Variable Thickness Window Glass for Foldable Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional window glasses for foldable display devices are costly and offer low protective performance, with complex manufacturing processes, and existing solutions using ultra-thin glass or transparent polyimide films face challenges in achieving reduced manufacturing costs and improved visibility.
Innovation Solution
A window glass design with distinct thickness areas and groove patterns on its surface, where the first area has a lower thickness and the second and third areas have higher thicknesses, with groove patterns that increase in density and depth towards the folding area, allowing for improved protection strength and visibility while reducing manufacturing costs by using thin film glass and etching techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If ultra-thin glass or transparent polyimide film is used for window glass in foldable display devices, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but protective performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The window glass employs varying thickness across different regions: a first thickness in the folding area and a second thickness (greater than the first) in non-folding areas. This local variation allows the glass to be thinner and more flexible where needed while maintaining sufficient thickness and protective performance in areas requiring durability, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing cost and protective performance.
2Illumination intensity
If ultra-thin glass is used for window glass, then visibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The window glass is segmented into multiple areas with different thicknesses (folding area with first thickness, non-folding areas with second thickness). This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently for its specific function, improving overall visibility while managing manufacturing complexity through a structured approach rather than requiring entirely ultra-thin glass.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the thickness parameter of the window glass from a uniform value to a spatially varying value, with the first thickness in the folding area and the greater second thickness in non-folding areas. This parameter change enables improved visibility in critical areas while maintaining manufacturability through controlled thickness variation.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform thin glass is used across the entire window, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but protective performance in non-folding areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The window glass employs varying thickness across different regions: a first thickness in the folding area and a second thickness (greater than the first) in non-folding areas. This local variation allows the glass to be thinner and more flexible where needed while maintaining sufficient thickness and protective performance in areas requiring durability, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing cost and protective 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 proposed window glass structure enhances protection strength and visibility while reducing manufacturing costs, enabling a foldable display device that is cost-effective and efficient to produce, with the groove patterns ensuring effective folding without degrading visibility.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of groove patterns is defined in the first buffer area and the second buffer area
Data Source
AI summary
A window glass includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. A second area extending in a second direction, a third area spaced apart from the second area in a first direction perpendicular to the second direction and extending in the second direction, a first area disposed between the second area and the third area, a first buffer area disposed between the first area and the second area, and a second buffer area disposed between the first area and the third area are defined on the second surface. The first area has a first thickness, and each of the second and third areas has a second thickness greater than the first thickness. A plurality of groove patterns is defined in the first buffer area and the second buffer area.