Foldable Display Support Layer with Localized Material Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable display devices often develop creases due to frequent folding operations, which can damage the device and affect its functionality.
Innovation Solution
A display device design featuring a support layer with different materials for non-folding and folding areas, including a polymer film for the non-folding areas and glass for the folding area, along with an adhesive layer and a module hole, to prevent crease formation and improve manufacturing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single material is used for the support layer, then the device structure is simple, but creases occur in the folding area due to frequent folding operations
Solution Approach 1:
The support layer is divided into different regions with different materials: a first support layer made of polymer film for non-folding areas, and a second support layer made of glass for folding areas. This local differentiation allows each region to have properties optimized for its specific function, preventing creases in the folding area while maintaining simplicity elsewhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The support layer uses a composite structure combining polymer film and glass materials. The polymer film provides flexibility for non-folding areas, while the glass material provides rigidity and crease resistance for folding areas. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between structural simplicity and crease prevention.
2Reliability
If glass material is used for the folding area support, then crease prevention is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to different material processing
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is localized to different areas: polymer film is applied to non-folding areas while glass is applied to folding areas. This allows each material to be processed according to its specific requirements, with the glass material specifically targeted at folding areas where crease prevention is critical, balancing manufacturing complexity with performance.
3Area of stationary object
If the first supporter area is larger than the second supporter area, then support coverage for non-folding areas is improved, but material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support layer area is optimized locally: the first support layer (polymer) covers larger non-folding areas where full support is needed, while the second support layer (glass) covers only the essential folding areas. This localized coverage approach ensures adequate support where needed while minimizing overall material consumption.
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 foldable with respect to a folding axis, an adhesive layer disposed under the display panel, and a support layer disposed under the adhesive layer, the support layer including a first supporter overlapping the first non-folding area and the second non-folding area, and a second supporter overlapping the folding area. The first supporter and the second supporter include different materials from each other.