Single-Layer Mesh Touch Pattern for Foldable Display Bending Endurance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable touch screens face issues with touch layer durability due to large bending radius, poor bending endurance, and susceptibility to creases and touch failure when repeatedly folded.

Innovation Solution

The touch screen design includes a non-bendable region and a bendable region with touch structures in both areas. The bendable region features a single-layer touch pattern with a mesh structure, allowing for improved bending endurance and reduced stress on the touch layer, thereby enhancing reliability and longevity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional multi-layer touch structure is used in foldable displays, then the touch functionality is achieved, but the bending endurance deteriorates due to large bending radius requirements and susceptibility to creases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch reliabilityVSAvoidbending endurance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a single-layer touch pattern structure that functions as a flexible thin film, eliminating the need for multiple rigid layers. This single-layer design with mesh structure allows the touch screen to bend repeatedly without creasing or failing, directly addressing the bending endurance issue while maintaining touch functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The touch pattern is divided into a mesh structure with multiple segments rather than continuous layers. This segmentation allows each part to move independently during folding, reducing stress concentration and preventing crease formation, thereby improving both bending endurance and touch reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of stationary object

If a single-layer mesh touch pattern is used to improve bending endurance, then the flexibility and longevity are enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelifespanVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the structural parameters of the touch layer from multiple continuous layers to a single-layer mesh pattern. This parameter change simplifies the overall layer count while introducing a mesh geometry that requires precise patterning, balancing manufacturing feasibility with improved bending endurance and lifespan.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3951565B1Touch screen, touch display screen, and display apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3951565B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP3951565B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3A
  • EP3951565B1 patent drawingFigure 3B~3C

AI summary

A touch screen, a touch display screen and a display device are provided. The touch screen includes a first region and a second region. The first region can be bent, and the first region is in a flat state when the touch screen is in a flat state and is in a curved state when the touch screen is in a folded state. The first region includes a plurality of first touch patterns arranged in an array in a first direction and a second direction when the touch screen is in the flat state. The plurality of first touch patterns are in the same layer and adjacent first touch patterns are insulated from each other, the first direction is intersected with the second direction, and the second region is connected with the first region. The first region of the touch screen is not limited by the bending direction, has bending endurance and strong touch reliability.