Foldable Display Adhesive Modulation for Step Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable display apparatuses face issues with display quality defects due to the opening patterns of the support structure, which cause steps that deteriorate folding characteristics and puncture strength, leading to poor portability and usability.
Innovation Solution
A foldable display apparatus design featuring a support structure with a first support plate having opening patterns in the foldable area, a second support plate made of a different material, and an adhesive layer with varying degrees of cure and modulus, where the adhesive layer in the foldable area has a higher degree of cure than in the non-foldable areas, covering the opening patterns and enhancing the rigidity and puncture strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a high-stiffness metal plate with opening patterns is used in the support structure, then the elastic deformation region is enlarged and folding characteristics are improved, but steps are formed on the display surface resulting in poor display quality
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer is designed with spatially varying properties: it has a first modulus in non-foldable areas and a second, higher modulus in the foldable area. This local differentiation allows the foldable area to accommodate opening patterns and deform during folding while non-foldable areas maintain structural stability, preventing step formation on the display surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the adhesive layer by varying its modulus across different regions. The adhesive layer transitions from a lower modulus in non-foldable areas to a higher modulus in the foldable area, enabling differential mechanical behavior that resolves the contradiction between folding flexibility and display surface flatness.
2Area of stationary object
If the screen size is enlarged in portable display apparatus, then display area is increased, but portability is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates a foldable area with opening patterns that enables dynamic deformation during folding operations. The high-stiffness metal plate with controlled opening patterns allows the display apparatus to transition between expanded (large screen) and compact (portable) states, resolving the contradiction between display area and portability.
3Strength
If a polymer film back plate is used to support the display panel, then the display panel is supported, but plastic deformation occurs in the foldable area causing deterioration of folding characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure uses a composite of a high-stiffness metal plate with opening patterns and an adhesive layer with spatially varying modulus. This composite structure provides the necessary support strength while the opening patterns and differential adhesive properties prevent plastic deformation in the foldable area, maintaining folding characteristics.
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 characteristics and display quality by reducing the impact of opening patterns on the display surface, enhancing puncture strength, and maintaining a thinner cover window, thus addressing the limitations of existing foldable display technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a first adhesive layer between the first support plate and the second support plate
Implementation Method 2
an elastic deformation region thereof is narrow. Thus, opening patterns are formed in the foldable area to enlarge the elastic deformation region of the metal plate
Implementation Method 3
The high-stiffness metal plate has high restoring force
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable display apparatus includes a display panel; a first plate under the display panel; and a support structure under the first plate and having a foldable area and two non-foldable areas respectively on both opposing sides of the foldable area. The support structure includes a first support plate having a plurality of opening patterns defined in the foldable area; a second support plate above the first support plate and including a material different from a material of the first support plate; and a first adhesive layer between the first support plate and the second support plate. The first adhesive layer has: first portions respectively in each of the non-foldable areas of the support structure; and a second portion in the foldable area of the support structure. The second portion has a higher degree of cure than a degree of cure of each of the first portions.