Flexible Display Laminate Structure for Crease and Delamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible displays in foldable electronic devices suffer from crease formation and delamination issues due to frequent folding operations, leading to surface quality deterioration and reliability degradation.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a laminated structure with multiple protection layers, including a third layer thicker than the second layer, to reduce burnout deformation and delamination, thereby improving surface quality and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single protection layer is used on the flexible display, then the device structure is simple, but the surface quality deteriorates and crease formation occurs due to frequent folding operations
Solution Approach 1:
The protection layer is divided into multiple sub-layers (first protection layer, second protection layer, third protection layer) with different thicknesses and material properties. This segmentation allows each layer to perform specific functions: the thinner layers provide flexibility while the thicker third layer provides structural support to prevent crease formation, thereby improving surface quality without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structure by combining multiple protection layers with different material characteristics. The layers are laminated together to create a composite protection system that leverages the advantages of each material - flexibility from thinner layers and crease resistance from the thicker third layer - achieving superior surface quality maintenance during folding operations
2Reliability
If the protection layer is made thicker to prevent burnout deformation, then the durability improves, but the flexibility and risk of delamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using one thick protection layer, the patent segments the protective function across multiple layers with different thicknesses. The first and second protection layers are thinner and maintain flexibility and adhesion, while the third protection layer provides the necessary thickness for burnout deformation prevention. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing mechanical properties across multiple interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the protection layer structure have different local qualities - the first, second, and third protection layers have progressively different thicknesses and material properties tailored to their specific functions. The third layer has greater thickness for durability, while the first and second layers have lesser thickness to maintain flexibility and adhesion, creating optimal local characteristics throughout the composite structure
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent folding operations are performed to enable transformable structure, then the adaptability improves, but the crease area formation and delamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protection layer is segmented into multiple sub-layers that can independently deform during folding operations. This segmentation allows the display panel to undergo frequent folding and unfolding transformations while each layer absorbs and distributes the mechanical stress, preventing stress concentration that would cause crease formation or delamination, thus maintaining integrity during high-adaptability operations
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer protection structure provides beforehand cushioning by distributing mechanical stresses across multiple interfaces before they can cause damage. The layered structure acts as a cushioning system that absorbs the impact of frequent folding operations, preventing the formation of crease areas and delamination that would otherwise occur during transformable structure operations
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments, an electronic device may include: a first housing; a second housing; a hinge device connecting the first housing and the second housing in a foldable manner; and a flexible display disposed to be supported by the first housing and the second housing, and including a display panel and a protection layer laminated on the display panel. The protection layer of the flexible display may include a first layer laminated on the display panel; a second layer laminated on the first layer; a third layer laminated on the second layer; and a coating layer formed on an upper surface of the third layer, wherein the third layer has a thickness greater than a thickness of the second layer.