Electronic device with flexible display

Abstract

An electronic device may have a hinge that allows the device to bend about a bend axis. The display may span the bending axis. The apparatus may have a grooved stainless steel and / or carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer. The grooves may overlap the bending axis. The slots may have at least one property that varies in a non-linear manner as a function of positioning on the layer. The device may include an adhesive layer having cutouts overlapping the slots. An interface defining the cutout may have a plurality of recesses of varying depth. A flexible printed circuit may be attached to an edge of the display panel. The display cover layer may overlap a bonding area between the flexible printed circuit and the edge of the display panel. A UV curable gap filler may be interposed between the flexible printed circuit and the display cover layer.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 762,491, filed July 2, 2024, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 584,801, filed September 22, 2023; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 514,945, filed July 21, 2023; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 514,993, filed July 21, 2023, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates in general to electronic devices, and more specifically to electronic devices having a display. Background Technology

[0003] Electronic devices typically include displays for presenting images to users. Displays are usually formed from rigid planar substrates. While rigid displays like these are satisfactory in many cases, they can be difficult to integrate into certain devices, such as those with flexible housings. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An electronic device may include: a flexible display having a first portion, a second portion aligned with a bending axis extending in a first direction, and a third portion; and a layer overlapping the flexible display. The second portion may be located between the first portion and the third portion, the first portion may be configured to bend about the bending axis relative to the third portion, and the layer may have slotted portions overlapping the second portion of the flexible display, and these slots may have properties that vary in the first direction.

[0005] An electronic device may include: a flexible display having a first portion, a second portion aligned with a bending axis extending in a first direction, and a third portion; and a layer overlapping the flexible display. The second portion may be located between the first portion and the third portion, the first portion may be configured to bend about the bending axis relative to the third portion, the layer may have a fourth portion overlapping the first portion, a fifth portion overlapping the second portion, and a sixth portion overlapping the third portion, the fifth portion of the layer may include a grooved first material, and the fourth and sixth portions of the layer may include a second material different from the first material.

[0006] An electronic device may include: a flexible display having a first portion, a second portion aligned with a bending axis extending in a first direction, and a third portion; and a layer overlapping the flexible display. The second portion may be located between the first portion and the third portion, the first portion may be configured to bend relative to the third portion about the bending axis, the layer may have a grooved portion overlapping the second portion of the flexible display, the layer may include a first carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer, a second carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer, and a third carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer, and the groove may be formed in the first carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer and the second carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer, but not in the third carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer.

[0007] An electronic device may include a flexible display having a first portion, a second portion aligned with a bending axis extending in a first direction, and a third portion. The second portion may be located between the first and third portions, the first portion may be configured to bend relative to the third portion about the bending axis, and the flexible display may include a pixel array and a thin-film transistor circuit layer having thin-film transistor circuitry for controlling the pixel array. The electronic device may include at least one strain gauge, which is part of the thin-film transistor circuit layer and aligned with the bending axis.

[0008] An electronic device may include a flexible display having a first portion, a second portion aligned with a bending axis extending in a first direction, and a third portion. The second portion may be located between the first portion and the third portion, and the first portion may be configured to bend relative to the third portion about the bending axis. The electronic device may further include: at least one strain gauge aligned with the bending axis, wherein data from the at least one strain gauge is used to determine a speed associated with bending the flexible display; and an output device configured to output a notification based on the speed associated with bending the flexible display.

[0009] An electronic device may include a flexible display having a first portion, a second portion aligned with a bending axis extending in a first direction, and a third portion. The second portion may be located between the first portion and the third portion, and the first portion may be configured to bend relative to the third portion about the bending axis. The electronic device may further include: a display cover layer overlapping the flexible display and having a top surface and side surfaces; a first adhesive layer located between the flexible display and the display cover layer; and a second adhesive layer conforming to and directly contacting the top surface and side surfaces of the display cover layer.

[0010] An electronic device may include a flexible display having a first portion, a second portion aligned with a bending axis, and a third portion. The second portion may be located between the first and third portions, and the first portion may be configured to bend relative to the third portion about the bending axis. The electronic device may also include a layer overlapping the flexible display. The layer may have slotted portions overlapping the second portion of the flexible display, and these slots may have at least one property that varies non-linearly as a function of positioning on the layer.

[0011] An electronic device may include a flexible display having a first portion, a second portion aligned with a bending axis, and a third portion. The second portion may be located between the first portion and the third portion, and the first portion may be configured to bend relative to the third portion about the bending axis. The electronic device may further include: a layer overlaid on the flexible display having a grooved portion overlaid on the second portion of the flexible display; and an adhesive layer between the flexible display and the layer having a cutout overlaid on the second portion of the flexible display.

[0012] An electronic device may include: a display panel comprising an array of display pixels; a flexible printed circuit attached to an edge of the display panel; a display overlay layer overlapping the display panel; and a gap filler between the display overlay layer and the display panel. The gap filler may have a first portion having a first thickness between the display overlay layer and the display panel, and a second portion having a second thickness between the display overlay layer and the flexible printed circuit, the second thickness being less than the first thickness.

[0013] An electronic device may include a flexible display having a first portion, a second portion aligned with a bending axis, and a third portion. The second portion may be located between the first portion and the third portion, and the first portion may be configured to bend relative to the third portion about the bending axis. The electronic device may further include: at least one strain gauge aligned with the bending axis; a touch sensor layer configured to generate touch sensor data; and control circuitry configured to predict a crease level based on data from the at least one strain gauge and to compensate the touch sensor data based on the predicted crease level. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of an exemplary electronic device with a display according to some implementation schemes.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary electronic device with a display according to some implementation schemes.

[0016] Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional side view of an electronic device with a flexible display according to some implementation schemes.

[0017] Figure 5 This is an illustration of an exemplary display with an array of light-emitting pixels according to some implementation schemes.

[0018] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary electronic device having a flexible display, a display cover layer, and a slotted layer according to some implementation schemes.

[0019] Figure 7 It is a top view of an exemplary layer with slots in the hinge region, transition region and edge region according to some implementation schemes.

[0020] Figure 8 It is based on some implementation plans. Figure 7 The top view of the exemplary layer shows the slots in the hinge area, transition area, and edge area.

[0021] Figure 9 It is based on some implementation plans for use Figure 7 and Figure 8 A top view of an example slot for a Kirigami layer of the type shown.

[0022] Figure 10 It is a graph showing the gap between adjacent slots in the X direction as a function of positioning in the X direction, based on some implementation schemes.

[0023] Figure 11 It is a graph showing the width of the slot as a function of positioning along the X direction, based on some implementation schemes.

[0024] Figure 12 It is a graph showing the position along the Y direction as a function of the slot length in some implementation schemes.

[0025] Figure 13 It is a graph showing the gap between adjacent slots in the Y direction as a function of positioning in the Y direction, based on some implementation schemes.

[0026] Figure 14 It is a graph showing the strain on a flexible display as a function of positioning along the Y direction, according to some implementation schemes.

[0027] Figure 15 This is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary bent layer according to some embodiments, the exemplary bent layer having three carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayers and a groove penetrating two of the three carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayers.

[0028] Figure 16 This is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary curved layer according to some embodiments, which has a carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer in the curved region and a plastic sublayer in other regions.

[0029] Figure 17 This is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary curved layer according to some embodiments, which has a carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer in the curved region and both a plastic and a carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer in other regions.

[0030] Figure 18 This is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary bent layer according to some embodiments, which has a stainless steel sublayer in the bent area and a plastic sublayer in other areas.

[0031] Figure 19 This is a top view of an exemplary curved layer according to some implementation schemes, showing how interlocking features can be formed between adjacent sublayers.

[0032] Figure 20 The image is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary display based on some implementation schemes, illustrating how a strain gauge can be integrated into the thin-film transistor circuit layer of a flexible display.

[0033] Figure 21 This is a top view of an exemplary strain gauge based on some implementation schemes.

[0034] Figure 22 This is a top view of an exemplary flexible display having two strain gauges aligned with the bending axis, according to some implementation schemes.

[0035] Figure 23 It is a graph showing the strain versus time measured by an exemplary strain gauge used for flexible displays, according to some implementation schemes.

[0036] Figure 24 This is a schematic diagram of a control circuit that estimates the temperature of a flexible display based on strain gauge data according to some implementation schemes.

[0037] Figure 25 This is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for determining temperature based on strain gauge data, according to some implementation schemes.

[0038] Figure 26 This is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for outputting notifications based on temperature and speed associated with a curved display, according to some implementation schemes.

[0039] Figure 27This is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary electronic device having a matte film formed over a display overlay, according to some embodiments.

[0040] Figure 28 This is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary electronic device according to some embodiments, the exemplary electronic device having a flexible display, a display cover layer, a grooved layer and an adhesive layer with cutouts above the grooves.

[0041] Figure 29 This is a top view of an exemplary adhesive layer with a cutout according to some embodiments, the cutout having a recess of the same depth at the interface defining the cutout.

[0042] Figure 30 This is a top view of an exemplary adhesive layer with a cutout according to some embodiments, the cutout being a recess of varying depth at the interface defining the cutout.

[0043] Figure 31 It is a top view of an exemplary paper-cut layer with slots according to some implementation schemes, the slots having an initial positioning that varies according to multiple sinusoidal trend lines.

[0044] Figure 32 It is a top view of an exemplary paper-cut layer with grooves according to some implementation schemes, the grooves having angles that vary relative to the bending axis according to multiple sinusoidal trend lines.

[0045] Figure 33 It is an exemplary curve diagram of the positioning along the X direction, based on the starting position of each row of slots in the paper-cutting layer in some implementation schemes.

[0046] Figure 34 It is an exemplary graph showing the angle of each groove in the paper-cutting layer relative to the bending axis as a function of positioning along the Y direction, based on some implementation schemes.

[0047] Figure 35 This is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary electronic device according to some implementation schemes, wherein flexible printed circuitry is attached to the edge of a display panel below a trim structure.

[0048] Figure 36 This is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary electronic device according to some implementation schemes, wherein flexible printed circuitry is attached to the edge of the display panel below the gap filler and display overlay.

[0049] Figure 37 This is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for predicting crease levels based on strain gauge data, according to some implementation schemes.

[0050] Figure 38It is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary curved layer according to one embodiment, wherein the groove is filled with filler material.

[0051] Figures 39A to 39C This is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary curved layer with a groove having interlocking features, according to some embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0052] Figure 1 The illustration shows exemplary electronic devices of the type that may have flexible displays. Electronic device 10 can be a computing device, such as a laptop computer, a computer monitor containing an embedded computer, a tablet computer, a cellular phone, a media player, or other handheld or portable electronic device; smaller devices such as watches, pendant devices, other types of wearable or micro-devices; computer monitors without embedded computers; computer monitors containing embedded computers; gaming devices; navigation devices; head-mounted devices; embedded systems (such as systems in which electronic devices with displays are installed in kiosks or vehicles); devices that perform two or more of the functions of the above devices; or other electronic devices. Figure 1 In this exemplary configuration, device 10 is a portable device, such as a cellular phone, media player, tablet, watch or other wrist device, or other portable computing device. Other configurations may be used for device 10 if desired. Figure 1 The examples are merely illustrative.

