Display Protective Layer Composition for Thin Impact-Resistant Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices struggle to achieve a thin thickness while maintaining impact resistance and optical properties, particularly in flexible and foldable designs.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a protective layer comprising a base portion, a light absorbent, and polymer beads, where the light absorbent includes a black pigment or dye, and a reflective layer made of metals, is designed to enhance impact resistance and visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the number of functional layers is reduced to achieve thin thickness, then the device thickness is reduced, but the impact resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice thicknessVSAvoidimpact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single protective layer: light absorption (using black pigment/dye), impact resistance (using polymer beads as cushioning material), and adhesion (using base portion resin). This merging allows the layer to provide protection while maintaining thin overall device thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective layer uses a composite material system consisting of polymer beads dispersed in a resin matrix with added black pigment. This composite structure provides both mechanical cushioning (polymer beads) and optical absorption (black pigment) properties in a single layer, resolving the contradiction between thinness and impact resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If a shock absorbing layer with light blocking function is added under the display panel, then the impact resistance is improved, but the device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoiddevice thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The protective layer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it absorbs light (black pigment), provides impact resistance (polymer beads), and ensures adhesion (base portion). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate shock-absorbing and light-blocking layers, maintaining thin device thickness while improving impact resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the light blocking function and shock absorption function into a single protective layer, rather than using separate layers. The polymer beads provide shock absorption while the black pigment provides light blocking, achieving both functions in one layer to avoid increasing device thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Illumination intensity

If multiple functional layers are used to provide color images, then the optical quality is improved, but the device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical qualityVSAvoiddevice thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The protective layer serves multiple purposes: it protects the display panel, absorbs light to prevent reflection from the back, and provides impact resistance. By making this single layer multi-functional, the patent avoids adding multiple separate layers that would increase device thickness while maintaining or improving optical quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 provides a display device with improved impact resistance, visibility, and reliability, maintaining a thin thickness through a protective layer that absorbs visible light and acts as a cushion against external impacts.

Implementation Method 1

The light absorbent includes a black pigment or a black dye and is dispersed in the base portion. The light absorbent may absorb visible light.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a protective layer disposed under the reflective layer and provided in a single layer. The protective layer includes a base portion, a light absorbent, and a polymer bead.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4286928B1Display device and method of manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4286928B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4286928B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4286928B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A display device includes a display panel, a protective film disposed under the display panel, a reflective layer disposed under the protective film and including a metal, and a protective layer disposed under the reflective layer and provided in a single layer. The protective layer includes a base portion, a light absorbent, and a polymer bead. The light absorbent includes a black pigment or a black dye and is dispersed in the base portion. The display device has improved impact resistance, visibility, and reliability.