Foldable Glass-Polymer Structure for Small Bend Radius Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable displays and protective covers face challenges in achieving small minimum bend radii while maintaining good impact and puncture resistance, with conventional glass-based substrates either having poor resistance or large bend radii.
Innovation Solution
The foldable apparatus incorporates glass-based, ceramic-based, and polymer-based portions with compressive stress regions and blunted edges, along with a polymer-based portion to minimize stress concentrations and provide improved folding performance, impact resistance, and puncture resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ultra-thin glass-based sheets with small minimum bend radii are used, then good folding performance is achieved, but impact and puncture resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining glass-based or ceramic-based substrates with polymer-based portions to create a foldable apparatus that achieves both small bend radii and high impact/puncture resistance. The composite structure allows the rigid substrate to provide structural integrity while the polymer portion provides flexibility and shock absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters by introducing compressive stress regions in the glass-based or ceramic-based substrate. This stress engineering modifies the mechanical properties of the substrate, enabling it to withstand impact and puncture forces while maintaining the ability to bend to small radii when combined with the polymer portion.
2Strength
If thicker glass-based sheets are used, then impact and puncture resistance is improved, but minimum bend radius increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the foldable apparatus into distinct portions: a glass-based or ceramic-based substrate portion and a polymer-based portion. This segmentation allows each material to be optimized for its specific function - the substrate provides strength and the polymer provides flexibility - resolving the contradiction between thickness/strength and bendability.
Solution Approach 2:
By creating a composite structure with the substrate and polymer portion, the patent achieves the benefits of both thick substrate (impact/puncture resistance) and flexible polymer (small bend radius), allowing the apparatus to meet both strength and folding performance requirements simultaneously.
3Ease of manufacture
If sharp edges are used at the interface between portions, then manufacturing is simplified, but stress concentrations increase leading to adhesion failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by providing blunted edge surfaces at the interfaces between portions instead of sharp edges. This geometric modification reduces stress concentrations that would otherwise lead to adhesion failure, while the blunting process remains compatible with standard manufacturing techniques.
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 enables foldable apparatus with effective bend radii of 1 mm to 20 mm, reduced folding-induced stresses, and enhanced durability, while minimizing optical distortions and adhesion-based failures.
Implementation Method 1
The first portion and/or the second portion can comprise glass-based portions and/or ceramic-based portions comprising one or more compressive stress regions, which can further provide increased impact resistance and/or increased puncture resistance
Implementation Method 2
A first edge surface of the first portion and a second edge surface of the second portion can comprise a blunted edge surface, which can minimize stress concentrations, for example, at an interface between the first portion and/or the second portion and the polymer-based portion
Implementation Method 3
A region between the first portion and the second portion can comprise a polymer-based portion, which can provide good folding performance
Data Source
AI summary
Foldable apparatus can comprise a first portion comprising a first edge surface defined between a first surface area and a second surface area opposite the first surface area. Foldable apparatus can comprise a second portion comprising a second edge surface defined between a third surface area and a fourth surface area opposite the third surface area. A polymer-based portion can be positioned between the first blunted edge surface and the second blunted edge surface. In some embodiments, the polymer-based portion can comprise a polymer thickness of about 50 micrometers or less measured from the second surface area and/or the first surface area. In some embodiments, the first edge surface and/or the second edge surface can comprise a blunted edge surface. In some embodiments, a coating can be disposed over the first portion, the second portion and the polymer-based portion.