[0053] exist Figure 1 In the example, device 10 includes a display, such as display 14 mounted in housing 12. Housing 12, sometimes referred to as a shell or enclosure, may be formed of plastic, glass, ceramic, fiber composite material, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), other suitable materials, or any combination of two or more of these materials. Housing 12 may be formed in a one-piece configuration, in which a portion or all of housing 12 is machined or molded into a single structure, or it may be formed using multiple structures (e.g., an internal frame structure, one or more structures forming the outer shell surface, etc.). Housing 12 may have a hinge structure (such as hinge 20) to allow device 10 to bend about bending axis 22. Housing 12 may have a first housing portion and a second housing portion, which rotate relative to each other when device 10 is bent (folded) about bending axis 22 using hinge 20 or other flexible structures engaging the first and second housing portions.

[0054] Display 14 may be a touchscreen display incorporating a layer of conductive capacitive touch sensor electrodes or other touch sensor components (e.g., resistive touch sensor components, acoustic touch sensor components, force-based touch sensor components, light-based touch sensor components, etc.), or it may be a display without touch sensitivity. The capacitive touchscreen electrodes may be formed from an array of indium tin oxide pads or other transparent conductive structures. The touch sensor may be formed on a display layer containing a pixel array or on a separate touch panel layer attached (e.g., using an adhesive) to the pixel array.

[0055] Display 14 may include pixels formed from liquid crystal display (LCD) components, electrophoretic pixels, microelectromechanical (MEMS) shutter pixels, electrowetting pixels, micro light-emitting diodes (small crystal semiconductor dies), organic light-emitting diodes (e.g., pixels in thin-film organic light-emitting diode displays), or pixels based on other display technologies. The configuration of display 14 having an array of light-emitting pixels (such as an organic light-emitting diode pixel array) may sometimes be described herein as an example.

[0056] Display 14 may have a portion overlapping the bending axis 22. To facilitate bending of device 10 about axis 22, display 14 may be formed entirely of a flexible structure, or at least the portion of display 10 overlapping the bending axis 22 may be formed of a flexible structure. A display cover or other layer may form the outermost surface of the display. Such display layers (e.g., display cover) may be formed of glass, plastic, and / or other transparent display cover structures and may be flexible (at least at the locations where these layers overlap the bending axis 22 of device 10).

[0057] like Figure 1 As shown, for example, display 14 may have three portions, such as portions 14A, 14B, and 14C. In portions 14A and 14C, display 14 may be flexible or rigid (e.g., the pixel array in these areas may be rigid and / or the display overlay structure in these areas may be rigid). Flexible portion 14B overlaps with bending axis 22 and forms a strip extending the width of the display between portions 14A and 14C and across the opposite edges of the display. To ensure that flexible portion 14B is sufficiently flexible to allow device 10 to bend about axis 22, display layers such as the display overlay for display 14 may be formed of a flexible glass or polymer thin layer adaptable to bending of display 14 about axis 22, and the underlying display layers (e.g., polymer substrate, metal traces, polarizing layer, touch sensor layer, adhesive layer, and other conductive and dielectric layers) may also be formed of flexible materials and structures.

[0058] Figure 2 The text shows examples such as Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an exemplary electronic device 10. For example... Figure 2 As shown, electronic device 10 may have control circuitry 50. Control circuitry 50 may include storage and processing circuitry for supporting the operation of device 10. Storage and processing circuitry may include storage devices such as hard disk drive storage devices, non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory configured to form a solid-state drive or other electrically programmable read-only memory), volatile memory (e.g., static or dynamic random access memory), and so on. Processing circuitry in control circuitry 50 may be used to control the operation of device 10 (e.g., to process sensor signals and other inputs and to control adjustable components such as displays, heating elements, etc.). This processing circuitry may be based on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, baseband processors, power management units, audio chips, application-specific integrated circuits, etc.

[0059] Input-output circuitry in device 10, such as input-output device 52, can be used to allow data to be supplied to device 10 and to allow data to be supplied from device 10 to external devices. Figure 2 As shown, the input-output device 52 may include a display 14. The display 14 may be an incorporation of a two-dimensional touch sensor or a touchscreen that may be insensitive to touch. The two-dimensional touch sensor for the display 14 may be formed of a capacitive touch electrode touch sensor array or other touch sensor components (e.g., force sensor, resistive touch sensor, acoustic touch sensor, optical sensor, etc.).

[0060] Input-output device 52 may include sensor 56. Sensor 56 may include capacitive proximity sensors, light-based proximity sensors, magnetic sensors, force sensors (such as force sensors for acquiring user input), touch sensors for acquiring user touch input, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, ambient light sensors, microphones or other sound sensors for acquiring ambient noise measurements and user input such as voice commands, sensors for acquiring data about device position and motion (such as inertial measurement units including accelerometers, compasses, and / or gyroscopes), and / or other sensors.

[0061] Input-output device 52 may also include other components 54, such as buttons, joysticks, scroll wheels, touchpads, keypads, keyboards, speakers, tone generators, vibrators (sometimes called haptic output devices), cameras, LEDs and other status indicators, data ports, etc. Users can control the operation of device 10 by providing user input commands through input-output device 52, and can use the output resources of input-output device 52 to receive status information and other outputs from device 10.

[0062] Control circuit 50 can be used to run software, such as operating system code and applications, on device 10. During operation of device 10, the software running on control circuit 50 can display images (e.g., videos, still images such as text, alphanumeric labels, photos, icons, other graphics, etc.) on display 14 using the pixel array in display 14.

[0063] like Figure 3 As shown, the device 10 can be folded around the bending axis 22 (bending 180° or other suitable amount) so that the display 14 is visible from the outside of the device when the device 10 is folded. Figure 4 The diagram illustrates how the device 10 can be folded around a bending axis 22, thereby protecting the display 14 within the device 10. The device 10 may have a flexible structure (e.g., a hinge) to allow... Figure 3 The outward bending of the type shown allows Figure 4 The type of inward bending shown, or allowing Figure 3 The types shown and Figure 4 The bending of the type shown. The device 10 can also be configured to bend by different amounts (e.g., greater than 180° or less than 180°).

[0064] The display 14 may have a rectangular shape (i.e., the display 14 may have a rectangular footprint and a rectangular outer edge extending around the rectangular footprint), or it may have other suitable shapes. Figure 5 A top view of an exemplary display with a rectangular shape is shown. (As shown) Figure 5 As shown, display 14 may have an array of pixels 42 formed on substrate 36. Substrate 36 may be formed of glass, metal, plastic, ceramic, or other substrate materials. Pixels 42 may receive data signals via signal paths such as data lines D, and one or more control signals via control signal paths such as horizontal control lines G (sometimes referred to as gate lines, scan lines, emission control lines, etc.). Display 14 may have any suitable number of rows and columns of pixels 42 (e.g., tens or more, hundreds or more, or thousands or more). Each pixel 42 may have a light-emitting diode 26 that emits light 44 under the control of pixel circuitry formed by thin-film transistor circuitry (such as thin-film transistors 28 and thin-film capacitors). Thin-film transistors 28 may be polysilicon thin-film transistors, semiconductor oxide thin-film transistors (such as indium gallium zinc oxide transistors), or thin-film transistors formed of other semiconductors. Pixels 42 may include light-emitting diodes of different colors (e.g., red diodes, green diodes, and blue diodes for red pixels, green pixels, and blue pixels, respectively) to provide display 14 with the ability to display color images.

[0065] The display driver circuit can be used to control the operation of pixel 42. The display driver circuit can be formed from integrated circuits, thin-film transistor circuits, and / or other suitable circuits. Figure 2 The display driver circuit 30 may include a path 32 for communication with system control circuitry such as... Figure 2 The control circuit 50 communicates with the communication circuit. Path 32 may be formed by traces on a flexible printed circuit or other cables. During operation, the control circuit (e.g., Figure 2 The control circuit 50 can provide the circuit 30 with information about the image to be displayed on the display 14.

[0066] To display an image on pixel 42, display driver circuit 30 provides image data to data line D, while simultaneously sending clock signals and other control signals via path 38 to supporting display driver circuitry such as gate driver circuitry 34. If needed, circuit 30 may also provide clock signals and other control signals to gate driver circuitry on opposite edges of display 14, or display driver circuitry with other layouts may be used. Figure 5 The configuration is exemplary.

[0067] The gate driver circuit 34 (sometimes referred to as the horizontal control line control circuit) may be implemented as part of an integrated circuit and / or may be implemented using thin-film transistor circuitry. The gate line G (sometimes referred to as the horizontal control line) in the display 14 may carry gate line signals (sometimes referred to as scan line signals, emit enable control signals, etc.) for controlling the pixels in each row. Any suitable number of control signals may exist in each row of pixels 22 (e.g., one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, etc.).

[0068] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary electronic device with a flexible display. Figure 6 A flexible display 14 is shown, which has portions 14A and 14C that can be rigid or flexible, and a flexible portion 14B. Figure 6 As shown, the display 14 is overlapped by the display cover layer 24. The display cover layer 24 is attached to the display 14 by an adhesive layer 64.

[0069] The display cover layer 24 can be a transparent layer formed of glass, polymer, sapphire, or any other desired material. The display cover layer can have high transparency (e.g., greater than 80%, greater than 90%, greater than 95%, greater than 99%, etc.). The adhesive layer 64 can be formed of an optically transparent adhesive layer 64 and can also have high transparency (e.g., greater than 80%, greater than 90%, greater than 95%, greater than 99%, etc.). The display cover layer 24 can have a thickness of less than 200 micrometers, less than 100 micrometers, less than 50 micrometers, less than 30 micrometers, greater than 10 micrometers, greater than 20 micrometers, greater than 50 micrometers, between 20 micrometers and 90 micrometers, between 10 micrometers and 200 micrometers, etc.

[0070] like Figure 6 As shown, the electronic device 10 may include a layer 62 (sometimes referred to as a bending layer 62, bending facilitating layer 62, perforated layer 62, patterned layer 62, cut-out cardboard layer 62, cut-out paper layer 62, etc.) which is attached to a display 14 using an adhesive layer 66. The display 14 may be located between a display overlay layer 24 and layer 62. The adhesive layer 66 may be formed of a pressure-sensitive adhesive or any other desired type of adhesive. Layer 62 may have portions, such as portions 62A, 62B, and 62C, respectively overlapping display portions 14A, 14B, and 14C. The footprint of portion 62A may be substantially the same as the footprint of display portion 14A (e.g., within 5%). The footprint of portion 62B may be substantially the same as the footprint of display portion 14B (e.g., within 5%). The footprint of portion 62C may be substantially the same as the footprint of display portion 14C (e.g., within 5%).

