Foldable Display Spacer Arrangement for Crack Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable display apparatuses experience cracks when repeatedly folded and unfolded due to stress concentration around the folding axis, particularly exacerbated by the arrangement of spacers used to mount deposition masks.

Innovation Solution

The spacers are arranged in a non-parallel configuration to the folding axis, with a many-to-one correspondence between spacers and pixels, reducing stress concentration and distributing spacers to prevent crack formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If spacers are arranged in a conventional manner (parallel to folding axis), then manufacturing is simplified, but stress concentration occurs around the folding axis causing cracks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespacer arrangement simplicityVSAvoidcrack resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by arranging spacers at specific non-parallel angles (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the folding axis, breaking the symmetric parallel arrangement. This asymmetric positioning redistributes stress away from the folding axis, preventing crack formation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through defined angular specifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by positioning spacers at different locations with specific angular orientations relative to the folding axis. Each spacer's position and angle are optimized for its local stress environment, creating a non-uniform distribution that collectively reduces overall stress concentration in the folding region

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If spacers are arranged parallel to the folding axis, then alignment is simplified, but stress concentration exacerbates crack occurrence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespacer alignmentVSAvoidstress concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the symmetric parallel alignment to an asymmetric angular arrangement where spacers are positioned at specific angles (e.g., 45 degrees) to the folding axis. This asymmetric configuration redirects stress flow away from concentrated paths, reducing the harmful stress concentration effect while maintaining alignment through defined angular parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional spacer arrangement is used, then deposition mask mounting is simplified, but product durability decreases due to crack distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeposition mask mountingVSAvoidproduct lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry in spacer positioning at angular orientations to the folding axis, which prevents crack propagation that would otherwise limit product lifespan. This asymmetric arrangement maintains manufacturability for deposition mask mounting while significantly extending the durable life of the foldable display through crack suppression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS10452098B2Foldable display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a foldable display apparatus, whereby an arrangement line connecting plurality of spacers via a virtual straight line is not arranged in parallel to a folding axis.