Dual Touch Panels for Foldable Device Hinge Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional foldable electronic devices with flexible displays suffer from damage, such as cracks and ruptures, in the touch panel region due to repeated folding, as the existing touch panels are not designed to withstand physical shocks and forces effectively.

Innovation Solution

A foldable electronic device design featuring dual-type touch panels with distinct conductive patterns on each panel, connected by conductive vias, and a separate layer forming a conductive loop pattern adjacent to facing portions, ensuring continuous input recognition and protection against damage in the folding region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid-type touch panel integrally extending from the rear surface of the display panel is used, then the touch panel can continuously recognize input in the entire region regardless of folding, but the touch panel is vulnerable to physical shock and force applied during folding operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput recognition continuityVSAvoidresistance to physical shock

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The touch panel is divided into a first touch panel and a second touch panel, with each panel having its own conductive patterns. This segmentation allows each panel to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the touch panel have different properties: the first touch panel has conductive patterns optimized for input recognition continuity, while the second touch panel has conductive patterns designed to withstand physical shock during folding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the touch panel is designed to withstand repeated folding operations, then damage from physical shock is reduced, but the complexity of the touch panel structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability during foldingVSAvoidtouch panel structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The touch panel is segmented into multiple independent panels with separate conductive patterns, allowing each panel to be optimized for durability during folding without requiring complex reinforcement structures across the entire panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The touch panel uses composite structures with different conductive patterns and material properties in different regions, combining the benefits of input recognition continuity and resistance to physical shock while managing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If dual-type touch panels with distinct conductive patterns are used, then damage prevention in the folding region is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The touch panel is segmented into first and second touch panels with distinct conductive patterns, allowing each panel to be manufactured separately using optimized processes for its specific requirements, which simplifies overall manufacturing despite the increased number of components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 prevents damage to the touch panels in the folding region while maintaining recognition performance, extending the lifespan of the device and ensuring reliable input functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The touch panel may generally include a plurality of conductive patterns forming a conductive loop for forming a magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field generation: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a third layer electrically connected to the pattern of the second layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11886238B2Foldable electronic device

Publication Date: 2024.01.30 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

According to various embodiments, an electronic device includes: a hinge; a foldable housing including a first housing connected to the hinge and has a first surface facing a first direction and a second surface facing a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and a second housing connected to the hinge has a third surface facing a third direction and a fourth surface facing a fourth direction that is opposite to the third direction, and is folded about the hinge to overlap the first housing; a flexible display disposed inside the foldable housing and extending from above the first surface of the first housing onto the third surface of the second housing; and a touch panel disposed adjacent to the flexible display, wherein the touch panel includes a first touch panel disposed on the first surface and a second touch panel disposed on the third surface.