “before”, “front”, “after”, “behind” and the like, used in the following embodiments just refer to the directions in the drawings and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

In addition, when one element or layer is “on” or “above” another element or layer or is “connected to” another element or layer, it may be understood that the element or layer is directly on the another element or layer, or directly connected to the another element or layer, and alternatively, another intervening element or layer may be between the element or layer and the another element or layer (indirectly). On the contrary, when the element or layer is “directly on” the another element or layer, or “directly connected to” the another element or layer, it may be understood that the element or layer and the another element or layer are electrically connected to each other without through another intervening element or layer. Also, the term “electrically connected” or “coupled” includes means of direct or indirect electrical connection.

As disclosed herein, the terms “approximately”, “essentially”, “about”, or “substantially” generally mean within 20%, 10%, 5%, 3%, 2%, 1%, or 0.5% of the reported numerical value or range. The quantity disclosed herein is an approximate quantity, that is, without a specific description of “approximately”, “essentially”, “about”, or “substantially”, the quantity may still include the meaning of “approximately”, “essentially”, “about”, or “substantially”.

It should be understood that according to the following embodiments, features of different embodiments may be replaced, recombined or mixed to constitute other embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The features of various embodiments may be mixed arbitrarily and used in different embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure or conflicting.

In the present disclosure, the length, thickness, width, height, distance, and area may be measured by using an optical microscope (OM), a scanning electron microscope (SEM) or other suitable methods, but not limited thereto.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art. It should be understood that these terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having meaning consistent with the relevant technology and the background or context of the present disclosure, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or excessively formal way, unless there is a specific definition in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device may include a display device, a tiled device, a touch device, a sensing device, a curved electronic device or a non-rectangular electronic device, but not limited thereto. The electronic device may, for example, include liquid crystal, a light-emitting diode, a fluorescent material, a phosphor material, other suitable display mediums, or any combination thereof, but not limited thereto. The electronic device may include an electronic unit, and the electronic unit may be a passive element or active element, such as a capacitor, a resistor, an inductor, a diode, a transistor, etc. The diode may include a light-emitting diode (LED) or a photodiode. The light-emitting diode may, for example, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a mini LED, a micro LED or a quantum dot LED, but not limited thereto. The tiled device may, for example, a tiled display device. It is noted that the electronic device of the present disclosure may be any combination of the above-mentioned devices, but not limited thereto. Furthermore, the electronic device may be bendable or flexible electronic device, but not limited thereto. The appearance of the electronic device may be rectangular, circular, polygonal, a shape with curved edges or other suitable shapes, but not limited thereto. The electronic device may have a peripheral system, such as a driving system, a control system, a light source system, a shelf system, etc., for supporting display device or tiled device. For convenience, a display device is taken as an example of the electronic device to describe the present disclosure in the following contents, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

FIG.1schematically illustrates a side view of an electronic device in a folded state according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.2schematically illustrates a top view of the electronic device in the flattened state according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.1andFIG.2, the electronic device1includes a flexible substrate12, an electronic unit14, and a cover16. The flexible substrate12may have a first portion P1and a second portion P2. The electronic unit14is disposed on the flexible substrate12, and the cover16is disposed on the electronic unit14. Also, the cover16includes a first layer16a, wherein the first layer16ais retreated from an edge E1of the first portion P1by a distance W1and retreated from an edge of the second portion P2by a distance W2. For example, the distance W1may be a distance between the edge E3of the first layer16acorresponding to the edge E1of the first portion P1and the edge E1of the first portion P1in the flattened state of the electronic device1, and the distance W2may be a distance between another edge E4of the first layer16acorresponding to the edge E2of the second portion P2and the edge E2of the second portion P2in the flattened state of the device1. The distance W2may be different from the first distance W1, so that stress on the first layer16amay be decreased to reduce crack damage to the first layer16aduring manufacturing processes of the electronic device or during use by a user. In order to clearly illustrate a relationship between the flexible substrate12and the cover16, the electronic unit14is omitted inFIG.2, but not limited thereto.

The first portion P1and the second portion P2may be any two portions of the flexible substrate12. In one embodiment, the first portion P1may be a non-bending portion of the flexible substrate12, and the second portion P2is a portion of the flexible substrate12that is bent to a backside BS of the first portion P1relative to the first portion P1. In some embodiments, when the second portion P2is bent to the backside BS of the first portion P1during the electronic device1being in use, the distance W1and the distance W2may be distances measured along the same direction (e.g., a first direction) as the electronic device1is in the flattened state. It should be noted that the first portion P1may be folded along a folding axis FA, so that a part of the first portion P1may be folded to the backside BS of the first portion P1. In the present disclosure, the terms “bent” and “folded” have different meanings, wherein a radius of curvature of a bending region R1is less than a radius of curvature of a folding region R3.

In one embodiment, the electronic device1may further include a circuit board18bonded to the second portion P2, but not limited thereto. The circuit board18may, for example, be adjacent to the edge E2of the second portion P2and be electrically connected and bonded to the electronic unit14disposed on the second portion P2. While assembling the electronic device1, the second portion P2of the flexible substrate12may be bent to the backside BS of the first portion P1, so that the second portion P2may include a bending region R1. A part of the electronic unit14disposed on the second portion P2may be bent to the backside BS of the first portion P1along with the second portion P2, so that a width of the electronic device1formed by the second portion P2may be reduced, or a border width of the electronic device1may be decreased. In the present disclosure, the second portion P2bent to the backside BS of the first portion P1may mean that at least a part of the second portion P2overlaps the first portion P1in a top view direction TD of the electronic device1.

