Window forming apparatus and window forming method using the same

Abstract

A window forming apparatus and a window forming method using the same are provided. The window forming apparatus is used to process a member having opposite first and second substantially flat portions and a bendable portion disposed between the first and second substantially flat portions, and includes a first forming portion controlled to move in a substantially linear direction and a jig including a support surface on which the member is seated and a recess in the support surface to receive the bendable portion of the member and the first forming portion.

Description

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0072550, filed on June 15, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Exemplary implementations of the present application relate to a window forming apparatus and a window forming method using the window forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a window forming apparatus for manufacturing a window having a bent portion bent at a large bending angle and a window forming method using the window forming apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0004] An electronic device includes a window, a housing, and an electronic element. The electronic element includes various elements (e.g., a display element, a touch element, or a detection element) activated according to an electrical signal. In general, the window is disposed on the electronic element to protect the electronic element and to provide an active area (e.g., a display area or a touch area) to a user. Accordingly, the user can provide an input to the electronic element through the window or receive information generated in the electronic element. In addition, the window can stably protect the electronic element from external impacts.

[0005] Recently, a curved display device or a bendable display device displaying an image through each of a front surface, a rear surface, and a side surface has been developed.

[0006] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for the purpose of understanding the background of the application concept, and therefore, it can contain information that does not constitute prior art. SUMMARY

[0007] Applicants have recognized that, with the advent of curved display devices and bendable display devices, it is advantageous to develop window processing technology forming various shapes that can be used for various types of display devices.

[0008] A window forming apparatus and a window forming method for an electronic device using the window forming apparatus constructed according to the principles and exemplary implementations of the present application are capable of manufacturing a window having a bent portion bent at a large bending angle. For example, the window forming apparatus can include a forming jig having a groove into which a portion of a bendable window member to be processed is inserted.

[0009] Additional features of the application concept will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or can be learned by practice of the application concept.

[0010] According to an aspect of the present application, a window forming apparatus for processing a member having opposite first and second substantially flat portions and a bendable portion disposed between the first and second substantially flat portions, the window forming apparatus includes a first forming portion controlled to move in a substantially linear direction, and a jig including a support surface on which the member to be processed is seated, and a recess in the support surface to receive the bendable portion of the member and the first forming portion.

[0011] The first forming portion can be configured to be spaced apart from the jig with the member seated therebetween when the member is in a first state in which the first and second substantially flat portions and the bendable portion are substantially flat, and to be at least partially inserted into the recess in a second state in which the bendable portion is concavely bent in a longitudinal direction of the recess.

[0012] The first forming portion can include a core forming portion having a bend forming portion and a substantially flat forming portion, and in the first state, the bendable portion can be configured to be adjacent to the bend forming portion, and each of the first and second substantially flat portions can be configured to be spaced apart from the substantially flat forming portion, and in the second state, the bendable portion can be configured to be in contact with the bend forming portion, and the first and second substantially flat portions can be configured to be adjacent to the substantially flat forming portion.

[0013] The window forming apparatus can further include a first heater to provide heat to the jig. The first heater can be disposed to surround the recess.

[0014] The window forming apparatus can further include a second heater having a through-hole to receive the first forming portion.

[0015] The second heater can be controlled to move in the substantially linear direction so that the first forming portion is disposed in the through-hole.

[0016] The first heater can include a jig heating portion, and the second heater can include a core heating portion, and at least one of the jig heating portion and the core heating portion includes an induction heating coil.

[0017] The window forming apparatus can further include a pressing portion disposed on the first forming portion and controlled to move in the substantially linear direction.

[0018] The jig can include a forming jig including a bend portion jig defining the recess, a first support disposed at one side of the bend portion jig, and a second support disposed at the other side of the bend portion jig.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present application, a window forming apparatus for a member includes a first forming portion movable in a substantially linear direction and including a bending forming portion and a substantially flat forming portion, and a jig including a support surface on which the member is seated and a recess in the support surface to receive a portion of the member and the bending forming portion. The recess includes a bending surface and first and second substantially flat surfaces opposing each other with the bending surface disposed therebetween.

[0020] The first and second substantially flat surfaces can be spaced apart from each other by a first distance with the first forming portion disposed therebetween when the first forming portion is inserted into the recess.

[0021] The substantially flat forming portion can include first and second substantially flat forming surfaces, the bending surface can be spaced apart from the bending forming portion to face the bending forming portion, and the first and second substantially flat surfaces can face each other and be spaced apart from the first and second substantially flat forming surfaces, respectively.

[0022] According to still another aspect of the present application, a window forming apparatus includes a first forming portion movable in a substantially linear direction, a first heater movable in the substantially linear direction and disposed adjacent to the first forming portion, a jig including a bending portion having a recess to receive the first forming portion and first and second supports disposed on both sides of the bending portion, respectively, and a second heater disposed adjacent to the bending portion.

[0023] The first forming portion can include a core forming portion including a bending forming portion and a substantially flat forming portion, and the bending forming portion can include a curved surface having a radius of curvature of about 1 mm to about 10 mm.

[0024] The recess can include a bottom surface including a curved surface having a shape substantially corresponding to a shape of the bending forming portion.

[0025] The first heater can have a through-hole to receive the core forming portion.

[0026] The first heater can be movable in the substantially linear direction so that the core forming portion is disposed in the through-hole.

[0027] The second heater can surround the bending portion.

[0028] The window forming apparatus can further include a pressing portion movable in the substantially linear direction and disposed on the first forming portion.

