Foldable Display Window Structure With Grooved Glass and Resin Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible display devices face challenges in maintaining durability and folding characteristics while minimizing thickness and process complexity, particularly in the development of windows that protect the display panel without impeding folding or bending operations.

Innovation Solution

A display device design featuring a window with a base glass and resin layer structure, including a groove portion and resin portions for folding and non-folding areas, optimized thicknesses, and functional layers for enhanced durability and surface quality, reducing overall thickness and simplifying manufacturing processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a window is added to protect the display panel, then durability is improved, but thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidthickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a thin glass window (first glass layer) combined with a flexible resin layer that can bend and fold without breaking. This flexible film structure provides protection while maintaining thinness and foldability, resolving the contradiction between durability and thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The window is constructed as a composite structure with multiple layers including glass layers and resin layers. This composite material approach combines the hardness and transparency of glass with the flexibility of resin, achieving both durability and thinness simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a window with protective layers is added, then durability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the protective window structure with the display module by integrating the first glass layer and resin layer directly onto the display panel. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The resin layer serves multiple functions: it acts as a protective barrier, provides flexibility for folding, and serves as an adhesive bonding layer between the glass and display panel. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If additional protective members are added on the window, then durability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protective window is segmented into distinct functional layers (first glass layer, resin layer, second glass layer) that can be manufactured and quality-tested separately before assembly. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process by allowing specialized production of each layer with optimized processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resin layer is applied in advance to the display panel before mounting the glass layers, creating a pre-prepared substrate that simplifies subsequent assembly steps. This preliminary action ensures proper adhesion and alignment, reducing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4657201A1Display device and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4657201A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4657201A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4657201A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A display device includes a display module including folding and non-folding display portions, and a window including an upper surface which is flat and apart from the display module, and a lower surface which is flat, faces the upper surface, and is adjacent to the display module. The window includes a base glass including a base upper surface which is flat and is apart from the display module, a base lower surface facing the base upper surface with a groove portion defined therein and corresponding to the folding display portion, and a base side surface disposed between the base upper and lower surfaces, and a resin layer including a folding resin portion below the base glass to correspond to the folding display portion, a non-folding resin portion below the base glass to correspond to the non-folding display portion, and a side resin portion covering the base side surface.