The backside BS of the first portion P1may be, for example, a side of the first portion P1opposite to the cover16. In order to reduce crack damage to the first layer16awhen the second portion P2is bent to the backside BS of the first portion P1, the distance W2may be greater than the distance W1. A ratio of the distance W2to the distance W1may be, for example, ranged from 1.5 to 1000 (i.e., 1.5≤the ratio of the distance W2to the distance W1≤1000). It should be noted that if the ratio of the distance W2to the distance W1is too small, that is, when the distance W1is close to the distance W2, the edge E4of the first layer16aadjacent to the circuit board18is subjected to greater stress when the second portion P2is bent to the backside BS of the first portion P1, or the edge E3of the first layer16aaway from the circuit board18may be too far away from the edge E1of the first portion P1, so that the first layer16acannot provide sufficient protection for the electronic unit14. If the ratio of the distance W2to the distance W1is too large, the edge E4of the first layer16aadjacent to the circuit board18cannot provide sufficient protection for the electronic unit14. The distance W1may, for example, be greater than or equal to 0.03 mm and less than or equal to 0.6 mm (i.e., 0.03 mm≤the distance W1≤0.6 mm). The distance W2may, for example, be greater than or equal to 1 millimeter (mm) and less than or equal to 30 mm (i.e., 1 mm≤the distance W2≤30 mm). In one embodiment, a difference between the distance W2and the distance W1may be, for example, greater than or equal to 0. 4 millimeters (mm) and less than or equal to 30 mm (i.e., 0.4 mm≤the difference between the distance W2and the distance W1≤30 mm). In this case, the electronic device1may be applied to a handheld device, such as a mobile phone, a tablet or other suitable devices, but not limited thereto. The circuit board18may include, for example, a flexible circuit board or other suitable circuit elements. In some embodiments, chips or other suitable elements may be optionally provided on the circuit board18, but not limited thereto.

As shown inFIG.1, the first portion P1may include at least one non-folding region R2and a folding region R3, wherein the folding region R3is disposed on a side of the non-folding region R2, so that the electronic device1may be a foldable device, but not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the number of non-folding regions R2may be two, and the folding region R3may be located between the non-folding regions R2. The bending region R1may be connected to a side of the non-folding region R2opposite to the folding region R3, but not limited thereto. In the embodiment ofFIG.1, the folding region R3may, for example, extend along the second direction D2, so that the electronic device1may be folded along the folding axis FA parallel to the second direction D2. The second direction D2may be, for example, perpendicular to the first direction D1. In the present disclosure, the folding region R3may be defined as a portion of the flexible substrate12where is folded when the electronic device1is in the folded state, the non-folding region R2may be defined as another portion of the flexible substrate12where is flattened when the electronic device1is in the folded state, and the folding region R3is disposed between the two non-folding regions R2.

The cover16may be a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. As shown inFIG.1andFIG.2, when the cover16is the single-layer structure, the cover16may be formed of the first layer16a, but not limited thereto. The first layer16amay, for example, include glass or other suitable inorganic materials for improving display quality of the electronic device1. In this embodiment, the first layer16amay be glass, but not limited thereto. A thickness of the first layer16a(e.g., a thickness T1shown inFIG.3) may be, for example, less than or equal to 100 micrometers (μm), so that the first layer16amay have a flexible or foldable property. It is noted that when cracks occur at an edge of glass with a thickness less than 100 μm, the glass is easily fragmented in large area. Through retreating the first layer16afrom the edge E1of the first portion P1by the distance W1and from the edge E2by the distance W2, occurrence of cracks in the first layer16amay be decreased. Furthermore, since the distance W1is less than the distance W2, cracks in the first layer16adue to the bending of the second portion P2may be further reduced, so as to reduce crack damage to the first layer16a. When the crack damage to the first layer16ais reduced, the first layer16amay be allowed to be disposed in the electronic device1, so as to improve the display quality of the electronic device1.

The electronic unit14may include any type of electronic element. For example, the electronic element may include a display element, a light-emitting element, a sensing element, an antenna, or other types of elements. The electronic unit14of this embodiment may refer to the embodiments of the following contents, but not limited thereto.

In this embodiment, the electronic device1may optionally further include a supporting film20disposed on the backside BS of the flexible substrate12opposite to the electronic unit14, but not limited thereto. The supporting film20may be flexible and have a greater hardness than the flexible substrate12. For example, the supporting film20and the flexible substrate12may include the same material, and in this case, the thickness of the supporting film20may be greater than the thickness of the flexible substrate12. Alternatively, the support film20and the flexible substrate12may include different materials. The support film20and the flexible substrate12may each include an organic material. The organic material may include, for example, polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), other suitable materials, or any combination of the above materials. InFIG.1, the thickness of the supporting film20and the thickness of the flexible substrate12are illustrative and not limited thereto.

FIG.3schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of an electronic device taken along a line A-A′ ofFIG.2according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.3, in some embodiments, the supporting film20may optionally include a block20aand a block20bseparated from each other, and a gap20cbetween the block20aand the block20bmay overlap the bending region R1in the top view direction TD of the electronic device1, so that the stress generated by the supporting film20on the first layer16amay be reduced when a part of the electronic device1corresponding to the bending region R1is bent. Accordingly, the crack damage to the first layer20may be reduced.

In the embodiment ofFIG.3, the block20amay be disposed on a side of the second portion P2opposite to the electronic unit14. In the case that the electronic device1is in the flattened state, the block20amay overlap a part of the circuit board18in the top view direction TD. The block20amay be used to support a part of the second portion P2as well as the electronic unit14and the circuit board18thereon.

The block20bmay be disposed on a side of the first portion P1opposite to the electronic unit14to carry the electronic unit14on the first portion P1. As viewed along the top view direction TD of the electronic unit1, the first layer16amay be retreated from the edge E5of the block20badjacent to the circuit board18by a distance W6, and the first layer16amay be retreated from the edge E6of the block20baway from the circuit board18by a distance W7. The distance W6may be greater than the distance W7, such that when the second portion P2is bent to the backside BS of the first portion P1, the stress on the edge E4of the first layer16amay be decreased to reduce damage to the first layer16a. A ratio of the distance W6to the distance W7may, for example, be greater than 1 and less than or equal to 10 (i.e., 1<the ratio of the distance W6to the distance W7≤10). For instance, the distance W6may be greater than 30 μm and less than or equal to 10,000 μm (i.e., 30 μm<the distance W6≤10,000 μm), and the distance W7may be greater than or equal to 30 μm and less than or equal to 1,000 μm (i.e., 30 μm≤the distance W7≤1,000 μm). In one embodiment, a difference between the distance W6and the distance W7may be, for example, greater than 0 μm and less than or equal to 2000 μm (i.e., 0 μm<the difference between the distance W6and the distance W7≤2000 μm), but not limited thereto. When the distance W6is greater than 0 μm, friction between the first layer16aand housing during assembling process may be avoided, which reduces the occurrence of damage to the first layer16a.