[0029] The member to be processed can be disposed between the first molding portion and the jig in a first state in which the member is substantially flat, the first molding portion can be spaced apart from the jig with the member interposed therebetween, and at least a portion of the first molding portion can be inserted into the groove in a second state in which a portion of the member is recessedly bent in a longitudinal direction of the groove.

[0030] According to still another aspect of the present application, a window molding method using a window molding apparatus including a first molding portion and a jig including a surface and a groove therein, the window molding method including the steps of disposing a member to be processed between the first molding portion and the jig, and allowing the first molding portion to move so that the first molding portion is inserted into the groove with the member to be processed interposed therebetween. The member to be processed includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion, and the step of allowing the first molding portion to move includes molding the first portion and the second portion so that the first portion and the second portion inserted into the groove face each other with the first molding portion interposed therebetween.

[0031] The member to be processed can be a glass substrate, and the step of molding the member can include heating the member to a temperature so that the member has a viscosity of about 10 7 poise to about 10 9 poise.

[0032] The third portion can include a bent portion, the first portion can include a first substantially flat portion disposed at one side of the bent portion, and the second portion can include a second substantially flat portion disposed at the other side of the bent portion.

[0033] The step of allowing the first molding portion to move can include pressing the member at a pressure of about 10 psi to about 100 psi.

[0034] The window molding method can further include the step of heating the jig to mold the member as the member is inserted into the groove.

[0035] In the step of heating the jig to mold the member, an outer side of the member adjacent to the groove can have a temperature greater than a temperature of an inner side of the member adjacent to the first molding portion.

[0036] In the step of heating the jig to mold the member, a temperature of the jig can be maintained to be greater than a temperature of the first molding portion.

[0037] The jig can include a molding jig having a bent portion jig defining the groove, a first support disposed at one side of the bent portion jig, and a second support disposed at the other side of the bent portion jig, and the step of heating the jig to mold the member can include heating the bent portion jig so that the member has a viscosity of about 10 7berth to about 10 9 The viscosity of Poisson.

[0038] The window forming method may also include: cooling the component after heating the fixture to form the component.

[0039] The step of cooling the component may include inserting the component into a mold having a shape corresponding to the shape of the component.

[0040] After the cooling component step, the first and second parts can remain in a substantially parallel configuration.

[0041] The window forming method may also include: chemically toughening the component after the step of cooling the component.

[0042] It will be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory, and are intended to provide further explanation of the claimed invention. Attached Figure Description

[0043] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the concepts of the invention.

[0044] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B This is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electronic device constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 2 This is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a bendable window constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 3 It is along FIG. 2 The cross-sectional view of the window intercepted by line I-I'.

[0047] FIG. 4A This is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a window constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 4B It is along FIG. 4A The cross-sectional view of the window cut off by line II-II'.

[0049] FIG. 5 This is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a window forming device constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 6 It is ready for use. FIG. 5 A preliminary plan view of a window component processed by a window forming equipment.

[0051] FIG. 7is a perspective view showing another operating state of the window forming apparatus of FIG. 5

[0052] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a cross-sectional shape of the window forming apparatus of FIG. 5

[0053] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a core forming portion in the window forming apparatus of FIG. 5

[0054] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a forming jig in the window forming apparatus of FIG. 5

[0055] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the window forming apparatus shown in FIG. 8

[0056] FIG. 12 is a view showing a temperature distribution of the core forming portion and the forming jig in the window forming apparatus of FIG. 5

[0057] FIG. 13A is a plan view of a core heating portion in the window forming apparatus of FIG. 5

[0058] FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of the core heating portion taken along line III-III' of FIG. 13A

[0059] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a window forming process using the window forming apparatus of FIG. 5

[0060] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a window forming method according to the principles of the present invention.

[0061] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of another exemplary embodiment of a window forming method according to the principles of the present invention.

[0062] FIGS. 17A-17D is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the window forming method shown in FIG. 15 and / or FIG. 16 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] ​​​​​​​​​​In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various exemplary embodiments or implementations of the present invention. As used herein, "embodiment" and "implementation" are interchangeable terms, which are non-limiting examples of an apparatus or method employing one or more of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. It will be evident, however, that the various exemplary embodiments can be practiced without specific details, or in one or more equivalent arrangements. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the various exemplary embodiments. Additionally, various exemplary embodiments can be different from one another, but not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, specific shapes, configurations, and characteristics of an exemplary embodiment can be used or implemented in another exemplary embodiment without departing from the inventive concepts.

[0064] Unless otherwise indicated, the exemplary embodiments shown will be understood to provide exemplary features of variations of some ways in which the inventive concepts can be implemented in practice. Thus, unless otherwise indicated, features, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions, and / or aspects, etc. (hereinafter individually or collectively referred to as "elements") of various embodiments can be combined, separated, interchanged, and / or rearranged without departing from the inventive concepts.

[0065] The use of cross-hatching and / or shading in the drawings is generally provided to illustrate the boundaries, of adjacent elements. As such, unless otherwise indicated, the presence of

[0066] When an element (such as a layer) is referred to as being "on" another element or layer, it can be directly on the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers can be present. Where, however, two elements are referred to as being "directly on" or "directly connected to" each other, there are no intervening elements or layers present. In this regard, the term "connected" can mean physically, electrically, and / or fluidly connected, with or without intervening elements.

