Flexible Display Support Through Holes for Rollable Flatness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices face challenges in achieving a balance between flexibility and flatness, particularly in rollable designs, where the visibility of patterns formed by through holes in the support structure can detract from the aesthetic and functional performance.

Innovation Solution

A flexible display device is designed with a support structure that includes through holes in the folding area, which are strategically arranged and shaped to minimize visibility, using a femtosecond laser to create these holes in the carrier substrate, thereby enhancing flexibility while maintaining flatness and reducing pattern visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If through holes are formed in the support structure to enhance flexibility, then flexibility is improved, but pattern visibility increases and aesthetic performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidpattern visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is designed with different properties in different regions: the folding area contains through holes for flexibility while the non-folding area maintains solid structure for aesthetic appearance. This local differentiation allows the support to provide flexibility where needed without compromising the visual appearance in visible regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The through holes are shaped as narrow slits or lines rather than circular openings, extending along the folding direction. This dimensional change from point-like holes to line-like structures reduces their visibility from the front surface while still providing the necessary flexibility in the folding area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the display device is made rollable with a flexible substrate, then adaptability is improved, but maintaining flatness and structural stability becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverollable flexibilityVSAvoidflatness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The display device is divided into distinct functional regions: a folding area with through holes for flexibility and a non-folding area with solid support for structural stability. This segmentation allows the device to be rolled in the folding area while maintaining flatness in the non-folding area during normal display operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the support structure have different mechanical properties: the folding area is designed to be flexible and bendable, while the non-folding area maintains rigidity and flatness. This local quality differentiation enables the device to switch between rolled and flat states as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If through holes are made larger to improve flexibility, then flexibility is enhanced, but pattern visibility and aesthetic appeal deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using large circular holes, the design employs narrow slit-like openings that extend along the folding direction. This dimensional change allows the holes to be visually minimized (appearing as thin lines or barely visible) while still providing sufficient flexibility when the device is rolled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The through holes are designed with an asymmetric shape - narrow in the width direction (to minimize visibility) and extended in the folding direction (to maximize flexibility). This asymmetric geometry optimizes both aesthetic appearance and functional flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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

The solution effectively reduces the visibility of the support structure's patterns, improving the aesthetic appeal and functional flexibility of rollable display devices by securing the necessary flexibility in the folding area while maintaining the display's flatness.

Implementation Method 1

using a femtosecond laser to create these holes in the carrier substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS12033545B2Display device and method of providing the same

Publication Date: 2024.07.09 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes a flexible substrate including a folding area, a non-folding area adjacent to the folding area along a first direction, and a first surface in both the folding area and the non-folding area, a light-emitting element layer on the flexible substrate, and a support which faces the light-emitting layer with the flexible substrate therebetween, forms an interface with the first surface of the flexible substrate and is bendable together with the flexible substrate. The support includes a first support corresponding to the folding area, a second support corresponding to the non-folding area, and a through hole extended through the support. The through hole is extended through the first support, and a first portion of the first surface of the flexible substrate is exposed to outside the support by the through hole in the first support.