[0071] Parts 62A and 62C of layer 62 may be rigid. These parts may have an effective Young's modulus of at least 50 GPa, at least 100 GPa, at least 150 GPa, etc. Meanwhile, part 62B of layer 62 may be flexible. The effective Young's modulus of part 62B may be less than that of parts 62A and 62B. Different regions of part 62B may have different effective Young's moduli. For a given region of part 62B, the effective Young's modulus may be less than 100 GPa, less than 50 GPa, less than 20 GPa, less than 10 GPa, less than 5 GPa, less than 1 GPa, etc.

[0072] To increase the flexibility of layer 62 within portion 62B, portion 62B may include one or more openings or slots. Each opening or slot in layer 62 may extend entirely through the thickness of layer 62 (e.g., in...). Figure 6 (in the Z direction), or may extend only partially through the thickness of layer 62.

[0073] The bending axis 22 overlaps with and is parallel to a portion 62B of layer 62. Layer 62 has openings to facilitate flexibility and is configured to bend along the bending axis 22. Therefore, layer 62 may sometimes be referred to as a paper-cut layer or a cut-out layer. Layer 62 may be formed from stainless steel, carbon fiber, polymer materials, and / or any other desired material.

[0074] Figure 7 This is a top view of layer 62, showing how a portion 62B of layer 62 can have different areas with different properties. For example... Figure 7 As shown, layer 62 includes first regions 62-1 aligned with portions 62A and 62C, respectively. Each region 62-1 does not include any openings or slots extending through the thickness of layer 62. Therefore, region 62-1 is relatively rigid (e.g., having an effective Young's modulus of at least 50 GPa, at least 100 GPa, at least 150 GPa, etc.).

[0075] Part 62B of layer 62 includes one region 62-2 (sometimes referred to as hinge region 62-2), two regions 62-3 (sometimes referred to as transition regions 62-3), and two regions 62-4 (sometimes referred to as edge regions). The first transition region 62-3 is located between hinge region 62-2 and part 62A. The second transition region 62-3 is located between hinge region 62-2 and part 62C. The first edge region 62-4 is formed on a first side of hinge region 62-2. The second edge region 62-4 is formed on the opposite second side of hinge region 62-2.

[0076] Each of regions 62-2, 62-3 and 62-4 in part 62B may include multiple slots (sometimes referred to as openings, recesses, etc.). Figure 8 This is a top view of layer 62, showing the slot. (See image.) Figure 8 As shown, each slot 68 may have a width and a length longer than its width. Figure 8 In the arrangement, the length of each slot extends parallel to the bending axis (and the Y-axis), while the width of each slot extends orthogonally to the bending axis (and parallel to the X-axis). Each slot may have a thickness equal to or less than the thickness of layer 62 (parallel to the Z-axis). In other words, each slot may extend only partially through layer 62 or may extend completely through layer 62.

[0077] like Figure 8As shown, region 62-1 does not include any slot 68. This maintains the relative rigidity of region 62-1. Hinge region 62-2 may have slot 68. Hinge region 62-2 may have an effective Young's modulus less than 50 GPa, less than 20 GPa, less than 10 GPa, less than 5 GPa, less than 1 GPa, etc. The effective Young's modulus of hinge region 62-2 may be less than 50%, less than 30%, less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 1% to 20%, or between 5% and 10% of the effective Young's modulus of rigid region 62-1.

[0078] The transition region 62-3 includes a groove 68. The transition region 62-3 may have an effective Young's modulus of less than 100 GPa, less than 50 GPa, less than 20 GPa, less than 10 GPa, less than 5 GPa, or less than 1 GPa. The effective Young's modulus of the transition region 62-3 may be less than 75% of the effective Young's modulus of the rigid region 62-1, less than 50% of the effective Young's modulus of the rigid region 62-1, between 30% and 70% of the effective Young's modulus of the rigid region 62-1, or between 45% and 55% of the effective Young's modulus of the rigid region 62-1. The effective Young's modulus of the hinge region 62-2 can be less than 50% of the effective Young's modulus of the transition region 62-3, less than 30% of the effective Young's modulus of the transition region 62-3, less than 20% of the effective Young's modulus of the transition region 62-3, greater than 10% of the effective Young's modulus of the transition region 62-3, between 5% and 30% of the effective Young's modulus of the transition region 62-3, or between 10% and 20% of the effective Young's modulus of the rigid region 62-3, etc.

[0079] Edge region 62-4 includes groove 68. Edge region 62-4 may have an effective Young's modulus of less than 50 GPa, less than 20 GPa, less than 10 GPa, less than 5 GPa, less than 1 GPa, less than 0.5 GPa, etc. The effective Young's modulus of edge region 62-4 may be less than 10%, 5%, or 1% of the effective Young's modulus of rigid region 62-1, etc. The effective Young's modulus of edge region 62-4 may be less than 30%, 20%, or 10% of the effective Young's modulus of hinge region 62-2, etc.

[0080] As an example, region 62-1 has an effective Young's modulus of 100 GPa, region 62-2 has an effective Young's modulus of 7 GPa, region 62-3 has an effective Young's modulus of 50 GPa, and region 62-4 has an effective Young's modulus of 1 GPa.

[0081] The groove can have, for example Figure 9 The attributes shown. For example... Figure 9 As shown, each slot has a corresponding height along the Y-axis, referred to here as H_Y. Each slot has a corresponding height along the X-axis, referred to here as H_X. The longer of H_X and H_Y is sometimes referred to as the length of the slot, while the shorter of H_X and H_Y is sometimes referred to as the width of the slot. Adjacent slots may be separated by a first gap (G_X) in the X-direction and by a second gap (G_Y) in the Y-direction.

[0082] Generally, the slots can have any desired size, and any desired gaps can exist between the slots. Each slot can have an H_Y of less than 20 mm, less than 15 mm, less than 10 mm, greater than 5 mm, greater than 7 mm, between 5 mm and 10 mm, between 5 mm and 20 mm, etc. Each slot can have an H_X of less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, less than 1 mm, less than 0.5 mm, less than 0.3 mm, greater than 0.1 mm, between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, etc.

[0083] The gap G_X between any two adjacent slots can be less than 5 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, less than 1 mm, less than 0.5 mm, less than 0.3 mm, greater than 0.1 mm, greater than 1 mm, between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, between 0.1 mm and 3 mm, etc. The gap G_Y between any two adjacent slots can be less than 5 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, less than 1 mm, less than 0.5 mm, less than 0.3 mm, greater than 0.1 mm, greater than 1 mm, between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, between 0.1 mm and 3 mm, etc.

[0084] In one or more regions of portion 62B of layer 62, one or more attributes of the slot (e.g., H_X, H_Y, G_X and / or G_Y) may vary along the X direction and / or along the Y direction. Figure 10 This illustrates how G_X can vary as a function of positioning along the X direction. For example... Figure 10As shown in contour 72, G_X is constant within hinge region 62-2. However, G_X gradually varies within each region 62-3. Specifically, G_X reaches its minimum at the edge of region 62-3 adjacent to hinge region 62-2. Then, G_X gradually increases with increasing separation distance from the hinge region, increasing from its minimum value to its maximum value at the edge of region 62-3 opposite to the edge of hinge region 62-2.

[0085] In other words, transition region 62-3 may have a first pair of adjacent slots, which are spaced apart from hinge region 62-2 by a first distance (D_1) in the X direction, and their G_X has a first value (G_X_1). Transition region 62-3 may have a second pair of adjacent slots, which are spaced apart from hinge region 62-2 by a second distance (D_2) in the X direction, and their G_X has a second value (G_X_2). Transition region 62-3 may have a third pair of adjacent slots, which are spaced apart from hinge region 62-2 by a third distance (D_3) in the X direction, and their G_X has a third value (G_X_3). Transition region 62-3 may have a fourth pair of adjacent slots, which are spaced apart from hinge region 62-2 by a fourth distance (D_4) in the X direction, and their G_X has a fourth value (G_X_4). When the first distance is less than the second distance, the second distance is less than the third distance, and the third distance is less than the fourth distance, then the first value is less than the second value, the second value is less than the third value, and the third value is less than the fourth value (for example, when D1 < D2 < D3 < D4, G_X_1 < G_X_2 < G_X_3 < G_X_4).

[0086] Figure 11 This illustrates how H_X can vary as a function of positioning along the X direction. A varying H_X can be used instead of... Figure 10 The variation of G_X or its supplement. For example... Figure 10 As shown in contour 74, H_X is constant within hinge region 62-2. However, H_X gradually varies within each region 62-3. Specifically, H_X reaches its maximum value at the edge of region 62-3 adjacent to hinge region 62-2. Then, H_X gradually decreases with increasing separation distance from the hinge region, decreasing from its maximum value to its minimum value at the edge of region 62-3 opposite to the edge of hinge region 62-2.

[0087] In other words, the transition region 62-3 may have a first groove that is spaced apart from the hinge region 62-2 by a first distance (D_1) in the X direction, and its H_X has a first value (H_X_1). The transition region 62-3 may have a second groove that is spaced apart from the hinge region 62-2 by a second distance (D_2) in the X direction, and its H_X has a second value (H_X_2). The transition region 62-3 may have a third groove that is spaced apart from the hinge region 62-2 by a third distance (D_3) in the X direction, and its H_X has a third value (H_X_3). The transition region 62-3 may have a fourth groove that is spaced apart from the hinge region 62-2 by a fourth distance (D_4) in the X direction, and its H_X has a fourth value (H_X_4). When the first distance is less than the second distance, the second distance is less than the third distance, and the third distance is less than the fourth distance, then the first value is greater than the second value, the second value is greater than the third value, and the third value is greater than the fourth value (for example, when D1 < D2 < D3 < D4, H_X_1 > H_X_2 > H_X_3 > H_X_4).

[0088] Figure 12 This illustrates how H_Y can vary as a function of positioning along the Y-direction. For example... Figure 12 As shown in contour 76, H_Y is constant within hinge region 62-2. However, H_Y gradually varies within each region 62-4. Specifically, H_Y reaches its minimum at the edge of region 62-4 adjacent to hinge region 62-2. Then, H_Y gradually increases with increasing separation distance from the hinge region, increasing from its minimum value to its maximum value at the edge of region 62-4 opposite to the edge of hinge region 62-2.