It should be noted that, as shown inFIG.3, the distance W1and/or the distance W2may be greater than the thickness T1of the first layer16ato reduce damage to the first layer16a. For example, the thickness T1of the first layer16amay be greater than or equal to 5 μm and less than or equal to 100 μm (i.e., 5 μm≤the thickness T1of the first layer16a≤100 μm). The distance W1may, for example, be greater than or equal to 30 μm and less than or equal to 600 μm (i.e., 30 μm≤the distance W1≤600 μm) or greater than or equal to 50 μm and less than or equal to 400 μm (i.e., 50 μm≤the distance W1≤400 μm). It should be noted that when the electronic device1is in the flattened state, the thickness T1of the first layer16aat different positions may be substantially uniform. In this case, the thickness T1of the first layer16amay be measured at any position of the electronic device1except measured at the edge of the electronic device1.

In addition, as shown inFIG.3, the circuit board18may be electrically connected to the electronic unit14through a pad22. The pad22inFIG.3is exemplary, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the pad22may be disposed in the electronic unit14, for example. The embodiments described above or below may be used as the reference of other parts of the electronic device inFIG.3which will not be described in detail here.

FIG.4schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of an electronic device taken along a line B-B′ ofFIG.2according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, andFIG.5schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of an electronic device taken along a line C-C′ according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.4andFIG.5, in some embodiments, the cover16may further include a second layer16bdisposed on the first layer16a. In the embodiment ofFIG.4andFIG.5, the cover16may further include a third layer16cdisposed under the first layer16a, but not limited thereto.

Since the first layer16ais disposed between the second layer16band the third layer16c, the first layer16amay be protected by the second layer16band the third layer16c. The first layer16amay include an inorganic material, and the second layer16band the third layer16cmay include an organic material, but not limited thereto. The second layer16band the third layer16cmay include, for example, PI, PC, PET, PMMA, rubber, ABS or other suitable materials.

As shown inFIG.4andFIG.5, the cover16may further include an adhesive16d, an adhesive16e, and an adhesive16f, wherein the second layer16bis attached to the first layer16athrough the adhesive16f, the third layer16cis attached to the first layer16athrough the adhesive16e, and the third layer16cmay be attached to the electronic unit14through the adhesive16d, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The adhesive16d, the adhesive16e, and the adhesive16fmay, for example, include an acrylate material or other suitable materials.

In some embodiments, the cover16may optionally not include the third layer16c(e.g., as shown inFIG.20) or not include both the second layer16band the third layer16c(e.g., as shown inFIG.1orFIG.3), but not limited thereto. In this case, the cover16may optionally not include the adhesive16dor both the adhesive16dand the adhesive16f.

In the embodiment ofFIG.4andFIG.5, the edge E4of the first layer16amay not be aligned to the edge of the second layer16badjacent to the edge E4in the top view direction TD. In this case, the first layer16amay be retreated from the edge E5of the second layer16bby a distance W3, and the distance W3may, for example, range from 30 μm to 600 μm (i.e., 30 μm≤the first distance W1≤600 μm), such that the edge E4of the first layer16amay be protected by the second layer16bduring manufacturing processes (e.g., an assembling process or other processes) or during use to reduce cracks. In some embodiments, the edge E5of the second layer16bmay or may not be aligned to the edge E2of the flexible substrate12in the top view direction TD, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the edge E4of the first layer16amay or may not be aligned to the edge E6of the third layer16cadjacent to the edge E4in the top view direction TD, and the first layer16amay be retreated from the edge E6of the third layer16cby a distance, but not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the edge E4of the first layer16a, the edge E5of the second layer16badjacent to the edge E4, and the edge E6of the third layer16cadjacent to the edge E2may not be aligned to each other in the top view direction TD, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, at least two of the edge E4of the first layer16a, the edge E5of the second layer16badjacent to the edge E4, and the edge E6of the third layer16cadjacent to the edge E4may be aligned to each other in the top view direction TD. In some embodiments, the edge E6of the third layer16bmay or may not be aligned to the edge E2of the flexible substrate12in the top view direction TD, but not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, at least one edge of the third layer16cmay be aligned to a corresponding edge of the adhesive16din the top view direction TD, at least one edge of the first layer16amay be aligned to a corresponding edge of the adhesive16ein the top view direction TD, and/or at least one edge of the second layer16bmay be aligned to a corresponding edge of the adhesive16fin the top view direction TD, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the edge of the first layer16amay not be aligned to the corresponding edge of the adhesive16e, and/or the edge of the second layer16bmay not be aligned to the corresponding edge of the adhesive16f.

In some embodiments, the cover16may optionally include a coating layer16gdisposed on the second layer16bto protect elements and layers below the coating layer16g. The coating layer16gmay include an organic material, such as PMMA, PC or other suitable materials. The thickness of the coating layer16gmay be, for example, less than 10 μm. In some embodiments, the coating layer16gmay be, for example, a hard coating layer.

The flexible substrate12may be a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. As shown inFIG.4, the flexible substrate12may, for example, be the multi-layer structure and include a first substrate12a, an inorganic layer12b, and a second substrate12c, wherein the inorganic layer12bis sandwiched between the first substrate12aand the second substrate12c, such that the flexible substrate12has a function of blocking water and/or oxygen, but not limited thereto. The first substrate12aand the second substrate12cmay, for example, include an organic material. The inorganic layer12bmay, for example, include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or other suitable materials. In some embodiments, the flexible substrate12may be formed of the organic material when the flexible substrate12is the single-layer structure, but not limited thereto.

As shown inFIG.4andFIG.5, the electronic unit14may include a circuit layer14aand a plurality of electronic elements14b. The circuit layer14amay be disposed on the flexible substrate12, and the electronic elements14bmay be disposed on the circuit layer14aand coupled to the circuit layer14a. The circuit layer14amay be, for example, a layer including active elements or passive elements for receiving external signals and driving the electronic elements14baccording to the external signals. Accordingly, the electronic elements14bmay output, such as emitting light or emitting radio frequency electromagnetic waves. One of the electronic elements14bmay include, for example, a light-emitting element or other suitable elements. The light-emitting element may include, for example, an inorganic light-emitting diode or an organic light-emitting diode, but not limited thereto. In this content, the light-emitting element is taken as an example of the electronic element14b, but not limited thereto. In this case, when viewed along the top view direction TD, a distribution region of the electronic elements14bmay serve as a display region AA. In some embodiments, the electronic elements14bmay include an optical sensor, a blood oxygen detector, a heartbeat detector, a blood pressure detector, a diode, other suitable elements, or any combination thereof, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the electronic unit14may optionally further include an insulating layer24disposed between the flexible substrate12and the circuit layer14a. The insulating layer24may, for example, serve as a buffer layer of the electronic device1to mitigate the influence of moisture and/or oxygen on the circuit layer14aand/or the electronic elements14b.

