Foldable Display Film Stack for Impact Resistance and Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible display devices lack sufficient impact resistance and folding properties, limiting their durability and usability.

Innovation Solution

A display device design featuring multiple films with varying moduli and adhesive layers, including a first film with high modulus, a second film with intermediate modulus, and a third film with low modulus, along with protective films at the bottom, enhances impact resistance and folding capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a single rigid protective film is used on the display module, then impact resistance is improved, but folding properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidfolding properties
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The protective structure is divided into multiple film layers (first film, second film, third film) with different moduli. The first film (high modulus, 2-4 GPa) provides impact resistance, while the second film (intermediate modulus, 0.5-2 GPa) and third film (low modulus, 0.1-0.5 GPa) enable flexible deformation during folding. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function, resolving the contradiction between rigidity for protection and flexibility for folding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite multi-layer film structure where each layer has different mechanical properties (modulus values). The combination of high-modulus, intermediate-modulus, and low-modulus films creates a composite material system that simultaneously achieves impact resistance (from the high-modulus first film) and folding capability (from the flexible second and third films).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If multiple films with different moduli are used, then both impact resistance and folding properties are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding propertiesVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs thin film structures that inherently provide flexibility and conformability. The multi-layer thin film design allows the display device to achieve reliable folding properties while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The thin films can be integrated into the existing display module architecture without requiring complex mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3862211B1Display device
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3862211B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3862211B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3862211B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

Disclosed is a display device including a display module that has at least one folding area, a first film disposed on the display module and having a first modulus, a second film disposed on the first film, being farther from the display module than the first film, and having a second modulus less than the first modulus, and a third film disposed on the second film, being farther from the display module than the second film, and having a third modulus less than the second modulus. The third modulus is equal to or less than about one-sixth of the first modulus.