Flexible Display Window with Composite Protective Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible electronic devices face a trade-off between flexibility and impact resistance, as enhanced flexibility can compromise their ability to withstand external impacts.

Innovation Solution

A window and display device design featuring a base layer with a first and second inorganic layer, and a protective layer positioned between the base layer and the first inorganic layer, or on a portion of the first inorganic layer, which includes a shock absorbing layer and adhesive layers to enhance impact resistance while maintaining flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the base layer is made more flexible to enable bending and folding, then deformability is improved, but impact resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedeformabilityVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The window employs a composite structure consisting of a base layer, first inorganic layer, second inorganic layer, and protective layer. Each layer contributes different properties: the base layer provides flexibility for bending, while the inorganic and protective layers provide hardness and impact resistance. This composite approach allows the window to achieve both deformability and strength simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different layers of the window structure have different local properties optimized for specific functions. The base layer is designed with flexible characteristics to enable bending, while the inorganic and protective layers are designed with hard characteristics to resist impacts. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between flexibility and strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If a protective layer is added to improve impact resistance, then surface hardness is improved, but flexibility may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface hardnessVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The protective layer is implemented as part of a multi-layer composite structure rather than a single thick layer. The protective layer provides surface hardness and impact resistance, while the underlying base layer maintains flexibility. The composite structure allows both hardness and flexibility to coexist without compromising either property significantly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The protective function is segmented into multiple thin layers (first inorganic layer, second inorganic layer, protective layer) rather than one thick protective layer. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall flexibility of the window structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11829204B2Window and display device including the same

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes a display panel and a window disposed on the display panel. The window includes a base layer including a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, a first inorganic layer disposed on the first surface of the base layer, a second inorganic layer contacting the second surface of the base layer, and a protective layer disposed either between the base layer and the first inorganic layer, or on a first portion of the first inorganic layer which is opposite to a second portion of the first inorganic layer facing the base layer.