Flexible Display Window With Grooved Resin Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display devices face challenges in maintaining product reliability due to deformation and visibility issues when folded, particularly in the folding regions where stress concentrations occur, affecting their durability and user experience.

Innovation Solution

A window structure for display devices is designed with a base layer having defined grooves and a resin with a thiol group, where the refractive index difference between the base layer and resin is minimal, enhancing folding properties and visibility by using polydimethylsiloxane thiol and crosslinking agents, and the resin is translucent and elastic to absorb stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a window is folded to enable portability, then flexibility and portability are improved, but crease formation and stress concentrations occur in folding regions reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidproduct reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The window is segmented into a base layer and a resin layer with different mechanical properties. The resin layer is further divided into multiple grooves that segment the stress distribution in the folding region, preventing concentrated stress and crease formation while maintaining overall flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resin layer with grooves is applied beforehand to the base layer to provide stress absorption and cushioning in advance. This pre-applied layer prevents crease formation and stress concentrations before folding occurs, thereby maintaining product reliability during repeated folding operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If a resin layer is added to reduce stress concentrations, then reliability is improved, but visibility may deteriorate due to refractive index differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding reliabilityVSAvoidvisibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The refractive index of the resin layer is specifically controlled to be within 0.1 of the base layer's refractive index. This parameter adjustment ensures that the resin layer remains optically invisible while maintaining its mechanical function of stress absorption and crease prevention, thus improving reliability without compromising visibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 improves the folding reliability and visibility of display devices by reducing crease formation and stress concentrations, thereby enhancing the overall product reliability and user experience.

Implementation Method 1

the resin may have elasticity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a difference between a refractive index of the base layer and a refractive index of the resin is less than about 0.1; the resin may have translucency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS11548260B2Window and display device including the same

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A window includes a base layer including a folding region in which a groove is defined and a non-folding region, and a resin disposed on the groove and including a thiol group, wherein a difference between the refractive index of the base layer and the refractive index of the resin is less than about 0.1.