For example, the circuit layer14amay further include a plurality of transistors14T, and at least one of the transistors14T may be coupled to at least one of the electronic elements14band serve as a driving element and/or a switching element of one of the electronic elements14b, but not limited thereto. InFIG.4, the electronic elements14bmay be coupled to the corresponding transistors14T respectively, but not limited thereto. The circuit layer14amay include at least one semiconductor layer, a plurality of insulating layers, and a plurality of conductive layers to form the transistors14T, signal lines, traces, capacitors, electrodes, and/or other circuit elements. In the embodiment ofFIG.4, the insulating layers may include an insulating layer28, an insulating layer32, and an insulating layer36, and the conductive layers may include a conductive layer30, a conductive layer34, and a conductive layer38, and the insulating layer28, the conductive layer30. The insulating layer28, the conductive layer30, the insulating layer32, the conductive layer34, the insulating layer36and the conductive layer38may be formed sequentially, but not limited thereto. The insulating layer32and the insulating layer36may, for example, have through holes, such that electrodes of the conductive layer be electrically connected to the corresponding transistors14T through the through holes of the insulating layer32, and electrodes of the conductive layer38may be electrically connected to the corresponding electrodes of the conductive layer34through the through holes of the insulating layer36and/or electrically connected to the corresponding electrodes of the conductive layer30through the through holes of the insulating layer32and the insulating layer36, but not limited thereto. The numbers of the insulating layers and the conductive layers and layout structure of the conductive layers are not limited toFIG.4and may be adjusted according to requirements. The structure of the circuit layer14shown inFIG.4is exemplary, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In the circuit layer14ofFIG.4andFIG.5, a top-gate type thin film transistor is used as an example of the transistor14T, but not limited thereto. In this case, the transistor14T may include a gate G and a semiconductor26. Two end parts of the semiconductor26may be doped with dopants to serve as a source region and a drain region, respectively, and a part of the semiconductor26disposed between the source region and the drain region may serve as a channel region of the transistor14T. The insulating layer28may serve as a gate insulating layer of the transistor14T. For example, the material of the semiconductor26may include silicon or metal oxide and may be low temperature poly-silicon (LTPS) semiconductor, amorphous silicon (a-Si) semiconductor, indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) semiconductor, or other suitable semiconductors, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the semiconductors26of different transistors14T may include different materials. For example, the semiconductor26of one of the transistors14T may include low-temperature polysilicon semiconductor, and the semiconductor26of another of the transistors14T may include metal-oxide semiconductor, but not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the electronic unit14may further include an insulating layer40and an insulating layer42sequentially disposed on the circuit layer14a, and the insulating layer40and the insulating layer42may have a plurality of openings OP1for respectively disposing corresponding electronic elements14btherein. For example, the opening OP1may be used to define a position of a pixel or sub-pixel of the electronic device1, and the insulating layer40may be known as a pixel definition layer, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the electronic unit14may optionally not include the insulating layer42, but not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the electronic unit14may further include a conductive layer44disposed on the insulating layer42. The electrodes or traces of the conductive layer44may, for example, be used to electrically connect elements in the circuit layer14ato external elements or to electrically connect different portions of the circuit layer14ato each other, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the electronic unit14may optionally further include a plurality of protecting members46respectively disposed on corresponding electronic elements14bto protect the electronic elements14b. The protecting members46may, for example, be respectively disposed in the corresponding openings OP1, but not limited thereto. The protecting members46may include, for example, optical glue, UV curing adhesive, or other suitable materials.

In some embodiments, the insulating layer24, the insulating layer28, the insulating layer32, the insulating layer36, the insulating layer40, and/or the insulating layer42may include a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure and may include any suitable organic material or inorganic material. The organic material may include, for example, PMMA, epoxy, siloxane material, silica gel material, other suitable materials, or any combination thereof. The inorganic material may include silicon nitride, silicon oxide, liquid glass, glass glue, titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, other suitable materials, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, when each of the insulating layer24, the insulating layer28, the insulating layer32, the insulating layer36, the insulating layer40, and the insulating layer42is the multi-layer structure, they may each include a structure of stacking multilayered inorganic materials or multilayered organic materials or a structure of alternately stacking the inorganic materials and the organic materials, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The conductive layer30, the conductive layer34, the conductive layer38, and the conductive layer44may each include metal or other suitable conductive materials.

As shown inFIG.4, the electronic unit14may further include an encapsulation layer14cdisposed over the circuit layer14aand the electronic elements14bto reduce the influence of moisture and/or oxygen on the electronic elements14band the transistors14T, the electrodes and/or the traces of the circuit layer14a. The encapsulation layer14cmay include a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure and may include any suitable organic or inorganic material. The encapsulation layer14cmay, for example, include PI or other suitable materials. In some embodiments, the electronic unit14may further include a planarization layer14ddisposed on the encapsulation layer14cand having a flat upper surface to facilitate adhering to the cover16. The planarization layer14dmay, for example, include an organic material or other suitable materials.

It is to be noted that in some embodiments, a part of the planarization layer14dadjacent to the edge E2of the flexible substrate12may be removed to expose pads (not shown) of the circuit layer14a, such that a circuit board (e.g., the circuit board18shown inFIG.1orFIG.2) may be electrically connected and bonded to the pad to be further electrically connected to other elements in the circuit layer14a. The electronic device1may optionally further include an encapsulant disposed on the bonding between the circuit board18and the pad, but not limited thereto. The structure of the circuit board and the pad are omitted inFIG.4in order to clearly show the electronic units14, but not limited thereto.

