Foldable Display Window Protective Layer Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable display devices face challenges in protecting their windows due to deformation and wear from external forces, as the flexible materials used in the windows are not adequately safeguarded against stamping and repeated contact.
Innovation Solution
A foldable display device is equipped with a window protective layer comprising a plastic film, a restoration layer with soft and hard patterns, and a hard coating layer, which enhances the window's resistance to external forces and wear by providing self-healing capabilities and improved rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the window is made of flexible material to enable folding, then the foldable display can be folded, but the window cannot properly protect the display panel from deformation and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by creating a window protective layer with multiple layers having different properties: a restoration layer with soft pattern for flexibility and shape recovery, and a hard coating layer for protection. This composite structure enables both folding capability and protection function simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating different patterns (soft pattern and hard pattern) within the restoration layer that have different mechanical properties in different locations. The soft pattern provides flexibility for folding areas while the hard pattern provides protection for planar areas, allowing the window to have both adaptability and reliability.
2Reliability
If a protective layer is added to the window, then the protection function is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials to create a multi-layer protective structure where each layer serves a specific function. The restoration layer with soft pattern handles folding areas while the hard coating layer provides general protection, achieving reliable protection through functional differentiation rather than adding multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The restoration layer serves multiple functions: it provides shape restoration for folded areas, offers protection for planar areas through the hard pattern, and maintains flexibility for folding. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate protective components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Reliability
If the restoration layer includes both soft and hard patterns, then the restoration force and wear resistance are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating soft patterns in folding areas for shape restoration and hard patterns in planar areas for wear resistance. This localized differentiation allows each pattern type to be optimized for its specific function while being integrated into a single restoration layer structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The restoration layer is segmented into different patterns (soft and hard) that can be manufactured separately and then integrated. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing processes for each pattern type while maintaining overall structural integration, balancing manufacturing complexity with functional performance.
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 window protective layer effectively shields the window from deformation and wear, ensuring the display panel's integrity and longevity by restoring its shape after deformation and enhancing resistance against external impacts and wear.
Implementation Method 1
a restoration layer including a soft pattern overlapping (e.g., corresponding to) the folding area
Implementation Method 2
a hard coating layer... the wear resistance of the window protective layer may be improved
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable display device includes a display panel including a folding area and a planar area which is adjacent to the folding area, a window on the display panel, and a window protective layer on the window. The window protective layer includes a restoration layer including a soft pattern corresponding to the folding area, a plastic film on the restoration layer, and a hard coating layer on the plastic film.