Foldable Display Protection Layer Grooves for Stress Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices face issues with compressive stress on protection layers, leading to potential damage to signal wires, especially in bendable or foldable designs.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of grooves and openings in the protection layers and support members to reduce compressive stress, allowing for easier bending of the display panel by distributing stress more evenly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protection layer is applied to protect the display panel, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the compressive stress increases causing damage to signal wires and reducing bendability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of display panelVSAvoidcompressive stress on protection layer

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The protection layer is segmented by forming grooves that divide it into multiple regions. This segmentation allows the protection layer to flex and distribute stress more evenly during bending, preventing excessive compressive stress concentration that would damage signal wires while maintaining overall protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support member is designed with a porous structure containing multiple openings. This porous configuration reduces the overall rigidity of the support member, allowing it to accommodate bending movements and reduce compressive stress transmission to the protection layer and underlying signal wires.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Strength

If a rigid support member is used to maintain structural integrity, then the strength is improved, but the bendability of the display panel deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidbendability of display panel

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support member incorporates multiple openings creating a porous structure that reduces rigidity while maintaining structural integrity. This allows the support member to flex during bending operations, enabling the display panel to achieve foldable or rollable configurations without compromising overall structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The support member is segmented into multiple regions by the openings, allowing different portions to deform independently during bending. This segmentation enables the structure to maintain integrity while adapting to bending requirements for foldable or rollable display configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12471483B2Display device including protection layer grooves and support member openings

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device having a display panel including first to third regions. The second region and the third region are respectively connected to opposite sides of the first region. The third region is bendable. A flexible circuit board is connected to an end of the third region. A first protection layer overlaps the first region to third regions. A second protection layer overlaps at least a portion of the third region. A support member overlaps the first protection layer. The support member includes a plurality of openings. The first protection layer includes a first groove overlapping at least a portion of the second region and a second groove overlapping at least a portion of the third region. Each of the first groove and the second groove overlaps the support member.