As shown inFIG.4andFIG.5, the electronic unit14may, for example, include at least one dam structure48disposed between an edge (e.g., the edge E2) of the flexible substrate12and the electronic elements14bin the top view direction TD and used to block overflow of the encapsulation layer14cto an outer side of the dam structure48during forming the encapsulation layer14c. As viewed in the top view direction TD, the dam structure48may, for example, surround the transistors14T of the circuit layer14aand the electronic elements14b. In the embodiment ofFIG.4, the electronic unit14may include two dam structures48sequentially arranged between the electronic elements14band the edge of the flexible substrate12. One of the dam structures48may, for example, include a stack of an organic layer48aand an inorganic layer48b. The organic layer48amay, for example, include the same material, be formed by the same process, or be formed of the same organic layer as one of the layers in the electronic unit14. The inorganic layers48bof different dam structures48may, for example, be connected to each other, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the inorganic layer48bmay, for example, include a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. In some embodiments, the electronic unit14may include different layers and elements based on types of electronic device1. In some embodiments, the number of the dam structures48is not limited toFIG.4and may be at least one.

In some embodiments, the electronic unit14may optionally further include crack stop structures50disposed in the insulating layer of the electronic unit14. The crack stop structures50may be used to prevent cracks in the insulating layers of the electronic unit14at edges from extending into the display region AA. As viewed along the top view direction TD, the crack stop structures50may be provided between the dam structures48and an edge (e.g., the edge E1or the edge E2) of the flexible substrate12. The crack stop structure50may be, for example, a groove or a through hole that extends into at least one insulating layer adjacent to the edge of the flexible substrate12, wherein the groove may refer to a structure that does not penetrate through the insulating layer, and the through hole may refer to a structure that penetrates through the insulating layer. InFIG.4, the crack stop structure50may be the through hole in the insulating layer32, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the crack stop structure50may, for example, penetrate through the insulating layer32and the insulating layer28or through the insulating layer32, the insulating layer28, and the insulating layer24, but not limited thereto. InFIG.4andFIG.5, the planarization layer14dmay optionally be disposed in the crack stop structures50. In some embodiments, the number of crack stop structures50is not limited toFIG.4and may be at least one.

It is noted that the first layer16amay cover the display region AA in the top view direction TD, so that abnormal quality at an edge of an image displayed by the electronic device1may be mitigated. InFIG.4andFIG.5, the first layer16amay partially overlap or cover the dam structure48in the top view direction TD to reduce damage to the dam structures48, thereby improving the protection of the circuit layer14aand the electronic elements14b. In some embodiments, the first layer16amay not overlap the crack stop structures50in the top view direction TD, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first layer16amay overlap both the dam structures48and the crack stop structures50, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, other parts of the electronic device inFIGS.4and5may adopt the above-mentioned or following embodiments and will not be described in detail here.

FIG.6schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of an electronic device taken along a line D-D′ ofFIG.2according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, andFIG.7schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the electronic device taken along a line E-E′ ofFIG.2according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.2, a structure shown inFIG.6is a part of the electronic device1corresponding to the folding region R3, and a structure shown inFIG.7is a part of the electronic device1corresponding to a non-folding region R2. The first layer16amay have at least one recess52disposed on the folding region R3and facing the edge E9of the flexible substrate12, which may reduce cracks of a part of the first layer16adisposed on the folding region R3when the electronic device1is folded. In this embodiment, the first layer16amay have two recesses52facing two opposite edges E9of the flexible substrate12.

As shown inFIG.6andFIG.7, the first layer16ais retreated from the edge E9of the folding region R3by a distance W4and from the edge E9of the non-folding region R2by a distance W5, wherein the distance W4is greater than the distance W5. In other words, as viewed from the top view direction TD, the distance W4between the edge E7of the folding region R3and the edge E8of the first layer16adisposed on the folding region R3may be greater than the distance W5between the edge E7of the non-folding region R2and the edge E9of the first layer16adisposed on the non-folding region R2.

InFIG.6, an edge of the first layer16amay not be aligned to a corresponding edge of the adhesive16e, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments ofFIG.6andFIG.7, an edge of the second layer16badjacent to the edge E9of the folding region R3may be aligned to or not aligned to the edge E9in the top view direction TD, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, an edge of the third layer16cadjacent to the edge E9of the folding region R3may be aligned to or not aligned to the edge E9of the folding region R3in the top view direction TD, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first layer16amay not have the recess52, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, other parts of the electronic device ofFIG.6andFIG.7may use any one of the above-mentioned or following embodiments and will not be described herein.

Refer toFIG.8, which schematically illustrates cross-sectional view of an electronic device taken along the line A-A′ ofFIG.2according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.8, the flexible substrate12may include the folding region R3and the non-folding regions R2. For clarity, the circuit board and the bending region are omitted inFIG.8, but not limited thereto. In the embodiment ofFIG.8, the supporting film20may have an opening OP2that overlaps the folding region R3of the flexible substrate12in the top view direction TD. The opening OP2may reduce the stress on the part of the electronic device1corresponding to the folding region R3when the electronic device1is folded. In some embodiments, the first layer16amay overlap the opening OP2in the top view direction TD, so as to improve uniformity of display quality of the electronic device1.

In the embodiment ofFIG.8, each electronic element14bmay include an organic light-emitting diode, but not limited thereto. For example, the electronic element14bmay include an electrode EL1, a light-emitting layer LL, and an electrode EL2, which are sequentially disposed on the insulating layer36. The electrode EL1may be electrically connected to an electrode of the conductive layer34through a through hole of the insulating layer36, so as to be electrically connected to the corresponding transistor14T. In some embodiments, the electrodes EL2of different electronic elements14bmay be formed of the same conductive layer, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the electronic elements14bofFIG.8may be replaced by the electronic elements of the above embodiments.

In the embodiment ofFIG.8, the electronic unit14may optionally include a light shielding pattern LS disposed on the encapsulation layer14c, and the light shielding pattern LS may correspond to the insulating layer40in the top view direction TD, but not limited thereto. When the light shielding pattern LS includes metal, the light shielding pattern LS may be used as a touch pattern for sensing touching object. In some embodiments, the electronic unit14may further include an insulating layer14edisposed between the light shielding pattern LS and the planarization layer14dand between the dam structures48and the planarization layer14d, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, other parts of the electronic device1inFIG.8may adopt the above-mentioned or following embodiments and will not be described in detail here.