[0067] Although the terms "first," "second," etc. can be used herein to describe various types of elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0068] Spatially relative terms, such as "beneath", "below", "lower", "under", "above", "upper", "over", "higher", "side" (e.g., as in "sidewall") and the like, can be used herein for descriptive purposes, and, thereby, to describe one element's relationship to another element(s) as depicted in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use, operation and / or manufacture in addition to the orientations depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The devices can be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0069] The particular iterative terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the words "comprise", "comprising", "include", and / or "including" when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof. It is also noted that, as used herein, the expressions "substantially", "about" and other similar

[0070] Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations and / or exploded illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized exemplary embodiments and / or intermediate structures that are employed to facilitate a description of various exemplary embodiments. Changes to the shapes and relative dimensions of the illustrations as a consequence of, for example, manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances, are to be expected. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are not to be construed as being limited to the particular illustrative shapes and relative dimensions as set forth herein but are to include deviations in shapes and relative dimensions that result from, for example, manufacturing. In this manner, the regions illustrated in the figures can have a somewhat inexact shape and are not to be construed as being perfectly rectangular or square shapes. The shapes and relative dimensions of the regions shown in the figures can not reflect the actual shape and relative dimensions of a device region and, as such, are not intended to be limiting.

[0071] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terms, such as terms of a maneuver commonly used, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0072] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electronic device ED constructed in accordance with the principles of the present application. The electronic device ED can include a first display surface IS-1, a second display surface IS-2, and a third display surface IS-3. The electronic device ED can display images on the first display surface IS-1, the second display surface IS-2, and the third display surface IS-3. FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are perspective views of the electronic device ED when viewed from above and below, respectively. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the electronic device ED when viewed in a third direction DR3, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the electronic device ED when viewed in a fourth direction DR4.

[0073] In FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B and the following figures, the first direction DR1 to the fourth direction DR4 are shown, and the directions indicated by the first direction DR1, the second direction DR2, the third direction DR3, and the fourth direction DR4 described in the present specification are relative concepts and thus can be changed to different directions.

[0074] In the present specification, the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2 can be perpendicular to each other, and the third direction DR3 and the fourth direction DR4 can be normal directions with respect to a plane defined by the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. The third direction DR3 and the fourth direction DR4 can be directions extending in opposite directions to each other.

[0075] Further, in the present specification and in the drawings, an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis are shown. In the present specification, for the convenience of description, the direction of the Z axis is defined as an upward direction. Further, the X axis and the Y axis can be perpendicular to each other, and the direction of the Z axis can be a normal direction with respect to a plane defined by the X axis and the Y axis.

[0076] The electronic device ED can be a device activated according to an electric signal. The electronic device ED can include various examples. For example, the electronic device ED can include a tablet, a notebook computer, a computer, a smart television, and the like. In the illustrated present exemplary embodiment, an electronic device ED including a smart phone will be described as an example.

[0077] The electronic device ED includes a first flat area FA-1 including a first display surface IS-1, a second flat area FA-2 including a second display surface IS-2, and a bent area BA including a third display surface IS-3. The bent area BA can be a portion arranged between the first flat area FA-1 and the second flat area FA-2. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first flat area FA-1 and the second flat area FA-2 can be spaced apart from each other and face each other in a third direction DR3. FIG. 1A And FIG. 1B In the present exemplary embodiment, the bent area BA is shown as having a curved surface, but the exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the bent area BA can be arranged between the first flat area FA-1 and the second flat area FA-2 and have an angled corner to form a substantially staple type shape. The first flat area FA-1 and the second flat area FA-2 can be spaced apart from each other and face each other in the third direction DR3.

[0078] The first display surface IS-1 can include a first display area IS-DA1 and a first peripheral area IS-NA1 adjacent to the first display area IS-DA1. The second display surface IS-2 includes a second display area IS-DA2 and a second peripheral area IS-NA2 adjacent to the second display area IS-DA2, and the third display surface IS-3 can include a third display area IS-DA3 and a third peripheral area IS-NA3 adjacent to the third display area IS-DA3. In the present specification, each of the first display area IS-DA1, the second display area IS-DA2, and the third display area IS-DA3 is defined as an area in which an actual image is displayed, and each of the first peripheral area IS-NA1, the second peripheral area IS-NA2, and the third peripheral area IS-NA3 is defined as an area in which an image is not displayed. Each of the first peripheral area IS-NA1, the second peripheral area IS-NA2, and the third peripheral area IS-NA3 can be provided in various colors by a printing layer. However, the exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto, and at least a portion of the first peripheral area IS-NA1, the second peripheral area IS-NA2, and the third peripheral area IS-NA3 can be omitted.

[0079] The first display surface IS-1 can be substantially parallel to a plane defined by the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. The first display surface IS-1 can be a substantially flat surface when viewed on the plane. As used herein, the meaning of "when viewed on a plane or in a plan view" can mean a case when viewed on the third direction DR3 or the fourth direction DR4. A front surface (or top surface) and a rear surface (or bottom surface) of each of the layers or units to be described below are distinguished by the third direction DR3. The first display area IS-DA1 of the first display surface IS-1 can provide an image on the third direction DR3.

[0080] In addition, in the electronic device ED, the second display surface IS-2 can be substantially parallel to a plane defined by the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. The second display surface IS-2 can be a flat surface when viewed on the plane. The second display surface IS-2 can be substantially parallel to the first display surface IS-1. The second display area IS-DA2 of the second display surface IS-2 can provide an image on the fourth direction DR4.

