Flexible Display Protective Layers for Foldable Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display devices are inferior in durability, making them unsuitable for applications requiring both foldability and robustness.

Innovation Solution

A display device comprising a first and second display panel with protective layers of higher strength than the flexible substrates, connected by a flexible substrate connection part that allows rotation and folding, ensuring durability and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible substrate is used to enable folding, then foldability is improved, but durability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefoldabilityVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The display device is divided into multiple display panels connected by a connection part. Each display panel has protective layers that are continuous across the connection part, creating segmented protection zones that maintain strength at the folding location while allowing flexibility in the connection region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective layers are designed with different properties in different regions: they provide full coverage and maximum strength on the display panels, while maintaining continuity and providing localized protection at the connection part. This local quality variation allows the structure to be both durable and foldable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If protective layers with higher strength than the flexible substrate are used, then durability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protective layers are formed to extend continuously across the connection part before the final assembly. This preliminary formation of protective structures simplifies subsequent manufacturing steps by establishing the protective framework early in the process, rather than requiring complex post-assembly protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective layers are merged with the flexible substrate in a continuous structure that spans multiple display panels and the connection part. This merging of protective and structural functions into a single integrated layer reduces the need for separate protective components and simplifies assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9291842B2Display device, electronic apparatus, and method for manufacturing display device

Publication Date: 2016.03.22 MAGNOLIA WHITE CORP

AI summary

According to an aspect, a display device includes a first display panel including a first protective layer; a second display panel including a second protective layer; and a connection part that connects the first display panel and the second display panel. The connection part includes a portion of a flexible substrate included in the first display panel and the second display panel, and the first protective layer and the second protective layer have higher strength than the flexible substrate.