Protection layer on a flexible substrate

An information handling system includes a flexible display screen, first and second display platforms, and a plurality of micro-beads. The flexible display screen is movably mounted to the first and second display platforms. The plurality of micro-beads is coated on the flexible display screen, and the plurality of micro-beads comprises a protective layer of increase hardness relative to the flexible display screen.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a protection layer on a flexible substrate.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option is an information handling system. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements may vary between different applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as clinical healthcare data storage and distribution, financial transaction processing, procurement, stocking and delivery tracking, provision of data services and software, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. Information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. Additionally, information handling systems may have two or more display platforms with one or more display screens to output images.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description in combination with the Figures is provided to assist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The following discussion will focus on specific implementations and embodiments of the teachings. This focus is provided to assist in describing the teachings and should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope or applicability of the teachings. However, other teachings may be utilized in this application, as well as in other applications and with several different types of architectures such as distributed computing architectures, client or server architectures, or middleware server architectures and associated components.

Most businesses and other enterprises have sophisticated computing systems used for facilitating internal operations and for storing sensitive data, protecting access to such data, and securely communicating outside the enterprise's network, for example to exchange information with business partners, healthcare providers or similar data exchange partners. These enterprise systems also interface with individual users. Individual users also use sophisticated computing systems to facilitate working software application contexts such as running office applications for database creation and word processing, note taking, accessing internet data applications, gaming, video playback entertainment, video and voice communications, email and other electronic communication, websurfing, music, mobile applications, and other media accesses. Much of present day information exchange is conducted electronically, via communications networks. Currently, a high degree of media entertainment and other applications are utilized and accessed electronically by users. Thus, there is an increased need for extended display capabilities to facilitate broad range of usage including to enable multitasking by users. Additionally, traditional information handling system input devices such as keyboards and mouse systems are giving way to visual input interfaces such as touchscreens, hover detection, and motion sensing technologies. In many instances, it is substantially beneficial to implement a system with multiple display platforms having one or more display screens configurable in many orientations to interact with an information handling system.

Multiple display platform information handling systems may be configurable in a plurality of orientations for utilization of and interaction with the information handling system. Hereinafter, the terms dual display screen information handling system or dual display information handling systems, or dual display platform information handling system each may refer to devices with a single display screen such as a flexible display that is layered over or mounted on all or part of two or more display platforms, or each may refer to devices with two or more fully integrated display screens, or each may refer to devices with a plurality of separate display screens that are modularly connectable to the information handling system or to one another. The terms screen or display screen may also refer to a portion of a single display screen, such as a flexible display screen, with a plurality of portions or to an individual display screen. Screens or display screens may herein refer to portions of a display screen and may be mounted on or integrated into one or more display platforms. It is understood that while two display platforms are disclosed in several embodiments herein, embodiments including a plurality of display platforms including three or more display platforms in hinged relationship is also contemplated for the systems and methods disclosed herein. One of ordinary skill would understand implementing the systems and method embodiments discussed herein for these additional embodiments.

FIGS. 1-5show an information handling system including two hinged display platforms, a flexible display screen, and a protection layer. The flexible display screen includes two side regions, and a bend region. In an embodiment, all or portions of the flexible display screen, such as the bend region, can be coated with the protection layer. In an embodiment, spaces between the micro-beads can be substantially small enough to be undetectable by an individual during a tactile touch of the flexible display screen. Thus, the size of the micro-beads and the spaces between the micro-beads can cause the protective layer to have a smooth, glass-like feel when touched with a finger of an individual. In an embodiment, the micro-beads can be located only in the bend region, and a continuous ceramic material can be located within the side regions. In another embodiment, the micro-beads can be coated over the entire flexible display screen, e.g., the side regions and the bend region, and fewer micro-beads can be deposited within the bend region as compared to the side regions. The fewer micro-beads in the bend region can increase the flexibility of the protective layer within the bend region. In an embodiment, the protection layer may be discontinuous, such that the protective layer only includes micro-beads as a coating on the flexible display screen. In another embodiment, the protection layer may be continuous, such that the protective layer includes a plastic substrate coated on the flexible display screen, and micro-beads that are deposited in the plastic substrate.