[0089] In other words, the transition region 62-3 may have a first groove that is spaced apart from the hinge region 62-2 by a first distance (D_1) in the Y direction, and its H_Y has a first value (H_Y_1). The transition region 62-3 may have a second groove that is spaced apart from the hinge region 62-2 by a second distance (D_2) in the Y direction, and its H_Y has a second value (H_Y_2). The transition region 62-3 may have a third groove that is spaced apart from the hinge region 62-2 by a third distance (D_3) in the Y direction, and its H_Y has a third value (H_Y_3). The transition region 62-3 may have a fourth groove that is spaced apart from the hinge region 62-2 by a fourth distance (D_4) in the Y direction, and its H_Y has a fourth value (H_Y_4). When the first distance is less than the second distance, the second distance is less than the third distance, and the third distance is less than the fourth distance, then the first value is less than the second value, the second value is less than the third value, and the third value is less than the fourth value (for example, when D1 < D2 < D3 < D4, H_Y_1 < H_Y_2). <H_Y_3 < H_Y_4)。

[0090] Figure 13 This illustrates how G_Y can vary as a function of positioning along the Y direction. A varying G_Y can be used instead of... Figure 12 The H_Y that changes within it, or as a supplement to it. For example... Figure 13 As shown in contour 78, G_Y is constant within hinge region 62-2. However, G_Y gradually varies within each region 62-4. Specifically, G_Y reaches its maximum value at the edge of region 62-4 adjacent to hinge region 62-2. Then, G_Y gradually decreases with increasing separation distance from the hinge region, decreasing from its maximum value to its minimum value at the edge of region 62-4 opposite to the edge of hinge region 62-2.

[0091] In other words, the edge region 62-3 may have a first pair of adjacent slots, which are spaced apart from the hinge region 62-2 by a first distance (D_1) in the Y direction, and their G_Y has a first value (G_Y_1). The transition region 62-3 may have a second pair of adjacent slots, which are spaced apart from the hinge region 62-2 by a second distance (D_2) in the Y direction, and their G_Y has a second value (G_Y_2). The transition region 62-3 may have a third pair of adjacent slots, which are spaced apart from the hinge region 62-2 by a third distance (D_3) in the Y direction, and their G_Y has a third value (G_Y_3). The transition region 62-3 may have a fourth pair of adjacent slots, which are spaced apart from the hinge region 62-2 by a fourth distance (D_4) in the Y direction, and their G_Y has a fourth value (G_Y_4). When the first distance is less than the second distance, the second distance is less than the third distance, and the third distance is less than the fourth distance, then the first value is greater than the second value, the second value is greater than the third value, and the third value is greater than the fourth value (for example, when D1 < D2 < D3 < D4, G_Y_1 > G_Y_2 > G_Y_3 > G_Y_4).

[0092] In summary, the slots in portion 62B of layer 62 may have at least one property that varies along the X direction in at least one region, and at least one property that varies along the Y direction in at least one region. As some examples, G_X or H_X may vary along the X direction in region 62-3, and simultaneously, H_Y or G_Y may vary along the Y direction in region 62-4. The slots in portion 62B having variations in both the X and Y directions allows for mitigation of strain non-uniformity on the display during folding operations.

[0093] Figure 14 It is a graph of display strain (e.g., strain on display 14 when the display is folded) as a function of positioning along the Y direction. Specifically, Figure 14 The strain along the bending axis 22 within the display portion 14B is shown. Profile 82 shows the strain in an arrangement where H_X, H_Y, G_X, and G_Y are constant relative to the grooves on portion 62B. As shown, within the flexible display portion 14B, the strain at the edges of the display may increase relative to the center of the display. Profile 80 shows the strain in an arrangement where H_X, H_Y, G_X, and G_Y vary in both the X and Y directions relative to portion 62B. As shown in Profile 80, this arrangement results in a substantially uniform strain across the entire flexible display portion 14B.

[0094] In a specific arrangement of the slot, H_L can be 7 mm in regions 62-2 and 62-3, and can gradually increase from 7 mm to 9.5 mm in the edge region 62-4 (e.g., according to...). Figure 12 (The outline), H_W can be 0.2 mm in regions 62-2, 62-3, and 62-4, G_X can be 0.3 mm in regions 62-2 and 62-4, and can gradually increase from 0.3 mm to 2.0 mm in transition region 62-3 (e.g., according to...). Figure 10 The outline), and G_Y can be 0.4 mm in regions 62-2, 62-3, and 62-4. This arrangement can produce Figure 14 The uniform strain profile is 80.

[0095] In addition to mitigating strain inhomogeneity in the flexible display 14 Figures 8 to 14 The arrangement of the grooves can also desirablely mitigate strain inhomogeneities in other layers (such as adhesive layers 64 and 66) in electronic devices.

[0096] Layer 62 may be formed from any desired number of sublayers, each having any desired material. In some cases, layer 62 may comprise multiple carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayers (sometimes referred to as carbon fiber sublayers). Here, sublayers may sometimes also be referred to as layers. Figure 15 This is a cross-sectional side view of a paper-cut layer 62 with three sublayers, formed from carbon fiber reinforced polymer. (See image.) Figure 15 As shown, layer 62 includes carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayers 84, 88, and 90. Sublayer 84 can be attached to display 14 using adhesive layer 66. Each carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer may include elongated carbon fibers extending parallel to a given axis. In sublayers 84 and 90, the carbon fibers may extend in a first direction (e.g., parallel to the X-axis), while in sublayer 88, the carbon fibers may extend in a second orthogonal direction (e.g., parallel to the Y-axis). These directions can be switched if desired. In other words, the carbon fibers in sublayer 88 are orthogonal to the carbon fibers in sublayers 84 and 90.

[0097] like Figure 15 As shown, one or more grooves 68 may be formed in portion 62B of layer 62. Sublayer 84 may extend continuously across layer 62. In other words, sublayer 84 is not altered by the grooves 68 and has the same thickness in portion 62B as in portions 62A and 62C. Conversely, the grooves 68 are formed throughout the entire thickness of sublayers 88 and 90. Sublayers 88 and 90 have grooves in portion 62B but not in portions 62A and 62C. Grooves 68 are formed in sublayers 88 and 90, but not in sublayer 84.

[0098] Adhesive layer 86 is used to attach sublayer 84 to sublayer 88. Adhesive layer 86 can be a pressure-sensitive adhesive or any other desired type of adhesive. Similar to sublayer 84, adhesive layer 86 extends continuously across layer 62. In other words, adhesive layer 86 is not altered by groove 68 and has the same thickness in portion 62B as in portions 62A and 62C.

[0099] In order to form Figure 15 Layer 62, sublayers 88 and 90 can be laminated together and perforated with groove 68. The laminated sublayers 88 and 90 are then attached to the continuous sublayer 84 using adhesive layer 86.

[0100] Layer 84 may have a thickness (in the Z direction) between 10 and 70 micrometers, between 30 and 50 micrometers, less than 100 micrometers, less than 70 micrometers, less than 50 micrometers, greater than 10 micrometers, greater than 30 micrometers, etc. Adhesive layer 86 may have a thickness (in the Z direction) between 5 and 50 micrometers, between 15 and 25 micrometers, less than 50 micrometers, less than 30 micrometers, less than 25 micrometers, greater than 5 micrometers, greater than 15 micrometers, etc. The combination of sublayers 88 and 90 may have a thickness (in the Z direction) between 100 and 200 micrometers, between 120 and 150 micrometers, less than 300 micrometers, less than 200 micrometers, less than 150 micrometers, greater than 50 micrometers, greater than 120 micrometers, etc. The total thickness of layer 62 may be less than 300 micrometers, less than 200 micrometers, less than 180 micrometers, etc.

[0101] The continuous carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer 84 can have high thermal conductivity and can uniformly distribute the heat generated by the electronic device 10. When used... Figure 15 When arranging the components, a separate graphite heat dissipation layer can be omitted from device 10, while still achieving satisfactory heat dissipation within the device. The properties of sublayer 84 can be adjusted to optimize the performance of layer 62.

[0102] Carbon fiber offers high strength and excellent heat dissipation while remaining relatively lightweight. However, in some cases, the cost of carbon fiber may exceed the required cost. To reduce the manufacturing cost of electronic device 10, [the following can be used]. Figure 16 The arrangement. In Figure 16 In the middle, layer 62 includes carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayers 84, 88, and 90. Each carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer may include elongated carbon fibers extending parallel to a given axis. In sublayers 84 and 90, the carbon fibers may extend parallel to the X-axis, while in sublayer 88, the carbon fibers may extend parallel to the Y-axis. In other words, the carbon fibers in sublayer 88 are orthogonal to the carbon fibers in sublayers 84 and 90. Figure 16 The carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayers 84, 88 and 90 are all laminated together (without an intervening adhesive layer).

[0103] exist Figure 16 In the arrangement, carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayers 84, 88, and 90 are included in portion 62B (e.g., aligned with the bending axis) but not in portions 62A and 62C. In portions 62A and 62C, polymer materials are used instead of the carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayers. Thus, polymer materials are used in portions 62A and 62C where flexibility is less advantageous for device performance. In portion 62B, where flexibility is most advantageous for device performance, carbon fiber is used. Polymer layer 92 may be co-molded (sometimes referred to as overmolding) with the carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayers to form an integral layer having a first portion formed of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (in portion 62B) and an additional portion formed of polymer (without any carbon fiber) (in portions 62A and 62C).

[0104] In some cases, the entire portion 62A may be formed from the same material in a single co-molding step. Similarly, the entire portion 62C may be formed from the same material in a single co-molding step.

[0105] Alternatively, for each of portions 62A and 62C, a first polymer portion 92-1 may optionally be co-molded with the carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer. The co-molded portion 92-1 is then attached to the die-cut sheet 92-2. This simplifies the complexity of the co-molding process during manufacturing. When the co-molded portion 92-1 is attached to the individual sheet 92-2, portions 92-1 and 92-2 may be formed of the same material or different materials.

[0106] Figure 17 Another possible arrangement is shown, in which layer 62 in display portion 62B includes carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayers 84, 88, and 90. Each carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer may include elongated carbon fibers extending parallel to a given axis. In sublayers 84 and 90, the carbon fibers may extend parallel to the X-axis, while in sublayer 88, the carbon fibers may extend parallel to the Y-axis. In other words, the carbon fibers in sublayer 88 are orthogonal to the carbon fibers in sublayers 84 and 90. Figure 17 The carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayers 84, 88 and 90 are all laminated together (without an intervening adhesive layer).

[0107] exist Figure 17In this arrangement, sublayer 88 extends through layer 62. In other words, sublayer 88 is included in portions 62A and 62C, as well as portion 62B. Conversely, sublayers 84 and 90 may be included in portion 62B (e.g., aligned with the bending axis), but not in portions 62A and 62C. In portions 62A and 62C, polymer materials are used instead of carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayers 84 and 90. Polymer layers 94-1 and 94-2 may be co-molded (sometimes referred to as overmolding) with the carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayers, such that in display portions 62A and 62C, carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer 88 is situated between polymer layers 94-1 and 94-2.