Refer toFIG.9, which schematically illustrates a side view of an electronic device installed on an object according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.9, the object10may have a front surface S1, two curved side surfaces S21, two curved side surfaces S22, and four corner surfaces S3. The curved side surfaces S21, the curved side surfaces S22, and the corner surfaces S3may constitute a side surface of the object10. The object10may be, for example, a handheld device, including a mobile phone, a tablet, or other suitable devices. For example, in the case that the electronic device2is a display device, the curved side surfaces S21may be left and right sides of the object10, and the curved side surfaces S22may be upper and lower sides of the object10when the object10is in use.

The electronic device2of this embodiment may, for example, be disposed on the front surface S1and the side surface of the object10. For example, the first portion P1of the electronic device2may include a planar region R4, two curve regions R51, two curve regions R52, and four corner regions R6, wherein the curve regions R51are disposed on upper and lower sides of the planar region R4, the curve regions R52are disposed on left and right sides of the planar region R4, and one of the corner regions R6is disposed between one of the curve regions R51and one of the curve regions R52adjacent to each other. The planar region R4, the curve regions R51, the curve regions R52, and the corner regions R6may be attached to the front surface S1, the curved side surfaces S21, the curved side surfaces S22, and the corner surfaces S3, respectively, so that the electronic device2may surround the side surface of the object10. Since the curve regions R51, the curve regions R52, and the corner regions R6may be provided on the curved side surfaces S21, the curved side surfaces S22, and the corner surfaces S3, respectively, they may have non-planar surfaces. As an example, the planar region R4, the curve regions R51and the curve regions R52may each have a Gaussian curvature of 0, while the corner regions R6may have Gaussian curvatures not equal to 0. In the present disclosure, the term “the corner region R6with the Gaussian curvature not equal to 0” means that the corner region R6is a region having a spherically curved surface. For example, the Gaussian curvature of the corner region R6may be greater than 0. The method of obtaining the Gaussian curvature referred to in the present disclosure may, for example, includes scanning the surface of the object10to form a 3D model and then analyzing it to obtain an objective value of the Gaussian curvature of the appearance of the object10by using a scanning device and 3D analysis software (e.g., Geomagic Design X 3D or other suitable software, but not limited thereto). Accordingly, the Gaussian curvature of the first portion P1on the object10may be obtained.

Refer toFIG.10, which schematically illustrates a top view of the electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure in the flattened state. As shown inFIG.10, in the electronic device2of this embodiment, the first layer16amay cover the planar region R4and may not be disposed on the curve regions R51, the curve regions R52, and the corner regions R6of the first portion P1, so that the first layer16amay not be disposed on a curved surface. Accordingly, damage to the first layer16amay be reduced. In this case, the first layer16amay not cover the second portion P2, but not limited thereto. In the present disclosure, an element “cover” another element may refer to the element overlapping the another element in the top view direction TD of the electronic device2.

It should be noted that the second portion P2and the circuit board18of this embodiment may be similar to the second portion P2and the circuit board18ofFIG.2, and the second portion P2may be bent to the backside (e.g., the backside BS ofFIG.11) of the first portion P1while assembling the electronic device2. Thus, the second portion P2and the circuit board18may refer to the above contents and will not be detailed herein.

Refer toFIG.11andFIG.12.FIG.11schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along a line F-F′ ofFIG.10, andFIG.12schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along a line G-G′ ofFIG.10. As shown inFIG.10toFIG.12, since the edge E1is the edge of the first portion P1away from the curve region R51of the circuit board18, and the edge E9is an edge of one of the curve regions R51of the first portion P1, the edge E1and the edge E9may correspond to an upper curved side surface and a right curved side surface (or left curved side surface) of the object10respectively. In the embodiment ofFIG.10toFIG.12, the first layer16amay be retreated from the edge E1of the first portion P1by the distance W1and retreated from another edge E9of the first portion P1by a distance W8, and the distance W1is not equal to the distance W8. For example, the distance W1may be greater than the distance W8, so that parts of the electronic device2adjacent to the left curved side surface and the right curved side surface of the object10may be covered with more parts of the first layer16a. Accordingly, image quality from the parts of the electronic device2adjacent to the left curved side surface and the right curved side surface of the object10may be improved.

In the embodiment ofFIG.11, when the first layer16adoes not cover the curve region R51, the electronic elements14bmay include at least one first electronic element14b1and at least one second electronic element14b2, wherein the first electronic element14b1may be disposed on the planar region R4, and the second electronic element14b2may be disposed on one of the curve regions R51. In the embodiment ofFIG.12, when the first layer16adoes not cover the curve regions R52, the electronic elements14bmay include at least one first electronic element14b1and at least one second electronic element14b2, wherein the first electronic element14b1may be disposed on the planar region R4, and the second electronic element14b2may be disposed on one of the curve regions R52. In some embodiments, the electronic elements14bmay optionally not be disposed on the curve regions R51and/or the curve regions R52. In some embodiments, other parts of the electronic device2may be similar to or the same as the above-mentioned embodiments and may refer to the above-mentioned or following embodiments, and they are not detailed again herein.

Refer toFIG.13, which schematically illustrates cross-sectional view of an electronic device taken along a line H-H′ ofFIG.10according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The electronic device shown inFIG.13may, for example, be in a state of being attached to the object. As shown inFIG.13, in some embodiments, the adhesive16fand the adhesive16emay extend into the curve region R52, so that the adhesive16fand the adhesive16emay cover at least one edge of the first layer16a(e.g., the edge E8) to reduce the crack damage of the first layer16a. In this way, a total thickness T4of the adhesive16fand the adhesive16elocated in the planar region R4(i.e., a sum of the thickness T2of the adhesive16fand the thickness T3of the adhesive16e) may be less than that of the adhesive16fand the adhesive16elocated in the curve region R52. The total thickness of the adhesive16fand the adhesive16emay be obtained by measuring the total thickness of the adhesive16fand the adhesive16ein the top view direction TD after flattening the curve region R52.

In some embodiments, the edge E8of the first layer16amay, for example, be a semi-curved surface (e.g., the edge E8shown inFIG.13) or a chamfered surface facing the second layer16b, a semi-curved surface or a chamfered surface facing the third layer16c, or a semi-circular curved surface (e.g., the edge E8shown inFIG.15), so that the stress on corners of the edges of the first layer16amay be decreased to reduce cracks. This structure of the edge E8of the first layer16amay be adapted to any one of the above-mentioned and following embodiments. In some embodiments, other parts of the electronic device ofFIG.13may be similar to or the same as the embodiment ofFIG.10throughFIG.12and may refer to the embodiments described above or below, and thus, they will not be repeated herein.

