Foldable Display Glass Support Structure for Impact Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible display devices, particularly foldable ones, face challenges in impact resistance, leading to potential cracks and creases due to their deformable nature, which affects their reliability and durability.
Innovation Solution
A display device design featuring a support member with a specific opening pattern and etching method that enhances the impact resistance by increasing the supporting area under the display panel, using a glass substrate with a modified portion that has a higher etching rate, and a wet etching process with fluorine hydrogen, sodium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide solutions to form openings in the folding area, reducing the width of the openings to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the support member is made with a solid glass structure, then the impact resistance is improved, but the flexibility and foldability of the display device deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is segmented into multiple regions with different structures: a first support region with a solid glass structure for high impact resistance, and a second support region with an opening pattern for flexibility. This segmentation allows the display device to have both strong impact resistance where needed and foldability where required.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the support member are given different structural qualities: the first support region maintains a solid structure for strength, while the second support region incorporates openings to enable folding. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall strength and local flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If the opening width in the folding area is increased, then the flexibility and ease of folding is improved, but the impact resistance and structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The width of openings in the support member is precisely controlled within a specific range (10-200 micrometers). This parameter optimization ensures that the openings are small enough to maintain structural integrity and impact resistance, while still being sufficient to provide the necessary flexibility for folding operations.
3Strength
If the support member thickness is increased, then the impact resistance is improved, but the flexibility and ability to fold repeatedly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support member thickness is segmented into different values for different regions: the first support region has a greater thickness for impact resistance, while the second support region has a smaller thickness for repeated folding. This regional thickness differentiation resolves the contradiction between strength and repeatability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different thicknesses are applied locally to different portions of the support member based on functional requirements. The first support region uses greater thickness where impact resistance is critical, while the second support region uses smaller thickness where flexibility and repeated folding are prioritized.
4Ease of manufacture
If the support member is made with a uniform structure, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the ability to provide both impact resistance and flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is divided into functionally distinct regions (first support region and second support region) that can be manufactured separately or with different processes. This segmentation enables each region to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturability.
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 impact resistance and reliability of the display device by preventing cracks and creases, allowing for enhanced durability and usability of the flexible display.
Implementation Method 1
forming a modified portion on the carrier substrate by radiating a laser on the carrier substrate
Implementation Method 2
forming a support member by etching the carrier substrate to form an opening pattern... The forming of the support member may include forming the opening pattern by etching the modified portion... an etching rate of the modified portion may be greater than an etching rate of a portion of the carrier substrate other than the modified portion
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a display panel including a first non-folding area, a second non-folding area, and a folding area disposed between the first non-folding area and the second non-folding area and a support member disposed under the display panel, including a glass, and including a first non-folding portion overlapping the first non-folding area in a plan view, a second non-folding portion overlapping the second non-folding area in a plan view, and a folding portion disposed between the first non-folding portion and the second non-folding portion, overlapping the folding area in a plan view, and including an opening pattern including openings extending in a first direction and having a width in a second direction intersecting the first direction of in a range of about 10 micrometers to about 200 micrometers.