[0108] exist Figure 18 In another possible arrangement shown, layer 62 may include a stainless steel (SUS) sublayer 96 with grooves 68. To reduce the weight of layer 62, the stainless steel sublayer 96 may be included in portion 62B (e.g., aligned with the bending axis) but not in portions 62A and 62C. In portions 62A and 62C, a polymer material is used instead of the stainless steel sublayer. The polymer layer 92 may be co-molded (sometimes referred to as overmolding) with a carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer to form a monolithic layer having a first portion formed of stainless steel (in portion 62B) and additional portions formed of polymer (in portions 62A and 62C).

[0109] It should be noted that, Figure 17 and 18 In, such as combining Figure 16 As described, if desired, only a subset of 62A and 62C may be co-molded (parts of 62A and 62C also include die-cut polymer sheets attached to the co-molded polymer).

[0110] exist Figures 16 to 18 In the arrangement, interlocking features can be used to ensure a secure attachment between any required components (e.g., in...). Figure 16 Between the carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayers 84, 88, and 90 and the co-molded polymer portion 92-1, in Figure 16 Between the co-molding polymer portion 92-1 and the die-cutting polymer portion 92-2, in Figure 17 Between the carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer 84 and the polymer portion 94-1, in Figure 17 Between the carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer 90 and the polymer portion 94-2, and / or in Figure 18 Between the stainless steel sublayer 96 and the polymer portion 92.

[0111] Figure 19This is a top view of an exemplary layer 62 having interlocking features between different sublayers. As shown, a carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer 84 in display portion 62B is situated between polymer portions 92 from display portions 62A and 62C. On each side of the carbon fiber reinforced polymer sublayer 84, an interlocking feature 98 is included. The interlocking feature 98 includes one or more protrusions and recesses having inclined sides that are not parallel and not orthogonal to the X and Y axes. Figure 19 In this arrangement, each interlocking feature includes a trapezoidal protrusion extending outward from the display portion 62B. Each trapezoidal protrusion has a corresponding trapezoidal recess (e.g., at the non-central edge of the trapezoidal protrusion). The footprint of the interlocking feature 98 helps ensure a secure attachment between sublayers 84 and 92. Generally, this type of interlocking feature can be used between any two adjacent sublayers in the XY plane (e.g., sublayers 88 and 92, sublayers 92-1 and 92-2, sublayers 90 and 92, sublayers 84 and 94, sublayers 90 and 94, sublayers 96 and 92, etc.).

[0112] Interlocking features may have varying dimensions to mitigate artifacts in transition regions between different sublayers. A first interlocking feature may have a first size, and a second interlocking feature may have a second size different from the first size. Along a single interface between different sublayers, there may be interlocking features with at least two unique sizes, at least three unique sizes, at least six unique sizes, at least ten unique sizes, at least twenty unique sizes, etc. The dimensions of the interlocking features may vary randomly or according to a repeating pattern.

[0113] To detect the folding and unfolding of the display 14 and / or the electronic device 10, the electronic device may include one or more strain gauge sensors. Figure 20 This is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary display having pixels 42 formed on a thin-film transistor circuit layer 102. The thin-film transistor circuit layer 102 may include one or more transistors (e.g., transistor 28) that control light emission from light-emitting diodes in pixels 42. The thin-film transistor circuit layer 102 may include metal traces, transistors, and one or more dielectric layers that isolate conductive components.

[0114] The thin-film transistor circuit layer 102 (sometimes referred to as thin-film transistor layer 102, circuit layer 102, etc.) may include a strain gauge 104 (sometimes referred to as strain sensor 104, resistance sensor 104, sensor 104, etc.). It may be advantageous to form the strain gauge 104 within the thin-film transistor circuit layer 102 because the fabrication steps used to produce other components in the thin-film transistor circuit layer can be used to form the strain gauge. In other words, the metal components for the strain gauge can be deposited during a single deposition step that shares a mask with other traces / components of the thin-film transistor circuit layer (e.g., data lines, gate lines, source-drain terminals of transistors, gates of transistors, power lines, other signal lines, etc.). The strain gauge may be formed on the upper surface of the thin-film transistor circuit layer or may be embedded within at least two dielectric layers of the thin-film transistor circuit layer.

[0115] Figure 21 This is a top view of an exemplary strain gauge 104. As shown, the strain gauge may be a Wheatstone bridge with four terminals 112 and intervening meandering traces 114. The traces 114 between each pair of adjacent terminals 112 may include multiple segments parallel to the X-axis and multiple segments parallel to the Y-axis. The metal traces 114 and metal terminals 112 may be formed on a dielectric layer in the thin-film transistor circuit layer 102. When the flexible display 14 bends, the resistance of the traces in the strain gauge 104 within the thin-film transistor circuit layer 102 changes. The change in resistance can be measured and used to determine the strain on the strain gauge.

[0116] The strain gauge may have a first dimension 108 parallel to the X-axis, a second dimension 110 parallel to the Y-axis, and a third dimension 106 parallel to the Z-axis. Dimension 108 may be less than 1 mm, less than 0.6 mm, less than 0.4 mm, etc. Dimension 110 may be less than 1 mm, less than 0.6 mm, less than 0.4 mm, etc. Dimension 106 may be less than 1 micrometer, less than 0.5 micrometer, less than 0.2 micrometer, etc. In one possible arrangement, dimension 106 is 0.14 micrometers, dimension 108 is 0.38 mm, and dimension 110 is 0.38 mm.

[0117] Figure 22 This is a top view showing how one or more strain gauges can be positioned on display 14. (Example) Figure 22 As shown, the strain gauge can be positioned within the flexible portion 14B of the display, which bends during the folding and unfolding of the display. This positioning allows the strain gauge to accurately detect the angle between display portion 14A and display portion 14C (since this angle can be a function of the strain detected by the strain gauge).

[0118] A single strain gauge is sufficient to measure the strain on display 14 and detect the folding and unfolding of the display. However, as Figure 22As shown, additional strain gauges may be included to improve accuracy and provide redundancy in the event that one of these strain gauges fails.

[0119] One or more sensors used to collect data on device positioning and motion may also be included in the display 14. For example... Figure 22 As shown, a first motion sensor 508 may be positioned on display portion 14A, and a second motion sensor 508 may be positioned on display portion 14C. As an example, the motion sensor 508 may be an inertial measurement unit including an accelerometer, a compass, and / or a gyroscope. The motion sensor 508 may sometimes be simply referred to as an inertial measurement unit 508 or an accelerometer 508.

[0120] The inclusion of a motion sensor 508 in the display 14 provides additional sensor data that can be used (in combination with sensor data from the strain gauge 104) to determine the orientation and the angle between the display portions 14A and 14C.

[0121] Figure 23 This illustrates the effect of the electronic device 10 (and display 14) being folded and then unfolded. Figure 22 A graph of strain changing over time sensed by strain gauge 104. At t0, the display can be in a flat, unfolded state (e.g., as shown). Figure 1 (As shown). In other words, display portions 14A, 14B, and 14C are all coplanar. Between t0 and t1, display 14 is bent (folded) into a folded state (e.g., as shown). Figure 4 As shown in profile 116, the strain detected by strain gauge 104 gradually increases between t0 and t1, reaching its maximum value at time t1 when the display is folded. Between t1 and t2, the display 14 bends (unfolds) into a flat, unfolded state (e.g., as shown in profile 116). Figure 1 As shown in outline 116, the strain detected by strain gauge 104 gradually decreases between t1 and t2, reaching its minimum value at time t2 when the display is unfolded.

[0122] Therefore, the strain value detected by the strain gauge can be used to detect the angle of display portion 14A relative to display portion 14C. The angle of display portion 14A relative to display portion 14C indicates whether the display is in an unfolded state, a folded state, or an intermediate angle between the folded and unfolded states.

[0123] The strain gauge can have high resolution (e.g., 0.0005% strain) and high sampling rate (e.g., greater than 1 kHz, greater than 10 kHz, greater than 20 kHz, 20 kHz, less than 50 kHz, etc.).

[0124] A strain gauge may be able to detect the speed at which the display is folded or unfolded. Control circuitry 50 can use the strain gauge data to determine the duration of the change between the folded and unfolded states. In some cases, it may be desirable to fold and / or unfold the display at a speed below a given threshold. For example, under cryogenic conditions, rapidly folding or unfolding the display may risk damaging one or more components of the electronic device, such as thin-film transistor circuitry in layer 102. When control circuitry 50 determines that the speed at which the display is folded or unfolded exceeds a threshold associated with the current temperature conditions (sometimes referred to as the maximum recommended speed), the electronic device may output a user notification to inform the user.

[0125] Data from strain gauge 104 can also be used to estimate the temperature of the display. Components within the electronic device (such as adhesive layer 64 and / or adhesive layer 66) may have different properties depending on the temperature of the electronic device 10. As a concrete example, the strain (in percentage) when the display is folded may depend on the temperature. Consider an example where the display is folded at an initial moment. When the display is initially folded (at the initial moment), the strain detected by the strain gauge may reach its peak. The strain detected by the strain gauge may then gradually decrease over time (e.g., within one or more minutes, within ten or more minutes, within thirty or more minutes, etc.). At higher temperatures, the strain may decrease faster and to a lower magnitude compared to lower temperatures. Therefore, the rate of decrease in strain detected in this scenario indicates the temperature of the display.

[0126] As another example, the strain relaxation rate (in % / min) may vary during a bending event. The strain relaxation rate can vary over durations of less than 3 seconds, less than 2 seconds, less than 1 second, etc. The strain relaxation rate can have different values ​​depending on temperature. Therefore, the strain relaxation rate indicates the temperature displayed.

[0127] Figure 24 This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary control circuit for estimating the temperature of a flexible display based on strain gauge data. As shown, the control circuit 50 can receive strain gauge data from one or more strain gauges 104. The control circuit can select strain gauge data from only one strain gauge for subsequent temperature estimation, or it can average strain gauge data from multiple strain gauges for subsequent temperature estimation, etc.

[0128] The control circuit may include one or more lookup tables (LUTs), such as strain percentage lookup table 118 and strain relaxation rate lookup table 120.

[0129] As a first example, the strain measured by a strain gauge (e.g., after a given time period following a folding or unfolding event) may have an associated temperature in the strain percentage lookup table 118. The associated temperature may be output as a temperature estimate by the control circuit 50.

[0130] As another example, the strain relaxation rate measured by strain gauge data may have an associated temperature in the strain relaxation rate lookup table 120. The associated temperature can be output as a temperature estimate by the control circuit 50.

[0131] In some cases, only the strain percentage lookup table is used to estimate the temperature. In other cases, only the strain relaxation rate lookup table is used. In still other cases, both the strain percentage lookup table and the strain relaxation rate lookup table are used to determine a single temperature estimate. For example, temperature estimates from Table 118 and temperature estimates from Table 120 can be averaged to obtain an output temperature estimate.