The micro-beads within the bend region can separate from one another to accommodate a change in length in the protective layer as the flexible display screen bends to form to the display platforms in the closed position. In an embodiment, the separation of the micro-beads within the bend region is substantially small enough to be undetected by an individual. Thus, the micro-beads of the protective layer have an increased hardness as compared to the flexible display screen. Additionally, the plastic substrate of the protective layer can cause the protective layer to maintain the flexibility of the display screen.

FIG. 1shows an embodiment of a dual display platform information handling system100with two hinged display platforms102and104according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the information handling system100includes display platforms102and104, and a flexible display screen106. The flexible display screen106includes two side regions110, and a bend region112.

In an embodiment, display platforms102and104may include housings to contain underlying electronics and power components of the information handling system100. Accordingly for the described embodiment, housings may be used interchangeably with display platforms. In an embodiment, the flexible display screen106, such as a flexible active-matrix organic LED (AMOLED) display, may be mounted over or into display platforms102and104. In the example embodiment, the display screen106may be mounted to and supported by the display platforms102and104. The mounted flexible display screen106may be movably mounted to display platforms102and104. In other words, mounted flexible display screen106may be able to slide or otherwise move with respect to one or both of the display platforms102and104.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the information handling system100is in a landscape page orientation, or open position, and the display platforms102and104are substantially inline with each other. In an embodiment, the display screen106can include a protective layer, which in turn can include multiple micro-beads as shown in greater detail inFIG. 2.

FIG. 2illustrates an information handling system200in an open position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the information handling system200includes display platforms202and204, and a flexible display screen206. The flexible display screen206includes side regions210, and a bend region212. As illustrated in the embodiment ofFIG. 2, all or portions of the flexible display screen206, such as the bend region212, can be coated with a protection layer219(as shown in the enlarged portion218). In an embodiment, the protection layer219includes micro-beads220. In some embodiments, the protection layer219includes the micro-beads220, and a plastic substrate221. In an embodiment, micro-beads220can be ceramic nano-spheres, such as glass, and the size of the micro-beads can be on the nanometer level. For example, the micro-beads may be less than 15 microns in diameter, may be less than 10 microns in diameter, or the like. In an embodiment, the micro-beads220can be discontinuous across the surface of the flexible display screen206. For example, spaces222can be located between the micro-beads220. However, the spaces222between the micro-beads220can be substantially small enough to be undetectable by an individual during a tactile touch of the flexible display screen206. Thus, the size of the micro-beads220and the spaces222between the micro-beads220can cause the protective layer219to have a smooth, glass-like feel when touched with a finger of an individual. In an embodiment, the micro-beads220can be closely bound to each other while the display platforms202and204of the information handling system200are in the open position.

In an embodiment, the micro-beads220can be located only in the bend region212, and a continuous glass or ceramic material can be located within the side regions210. In another embodiment, the micro-beads220can be coated over the entire flexible display screen206, e.g., the side regions210and the bend region212, and fewer micro-beads220can be deposited within the bend region212as compared to the side regions210. The fewer micro-beads220in the bend region212can increase the flexibility of the protective layer219within the bend region212. The ceramic composition of the micro-beads220can cause the protective layer219to have an increased hardness as compared to the flexible display screen206. For example, the flexible display screen206can have a hardness rating of 3H, and the micro-beads220of the protective layer219can have a hardness rating of 7H. In an embodiment, the plastic substrate221and the spaces222between the micro-beads220can maintain the flexibility of the flexible display screen206. In an embodiment, the plastic substrate221can include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or a similar material. The protective layer219can also increase a resistance of the flexible display screen206against corrosion, can prevent light reflection or refraction off of the flexible display screen206, can increase a slipperiness of the flexible display screen206, or the like. In an embodiment, the plastic substrate221can enable the micro-beads220within the bend region212to separate from one another as the display platforms202and204rotate from the open position to a closed position as shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 3illustrates an information handling system300in a closed position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the information handling system300includes display platforms302and304, and a flexible display screen306. The flexible display screen306includes side regions310, and a bend region312. As illustrated in the embodiment ofFIG. 3, the bend region312of the flexible display screen306can be coated with a protection layer319(as shown in the enlarged portion318). In an embodiment, the protective layer319can be discontinuous and include micro-beads320. In another embodiment, the protective layer319can be continuous and include the micro-beads320and a plastic substrate321. In an embodiment, the micro-beads320can be discontinuous across the bend region312. For example, spaces322can be located between the micro-beads320.