[0081] The third display surface IS-3 can be a portion disposed between the first display surface IS-1 and the second display surface IS-2, and each of the first display surface IS-1 and the second display surface IS-2 can be a portion bent at an angle of about 180° with respect to the third display surface IS-3. The third display area IS-DA3 of the third display surface IS-3 can provide an image in a direction between the third direction DR3 and the fourth direction DR4. The first display surface IS-1 and the second display surface IS-2 can be spaced apart from each other with the third display surface IS-3 interposed therebetween on the third direction DR3 or the fourth direction DR4. The third display surface IS-3 can have a curved shape convex outward. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The third display surface IS-3 can be a substantially flat surface. Alternatively, unlike this, a curved surface of the third display surface IS-3 can have a semi-elliptical shape in a cross-section substantially parallel to a surface defined by the first direction DR1 and the third direction DR3, or the third display surface IS-3 can have both a curved surface and a substantially flat surface. The third display surface IS-3 can provide an image in a direction different from the directions in which the first display surface IS-1 and the second display surface IS-2 provide images, and can be provided in various shapes in the form of a bent portion between the first display surface IS-1 and the second display surface IS-2.

[0082] Each of the first display area IS-DA1, the second display area IS-DA2, and the third display area IS-DA3 can display a different image. The images displayed on the first display area IS-DA1, the second display area IS-DA2, and the third display area IS-DA3 can be the same one image or different images. In addition, the images displayed from each of the first display area IS-DA1, the second display area IS-DA2, and the third display area IS-DA3 can be connected to each other to display one single image. Each of the first display area IS-DA1, the second display area IS-DA2, and the third display area IS-DA3 can be controlled independently of each other.

[0083] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a window WP constructed in accordance with the principles of the present application, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the window WP taken along the line I-I' of FIG. 2 .

[0084] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 The window WP shown in FIGS. 1-3 can be provided in an electronic device ED (see FIG. 4) shown in FIGS. 4-6. The window WP can correspond to the uppermost layer of the electronic device ED. The window WP can be a tempered glass substrate that is heat-treated. A display module can be attached to the inner side WP-IS of the window WP, and the outer side WP-OS of the window WP can be the first display surface IS-1, the second display surface IS-2, and the third display surface IS-3 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The window WP can include a reinforced surface to stably protect the display module from external impacts. FIG. 1A FIG. 1B FIG. 1A The window WP can include a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion arranged between the first portion and the second portion. The third portion can be arranged between the first portion and the second portion and include a bend. The third portion can be a portion that includes a curved surface or a substantially flat surface. FIG. 1A FIG. 1B Hereinafter, in the present specification, the third portion can be referred to as a bend BP, and the first portion and the second portion can be referred to as a first flat portion PP-1 and a second flat portion PP-2, respectively. All of the flat portions described herein can be substantially flat due to manufacturing tolerances and the like. The window WP can include the bend BP and the first flat portion PP-1 and the second flat portion PP-2 arranged on both sides of the bend BP. The window WP can further include a printed layer arranged at an edge of the inner side WP-IS or the outer side WP-OS. For example, the printed layer can be a first peripheral area IS-NA1, a second peripheral area IS-NA2, and a third peripheral area IS-NA3 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0085] The window WP can include a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion arranged between the first portion and the second portion. The third portion can be arranged between the first portion and the second portion and include a bend. The third portion can be a portion that includes a curved surface or a substantially flat surface.

[0086] Hereinafter, in the present specification, the third portion can be referred to as a bend BP, and the first portion and the second portion can be referred to as a first flat portion PP-1 and a second flat portion PP-2, respectively. All of the flat portions described herein can be substantially flat due to manufacturing tolerances and the like. The window WP can include the bend BP and the first flat portion PP-1 and the second flat portion PP-2 arranged on both sides of the bend BP. The window WP can further include a printed layer arranged at an edge of the inner side WP-IS or the outer side WP-OS. For example, the printed layer can be a first peripheral area IS-NA1, a second peripheral area IS-NA2, and a third peripheral area IS-NA3 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).​​​FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B ) the corresponding portions.

[0087] With reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , in the window WP, the bent portion BP can be a portion bent with respect to a bent axis BX extending in a direction substantially parallel to the second direction DR2. In the window WP, the first flat portion PP-1 and the second flat portion PP-2 arranged with the bent portion BP intervening therebetween can face each other in a substantially parallel configuration. However, the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and the extending surface of the first flat portion PP-1 and the extending surface of the second flat portion PP-2 can not be parallel to each other. For example, the extending surface of the first flat portion PP-1 and the extending surface of the second flat portion PP-2 can gradually approach each other in the first direction DR1 as the extending direction of the extending surface, or can gradually be spaced apart from each other in the first direction DR1 as the extending direction.

[0088] The window WP can be substantially rigid. The window WP can be fixed in a manner that the first flat portion PP-1 and the second flat portion PP-2 face each other so as to be spaced apart from each other with the bent portion BP intervening therebetween.

[0089] In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , the first flat portion PP-1 and the second flat portion PP-2 facing each other have substantially the same surface area, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. The first flat portion PP-1 and the second flat portion PP-2 arranged with the bent portion BP intervening therebetween can have different surface areas from each other (see FIGS. 4 and FIG. 5 ). In addition, in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , the shapes of the first flat portion PP-1 and the second flat portion PP-2 facing each other are shown to be substantially symmetrical with respect to the bent portion BP, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the shapes of the first flat portion PP-1 and the second flat portion PP-2 can be different from each other (see FIGS. 4 and FIG. 5 ).

[0090] In the window WP, the bent portion BP can be defined as a portion between a portion where the first flat portion PP-1 starts and a portion where the second flat portion PP-2 starts. In the example embodiments, the bent portion BP can be a portion of a circle having a predetermined radius of curvature in a cross section or a portion of an ellipse in a cross section. In addition, the bent portion BP can include both a curved surface and a flat surface.