[0132] Figure 25 This is a flowchart illustrating exemplary method steps for determining the temperature associated with display 14. During operation of block 202, the electronic device may use at least one strain gauge (such as strain gauge 104) to acquire data. The example of using a strain gauge to acquire data is merely illustrative; one or more other sensors may be used in place of the strain gauge or as a supplement if necessary.

[0133] If needed, the operation of block 202 may include using one or more motion sensors (such as motion sensor 508) to acquire data.

[0134] Next, at box 204, the electronic device (e.g., control circuitry 50) can use the collected data from step 202 and one or more lookup tables (e.g., Figure 24 Tables 118 and 120 in the table are used to determine the temperature associated with the display. The example of using a lookup table to determine the temperature is illustrative only. The control circuit may optionally store a function that outputs a temperature estimate based on the input strain data.

[0135] Figure 26 This is a flowchart illustrating exemplary method steps for operating a display having at least one strain gauge. At block 212, the electronic device may use at least one strain gauge, such as strain gauge 104, to acquire data. The example of using a strain gauge to acquire data is merely illustrative; one or more other sensors may be used in place of the strain gauge or as a supplement if necessary.

[0136] If needed, the operation of box 212 may include using one or more motion sensors (such as motion sensor 508) to acquire data.

[0137] At step 214, control circuitry 50 can use the data collected at block 212 to determine the speed associated with bending the display. Strain gauge data from step 212 can show an increase or decrease in strain indicating that the display is being folded or unfolded (as combined with...). Figure 23 (As discussed). The duration of the folding or unfolding can indicate the speed at which the display is folded or unfolded.

[0138] Next, at step 216, the control circuit 50 can take appropriate action based on the determined speed from block 214 and the temperature associated with the flexible display. The electronics 10 may have one or more temperature sensors for determining the temperature of the flexible display. Alternatively, data from a strain gauge can be used to estimate the temperature, such as in combination with... Figure 24 and Figure 25 The subject of discussion.

[0139] Generally, folding or unfolding a flexible display at low temperatures may risk damaging the components within the display. Therefore, the recommended maximum speed for folding and unfolding the display can be a function of temperature. Control circuitry 50 may optionally store a lookup table with recommended maximum speeds (for folding / unfolding) associated with various temperatures. For example, a first temperature may have a first recommended maximum speed for folding the flexible display, and a second temperature may have a second recommended maximum speed for folding the flexible display. Folding the flexible display at a speed greater than (faster than) the recommended maximum speed may risk damaging the flexible display components. When the first temperature is lower than (cooler than) the second temperature, the first recommended maximum speed may be lower than (slower than) the second recommended maximum speed. In other words, at lower temperatures, the maximum recommended folding (or unfolding) speed may be lower than the speed at higher temperatures.

[0140] Electronic device 10 can take any desired action at box 216 based on the determined speed and temperature. When the determined speed is less than the maximum recommended folding speed for the current temperature, the electronic device may optionally take no action. When the determined speed is greater than the maximum recommended folding speed for the current temperature, the electronic device may take appropriate action, such as outputting a user notification at box 218.

[0141] The user notification output at step 218 may be output using visual feedback (e.g., via display 14 or other light-emitting components), audio feedback (e.g., using a speaker), or haptic feedback (e.g., using a haptic output component such as a vibration motor). This notification may indicate to the user that the speed of the folding or unfolding event is greater than the maximum recommended folding speed for the current temperature, or may indicate to the user that the flexible display should be folded / unfolded at a lower speed to avoid damage, etc.

[0142] Figure 27This is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary electronic device with a flexible display. Similar to a combination... Figure 6 The discussed electronic device 10 includes a display 14 overlapped by a display cover layer 24. The display cover layer 24 is attached to the display 14 via an adhesive layer 64. The electronic device 10 may also include a layer 62 attached to the display 14 using an adhesive layer 66. The display 14 may be located between the display cover layer 24 and the layer 62.

[0143] Figure 27 The diagram also illustrates how an adhesive layer 122 (sometimes referred to as adhesive 122, adhesive resin 122, optically clear adhesive 122, etc.) can be formed above the upper and side surfaces of the display cover layer 24. The adhesive layer 122 can be formed from a polymeric material or any other desired material. The adhesive 122 can be an optically clear adhesive with a transparency greater than 80%, 90%, 95%, 99%, etc.

[0144] Adhesive 122 is adapted to and directly contacts the upper surface 24-U of the display cover layer 24. Adhesive 122 may directly contact the entire upper surface 24-U. Additionally, adhesive 122 is adapted to and directly contacts the side surfaces 24-S of the display cover layer 24. Side surfaces 24-S may extend around the perimeter of the display cover layer 24 (e.g., around a rectangular perimeter). The display cover layer may be referred to as having a continuous side surface extending around the entire perimeter, or may be referred to as having multiple side surfaces, each extending along one edge of the perimeter. Adhesive 122 may directly contact all side surfaces 24-S.

[0145] The display cover layer 24 can be relatively thin (e.g., having a thickness of less than 200 micrometers, less than 100 micrometers, less than 50 micrometers, less than 30 micrometers, greater than 10 micrometers, greater than 20 micrometers, greater than 50 micrometers, between 20 micrometers and 90 micrometers, between 10 micrometers and 200 micrometers, etc.). Covering the side surfaces of the display cover layer 24 with the adhesive layer 122 can prevent cracking in the display cover layer 24.

[0146] Figure 27 The diagram also illustrates how a matte film 128 can be formed over a display overlay. The matte film 128 may include a polymer substrate 124 attached to the display overlay using an adhesive 122. The substrate 124 may have a thickness of less than 100 micrometers, less than 50 micrometers, less than 30 micrometers, greater than 20 micrometers, greater than 50 micrometers, or between 20 and 80 micrometers. The polymer substrate 124 may have a transparency of greater than 80%, greater than 90%, greater than 95%, or greater than 99%.

[0147] The matte film 128 also includes patterned features, such as microlenses 126 on the upper surface of the substrate 124. The microlenses 126 can increase the diffuse reflection of the upper surface of the electronic device 10. The diffuse reflection of the matte film 128 can be greater than 40%, greater than 50%, greater than 60%, less than 70%, less than 60%, or between 50% and 70%.

[0148] In addition to providing a matte finish to the upper surface of the electronic device, the microlens 126 can also be patterned to reduce friction on the upper surface. One or more microlenses with different sizes may be present. For example, a first microlens may have a first diameter (e.g., in the XY plane), while a second microlens may have a second diameter different from the first diameter. Alternatively or otherwise, the first microlens may have a first thickness (e.g., in the Z direction), while the second microlens may have a second thickness different from the first thickness. Reducing friction on the upper surface improves the user experience when a user touches the upper surface of the electronic device.

[0149] Figure 6 The cross-section shown is merely illustrative. Figure 28 As shown, electronic devices may include additional stainless steel plates and / or cutouts in the adhesive layer. Figure 28 This is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary electronic device with a flexible display. Figure 28 A flexible display 14 is shown, which has portions 14A and 14C that can be rigid or flexible, and a flexible portion 14B. Figure 28 As shown, display 14 is overlapped by display cover layer 24. Display cover layer 24 is attached to display 14 by adhesive layer 64. Adhesive layer 64 may be formed of pressure-sensitive adhesive or any other desired type of adhesive.

[0150] As previously shown and discussed, the electronic device 10 may include a layer 62 attached to the display 14 using an adhesive layer 66. The adhesive layer 66 may be formed of a pressure-sensitive adhesive or any other desired type of adhesive.

[0151] exist Figure 28 In this configuration, an additional stainless steel layer 302 may be positioned between the curved layer 62 and the display 14. An adhesive layer 304 may be positioned between the stainless steel layer 302 and the display 14. The adhesive layer 304 may be formed of a pressure-sensitive adhesive or any other desired type of adhesive. The display 14 may be positioned between the display cover layer 24 and the stainless steel layer 302.

[0152] Figure 28Additionally, it is shown how the adhesive layer 66 may have a notch 306. Without the notch 306, perceptible creases in the adhesive layer 66 may become visible over time as the electronic device 10 is repeatedly bent along the flexible portion 14B. When the adhesive layer 66 is selectively removed in the notch area 306 (e.g. Figure 28 As shown), the creases in adhesive layer 66 are no longer visible.

[0153] The area occupied by the cutout region 306 may completely or partially overlap with the hinge region 62-2 and edge region 62-4 of the bending layer 62 in the flexible display portion 14B. The area occupied by the cutout region 306 may completely overlap with the transition region 62-3, partially overlap with the transition region 62-3, or may not overlap with the transition region 62-3. The area occupied by the cutout region 306 may not overlap with the rigid region 62-1 of the bending layer 62.

[0154] Figure 29 This is a top view of the adhesive layer 66, showing the footprint of the cut-out region 306. As shown, the cut-out region 306 can extend completely across the footprint of the display within the flexible region 14B. In other words, the cut-out region 306 is elongated in a direction parallel to the bending axis associated with the flexible region 14B. The adhesive layer 66 has a first portion 66-1 (sometimes referred to as the front half) on a first side of the cut-out region 306 and a second portion 66-2 (sometimes referred to as the rear half) on a second side of the cut-out region 306.

[0155] In some arrangements, the adhesive layer portions 66-1 and 66-2 may have straight (linear) edges at the interface with the cut area 306. Alternatively, as Figure 29 As shown, layers 66-1 and 66-2 may have non-linear edges at their interfaces with the notched region 306. Figure 28 Using non-linear edges in this way reduces the visibility of the interface between the cut area 306 and the adhesive layer portions 66-1 and 66-2.

[0156] The non-linear edges are defined by a plurality of recesses 308 extending into the adhesive layer portions 66-1 and 66-2. The recesses may have a triangular shape, optionally including rounded tips. The recesses may also be defined by edges having a sinusoidal shape. Each recess has a depth 310. These examples of shapes are merely illustrative. In general, each recess 308 may have any desired shape.

[0157] exist Figure 29 In this example, the depth 310 of each recess 308 is the same (e.g., the shape and size of each recess are identical). This example is for illustrative purposes only. Figure 30In another possible arrangement shown, the recess may have varying depths to further reduce the visibility of the interface between the cut area 306 and the adhesive layer portions 66-1 and 66-2.

[0158] like Figure 30 As shown, the different grooves defining the cut area 306 can have different depths. Reducing the periodicity of the interface in this way can reduce the visibility of the interface to the viewer. Figure 30 A first recess with a first depth 310-1 having a first value is shown, and a second recess with a second depth 310-2 having a second value less than the first value is shown. Recesses in a given half of the adhesive layer 66 may have at least two unique depths (e.g., depths with at least two unique values), at least four unique depths, at least eight unique depths, at least sixteen unique depths, etc. The depth of the recess may vary randomly or according to a pattern (such as the Fibonacci sequence).