As shown in the enlarged portion318, the micro-beads320within the bend region312separate from one another to accommodate a change in length in the protective layer319as the flexible display screen306bends to form to the display platforms302and304in the closed position. In an embodiment, the separation of the micro-beads320within the bend region312is substantially small enough to be undetected by an individual. As described above, the size of the micro-beads is on the nanometer level, such that even as the micro-beads separate from one another the surface of the protective layer319remains smooth to the touch. Therefore, the micro-beads320of the protective layer319can cause the protective layer319to have an increased hardness as compared to the flexible display screen306. The plastic substrate321of the protective layer319can maintain the flexibility of the display screen306.

FIG. 4is a diagram of a cross section of a flexible display screen during a first step400in a process for making the flexible display screen with a flexible protection layer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As discussed above, the flexible display screen406can be a flexible active-matrix organic LED (AMOLED) display. After the flexible display screen406is formed, a touch sensitive layer can be deposited as shown inFIG. 5.

FIG. 5is a diagram of a cross section of a flexible display screen during a second step500in the process for making the display screen with a flexible protection layer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the flexible display screen506is coated with a touch sensitive layer507. In this embodiment, the touch sensitive layer507can be a capacitive or a compression touch layer. For example, the touch sensitive layer507can detect touch inputs in response to a capacitive change that results from an individual placing his or her finger on the touch sensitive layer507, or can detect touch inputs in response to a compression of the touch sensitive layer507caused by an individual pressing his or her finger or a stylus on the touch sensitive layer507. In an embodiment, both the flexible display screen506and the touch sensitive layer507are capable of being bent and flexed without breaking as display platforms rotate between the open and closed positions. However, the flexible display screen506and the touch sensitive layer507can be susceptible to damage based on the softness of the flexible display screen506and the touch sensitive layer507. Thus, the flexible display screen506and the touch sensitive layer507can be coated with a protective layer as shown inFIG. 6.

FIG. 6is a diagram of a cross section of a flexible display screen during a third step600in the process for making a display screen with a flexible protection layer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the flexible display screen606is coated with a touch sensitive layer607, which in turn is coated with a protective layer619. In an embodiment, the coating of touch sensitive layer607includes: first depositing a plastic substrate621; and then depositing multiple micro-beads620on the plastic substrate. In another embodiment, the coating of touch sensitive layer607includes depositing multiple micro-beads620on the touch sensitive layer607. In an embodiment, the flexible display screen606and touch sensitive layer607can be incorporated into one component such that the protective layer is deposited on the flexible display screen606. In an embodiment, the micro-beads620can be deposited on the flexible display screen606without the plastic substrate first being deposited.

In an embodiment, the micro-beads620can be a ceramic material, such as glass, and the micro-beads can be deposited in the plastic substrate621to strengthen the protective layer619. In this embodiment, the combination of the micro-beads620being deposited on the flexible display screen606and the touch sensitive layer607can cause the protective layer to have an increased hardness as compared to the flexible display screen606and the touch sensitive layer607. The plastic substrate621can enable the protective layer619to bend with the flexible display screen606and the touch sensitive layer607during the rotation of the display platforms.

In an embodiment, the micro-beads620can be deposited on the plastic substrate619in different concentrations depending on the region of the flexible display screen606. For example, the micro-beads620can be heavily concentrated on the side regions610of the flexible display screen606and less concentrated in the bend region612of the flexible display screen606. In this embodiment, the lesser concentration of the micro-beads620within the bend region612can increase the flexibility of the protective layer619in this region as compared to the side regions610. In an embodiment, the micro-beads620can be nano-spheres that can be sized on the nanometer level, and the micro-beads620can be deposited substantially close to one another to provide a smooth, glass-like, feel to the protective layer619when an individual touches the protective layer. In an embodiment, the micro-beads620can be deposited only in the bend region612, and a continuous glass or ceramic material can be deposited on the side regions610. The micro-beads620in the protective layer619can protect the flexible display screen606, and provide a smooth feel. The plastic substrate621in the protective layer619can enable the protective layer619to bend without breaking.