Cover Window Curved Thickness Transitions for Foldable Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
The visual distinction of thickness differences in cover windows with varying thickness regions poses a challenge, especially in foldable display devices, leading to aesthetic and functional issues.
Innovation Solution
A cover window design with a center area and curved areas that are smoothly transitioned through controlled polishing and etching, ensuring continuous surface inclinations to minimize visible thickness boundaries, and a manufacturing method involving masks and polishing heads to achieve this design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the thickness of the folded area of the cover window is made thin and the remaining area is made thick, then the cover window can be easily folded while sufficiently protecting the display panel, but a difference in thickness of the cover window having a different thickness for each region may be visually recognized
Solution Approach 1:
The cover window is designed with different thicknesses in different regions: a first thickness in the folded area and a second thickness in the remaining area. This local differentiation allows the folded area to be flexible while the remaining area provides protection, resolving the contradiction between folding ease and protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
A curved area is formed between the first area and the second area to smoothly transition between different thickness regions. This curvature eliminates abrupt thickness changes and prevents visual recognition of thickness differences, resolving the contradiction between local quality differentiation and overall shape uniformity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a cover window has varying thickness regions to enable easy folding, then folding characteristics are enhanced, but visual distinction of thickness differences creates aesthetic issues
Solution Approach 1:
The curved area with gradual thickness transition creates a smooth visual appearance that masks the underlying thickness variation. This allows the cover window to maintain both folding capability through thickness variation and visual uniformity through the curved transition zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness variation is implemented in the third dimension (depth) while the first and second dimensions (surface area) maintain visual uniformity through the curved transition. This dimensional separation allows folding capability without compromising aesthetic appearance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces the visual perception of thickness differences and enhances the folding characteristics of the cover window, protecting the display panel while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
forming a first curved area extending in a curved shape from a first side of the center area to the first area and a second curved area extending in a curved shape from a second side of the center area to the second area by polishing at least part of the glass
Data Source
AI summary
A cover window includes a lower surface and an upper surface opposite to the lower surface. The upper surface includes: a center area extending in a first direction and being spaced apart from the lower surface by a first interval in a thickness direction; a first curved area extending in a curved shape from a first side of the center area; and a first area extending from the first curved area in the first direction and being spaced apart from the lower surface by a second interval in the thickness direction; and the first curved area includes a first partial area concavely extending from the center area and a second partial area convexly extending from the first partial area in a cross-sectional view.