[0091] As used herein, the bent angle θ of the bent portion BP can be defined as an angle that is angled between a point PP-S1 where the first flat portion PP-1 starts and a point PP-S2 where the second flat portion PP-2 starts. In the example embodiments, the bent angle θ of the bent portion BP can be an angle that is angled between the point PP-S1 where the first flat portion PP-1 starts and the point PP-S2 where the second flat portion PP-2 starts.FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 The bending angle θ in the window WP shown in FIG. 1 can be about 180°.

[0092] The bending angle θ in the window WP manufactured by the window forming apparatus can be greater than about 120°. That is, the window WP can be bent with a bending angle θ greater than about 120°. In addition, the bending angle θ in the window WP can be greater than about 180°. For example, the bending angle θ can be about 180° or more, and can be less than an angle in a range in which two flat portions (e.g., the first flat portion PP-1 and the second flat portion PP-2) do not meet each other.

[0093] In FIG. 1, FIG. 2 In FIG. 1, in the window WP, four corner edges ED-P of the window WP are shown as being curved, but the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. At least one of the corner edges ED-P of the window WP can have a right angle shape on a plane defined by the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. For example, each of the corner edges ED-P of the window WP can have a radius of curvature of about 0.1 mm to about 15 mm.

[0094] In the exemplary embodiments, the corner edges ED-P of the window WP can be flat surfaces substantially parallel to the plane defined by the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. However, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and the corner edges ED-P can include portions bent on the fourth direction DR4. The corner edges ED-P can have one bent portion corresponding to a corner portion, or can have two or four bent portions around the corner portion.

[0095] The window WP can include a bent portion BP bent with respect to the bending axis BX, and the bent portion BP can have a radius of curvature of about 1 mm to about 10 mm. The inner side WP-IS of the window WP can have a radius of curvature R O a small radius of curvature R I .

[0096] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a window WP-a constructed according to the principles of the present application, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the window WP-a taken along the line II-II' of FIG. 4A Referring to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4BIn the window WP-a, the first flat portion PP-1a and the second flat portion PP-2a can have different surface areas. The second flat portion PP-2a can overlap only a portion of the first flat portion PP-1a. The surface area of the first flat portion PP-1a can be greater than the surface area of the second flat portion PP-2a. In FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B In the window WP-a, the first flat portion PP-1a and the second flat portion PP-2a can have different surface areas. The second flat portion PP-2a can overlap only a portion of the first flat portion PP-1a. The surface area of the first flat portion PP-1a can be greater than the surface area of the second flat portion PP-2a. In

[0097] In the window WP and the window WP-a shown in FIGS. 2-4B , the bending axis BX and the bending axis BX-a are shown as being substantially parallel to each other in the second direction DR2 which is the short side direction of each of the window WP and the window WP-a, but the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. Instead of this, the window WP and the window WP-a can include the bending portion BP and the bending portion BP-a bent with respect to the bending axis BX and the bending axis BX-a substantially parallel to the first direction DR1 which is the long side direction. In addition, the shape of the window WP and the window WP-a is not limited to the shape shown in the present specification, and the ratio of the long side and the short side can be changed differently from that shown in the drawings.

[0098] The shape of the window manufactured by using the window forming method of the window forming apparatus is not limited to the shape shown in FIGS. 2-4B . In FIGS. 2-4B , a case where the bending angle θ is about 180° is shown, but the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the window includes a bending portion bent at a large bending angle of about 120° or more. Here, the window can be provided in various shapes in addition to the shapes disclosed in the present specification, as long as a flat portion is provided at each of both sides with respect to the bending portion.

[0099] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a window forming apparatus PE constructed according to the principles of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another operation state of the window forming apparatus PE of FIG. 5 . FIG. 6 is a plan view of a preliminary window member (hereinafter simply referred to as "member") P-WP to be processed into the window forming apparatus PE of FIG. 5 . FIG. 8 is a view showing FIG. 5a perspective view of a cross-sectional shape of a window forming apparatus PE. FIG. 8 A portion of the window forming apparatus PE in one process of a window forming method is exemplarily illustrated.

[0100] The proportions of the sizes of the members in the window forming apparatus PE are not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, the height ratio of the core heating portion HT-a and the core forming portion CR and the height ratio of the jig heating portion HT-b and the forming jig CV can be changed differently from the proportions illustrated in the drawings.

[0101] FIG. 6 The member P-WP to be processed illustrated in FIG. 1 corresponds to a preliminary window, which is a window before the window is formed into its bent shape. The member P-WP to be processed by the window forming apparatus PE can be a glass substrate. The glass substrate as the member P-WP to be processed can have a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm. The window forming apparatus PE can provide a window WP bent at a bending angle greater than about 120° by processing the member P-WP to be processed as a glass substrate (see FIG. 2). FIG. 2 For example, referring to FIG. 3, the member P-WP to be processed includes a bending portion BP and first and second flat portions PP-1 and PP-2 disposed on both sides of the bending portion BP. FIG. 6

[0102] For example, referring to FIG. 3, the member P-WP to be processed includes a bending portion BP and first and second flat portions PP-1 and PP-2 disposed on both sides of the bending portion BP. FIG. 5 The window forming apparatus PE can include a core forming portion CR and a forming jig CV. The core forming portion CR can be controlled to operate in a linear (e.g., vertical) direction. As used herein, the control of the operation in the vertical direction means the operation in an upward (up) direction or a downward (down) direction with respect to the Z axis. The forming jig CV can include a bending portion jig CV-B, a first support CV-P1, and a second support CV-P2.

