Foldable Glass Element With Smooth Thickness Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable display technologies face challenges with abrupt thickness changes in cover glass, leading to optical and structural issues, particularly in exposed areas, which are prone to breakage and instability.
Innovation Solution
A glass element with a homogeneous thickness profile that smoothly transitions from main surfaces to fold regions, minimizing sharp transitions and reducing the need for index-matched fillers, enhancing impact resistance and bendability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If abrupt thickness changes are introduced in the cover glass to enable folding, then bendability is improved, but optical quality deteriorates and breakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The glass element implements differential thickness distribution where the fold region has reduced thickness compared to the main display areas. This local thinning enables the glass to bend effectively in the fold region while maintaining sufficient thickness in the main areas to preserve optical quality and structural integrity, thus resolving the contradiction between bendability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The glass element is designed with a continuously curved thickness profile transitioning from the main display areas to the fold region, eliminating sharp edges and abrupt transitions. This curvature approach distributes stress evenly and prevents light scattering at sharp boundaries, thereby maintaining both bendability and optical quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If thinned regions are created in the cover glass to enable folding, then bendability is improved, but breakage risk increases due to sharp transition areas
Solution Approach 1:
The glass element features continuously curved transition zones between thick and thin regions, eliminating sharp edges that would act as stress concentration points. This curvature design distributes mechanical stress evenly throughout the structure, preventing crack initiation and propagation, thus maintaining strength while enabling bendability.
Solution Approach 2:
The differential thickness design inherently provides stress distribution that cushions against impact forces before they can concentrate at any single point. The gradual thickness transition acts as a built-in stress management mechanism that prevents sudden failure under impact or bending loads.
3Adaptability or versatility
If structured regions with abrupt thickness changes are introduced, then fold functionality is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to need for index-matched fillers
Solution Approach 1:
The continuously curved thickness profile eliminates abrupt steps and sharp transitions that would require index-matched fillers to mask optically. The smooth curvature allows light to pass through without scattering at boundaries, enabling the folded display to function without additional filler materials or complex manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The glass element achieves fold functionality through localized thickness reduction in specific regions rather than through structured patterns requiring fillers. This approach simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need for multiple material layers or complex assembly steps involving index-matched substances.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a flexible glass element and to a stack assembly comprising the glass element. The invention also relates to a method of producing the glass element or stack assembly comprising the same.