Refer toFIG.14andFIG.15.FIG.14schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of an electronic device taken along a line I-I′ ofFIG.10according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, andFIG.15schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of an electronic device taken along a line J-J′ ofFIG.10according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The electronic device shown inFIG.14andFIG.15may, for example, be in the state of being attached to the object. As shown inFIG.14andFIG.15, in some embodiments, the second layer16bmay include a pattern PT1disposed on the corner regions R6, and the third layer16cmay include a pattern PT2disposed on the corner regions R6, wherein a depth of the pattern PT1may be less than a depth of the pattern PT2. With this design, the electronic device2may have a greater bending range while being disposed on the corner surfaces of the object, so that it may conform to the surfaces of the object corresponding to the corner regions R6(e.g., the corner surfaces S3shown inFIG.9). Since the pattern PT2closer to the flexible substrate12has deeper depth, parts of the third layer16ccorresponding to the corner regions R6may allow greater stretch and contraction, and conformity of the electronic device attached to the corner surfaces may be improved.

The pattern PT1may include a plurality of microstructures ST1, and the microstructures ST1may be grooves recessed into the second layer16bfrom a surface of the second layer16bfacing the flexible substrate12or through holes penetrating the second layer16b, but not limited thereto. The pattern PT2may include a plurality of microstructures ST2, and the microstructures ST2may be grooves recessed into the third layer16cfrom a surface of the third layer16cfacing the flexible substrate12or through holes penetrating the third layer16c, but not limited thereto. In the embodiment ofFIG.14andFIG.15, the pattern PT1and the pattern PT2may both be grooves, and a width of one of the grooves in a direction along a cross-sectional line (e.g., the first direction D1) may be less as a depth of the groove is greater. For example, a cross-sectional shape of the groove is an inverted V shape, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, one of the grooves may have substantially uniform width in the direction along the cross-sectional line as the depth of the groove changes, but not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the adhesive16fmay be further disposed in the microstructure ST1, but not limited thereto.

As shown inFIG.14, a part of the electronic unit14may extend to be on one of the corner regions R6of the flexible substrate12. In other words, the electronic elements of the electronic unit14(e.g., the electronic elements14bdisposed on the corner region R6shown inFIG.21) may be disposed on the corner region R6, such that a part of the electronic device corresponding to the corner region may also display images, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, other parts of the electronic device shown inFIG.14andFIG.15may be similar to or the same as the embodiment ofFIG.10toFIG.12and may refer to the above-mentioned or following embodiments, so they are not detailed again herein.

Refer toFIG.16andFIG.17.FIG.16schematically illustrates a top view of an electronic device in the flattened state according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.17schematically illustrates cross-sectional views of the electronic device taken along a line K-K′ and a line L-L′ ofFIG.16respectively according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the electronic device shown inFIG.17may, for example, be in the state of being attached to the object. As shown inFIG.16andFIG.17, the electronic device3of this embodiment differs from the electronic device2ofFIG.10in that the first layer16aof this embodiment may cover the planar region R4, the curve regions R52and the curve regions R51, and the first layer16amay not cover the corner regions R6of the flexible substrate12. Since the Gaussian curvatures of the planar region R4, the curve regions R52and the curve regions R51of the flexible substrate12are 0, the stress on the first layer16adisposed on the flexible substrate12may be decreased to reduce damage to the first layer16a. Since the first layer16aextends to the curve regions R52and the curve regions R51, the display quality of parts of the electronic device3corresponding to the curve regions R52and the curve regions R51and/or protection of parts of the electronic unit14disposed on the curve regions R52and the curve regions R51may be improved. In some embodiments, besides the first layer16adoes not cover the corner regions R6, the first layer16amay optionally not cover at least one of the curve regions R51and/or at least one of the curve regions R52, but cover other curve regions R51and/or curve regions R52, but not limited thereto.

As shown inFIG.17, the first layer16amay cover the curve regions R52while being retreated from the edge E9of the flexible substrate12by a distance. In other words, the edge E8of the first layer16amay not be aligned to the edge E9of the flexible substrate12. In some embodiments, the edge of the adhesive16fand the corresponding edge of the adhesive16emay not be aligned, but not limited thereto. Since the first layer16adoes not extend to the corner regions R6, the adhesive16fand the adhesive16edisposed on one of the corner regions R6may contact each other and cover the edge of the first layer16alocated on the curve regions R51(or the curve regions R52).

In the embodiment ofFIG.17, a cross-sectional shape of one of the microstructures ST1of the pattern PT1and a cross-sectional shape of one of the microstructures ST2of the pattern PT2in the direction along the cross-sectional line (e.g., the first direction D1) may be, for example, a rectangle or other suitable shape, but not limited thereto. In this case, the adhesive16emay be disposed in the microstructure ST2, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, other parts of the electronic device3ofFIG.16andFIG.17may be similar to or the same as the embodiment ofFIG.10toFIG.12and may refer to the embodiments described above or below, so that they will not be repeated herein.

ReferFIG.18, which schematically illustrates cross-sectional views of electronic devices in the flattened state according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.18, in the cover16of the electronic device3a, the cross-sectional shapes of one of the microstructures ST1of the pattern PT1and one of the microstructures ST2of the pattern PT2along the same cross-sectional direction may be different. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the groove of the microstructure ST1is an inverted V shape, and the cross-sectional shape of the groove of the microstructure ST2is a rectangle, but not limited thereto.

In the cover16of the electronic device3b, the second layer16bmay not have the pattern PT1, and the third layer16cmay have the pattern PT2. In the electronic device3b, the microstructures ST2of the pattern PT2may be through holes penetrating through the third layer16c, and the adhesive16emay be disposed in the through holes. The cross-sectional shape of one of the microstructures ST2in the direction along the same cross-sectional line may be, for example, an inverted V shape or other suitable shapes. In some embodiments, one of the microstructures ST2may be a groove that does not penetrate through the third layer16c, but not limited thereto.

In the cover16of the electronic device3c, when the second layer16bmay not have the pattern PT1, one of the microstructures ST2of the third layer16cmay be a through hole penetrating through the third layer16c. In this case, the adhesive16emay be disposed in the through hole. The cross-sectional shape of the microstructure ST2along the same cross-sectional direction may be, for example, a rectangle or other suitable shapes. In some embodiments, any of the covers16of the electronic device3a, the electronic device3b, and the electronic device3cshown inFIG.18may be adapted to the embodiments described above or below.

