Foldable Window Glass Substrate Segmentation for Impact Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible electronic devices face challenges in maintaining good folding properties and high impact resistance due to limitations in window design and materials used for protection.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a foldable window structure with a laminated glass substrate configuration, where a first glass substrate with a recessed portion corresponds to the foldable area and a second glass substrate with a non-foldable portion, both separated by a thin inorganic oxide protection layer and a photoresist layer, enhancing mechanical strength and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a thick glass substrate is used for the window, then impact resistance is improved, but folding flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The window is divided into multiple glass substrates (first glass substrate, second glass substrate) with different thicknesses. The first glass substrate has a thicker portion corresponding to the non-foldable region and a thinner portion corresponding to the foldable region, while the second glass substrate has opposite thickness characteristics. This segmentation allows each substrate to contribute differently to impact resistance and folding flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the glass substrates have different thicknesses tailored to their functional requirements. The non-foldable region uses thicker glass for impact resistance, while the foldable region uses thinner glass for flexibility. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between overall strength and localized adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a thin glass substrate is used for the window, then folding flexibility is improved, but impact resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The window structure is segmented into multiple glass substrates where the first glass substrate provides thickness for impact resistance in non-foldable regions, while the second glass substrate compensates by providing structural support. This segmentation allows thin regions to achieve flexibility without sacrificing overall impact resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The window uses a composite structure of multiple glass substrates with different thicknesses and material compositions. By combining these substrates with adhesive layers, the system achieves both the flexibility of thin glass and the strength of thick glass through synergistic material composition.
3Strength
If a protection layer with high impact resistance is added, then impact resistance is improved, but transmittance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protection layer uses a composite material composition (specific inorganic oxide ratios) that balances optical transparency with mechanical strength. This allows the protection layer to provide impact resistance while maintaining high transmittance properties necessary for display visibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a display module that includes a foldable display portion and a non-foldable display portion, and a window disposed above the display module and that includes a foldable portion that corresponds to the foldable display portion and a non-foldable portion that corresponds to the non-foldable display portion. The window includes a first glass substrate, a second glass substrate that faces the first glass substrate, a protection layer that corresponds to the non-foldable portion and that is disposed between the first glass substrate and the second glass substrate and that includes an inorganic oxide, and a photoresist layer disposed between the protection layer and the first glass substrate. The first glass substrate includes a recessed portion that corresponds to the foldable portion formed on one surface adjacent to the protection layer.