Foldable Display Window Layout for Static Discharge Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable electronic devices face issues with static electricity flowing in from the outside, leading to potential short-circuits and affecting electrical and folding characteristics.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a window module with a protrusion portion overlapping a separation area defined by an optical film and a bending cover layer, blocking the path of static electricity through lines with low resistance, and using a second line with higher resistance to mitigate static electricity effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a touch-sensitive display is used to enable touch input functionality, then user interaction capability is improved, but the display becomes susceptible to spurious inputs from droplets or other contaminants

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch input capabilityVSAvoidinput accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A coating layer is applied to the touch-sensitive display surface to act as an intermediary between external contaminants (droplets) and the display. This coating selectively allows touch inputs to pass through while blocking or dissipating the electrical charge from spurious inputs caused by contaminants, thereby maintaining both touch functionality and input accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the display surface is made more resistant to spurious inputs, then input accuracy is improved, but touch sensitivity may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput accuracyVSAvoidtouch sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coating on the touch-sensitive display exhibits different properties for different types of inputs: it is transparent and conductive enough to allow genuine touch inputs to be detected, while simultaneously being resistant to spurious inputs from droplets. This local differentiation in response to different input types resolves the contradiction between sensitivity and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional cleaning methods are used on the display, then maintenance is simple, but spurious inputs from cleaning agents or residues may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning simplicityVSAvoidinput accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coating is designed to be resistant to common cleaning agents, transforming the potential harm of cleaning residues into a benefit where the coating protects the display during cleaning. The coating's chemical resistance allows conventional cleaning methods to be used without leaving residues that would cause spurious inputs, thus maintaining both cleaning simplicity and input accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP4343846B1Electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4343846B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4343846B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4343846B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An electronic device includes a display module including a display panel including a first area in which a pixel is disposed, a second area adjacent to the first area and bent with respect to an imaginary axis, a data line connected to the pixel, and a first line insulated from the pixe I, an optical film, and a bending cover layer and a window module including a glass substrate and a window protective layer including a cover portion disposed on the glass substrate and a protrusion portion protruding from the cover portion. An end of the optical film and an end of the bending cover layer, which faces the end of the optical film, defines a separation area, the data line and the first line overlap the separation area when viewed in a plane, and the protrusion portion overlaps the first line in the separation area when viewed in a plane.