Flexible Display Window With Inorganic Barrier Film for Moisture Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display devices face durability issues due to repeated bending, which can lead to stress and degradation of the window components, especially in high-temperature and high-humidity environments.

Innovation Solution

A window structure comprising a base layer made of a polymer film, such as PET, with inorganic films of silicon oxy carbide, silicon oxy carbonitride, or silicon oxide on its surfaces to enhance durability and moisture resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible display device undergoes repeated bending, then the portability and shape flexibility are improved, but the window durability and structural integrity deteriorate due to stress accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape flexibilityVSAvoidwindow durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The window is constructed as a composite structure with a base layer (PET or polyimide) and an inorganic film layer (silicon oxide, silicon oxy carbide, or silicon oxy carbonitride). This composite design combines the flexibility of polymer materials with the durability and stress resistance of inorganic materials, allowing the window to withstand repeated bending while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If the window is exposed to high-temperature and high-humidity environments, then the operational versatility is improved, but the moisture absorption and expansion of the window increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoidmoisture absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The inorganic film layer acts as a barrier that prevents moisture penetration into the base layer. This composite structure enables the window to maintain dimensional stability and resist moisture absorption even when exposed to high-temperature and high-humidity environments, thereby improving environmental adaptability without compromising compositional stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If a simple base layer structure is used, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the moisture resistance and durability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidmoisture resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The window employs a two-layer composite structure consisting of a base layer and an inorganic film layer. This design adds minimal manufacturing complexity while significantly enhancing moisture resistance and durability. The inorganic film can be deposited using conventional thin-film deposition techniques, making the enhanced structure compatible with existing manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS12449565B2Window, and display device including the same

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A window includes a base layer, and an inorganic film disposed directly on at least one selected from an upper surface and a lower surface of the base layer, where the inorganic film includes at least one selected from silicon oxy carbide, silicon oxy carbonitride, and silicon oxide.