[0159] Figure 30 The example of varying the depth of recess 308 is merely illustrative. Alternatively or otherwise, the center-to-center pitch 312 of the recess may be varied to reduce the visibility of the interface between the cut region 306 and the adhesive layer portions 66-1 and 66-2. Recesses in a given half of adhesive layer 66 may have at least two unique center-to-center pitches, at least four unique center-to-center pitches, at least eight unique center-to-center pitches, at least sixteen unique center-to-center pitches, etc.

[0160] By changing the position of the groove 68 in the bending layer 62, the visibility of the flexible region 14B in the display 14 can be further reduced. Figure 31 This is a top view of an exemplary curved layer 62 with groove 68 and edge 316. Figure 31 In the diagram, each slot is represented by a corresponding single dark line. As shown, the first half of the slot rows (e.g., odd-numbered rows) Figure 31 The top row (the first row) may have a starting position following trend line 314-1, while the second half of the groove rows (e.g., even-numbered rows) may have a starting position following trend line 314-2. The starting position may be defined by a separation distance 318 between the groove and the edge 316 of the curved layer 62 in the Y direction (e.g., the elongated direction of the groove, which is parallel to the curved axis 22).

[0161] Each of the trend lines 314 can be non-linear (e.g., sinusoidal). Making the slot rows follow the starting position of a non-linear trend line introduces aperiodicity, thus reducing the visibility of slot 68. Making alternating slot rows follow different sinusoidal trend lines (e.g., ...) Figure 31 As shown, (the pattern) causes more non-periodicity than all rows following a single sine trend line (and thus causes greater visibility reduction).

[0162] Instead of changing the starting position of the slot row to introduce aperiodicity, or as a supplement to it, the angle of the slot can be changed. Figure 32 This is a top view of an exemplary curved layer 62 with slots 68 having different angles to reduce periodicity. As shown, each slot 68 in the hinge region 62-2 may be parallel to the Y-axis (e.g., parallel to the bending axis of the flexible display region 14B). However, at least some of the slots 68 in the transition region 62-3 may be at a non-zero angle 320° relative to the Y-axis.

[0163] The slots in a given row of slots in transition region 62-3 may have at least two unique angles 320°, at least four unique angles, at least eight unique angles, at least sixteen unique angles, etc. The angles of the indentations may vary randomly or according to a trend such as a sinusoidal trend. Different rows of slots may have angles 320° following different sinusoidal trend lines to cause more aperiodicity (and thus greater visibility reduction) than all rows following a single sinusoidal trend line.

[0164] Figure 33 It is each row of slots (such as combined) Figure 31 The starting position (as defined) is plotted as a function of positioning along the X direction. Odd-numbered slot rows may follow profile 322, while even-numbered slot rows may follow profile 324. Profiles 322 and 324 may be non-linear (e.g., sinusoidal) and may be different. As an example, different profiles 322 and 324 may have different amplitudes, wavelengths, and / or initial values.

[0165] Figure 34 It is the angle of each slot relative to the Y-axis (e.g., Figure 32 Angle 320° is plotted as a function of positioning along the Y direction. Odd-numbered slot rows may follow profile 326, while even-numbered slot rows may follow profile 328. Profiles 326 and 328 may be non-linear (e.g., sinusoidal) and may be different. As an example, different profiles 326 and 328 may have different amplitudes, wavelengths, and / or initial values.

[0166] Figures 31 to 34 The example of changing the starting position of the slot row and the angle of the slot relative to the Y-axis to mitigate periodicity is merely illustrative. If needed, one or more additional properties of the slot can be changed to mitigate periodicity. For example, the width of the slot, the length of the slot, the pitch of the slot in the X direction, and / or the pitch of the slot in the Y direction can be changed to mitigate periodicity.

[0167] The slot 68 may have at least 2 unique widths, at least 4 unique widths, at least 8 unique widths, at least 16 unique widths, etc. The slot 68 may have at least 2 unique lengths, at least 4 unique lengths, at least 8 unique lengths, at least 16 unique lengths, etc. The slot 68 may have at least 2 unique pitches in the X direction, at least 4 unique pitches in the X direction, at least 8 unique pitches in the X direction, at least 16 unique pitches in the X direction, etc. The slot 68 may have at least 2 unique pitches in the Y direction, at least 4 unique pitches in the Y direction, at least 8 unique pitches in the Y direction, at least 16 unique pitches in the Y direction, etc.

[0168] Figure 35 This is a cross-sectional side view of the electronic device 10, showing the edge of the electronic device. As shown, the display 14 (sometimes referred to as the display panel 14) can be attached to the display cover layer 24 via an adhesive layer 64. One or more layers may be positioned beneath the display panel 14, such as an adhesive layer 304, a stainless steel layer 302, an adhesive layer 66, and a bending layer 62 (similar to...). Figure 28 (As shown in the cross-sectional side view).

[0169] like Figure 35 As shown, the display panel 14 may have a portion extending beyond the edge of the display cover layer 24. The display panel has an exposed portion (e.g., a portion not covered by the adhesive layer 64) of a flexible printed circuit 330 attached to a bonding region 332 (sometimes referred to as attachment region 332, interface region 332, etc.). The flexible printed circuit 330 can be used to provide signals (e.g., from a display driver integrated circuit and / or a timing controller) to the display panel 14, such as gate driver signals and / or data signals. As an example, a display driver integrated circuit (DDIC) may be mounted on the flexible printed circuit 330 and may provide signals to the display panel 14 via traces in the flexible printed circuit 330. The flexible printed circuit 330 has a curved portion 338 and wraps around the display panel to the back side of the display panel (e.g., adjacent to). Figure 35 (The curved layer 66 in the middle).

[0170] Figure 35 The housing 12 and the trimming structure 334 are also shown. The trimming structure 334 bridges the gap between the edge of the display cover 24 and the housing 12. Figure 35 In this case, there is a distance 336 between the edge of the housing 12 and the edge of the trimmed structure 334. Generally, it may be desirable to minimize the value of the distance 336 so that the display has a target aesthetic appearance (e.g., with a minimum size of non-display boundary area).

[0171] use Figure 35The display cover layer 24 is arranged such that it does not overlap the bonding area 332 between the flexible printed circuit 330 and the display panel 14. In order to reduce the magnitude of the distance 336 between the edge of the housing 12 and the edge of the trimmed structure 334, it may be desirable for the display cover layer 24 to overlap the bonding area 332 between the flexible printed circuit 330 and the display panel 14. Figure 36 This is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary electronic device, wherein the display overlay 24 overlaps the bonding region 332 between the flexible printed circuit 330 and the display panel 14.

[0172] When the display cover layer 24 overlaps the bonding area 332 between the flexible printed circuit 330 and the display panel 14, there is a risk of damage to the display cover layer. To mitigate this risk, a gap filler 340 can be included beneath the display cover layer 24. Figure 36 As shown, the gap filler 340 (sometimes referred to as gap filler material 340, UV-curable filler 340, etc.) is located between the display cover layer 24 and the display panel 14. In the region of the flexible printed circuit 330 within the non-overlapping / contact bonding region 332, the gap filler 340 has a first thickness 342. In the region of the flexible printed circuit 330 within the overlapping / contact bonding region 332, the gap filler 340 has a second thickness 344, which is less than the thickness 342.

[0173] After the flexible printed circuit has been bonded to the display panel 14, the gap filler 340 can be deposited as a liquid onto the display panel 14 and the flexible printed circuit 330. Depositing the gap filler as a liquid allows the gap filler to have, for example, the properties of the liquid. Figure 36 The diagram shows multiple portions of varying thicknesses. After deposition, the interstitial filler material can be cured (e.g., by exposure to ultraviolet light). Because interstitial fillers can be cured by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, they are sometimes referred to as UV-curable materials (or simply UV-curable materials). After curing, the interstitial filler material may have a low shear modulus (e.g., less than 5 GPa, less than 3 GPa, less than 1 GPa, less than 0.1 GPa, etc.) to accommodate the shear stresses applied to the interstitial filler material during operation of device 10.

[0174] use Figure 36 The arrangement (e.g., when a gap filler is included between the display panel 14 and the display cover 24 and the display cover 24 overlaps the joint area 332), the magnitude of the distance 336 is less than Figure 35 The value in (e.g., when the gap filler is not included and the display cover 24 does not overlap the joint area 332).

[0175] Figure 37This is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for predicting crease levels based on strain gauge data. At block 402, electronic equipment (e.g., control circuitry 50) can use at least one strain gauge, such as strain gauge 104, to acquire data. The example of using a strain gauge to acquire data is merely illustrative; one or more other sensors may be used in place of the strain gauge or as a supplement if necessary.

[0176] If needed, the operation of block 402 may include using one or more motion sensors, such as motion sensor 508, to acquire data.

[0177] At block 404, control circuitry 50 may predict the crease level associated with the flexible display based at least on data collected at block 402 (e.g., strain gauge data and / or motion sensor data). Over time, the flexible display 14 may be repeatedly folded and unfolded. This may result in creases forming in one or more layers of the electronics 10 within the flexible region 14B. Creases may form in, for example, the display overlay 24, adhesive layer 64, display panel 14, and / or touch sensor layer associated with the display panel 14. Predicting the crease level may include predicting the crease level in one or more layers of the electronics (such as the display overlay 24, adhesive layer 64, display panel 14, and / or touch sensor layer). Strain gauge data from block 402 can be used to predict the presence of a crease, and if present, the depth of the crease.

[0178] At box 406, control circuitry 50 can take appropriate action based on the predicted crease level from box 404. An example of the action that can be taken at box 406 is compensating for touch sensor data. Display 14 can be a touch-sensitive display with a touch sensor layer. The touch sensor layer can be located between the display panel and the display overlay, such as in… Figure 36 At position 352. The touch sensor layer determines the location where the user touches the display (e.g., with a finger or accessory such as a stylus). The touch sensor layer can optionally determine the force with which the user touches the display, and / or the hovering distance between the finger / stylus and the display.

[0179] These touch sensor measurements may be affected by creases present in the display 14. Therefore, the touch sensor data obtained from the touch sensor layer can be compensated for by the control circuit 50 based on the predicted crease level.

[0180] The grooves in the curved layer 62 can be filled with air (as an example, such as...). Figures 15 to 18 and Figure 28 (As shown). Alternatively, such as... Figure 38As shown, the grooves in the curved layer 62 may be filled with a filler material 502. The filler material 502 may have low transparency (and correspondingly high opacity) to mitigate visible artifacts. In other words, the transparency of the filler material may match the transparency of the main body of the curved layer 62. The transparency of the filler material may be less than 50%, less than 30%, less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 3%, etc. The difference between the transparency of the filler material 502 and the transparency of the main body of the curved layer 62 may be less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 3%, less than 1%, etc.

