Foldable Cover Window Groove Structure to Prevent Display Cracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable display devices are prone to cracks and delamination due to repeated stress from folding and unfolding, particularly in the cover window protection layer.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a cover window featuring a resin layer in a groove, which has a Young's modulus of 30 MPa to 1 GPa, is designed to reduce strain during folding and prevent cracks and delamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid cover window structure is used, then structural strength is improved, but cracking and delamination occur during repeated folding operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidfolding reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cover window is divided into a first cover window portion and a second cover window portion separated by a groove. This segmentation allows each portion to independently deform during folding, reducing stress concentration and preventing cracks while maintaining overall structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover window portions are designed as thin structures that can flexibly deform during folding operations. The groove between the portions enhances flexibility by allowing relative movement, enabling the rigid cover window to withstand repeated folding without cracking or delamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If the cover window is made thinner to improve flexibility, then folding reliability is improved, but structural strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding reliabilityVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the cover window into multiple portions with a groove between them, the patent achieves flexibility comparable to thin structures while maintaining the structural strength of a complete cover window. The groove allows deformation without requiring the entire window to be thin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover window uses a composite structure combining multiple portions with different properties. The groove acts as a flexible joint between rigid portions, creating a composite system that exhibits both strength and flexibility characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20260020478A1Display device and electronic device including the same

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device is provided. The display device comprises a display panel comprising a folding area and a non-folding area, and a cover window disposed on the display panel and comprising a groove overlapping the folding area, wherein the cover window comprises a resin layer disposed in the groove, and wherein the resin layer has a Young's modulus of 30 MPa to 1 GPa at −20° C.