Foldable Display Digitizer Layout for Uniform Input Sensitivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with digitizers experience sensitivity degradation in folding areas due to stress, leading to non-uniform input detection.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a digitizer system with multiple digitizers and a support member, including a connection member using an anisotropic conductive film, to maintain sensitivity and uniform input detection across folding and non-folding areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single digitizer is used across the entire display panel, then device complexity is reduced, but sensitivity degradation occurs in folding areas due to stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedigitizer structureVSAvoidinput detection sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The display panel is divided into multiple regions (folding area and non-folding area), and separate digitizers are provided for each region. The first digitizer is disposed in the non-folding area while the second digitizer is disposed in the folding area, allowing each digitizer to be optimized for its specific operational conditions and stress environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If the digitizer is disposed close to the display panel, then input detection precision is improved, but sensitivity degradation occurs in folding areas due to stress concentration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput detection precisionVSAvoidsensitivity in folding area

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different spacing arrangements are applied to different regions: the first digitizer in the non-folding area is disposed close to the display panel for high precision input detection, while the second digitizer in the folding area is disposed spaced apart from the display panel to reduce stress concentration and maintain sensitivity under folding conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If multiple digitizers are used with different spacing arrangements, then uniform sensitivity is achieved across folding and non-folding areas, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform sensitivityVSAvoiddigitizer system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different spacing arrangements to different regions: the first digitizer in the non-folding area is disposed close to the display panel for high precision input detection, while the second digitizer in the folding area is disposed spaced apart from the display panel to reduce stress concentration and maintain sensitivity under folding conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 ensures consistent and improved sensitivity in folding areas by preventing sensitivity degradation and maintaining uniform input detection, even under stress conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a connection member using an anisotropic conductive film

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnisotropic conduction: Anisotropy

Data Source

PatentUS12572230B2Electronic device having digitizers in folding and non-folding areas

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device includes: a display panel including a display surface including a folding area foldable with respect to a folding axis extending in a first direction, a first non-folding area defined on one side of the folding area, and a second non-folding area defined to be spaced apart from the first non-folding area with the folding area interposed therebetween in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a first digitizer overlapping the first non-folding area, a second digitizer spaced apart from the first digitizer and overlapping the second non-folding area, a third digitizer overlapping the folding area, and a connection member connected to the third digitizer, and the connection member is connected to the first digitizer and spaced apart from the second digitizer.