Samsung Display was recently granted a new patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The new patent will allow Samsung Display to showcase a new type of foldable panel technology with more detail.
Based on the USPTO document, Samsung Display can integrate a flexible substance in one of the panel layers. A number of materials were also stated, such as polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyether imide (PEI), polycarbonate (PC), polyarylate (PAR), polyether sulfone (PES) and/or polyimide (PI).
The final result feature a grid that will keep its structural integrity when bent. The patent file also featured a dielectric elastomer film, a smart material system that can transform electric energy into mechanical work, specifically strain. It allows the Samsung Display panel to bend independently without requiring external force.
Android Headlines noted that the new Samsung Display patent presents a flexible display panel consisting of two electrode layers and a dielectric elastomer film, with both layers being formed by voltage. Future Samsung smartphones may bend without any pressure by the user's hands.
Next-generation Samsung handsets may let users simply pull down a notification panel and tap on a shortcut to command the device to fold over fully or bend up to a certain point. Considering how Samsung is introducing OLED displays, its next flagship may be include a flexible OLED screen.
The emphasis on the new Samsung Display patent is on the mechanics of the screen. Its biggest advantage may be conforming to the hand of the user, since it can bend forward and backward as required. Samsung has yet to explain its marketing capabilities.
Similar to any patent, Samsung Display may decide to actually feature the technology in new devices, or keep it documented for years. Users should not expect the next flagship model to showcase automatically bending or folding features, until Samsung makes an official announcement.
Samsung Display filed patent 9,504,145 in May 2014, which was granted by the USPTO on Nov. 22, 2016. This means that there are actually thousands of patents filed every year, with only a few actually turning into actual products. More updates and details on Samsung Display are expected soon.
