Foldable Display Digitizer Segmentation for Folding Area Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible display devices face challenges in folding or bending at the folding area due to the digitizer's inability to easily accommodate the deformation without overlapping or separating from the display module.

Innovation Solution

The display device incorporates a first digitizer below a first support plate, a second digitizer spaced apart and extending between support plates, allowing the second digitizer to be easily bent along the folding area without unfolding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the digitizer is disposed below the display module and support, then the display device can be folded at the folding area, but the digitizer cannot be easily bent or folded without overlapping or separating from the display module

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoiddigitizer bending ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The digitizer is divided into multiple independent digitizer modules (first digitizer module, second digitizer module, third digitizer module) that can be separately disposed at different locations. This segmentation allows each module to be independently positioned relative to the support plate, enabling the folding structure to accommodate the rigid digitizer components while maintaining overall flexibility through strategic placement of modules on either side of the folding area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the digitizer is disconnected or separated to avoid overlapping folding areas, then the digitizer can be disposed below non-folding areas, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding area clearanceVSAvoiddigitizer configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The digitizer is segmented into multiple modules that can be independently configured. This allows the system to maintain a unified digitizer functionality while physically separating modules to avoid interference with folding areas, thereby reducing the complexity of managing a single large disconnected digitizer structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The digitizer modules are disposed at different spatial locations and orientations relative to the support plate. By utilizing multiple dimensions and orientations, the patent achieves clearance from folding areas while maintaining a relatively simple overall configuration, avoiding the need for complex disconnected arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4597275A1Display device

Publication Date: 2025.08.06 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

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AI summary

A display device includes a display module, a first support plate disposed below the display module, a first digitizer disposed below the first support plate, a second digitizer disposed below the first support plate and spaced apart from the first digitizer in a first direction, a second-1 support plate disposed below the first digitizer, and a second-2 support plate disposed below the second digitizer, the second digitizer extends along the first direction between the first support plate and the second-1 support plate and overlaps the second-1 support plate.