Foldable Digitizer Sensing-Line Layout for Folding-Region Crack Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digitizers in foldable display devices suffer from cracks at the folding portions due to concentrated stress on the sensing lines, which compromises their durability and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A digitizer design featuring a guide pattern surrounding through holes in the folding portion, redistributing stress away from the sensing lines, and incorporating a sensing line that curves along the edges of these holes to mitigate crack formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the sensing line is disposed straight in the folding portion, then the manufacturing process is simple, but cracks occur due to concentrated stress
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing line is designed to curve along the edges of through-holes in the folding portion rather than extending straight through. This curved configuration allows the sensing line to flex and follow the contour of the through-holes, distributing stress away from sharp corners and preventing crack formation during repeated folding operations.
2Reliability
If through-holes are added to the folding portion, then stress is redistributed and cracks are prevented, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The folding portion is segmented by introducing multiple through-holes that divide the continuous material into separate regions. This segmentation allows stress to be distributed around each through-hole rather than concentrating in one location, while the guide pattern connects these segments to maintain structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide pattern acts as an intermediary structure that surrounds and connects the through-holes. It provides a stress-distributing framework that mediates between the rigid base layer and the flexible sensing line, allowing the sensing line to curve smoothly around the through-holes without experiencing concentrated stress.
3Reliability
If the sensing line curves along the edges of through-holes, then stress is distributed and durability is enhanced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The through-holes and guide patterns are formed in the base layer before the sensing line is deposited. This preliminary structuring provides pre-defined curvature paths that guide the sensing line formation process, ensuring consistent stress distribution without requiring high-precision free-form curvature control during sensing line manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
A digitizer including: a base layer including a folding portion, a first non-folding portion and a second non-folding portion spaced apart from the first non-folding portion in a first direction with the folding portion interposed therebetween, wherein the folding portion includes a plurality of through holes; a guide pattern disposed on the base layer in the folding portion and surrounding at least a part of each of the plurality of through holes in a plan view; and a sensing line disposed on the base layer in the folding portion, positioned between the plurality of through holes in the plan view, and extending in the first direction, curving along edges of the plurality of through holes.