Spaced Sub-Adhesive Layers for Foldable Digitizer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable electronic apparatuses face challenges in maintaining reliable folding mechanisms due to surface steps and roughness caused by digitizer components, which can affect the flexibility and usability of the device.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of spaced sub-adhesive layers between the digitizer and the plate, and between the digitizer and the display module, creates air gaps and separation areas to minimize surface steps and enhance folding reliability by reducing the surface roughness in the folding area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a continuous adhesive layer is used between the digitizer and the plate, then strong bonding strength is achieved, but surface steps and roughness occur in the folding area reducing flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous adhesive layer is divided into multiple discrete adhesive patterns arranged in arrays. This segmentation allows the adhesive to bond the digitizer to the plate at specific points while leaving gaps that accommodate folding movements, thereby maintaining bonding strength without creating surface steps that hinder flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive patterns are strategically positioned in non-folding areas of the display module, concentrating bonding strength where needed while avoiding the folding area. This local application of adhesive ensures strong bonding in stable regions without interfering with the flexibility required in the folding region.
2Length of stationary object
If digitizer components are placed close to the display module, then device thickness is reduced, but surface steps are reflected on the display module affecting usability
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive patterns are designed with specific geometric arrangements that allow the digitizer to be positioned close to the display module in the thickness dimension while preventing surface steps from reflecting onto the display surface. The patterned structure manages the spatial relationship between components across different dimensions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the adhesive layer covers the entire folding area, then uniform bonding is achieved, but folding reliability decreases due to accumulated stress
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer is segmented into discrete patterns rather than a continuous coverage. This segmentation reduces stress accumulation during folding while maintaining sufficient bonding uniformity through the distributed arrangement of adhesive patterns across the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive patterns are selectively positioned to provide bonding in non-folding areas while avoiding concentration of adhesive material in the folding area. This local differentiation ensures bonding uniformity where needed while preventing stress-related reliability issues in the folding region.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus includes a display module in which a folding area is defined, a plate disposed below the display module to support the display module, a digitizer disposed between the plate and the display module, a first adhesive layer disposed between the display module and the digitizer, and a second adhesive layer disposed between the digitizer and the plate. At least one of the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer includes first and second sub-adhesive layers spaced apart with respect to the folding area.