Flexible Display Protection Films and Filler Gap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display apparatuses, particularly those based on organic light-emitting diode technology, are vulnerable to damage in the bending area due to the absence of protection in this region, making them susceptible to external impacts and manufacturing defects.

Innovation Solution

A flexible display apparatus with separate protection films on either side of the bending area, filled with an optically clear resin filler that extends between these films, providing structural support and protection without restricting the curvature radius of the panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If protection films are applied to the flexible panel, then durability is improved, but the bending area becomes vulnerable due to the absence of protection in the gap region

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidvulnerability to damage in bending area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A filler material is introduced as an intermediary substance between the first and second protection films in the bending area. This filler fills the gap that would otherwise be empty, providing continuous protection across the entire panel surface including the previously vulnerable bending region. The filler acts as a mediator that connects the two separate protection films, eliminating the vulnerability caused by the gap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protection structure transitions from separate discrete protection films to a composite structure where the filler material combines with the protection films to form an integrated protective system. This composite approach allows the filler to occupy the bending area gap and work together with the protection films to provide uniform protection across the flexible panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If the flexible panel is bent, then flexibility and portability are improved, but the bending area becomes susceptible to external impacts

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidsusceptibility to external impacts

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filler material is placed in advance in the bending area to provide cushioning protection before external impacts occur. This preemptive measure ensures that when the flexible panel is bent and subjected to external forces, the filler already in position absorbs and distributes the impact, preventing damage to the underlying structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If separate protection films are used, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but the gap between films creates structural weakness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidstructural strength in bending area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The filler serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between separate protection films, transforming the structurally weak discontinuous structure into a continuous, strength-enhanced composite structure while preserving the manufacturing flexibility of using separate films.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11675450B2Flexible display apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A flexible display apparatus includes: a flexible panel having a first area, a bending area extending from the first area, and a second area extending from the bending area; a plurality of separate protection films on a surface of the flexible panel; and a filler in a gap between the plurality of separate protection films.