[0181] In addition, the filler material can have a relatively low Young's modulus. The Young's modulus of the filler material can be less than 10 GPa, less than 5 GPa, less than 3 GPa, less than 2.5 GPa, less than 2 GPa, less than 1.5 GPa, less than 1 GPa, less than 500 MPa, less than 250 MPa, less than 100 MPa, less than 10 MPa, less than 1 MPa, less than 50 kPa, less than 250 kPa, less than 100 kPa, less than 50 kPa, less than 10 kPa, etc.

[0182] The filler material 502 can completely fill each groove 68 in the curved layer 62. Alternatively, the filler material can be optionally formed as a continuous layer on either side of the curved layer. Figure 38 As shown, optional layers 504 and / or 506 of filler material can be formed as continuous layers on the portion of the curved layer 62 including the groove 68. Optional layers 504 and / or 506 can simplify the manufacturing process when manufacturing a curved layer including grooves with filler material.

[0183] If necessary, each slot may have a cross-sectional shape with one or more interlocking structures to ensure that the filling material 502 remains in the slot 68 during long-term operation of the electronic device 10. Figure 39A This is a side view of an exemplary curved layer 62 having a groove 68 with an interlocking structure 68-I. The interlocking structure may have a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, the width of which increases towards the edge of the curved layer. The curved layer 62 has opposing first and second sides (e.g., an upper side and a lower side). The display panel is adjacent to the first side of the curved layer (e.g., the first side of the curved layer is located between the display panel and the second side of the curved layer). Figure 39A In this configuration, the interlocking structure 68-I is formed on one side of the groove adjacent to the first side of the curved layer. Figure 39B In this configuration, the interlocking structure 68-I is formed on one side of the groove adjacent to the second side of the curved layer. Figure 39C In the groove 68, there are a first interlocking structure 68-I1 on one side of the groove adjacent to the first side of the bending layer, and a second interlocking structure 68-I2 on one side of the groove adjacent to the second side of the bending layer.

[0184] Generally, each groove can have any desired cross-sectional shape. If desired, different grooves in the bending layer 62 can have different cross-sectional shapes.

[0185] According to one embodiment, an electronic device is provided, the electronic device comprising: a flexible display having a first portion, a second portion aligned with a bending axis extending in a first direction, and a third portion, the second portion being located between the first portion and the third portion, and the first portion being configured to bend relative to the third portion about the bending axis; and a layer overlapping the flexible display, the layer having a slotted portion overlapping the second portion of the flexible display, and the slot having properties varying in the first direction.

[0186] According to another embodiment, the layer comprises stainless steel.

[0187] According to another embodiment, the layer comprises carbon fiber.

[0188] According to another embodiment, the grooved portion is the fifth part of the layer, which has a fourth part and a sixth part, and the fifth part is located between the fourth part and the sixth part.

[0189] According to another embodiment, each slot has a width and a length greater than the width, and the length of each slot extends in the first direction.

[0190] According to another embodiment, the property that varies in the first direction is the length of the groove, and wherein the length of the groove increases toward the edge of the layer.

[0191] According to another embodiment, the property that varies in the first direction is the gap between adjacent slots in the first direction.

[0192] According to another embodiment, the groove has an additional property that varies in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the additional property is the width of the groove.

[0193] According to another embodiment, the layer includes a first carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer, a second carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer, and a third carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer, wherein the second carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer is located between the first carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer and the third carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer, wherein the carbon fibers in the first carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer extend parallel to the carbon fibers in the third carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer, wherein the carbon fibers in the first carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer are orthogonal to the carbon fibers in the second carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer, and wherein the groove extends through the first carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer and the second carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer but does not extend through the third carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer.

[0194] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes an opaque filling material located in the groove.

[0195] According to one embodiment, an electronic device is provided, comprising: a flexible display having a first portion, a second portion aligned with a bending axis, and a third portion, the second portion being intermediate between the first portion and the third portion, and the first portion being configured to bend relative to the third portion about the bending axis; and a layer overlapping the flexible display, the layer having a slotted portion overlapping the second portion of the flexible display, the slot having at least one property that varies non-linearly as a function of positioning on the layer.

[0196] According to another embodiment, the at least one attribute is the distance between the slot row and the edge of the layer, a first subset of the slots has a distance between each slot row and the edge of the layer following a first non-linear trend line, a second subset of the slots has a distance between each slot row and the edge of the layer following a second non-linear trend line, the second non-linear trend line being different from the first non-linear trend line, the first subset of the slots and the second subset of the slots are alternately arranged, and the first non-linear trend line and the second non-linear trend line are a first sine trend line and a second sine trend line.

[0197] According to another embodiment, the at least one attribute is the angle of each groove relative to the bending axis, a first subset of the grooves having angles following a first nonlinear trend line, a second subset of the grooves having angles following a second nonlinear trend line different from the first nonlinear trend line, and the first subset of the grooves and the second subset of the grooves are alternately arranged.

[0198] According to another embodiment, the layer comprises materials selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and carbon fiber.

[0199] According to one embodiment, an electronic device is provided, comprising: a flexible display having a first portion, a second portion aligned with a bending axis, and a third portion, the second portion being located between the first portion and the third portion, and the first portion being configured to bend relative to the third portion about the bending axis; a layer overlapping the flexible display having a grooved portion overlapping the second portion of the flexible display; and an adhesive layer between the flexible display and the layer, wherein the adhesive layer has a cutout overlapping the second portion of the flexible display.

[0200] According to another embodiment, the cut is elongated in a direction parallel to the bending axis, the adhesive layer has a first portion on a first side of the cut and a second portion on an opposite second side of the cut, the interface between the cut and the first portion of the adhesive layer has a plurality of recesses, each of the plurality of recesses having a depth, and the plurality of recesses having at least four unique depth values.

[0201] According to another embodiment, the layer comprises materials selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and carbon fiber.

[0202] According to one embodiment, an electronic device is provided, comprising: a flexible display having a first portion, a second portion aligned with a bending axis extending in a first direction, and a third portion, the second portion being intermediate between the first portion and the third portion, and the first portion being configured to bend relative to the third portion about the bending axis; and a layer overlaid on the flexible display, the layer having a fourth portion overlaid on the first portion, a fifth portion overlaid on the second portion, and a sixth portion overlaid on the third portion, the fifth portion of the layer comprising a grooved first material, and the fourth and sixth portions of the layer comprising a second material different from the first material.

[0203] According to another embodiment, the fifth part includes an interlocking feature that attaches the fifth part to the fourth part and the sixth part.

[0204] According to another embodiment, the second material comprises a polymer, and the first material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and carbon fiber.

[0205] The foregoing is merely illustrative and various modifications can be made to the described implementation scheme. The foregoing implementation scheme can be implemented individually or in any combination.

Claims

1. An electronic device, the electronic device comprising: A flexible display having a first portion, a second portion aligned with a bending axis extending in a first direction, and a third portion, wherein the second portion is located between the first portion and the third portion, and wherein the first portion is configured to bend relative to the third portion about the bending axis. and A layer overlapping the flexible display, wherein the layer has a slotted portion overlapping the second portion of the flexible display, and wherein the slot has a property of varying in the first direction.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the layer comprises stainless steel.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the layer comprises carbon fiber.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the slotted portion is a fifth portion of the layer, wherein the layer has a fourth portion and a sixth portion, and wherein the fifth portion is located between the fourth portion and the sixth portion.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein each slot has a width and a length greater than the width, and wherein the length of each slot extends in the first direction.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the property that varies in the first direction is the length of the slot, and wherein the length of the slot increases toward the edge of the layer.

7. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the property that varies in the first direction is the gap between adjacent slots in the first direction.

8. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the slot has an additional property that varies in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and The additional attribute mentioned above is the width of the slot.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the layer comprises a first carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer, a second carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer and a third carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer, wherein the second carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer is located between the first carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer and the third carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer, wherein the carbon fibers in the first carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer extend parallel to the carbon fibers in the third carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer, wherein the carbon fibers in the first carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer are orthogonal to the carbon fibers in the second carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer, and wherein the groove extends through the first carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer and the second carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer but not through the third carbon fiber reinforced polymer layer.

10. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: Opaque filler material located in the groove.

11. An electronic device, the electronic device comprising: A flexible display having a first portion, a second portion aligned with a bending axis, and a third portion, wherein the second portion is located between the first portion and the third portion, and wherein the first portion is configured to bend relative to the third portion about the bending axis; and A layer superimposed on the flexible display, wherein the layer has a slotted portion superimposed on the second portion of the flexible display, and wherein the slot has at least one property that varies non-linearly as a function of positioning on the layer.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the at least one attribute is the distance between a row of slots and the edge of the layer, wherein a first subset of the slots has a distance between each row of slots and the edge of the layer following a first nonlinear trend line, wherein a second subset of the slots has a distance between each row of slots and the edge of the layer following a second nonlinear trend line, the second nonlinear trend line being different from the first nonlinear trend line, wherein the first subset of the slots and the second subset of the slots are alternately arranged, and wherein the first nonlinear trend line and the second nonlinear trend line are a first sine trend line and a second sine trend line.

13. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the at least one attribute is an angle of each slot relative to the bending axis, wherein a first subset of the slots has angles following a first nonlinear trend line, wherein a second subset of the slots has angles following a second nonlinear trend line, the second nonlinear trend line being different from the first nonlinear trend line, and wherein the first subset of the slots and the second subset of the slots are alternately arranged.

14. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and carbon fiber.

15. An electronic device, the electronic device comprising: A flexible display having a first portion, a second portion aligned with a bending axis, and a third portion, wherein the second portion is located between the first portion and the third portion, and wherein the first portion is configured to bend relative to the third portion about the bending axis; A layer overlapping the flexible display, wherein the layer has a grooved portion overlapping the second portion of the flexible display; and An adhesive layer is provided between the flexible display and the layer, wherein the adhesive layer has a cutout that overlaps with the second portion of the flexible display.

16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the cut is elongated in a direction parallel to the bending axis, wherein the adhesive layer has a first portion on a first side of the cut and a second portion on an opposite second side of the cut, wherein the interface between the cut and the first portion of the adhesive layer has a plurality of recesses, and wherein each of the plurality of recesses has a depth, and the plurality of recesses have at least four unique depth values.

17. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and carbon fiber.

18. An electronic device, the electronic device comprising: A flexible display having a first portion, a second portion aligned with a bending axis extending in a first direction, and a third portion, wherein the second portion is located between the first portion and the third portion, and wherein the first portion is configured to bend relative to the third portion about the bending axis. and A layer superimposed on the flexible display, wherein the layer has a fourth portion superimposed on the first portion, a fifth portion superimposed on the second portion, and a sixth portion superimposed on the third portion, wherein the fifth portion of the layer comprises a grooved first material, and wherein the fourth and sixth portions of the layer comprise a second material different from the first material.

19. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein the fifth portion includes an interlocking feature that attaches the fifth portion to the fourth portion and the sixth portion.

20. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein the second material comprises a polymer, and wherein the first material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and carbon fiber.

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