Stacked Flexible Base Films with Protrusions for Display Window Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display panels are vulnerable to external forces and contaminants, which can damage the display panel and reduce its lifespan due to the lack of adequate protection and flexibility in existing window members.

Innovation Solution

A window member composed of stacked flexible base films with protrusions and grooves, providing increased thickness and void spaces to absorb and distribute external forces, while maintaining flexibility through the deformation of protrusions and grooves during bending.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a window member is made thicker to protect the display panel from external forces, then protection capability is improved, but flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The window member is divided into multiple base films stacked together, with each base film containing protrusions and grooves. This segmentation allows the structure to achieve both protection and flexibility: the stacked configuration provides cumulative protection while the protrusion-groove interfaces enable bending through relative movement between layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base films incorporate protrusions and grooves that create void spaces within the structure. These void spaces act as cushioning regions that absorb external forces while allowing the overall structure to remain thin and flexible. The porous-like structure provides protection without requiring solid material throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If a window member is made of a single layer to maintain flexibility, then flexibility is improved, but protection capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidprotection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than using a single thick layer, the invention uses multiple thin base films stacked together. Each thin film maintains flexibility individually, while the stacked configuration provides enhanced protection through cumulative thickness and the void spaces between protrusions and grooves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The window member employs a composite structure of multiple base films with different functions: some base films provide structural support, others contain the protrusion-groove features for flexibility, and the stacking creates void spaces for cushioning. This composite approach achieves both flexibility and protection that a single material cannot provide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If protrusions and grooves are added to base films to absorb external forces, then protection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complexity is distributed across multiple base films rather than concentrated in a single complex structure. Each base film has a relatively simple protrusion-groove pattern, but the stacking of multiple such films creates the cumulative protection effect, making the overall system more manageable than a single complex thick film.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions and grooves create a porous-like structure that provides protection through void spaces. This approach achieves protection capability similar to thick solid material but with less material and reduced weight, while the repeating pattern of protrusions and grooves can be manufactured efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

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 protects the display panel from external impacts and contaminants, enhancing durability and maintaining flexibility, thereby extending the lifespan of the display panel.

Implementation Method 1

maintaining flexibility through the deformation of protrusions and grooves during bending

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP2827396B1Display Apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.03.23 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP2827396B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2827396B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2827396B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A window member for a display apparatus includes flexible base films and a protective film. The flexible base films are stacked upon one another. Each flexible base film is substantially transparent. The protective film is disposed on the flexible base films and is substantially transparent. Each of the flexible base films includes protrusions and grooves disposed between adjacent protrusions. Corresponding protrusions of the flexible base films at least partially overlap one another.