[0103] The window forming apparatus PE can include a support table BS, and the forming jig CV can be fixed on the support table BS. A top surface TS of the support table BS on which the forming jig CV is disposed can be substantially parallel to a plane defined by the X and Y axes. The Z axis can indicate a normal direction of the plane defined by the X and Y axes.

[0104] The window forming apparatus PE can be disposed within a chamber. An inert gas can be provided into the chamber. For example, N2 gas can be provided into the chamber. In addition, the forming of the window can be performed by increasing an atmospheric temperature within the chamber by a window forming method to be described later.

[0105] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an operating state of the window forming apparatus PE before forming the member P-WP to be processed, FIG. 7 ​is a view showing a state of a window forming apparatus PE in a process of bending a member P-WP to be processed so as to be formed into a window WP. FIG. 8 is a view showing a part of the window forming apparatus PE including a support table BS, a forming jig CV, and a core forming portion CR. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a part of the bending portion jig CV-B and the first support CV-P1 are cut to show a cross-sectional shape of the forming jig CV. As shown in FIG. 8 , the bending portion jig CV-B can include a downwardly recessed groove HP, and a bottom surface HP-B of the groove HP can have a shape corresponding to a shape of a bending portion BP to be formed.

[0106] Referring to FIGS. 5-8 , in the window forming apparatus PE, the core forming portion CR can be controlled to operate in a direction substantially parallel to the Z-axis. That is, the core forming portion CR can operate in an upward direction away from the support table BS and a downward direction toward the support table BS.

[0107] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the core forming portion CR in the window forming apparatus PE of FIG. 5 , and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the forming jig CV in the window forming apparatus PE of FIG. 5 . FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the window forming apparatus PE shown in FIG. 8 . Referring to FIG. 9 , the core forming portion CR can include a bending forming portion CR-B and a flat forming portion CR-P. The bending forming portion CR-B can be a portion corresponding to a bending portion BP (see FIG. 6 ) of a member P-WP (see FIG. 6 ) to be processed. The bending forming portion CR-B can be a portion that contacts the bending portion BP (see FIG. 6 ) of the member P-WP (see FIG. 6 ) to be processed during forming of the window. The bending forming portion CR-B can have a shape corresponding to a shape of the bending portion BP (see FIG. 6 ) to be formed. For example, the bending forming portion CR-B can have a curved surface, and a portion of the curved surface contacting the bending portion BP (see FIG. 6 ) has a predetermined radius of curvature or can have a substantially staple type shape. A bottom surface of the bending forming portion CR-B contacting the member P-WP (see FIG. 3 ) to be processed can have a radius of curvature of about 1 mm to about 10 mm. The radius of curvature of the bottom surface of the bending forming portion CR-B can correspond to a radius of curvature R I .

[0108] The bending forming portion CR-B can be a forming jig that contacts a bending portion BP of the member to be processed P-WP (see FIG. 6 ) provided flat so that the bending portion BP (see FIG. 6 ) has a bending shape. The core forming portion CR can be a forming jig for forming the shape of the inner side WP-IS of the window WP (see FIG. 3 ).

[0109] The flat forming portion CR-P can be a portion disposed on the bending forming portion CR-B. The flat forming portion CR-P can be a portion provided integrally with the bending forming portion CR-B. The flat forming portion CR-P can include a first flat forming surface CR-P1 (see FIG. 11 ) and a second flat forming surface CR-P2 (see FIG. 11 ) as flat surfaces. The first flat forming surface CR-P1 (see FIG. 11 ) and the second flat forming surface CR-P2 (see FIG. 11 ) can be substantially parallel to each other.

[0110] Referring to FIGS. 5-9 , in the window forming apparatus PE, the core forming portion CR can be moved downward so that the bending forming portion CR-B contacts the bending portion BP of the member to be processed P-WP (see FIG. 6 ) to bend the bending portion BP and to order the first flat portion PP-1 and the second flat portion PP-2 adjacent to the flat forming portion CR-P of the core forming portion CR.

[0111] In the core forming portion CR, a portion that contacts the member to be processed P-WP can include graphite, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2), aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride (AlN), zirconium oxide, or tungsten carbide (WC). However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and an outer surface of the core forming portion CR can be used without limitation as long as the outer surface is made of a material capable of being easily detached from the member to be processed P-WP after a forming process. In addition, the outer surface of the core forming portion CR can be subjected to a demolding treatment so as not to be bonded to the member to be processed P-WP.

[0112] The core forming portion CR can be directly heated to emit heat, or can be heated by receiving heat from the core heating portion HT-a as an external heating unit. In addition, the core forming portion CR can not be directly heated to emit heat, or can not be heated by receiving heat from the core heating portion HT-a, but can have a temperature increased due to heat transferred from the forming jig CV disposed below the core forming portion CR.

[0113] FIG. 5 and FIG. 7The window forming apparatus PE shown in FIG. 1 can further include a pressing part AP. The pressing part AP can be disposed on the core forming part CR. The pressing part AP can be controlled to operate in a vertical direction. The pressing part AP can be moved in the vertical direction. The pressing part AP can be moved downward to allow the core forming part CR to be inserted into the recess HP of the forming jig CV. The pressing part AP can press the core forming part CR. The pressing part AP can move the core forming part CR in a downward direction to provide a pressure of about 10 psi to about 100 psi to the core forming part CR to move the core forming part CR in the downward direction.