Refer toFIG.19, which schematically illustrates cross-sectional views of parts of covers corresponding to one of the curve regions in the flattened state according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.19, in a cover161, an edge E10of the first layer16a, the corresponding edge of the adhesive16f, and the corresponding edge of the adhesive16emay not be aligned to each other. In one embodiment, the edge of the adhesive16emay be retreated from the edge E10of the first layer16a, but not limited thereto.

In a cover162, when the edge of the adhesive16eis retreated from the edge E10of the first layer16aby a distance, the adhesive16fmay extend to be between the first layer16aand the third layer16eto protect the edge E10of the first layer16a.

In a cover163, when the edge E8of the first layer16ais retreated from the edge E11of the second layer16bby a distance, the cover163may further include an encapsulant54disposed on the edge E10of the first layer16ato protect the first layer16a. For example, the encapsulant54may fill a cavity formed by the retreat of the first layer16a, and the encapsulant54may optionally extend to be on the edge E11of the second layer16band/or the edge E12of the third layer16c.

ReferFIG.20, which schematically illustrates cross-sectional views of parts of covers corresponding to one of the curve regions in the flattened state according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.20, a cover164and a cover165may not include the third layer. In this case, the first layer16amay be directly attached to the electronic unit (e.g., the electronic unit14of any of the embodiments mentioned above or below). In the cover165, the adhesive16fmay further cover the edge E10of the first layer16ato protect the first layer16a.

In some embodiments, any of the cover161, the cover162and the cover163ofFIG.19and the cover164and the cover165ofFIG.20may be adapted to the embodiments described above or below.

Refer toFIG.21, which schematically illustrates cross-sectional views of parts of an electronic device in the flattened state respectively taken along a line K-K′ and a line M-M′ ofFIG.16according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.21, the electronic device3of some embodiments differs from the embodiment ofFIG.11andFIG.12in that the first layer16amay extend to be on one of the curve regions of the flexible substrate12. Since other parts of the flexible substrate12, the electronic unit14, and the cover16corresponding to the cross-sectional line K-K′ may be similar to or the same as the embodiment ofFIG.11andFIG.12and may refer to the contents mentioned above, so that they are not repeated herein.

As shown inFIG.21, one of the corner regions R6of the flexible substrate12may have a patterned structure. For example, the corner region R6may have an opening OP3, wherein a size of the opening OP3may change as the flexible substrate12is stretched, so that the corner region R6may, for example, have a Poisson's ratio less than 0, which helps a part of the electronic device3corresponding to the corner region R6to conform to the corner surface of the object.

In the embodiment ofFIG.21, the insulating layer24, the insulating layer28, the insulating layer32, the insulating layer36and the insulating layer40may have an opening OP4corresponding to the opening OP3of the corner region R6to help a part of the electronic device3corresponding to the corner region R6to stretch or deform. The insulating layer42may extend into the opening OP4and the opening OP3, and the encapsulation layer14cmay be disposed in the opening OP4. In some embodiments, the electronic unit14may include a plurality of block structures60that may be disposed on the corner region R6. In other words, layers on the corner region R6may be patterned to form the block structures141. Each block structure60may include, for example, the insulating layer24, the circuit layer14a, the insulating layer40, and the electronic element14b. The insulating layer42may extend to be between the block structures60and may contact the corner region R6, for example. Furthermore, the conductive layer44may include traces62disposed on the insulating layer42and extend to the block structures60to electrically connect different block structures60. In some embodiments, the number of electronic elements14bin each block structure60may be at least one, but not limited thereto.

As shown inFIG.21, the electronic device3may further include a supporting film20disposed on the backside BS of the flexible substrate12. The supporting film20may optionally include openings OP5to help to stretch a part of the electronic device3corresponding to the corner region R6. In some embodiments, other parts of the electronic device3shown inFIG.21may be similar to or the same as the embodiment ofFIG.16andFIG.17and may be referred to the content mentioned above, and they will not be repeated herein.

FIG.22schematically illustrates a top view of an electronic device in the flattened state according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.22, the electronic device4of this embodiment differs from the electronic device3ofFIG.16in that the electronic device4may have a folding axis FA, such that the electronic device4may be folded along the folding axis FA. In the embodiment ofFIG.22, the electronic device4may include a recess56disposed in the curve region R52, and the recess56may separate the curve region R52into two sub-curve regions R52a. Layers (e.g., the electronic unit and the cover16including the first layer16a) disposed on the different sub-curve regions R52aare also separated into two parts. When the electronic unit4is folded along the folding axis FA, two parts R4aof the planar region R4may be folded in a direction opposite to the top view direction TD, i.e., in a manner that surfaces of the two parts R4afacing the electronic unit face each other. Since the curve region R52ais attached to the object in a manner that the curved region52ais bent toward the top view direction TD, a problem that the sub-curve region R52aunable to be folded may be avoided through the recess56. In some embodiments, other parts of the electronic device4ofFIG.22may adopt any of the above embodiments and may be referred to the contents mentioned above, and they will not be repeated herein.

FIG.23schematically illustrates a side view of an electronic device according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.23, two parts of the electronic device5of this embodiment may be folded and fixed in a manner that parts of the backside BS of the flexible substrate12faces each other to form a double-sided electronic device, such as a double-sided display device. In some embodiments, the electronic device5may be fixed by curling the backside BS of the flexible substrate12inward to form a pillar-shaped or wraparound electronic device, such as a pillar-shaped or wraparound display device, so that the electronic device5may display images toward multiple directions. Since other parts of the electronic device5inFIG.23may be the same as or similar to any of the above embodiments and may refer to the contents mentioned above, so that they will not be described in detail here.

In summary, in the electronic device of the present disclosure, the first layer is retreated from one edge of the first portion by a distance and retreated from another edge of the first portion by another distance, and the distance may be different from the another distance, so that cracks in the first layer due to bending of the second portion may be decreased to reduce crack damage to the first layer. In this case, the first layer may be allowed to be disposed in the electronic device to improve the display quality of the electronic device and/or improve the reliability of the electronic device. Moreover, the first layer may be disposed on the folding region or the curve regions of the flexible substrate to improve the display quality of non-planar part of the electronic device.