Foldable Display Window Coating for Impact Resistance and Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible display devices face challenges in maintaining product reliability and folding characteristics due to issues with the materials used in their construction, particularly in the folding regions, leading to potential damage and reduced durability.

Innovation Solution

A display device design incorporating a window module with a thin-film glass and a coating layer having specific elastic modulus and thickness ranges, along with a lower plate, to enhance folding characteristics and impact resistance, while simplifying the manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible display device uses conventional materials and structures in the folding region, then the device can be bent and folded, but the product reliability and durability are reduced due to material damage in folding regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidproduct reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing a reinforcement structure (lower plate with patterns) specifically in the folding region where stress concentrates during bending. This localized reinforcement protects the display panel from damage while maintaining flexibility in non-critical areas, thus improving reliability without compromising folding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining the display panel with a lower plate that has a specific pattern structure. This composite construction provides both the flexibility needed for folding and the structural integrity needed for reliability, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the coating layer thickness is increased to improve impact resistance, then the folding characteristics may deteriorate due to excessive rigidity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidfolding characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the coating layer thickness to a specific range (50-110 μm) and controlling the elastic modulus (500-3000 MPa). This precise parameter control ensures the coating provides sufficient impact resistance while maintaining the flexibility required for good folding characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses local quality by providing different thicknesses or properties of the coating layer in different regions, particularly in the folding region versus non-folding regions. This allows the coating to provide enhanced impact resistance where needed while maintaining flexibility in areas that require repeated bending.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a complex multi-layer structure is used to improve folding characteristics and impact resistance, then the manufacturing process becomes more complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding characteristicsVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by integrating multiple functions into a unified lower plate structure that combines support, reinforcement, and patterning features. This consolidation simplifies the manufacturing process compared to using separate components, while still achieving the desired folding characteristics and impact resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials to create a lower plate with a specific pattern structure that provides both structural support and flexibility. This composite approach achieves complex functionality through a relatively simple manufacturing process by selecting appropriate materials and structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 proposed design achieves improved folding stability and impact resistance, ensuring the display device maintains structural integrity and reliability during repeated folding operations.

Implementation Method 1

the coating layer has an elastic modulus of about 500 megapascals (MPa) to about 3000 MPa

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic modulus: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250323109A1Display device, electronic device including the same and method of providing the same

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device including a display module including a display panel, a folding region at which the display module is foldable, and a non-folding region adjacent to the folding region along a first direction, a window module on the display module and including a thin-film glass, and a coating layer which is further from the display module than the thin-film glass, and a glass substrate which faces the window module with the display module therebetween and in which a hole is defined overlapping the folding region. The coating layer has a thickness of about 50-110 micrometers together with an elastic modulus of about 500-3000 megapascals, where the coating layer having a first elastic modulus of about 500-2000 megapascals includes the first elastic modulus together with the thickness being about 80-100 micrometers.