Foldable Panel Supporting Sheet Via Layout to Reduce Folding Breakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of improving the yield rate and reliability of flexible electronic devices, particularly in manufacturing foldable panels, is hindered by the breakage of intermediary structures during assembly and folding due to inadequate design of vias in supporting sheets.

Innovation Solution

The design of a supporting sheet with specific via configurations, including a first part that protrudes more in a direction parallel to the folding axis, enhances the structural integrity by maintaining a balanced gap-to-width ratio, reducing the risk of breakage and improving yield rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the supporting sheet uses a conventional via design, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the intermediary structure breaks during assembly and folding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidvia configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting sheet is divided into a foldable portion and a first non-foldable portion with distinct via configurations. The first non-foldable portion includes a first part and a second part with different protrusion characteristics, creating segmented structural zones that prevent breakage during folding while maintaining manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the supporting sheet are given different via configurations tailored to their functional requirements. The foldable portion has vias optimized for flexibility, while the first non-foldable portion has vias optimized for structural stability, with the first part having a first via and the second part having different geometric characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the supporting sheet is designed with adequate via structures, then breakage during folding is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyield rateVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The via structures are pre-configured in the supporting sheet design before manufacturing. The first part protruding more in the first direction parallel to the folding axis is built into the base geometry, allowing standard manufacturing processes to produce the complex structure without additional post-processing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The via configuration parameters are optimized to achieve the desired balance between structural integrity and manufacturability. The protrusion distance of the first part, the positioning of the first via, and the geometric relationship between the first part and second part are carefully controlled to ensure high yield rates while remaining compatible with existing manufacturing capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12382595B2Electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.08.05 INNOLUX CORP
  • US12382595B2 patent drawing
  • US12382595B2 patent drawing
  • US12382595B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An electronic device is provided, including a panel and a supporting sheet. The panel includes a foldable region with a folding axis. The supporting sheet is disposed under the panel, and includes a foldable portion and a first non-foldable portion. The foldable portion is overlapped with the foldable region. The first non-foldable portion is connected to the foldable portion, and includes a first part and a second part. The first part is located between the second part and the foldable portion. The first part has a first via, and the first part protrudes more in a first direction parallel to the folding axis with respect to the second part.