Elastic Barrier Layer Reduces Flexural Deformation in Foldable Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexural deformation occurs in the folding area of foldable display devices, which affects user experience and device durability.
Innovation Solution
A display device design that includes a display module with a folding area, a support plate, a foam coating layer with a foaming agent, and a barrier layer made of elastic material to reduce flexural deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid support structure is used to maintain display module stability, then structural stability is improved, but flexural deformation in the folding area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible support plates with varying thicknesses and elastic barrier layers that can bend and deform without causing permanent damage to the display module. These flexible components absorb the stress during folding operations, allowing the display to maintain structural stability while accommodating the necessary flexural deformation in the folding area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes materials with different elastic moduli and thickness parameters in different regions of the support structure. The support plates have varying thicknesses (thinner in folding areas, thicker in non-folding areas) and the barrier layers have specific elastic modulus ranges (2-200 GPa) to optimize both structural stability and flexibility, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and deformability.
2Length of moving object
If the support plate is made thinner to reduce overall device thickness, then device portability is improved, but structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support plates are designed with non-uniform thickness distribution, being thinner in the folding areas to reduce overall device thickness and heavier in the non-folding areas to maintain structural strength. This local variation in thickness allows the device to be portable while maintaining necessary structural integrity in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite structures combining support plates of different materials and thicknesses, along with elastic barrier layers and foam coating layers. This composite approach allows thin sections for portability while maintaining overall structural strength through the combination of multiple layers with complementary properties.
3Shape
If a thick barrier layer is used to prevent flexural deformation, then deformation resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier layer is designed with specific elastic modulus parameters (2-200 GPa) and controlled thickness to provide adequate deformation resistance without excessive thickness. By optimizing these parameters, the patent achieves the required deformation resistance while maintaining manufacturability and avoiding excessive complexity.
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 proposed solution effectively reduces flexural deformation in the folding area, enhancing user experience by minimizing perceived deformation and improving the device's durability.
Implementation Method 1
a foam coating layer including a base portion and a foaming agent included in the base portion, the foam coating layer being disposed directly on the support plate
Implementation Method 2
a foaming agent included in the base portion, the foaming agent having a substantially spherical shape and may include a shell portion and a core portion
Implementation Method 3
a barrier layer disposed between the display module and the foam coating layer and including an elastic material
Implementation Method 4
The barrier layer may have a yield strain equal to or greater than about 1.0% and equal to or less than about 2.5%
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a display module including a first non-folding area, a folding area, and a second non-folding area, a support plate disposed below the display module, a foam coating layer including a base portion and a foaming agent included in the base portion, the foam coating layer being disposed directly on the support plate; and a barrier layer disposed between the display module and the foam coating layer and including an elastic material.