Flexible Window Groove Design for Impact Resistance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display devices face reduced lifespan and damage due to excessive bending or repetitive stress, as well as compromised impact resistance and fragility, especially when bent or folded.

Innovation Solution

A window with a body unit featuring a plurality of grooves, where the groove width is between 80 μm to 100 μm, and a thickness ratio of the groove's lowest side to the entire window is between 13% to 50%, along with a reinforced layer, enhances impact resistance by distributing stress and providing structural support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible display device is made thin to enable bending, then flexibility and portability are improved, but impact resistance is reduced and parts are easily damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending flexibilityVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by making the window body itself thin and flexible, allowing it to bend with the display device while maintaining structural integrity through the groove patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the window body material with a reinforced layer to create a composite structure that provides both flexibility for bending and enhanced impact resistance, resolving the contradiction between thinness and strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If excessive bending or repetitive stress is applied to the flexible display device, then deformability is demonstrated, but lifespan is reduced and parts are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedeformabilityVSAvoidlifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the window body into segmented regions through the groove patterns, allowing controlled deformation in specific areas while maintaining overall structural integrity during repetitive bending

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The groove patterns create local variations in the window body structure, with grooves positioned to allow controlled flexibility in bending areas while maintaining strength in other regions, enabling deformability without compromising lifespan

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20230185342A1Window, method for manufacturing window, and display device including the window

Publication Date: 2023.06.15 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A window includes a body unit in which a plurality of grooves is defined, and a width of a groove of the plurality of grooves in a first direction which is parallel to a main extension direction of the body unit is about 80 micrometers (μm) to about 100 μm.