[0114] The window forming apparatus PE can further include an operation controller for controlling the vertical movement of the core forming part CR. The operation controller can include an operation motor that allows the core forming part CR to be moved in the vertical direction, or a fixing part that fixes the core forming part CR. The operation controller can be disposed on an upper portion of the core forming part CR or a side surface of the core forming part CR, and can further be connected to the core forming part CR. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, the operation controller can be disposed on the pressing part AP. For example, the pressing part AP can be controlled by the operation controller, and the core forming part CR can be moved in the vertical direction by the pressing part AP.

[0115] As mentioned above, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the forming jig CV disposed in the window forming apparatus PE of FIG. 5 , and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the window forming apparatus PE. Specifically, FIG. 11 shows a state in which the core forming part CR is partially inserted into the forming jig CV.

[0116] Referring to FIG. 5 , FIG. 7 , FIG. 8 and FIG. 10 , the forming jig CV can be fixed on the support table BS. The forming jig CV can include a support surface SS on which the member P-WP to be processed is seated, and a recess HP recessed from the support surface SS. The recess HP can be a portion into which the core forming part CR is inserted when the core forming part CR performs a downward moving operation. That is, the recess HP can have a shape corresponding to the core forming part CR.

[0117] The member P-WP to be processed and the core forming part CR can be inserted into the recess HP. When the core forming part CR is operated in a downward (lower) direction, the core forming part CR can be inserted into the recess HP with the member P-WP to be processed interposed therebetween, and the member P-WP to be processed can be formed to have the bent part BP and the first and second flat parts PP-1 and PP-2.

[0118] The forming jig CV can include a bend jig CV-B defining a recess HP, and first and second supports CV-P1 and CV-P2 disposed at both sides with the bend jig CV-B interposed therebetween. The first and second supports CV-P1 and CV-P2, the bend jig CV-B can be integrated with each other. In the forming jig CV, the first and second supports CV-P1 and CV-P2 can provide a support surface SS on which the member P-WP to be processed is seated.

[0119] The bend jig CV-B can include a downwardly recessed recess HP, and a bottom surface HP-B of the recess HP can have a shape corresponding to a shape of the bend BP to be formed. The bottom surface HP-B of the recess HP can have a curved surface corresponding to a bottom surface of the bend forming portion CR-B. The bottom surface HP-B of the recess HP can correspond to a bottom surface of an outside of the bend BP to be formed. For example, the bend jig CV-B can have a curved surface, and a portion of the curved surface in contact with the bend BP can have a predetermined radius of curvature or can have a staple shape. In the bend jig CV-B in contact with the member P-WP to be processed, the bottom surface HP-B of the recess HP can have a radius of curvature of about 1 mm to about 10 mm. The radius of curvature of the bottom surface HP-B of the recess HP can correspond to a radius of curvature R FIG. 3 ) of an outside WP-OS of the window WP (see O .

[0120] The bend jig CV-B can be a forming jig in contact with the bend BP of the member P-WP to be processed, which is provided flat so that the bend BP has a bent shape. The recess HP can be a forming jig for processing a shape of the outside WP-OS of the window WP.

[0121] Referring to FIG. 11 , the recess HP of the bend jig CV-B has a bend surface HP-C, and first and second flat portion surfaces HP-F1 and HP-F2 facing each other with the bend surface HP-C interposed therebetween. The first and second flat portion surfaces HP-F1 and HP-F2 can be surfaces extending substantially in parallel with each other from the bend surface HP-C. The first and second flat portion surfaces HP-F1 and HP-F2 can be spaced apart from each other by a first distance D1. The distance "D1" between the first and second flat portion surfaces HP-F1 and HP-F2 is greater than a sum of a width of the core forming portion CR and a thickness of the member P-WP to be processed. The width of the core forming portion CR can be a distance between first and second flat forming surfaces CR-P1 and CR-P2 facing each other.

[0122] As FIG. 11As shown in FIG. 1, the first flat surface HP-F1 and the second flat surface HP-F2 of the recess HP can be spaced apart from each other by a first distance D1 in a state in which the core molding portion CR is inserted into the recess HP. That is, the first flat surface HP-F1 and the second flat surface HP-F2 of the recess HP of the molding jig CV can be spaced apart from each other by the first distance D1 with the core molding portion CR interposed therebetween in a state in which the core molding portion CR is inserted.

[0123] In an exemplary embodiment, the first flat surface HP-F1 and the second flat surface HP-F2 can be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in a state in which the core molding portion CR is inserted. That is, in an exemplary embodiment, the first flat surface HP-F1 and the second flat surface HP-F2 can be spaced apart from the first flat molding surface CR-P1 and the second flat molding surface CR-P2, respectively. When the core molding portion CR is inserted into the recess HP, the first flat surface HP-F1 can be spaced apart from the first flat molding surface CR-P1 by a predetermined distance, and the second flat surface HP-F2 can be spaced apart from the second flat molding surface CR-P2 by a predetermined distance. The spacing distance between the first flat surface HP-F1 and the first flat molding surface CR-P1 or the spacing distance between the second flat surface HP-F2 and the second flat molding surface CR-P2 can be greater than the thickness of the member P-WP to be processed.

[0124] In addition, in a state in which the core molding portion CR is inserted, the curved surface HP-C of the recess HP can be spaced apart from the core molding portion CR by a predetermined distance. The curved surface HP-C of the recess HP can face the curved molding portion CR-B spaced apart in a state in which the core molding portion CR is inserted.

[0125] The curved portion jig CV-B can include a rail RL. The rail RL can be a portion that serves as a guide when the core molding portion CR moves in the vertical direction.

