Flexible Display With Decoupled Lubricated Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rigid planar substrates in electronic device displays make it difficult to integrate them into devices with bendable housings, as they can suffer from stress buildup and damage during bending.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating flexible display layers with lubrication layers formed from textured surfaces and slippery coatings or lubricants, along with elastomeric gaskets and anchor structures, to allow the display layers to slide past each other during bending, thereby preventing stress accumulation and maintaining the display's integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid planar substrates are used in displays, then structural strength and stability are improved, but the ability to accommodate bending is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidability to accommodate bending

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display is divided into multiple separate layers (substrate layer, functional layers, encapsulation layers) that can move independently relative to each other during bending, allowing the overall structure to flex without compromising individual layer integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs thin-film structures and flexible encapsulation layers that can bend and deform elastically, replacing traditional rigid substrates with flexible alternatives that maintain structural integrity during bending operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stability of the object's composition

If display layers are bonded together, then structural stability is improved, but stress buildup during bending is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidstress buildup during bending

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

Lubrication layers are introduced as intermediary elements between adjacent display layers to reduce friction and enable smooth relative movement during bending, preventing stress accumulation while maintaining layer alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The bonding between layers is made dynamic rather than rigid, allowing the layers to move and adjust their relative positions during bending while maintaining connection, thus accommodating stress without failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If lubrication layers are added between display layers, then stress prevention during bending is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestress prevention during bendingVSAvoidnumber of layers and structures

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions are combined into single layers where possible, such as integrating lubrication properties into encapsulation layers or combining structural support with stress distribution functions, thereby reducing the total number of separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables electronic devices with flexible displays to bend without sustaining damage, as the lubrication and decoupling mechanisms prevent stress buildup and allow for smooth layer movement, ensuring the display remains functional across various bending configurations.

Implementation Method 1

Lubrication layers formed from textured surfaces, slippery coatings, and lubricants such as oil or other liquids may be interposed between the layers of the display so that the display layers slip past each other during bending of the device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

Elastomeric gaskets and elastomeric lubricant retention structures may be used to mount the display layers in the housing and to retain liquid lubricant within the layers of the display

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10069100B2Flexible device with decoupled display layers

Publication Date: 2018.09.04 APPLE INC

AI summary

An electronic device may have a display. The device and display may bend about a bend axis. The display may have layers such as an organic light-emitting diode layer or other layer with pixels, a touch sensor layer, a protective layer with a polarizer, and a support layer. Lubrication layers formed from textured surfaces, slippery coatings, and lubricants such as oil may be interposed between the layers of the display so that the display layers slip past each other during bending of the device and display and minimize display stress. A device housing may have a recess or other structures that retain the display within the housing while allowing the display layers to shift relative to each other during bending. Elastomeric gaskets and elastomeric lubricant retention structures may be used to mount the display layers in the housing and to retain liquid lubricant within the layers of the display.