Light Passing Member in Flexible Display Window

Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display devices with thin windows are prone to deformation and damage from loads and impacts, leading to penetration of foreign matter and reduced efficiency of functional modules.

Innovation Solution

A light passing member with a thickness greater than the window is inserted into openings in the display device, featuring a first and second light passing part with a light blocking member on its sides to prevent external light and protect the functional module from impacts, and a buffer member between the light passing part and the window to absorb shocks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the window is made thinner to reduce non-display area, then the display area is increased, but the window becomes deformed by load and damaged by impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidwindow strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The light passing member is inserted into the opening formed in the window, creating a nested structure where a protective element is placed within the existing window opening. This allows the window to maintain its thin profile while providing enhanced strength and protection against deformation and impact damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The light passing member is made of a material with different properties than the window, specifically a material that is more resistant to deformation and impact. This composite approach combines the thin window structure with a stronger light passing member to achieve both large display area and high strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If the opening is formed in the window to accommodate functional modules, then the functional module integration is improved, but the window becomes vulnerable to foreign matter penetration and impact damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional module integrationVSAvoidwindow integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The light passing member is inserted into the opening formed in the window, creating a nested structure where a protective element is placed within the existing window opening. This allows the window to maintain its thin profile while providing enhanced strength and protection against deformation and impact damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The light passing member acts as an intermediary element between the window and the functional module, providing protection against foreign matter penetration and impact damage while allowing the functional module to be integrated through the opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If the light passing member thickness is increased to prevent deformation and damage, then the protection against load and impact is improved, but the overall device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight passing member strengthVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The light passing member is inserted into the opening formed in the window, creating a nested structure where a protective element is placed within the existing window opening. This allows the window to maintain its thin profile while providing enhanced strength and protection against deformation and impact damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The light passing member provides localized strength and protection only in the region where the opening is formed, rather than increasing the thickness of the entire window or device. This allows for enhanced protection at the critical location while maintaining overall device thinness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11956907B2Display device

Publication Date: 2024.04.09 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes: a display panel having a first opening disposed in a display area; a window disposed on the display panel and including a second opening communicating with the first opening; and a light passing member at least partially within the first and second openings. Display devices constructed in this manner may resist loads and impacts.