Flexible Display Glass Coating Structure for Rigidity and Impact Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bendable flexible displays require improved rigidity and impact resistance while maintaining flexibility and reducing thickness, with existing technologies failing to adequately address these needs.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating ultra-thin glass with supplementary coatings having different modulus values and reducing adhesive usage, along with a display panel under the glass member, to enhance rigidity and protect against lateral damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If ultra-thin glass is used as a glass member to secure flexibility, then flexibility is improved, but rigidity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidrigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining ultra-thin glass with multiple coating layers (first coating portion and second coating portion) having different modulus values. The glass member itself is composite in nature, integrating the thin glass substrate with supplementary coating structures that provide rigidity while maintaining the overall flexibility of the display assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by creating coatings with spatially varying properties. The first coating portion and second coating portion have different modulus values and are disposed at different locations and orientations around the glass member. This local differentiation of material properties allows the structure to exhibit both flexibility and rigidity in different regions, resolving the contradiction between overall flexibility and local rigidity support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If multiple coating layers are added to enhance rigidity, then rigidity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverigidityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functional elements into an integrated coating structure. The first coating portion and second coating portion are combined in a systematic arrangement around the glass member, where they work together to provide rigidity support. This merging approach achieves the rigidity enhancement function through a coordinated multi-layer structure rather than separate independent components, thereby managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the coating structure into distinct functional portions (first coating portion and second coating portion) with different orientations and modulus values. This segmentation allows each portion to serve specific structural purposes while collectively providing the required rigidity. The segmented approach enables precise control over the structural properties without requiring a monolithic complex structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Length of stationary object

If adhesive members are reduced by direct coating and curing, then thickness is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethicknessVSAvoidcoating precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical adhesive bonding system with a direct coating and curing system. Instead of using separate adhesive members to join components, the invention applies coating materials directly to the glass member surfaces and cures them in place. This substitution eliminates the need for additional adhesive layers and reduces overall thickness, while the coating process itself becomes the joining mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes in the coating material properties during the manufacturing process. By controlling the modulus values, thickness, and curing characteristics of the coating portions, the system achieves both thickness reduction and adequate bonding strength. The parameter optimization of the coating materials allows direct coating to replace adhesive members while meeting precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4709122A1Flexible display and electronic device comprising same
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4709122A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4709122A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4709122A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A flexible display including a flexible region and a non-flexible region according to one embodiment may comprise: a glass member; a first coating part disposed to surround at least a portion of the surface, including the sides, of the glass member; a second coating part disposed to surround at least a portion of the surface, including the sides, of the first coating part and having a modulus value different from that of the first coating part; and a display panel disposed below the glass member.