[0126] In the window molding apparatus PE as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 In the window molding apparatus PE as shown in

[0127] FIG. 5 and FIG. 7The window forming apparatus PE shown in FIG. 1 can further include a jig heating portion HT-b that provides heat to the forming jig CV. The jig heating portion HT-b can be disposed adjacent to the bending portion jig CV-B. The jig heating portion HT-b can be disposed adjacent to the groove HP. The jig heating portion HT-b can surround the bending portion jig CV-B. The jig heating portion HT-b can surround the groove HP so as to provide heat to the groove HP.

[0128] The jig heating portion HT-b can surround the bending portion jig CV-B, and thus can provide heat to the forming jig CV to form the member P-WP to be processed. When the temperature of the bending portion jig CV-B is increased by the heat provided by the jig heating portion HT-b, the temperature around the groove HP in the forming jig CV can be controlled to be the highest temperature. In the forming jig CV, the groove HP can have the highest temperature, and further, the temperature can gradually decrease toward the first support CV-P1 and the second support CV-P2. In the forming jig CV, the temperature around the groove HP can be about 600°C or more. For example, the temperature around the groove HP in the forming jig CV can be in the range of about 650°C to about 750°C.

[0129] FIG. 12 is a view showing a temperature distribution of the core forming portion CR and the forming jig CV in the window forming apparatus PE of FIG. 5 Referring to the temperature scale, the bending portion jig CV-B of the forming jig CV has the highest temperature, and further, the temperature gradually decreases in a direction away from the bending portion jig CV-B. The temperature of the core forming portion CR disposed in correspondence with the bending portion jig CV-B gradually decreases in the direction of the Z axis. That is, the portion of the core forming portion CR inserted into the groove HP has the highest temperature, and the temperature of the core forming portion CR gradually decreases as it is away from the groove HP. The core forming portion CR inserted into the groove HP can have a temperature of about 400°C or more. The first support CV-P1 and the second support CV-P2 can refer to portions spaced apart from each other with the bending portion jig CV-B interposed therebetween, and are not limited to the shapes shown in the present specification. The first support CV-P1 and the second support CV-P2 can include not only a top surface of the forming jig CV that provides the support surface SS (see FIG. 10 ), but also a support portion disposed below the support surface SS of the forming jig CV. In FIG. 10 and FIG. 12 , although the first support CV-P1, the bending portion jig CV-B, and the second support CV-P2 are shown in different forms, the forming jig CV can include portions divided into the bending portion jig CV-B, the first support CV-P1, and the second support CV-P2.

[0130] FIG. 5 and FIG. 7The window forming apparatus PE shown in FIG. 13A is a plan view of the core heating portion HT-a in the window forming apparatus PE of FIG. 5 , and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of the core heating portion HT-a taken along the line III-III' of FIG. 13A . FIG. 13B is a plan view of the core heating portion HT-a on a surface substantially parallel to a plane defined by an X-axis and a Y-axis. FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III' of FIG. 5 . The core heating portion HT-a can be arranged adjacent to the core forming portion CR. For example, the core heating portion HT-a can be arranged on the core forming portion CR before the core forming portion CR is moved downward.

[0131] With reference to FIG. 7 , FIG. 13A , FIG. 13B and FIG. 13B , the core heating portion HT-a can include a through-hole HL. The through-hole HL can overlap the core forming portion CR. The core heating portion HT-a can have a substantially annular shape, and the through-hole HL has a width in a direction of the Y-axis that is greater than a width in a direction of the X-axis in the annular shape. The core heating portion HT-a can be controlled to move in a vertical direction. The core heating portion HT-a can be controlled to move in the vertical direction so that the core forming portion CR is arranged in the through-hole HL of the core heating portion HT-a. The core heating portion HT-a can include an induction heating coil RC. A plurality of induction heating coils RC can be arranged inside the core heating portion HT-a. A filler FM can be arranged between the induction heating coils RC. The filler FM can include a heat-resistant material. The filler FM can include a shielding agent. Unlike FIG. 13A , the filler FM can be omitted, and the induction heating coils RC can be spaced apart from each other in a mold of the core heating portion HT-a. FIG. 13B and FIG. 13A exemplarily show the shape of the core heating portion HT-a, but the jig heating portion HT-b can also have a shape similar to the shape of the core heating portion HT-a described with reference to FIG. 13B and FIG. 14 . The jig heating portion HT-b can also include an induction heating coil.

[0132] FIG. 5 shows a part of a process of processing a member P-WP to be processed using the window forming apparatus PE of FIG. 14 . FIG. 5 shows an intermediate state between the first state shown in FIG. 7 and the second state shown in FIG. 5 . FIG. 6The first state shown can be the first flat portion PP-1 of the component P-WP to be processed (see...). FIG. 6 ), the bent portion BP and the second flat portion PP-2 (see FIG. 7 The component P-WP to be processed is in a flat state before it is processed, that is, the core forming part CR and the forming jig CV are separated when the component P-WP to be processed is in between. FIG. 6 The second state shown can be the bent portion BP of the component P-WP to be processed (see...). FIG. 6 The state of contact between the bending forming part CR-B and the core forming part CR, and the first flat part PP-1 (see FIG. 6 ) and the second flat part PP-2 (see FIG. 9 ) and the flattened molding part CR-P of the core molding part CR (see FIG. 14 Adjacent. That is, the second state can be a state in which at least a portion of the core forming part CR is inserted into the groove HP, with at least a portion of the component P-WP to be processed being bent inward in the direction of the groove HP.

[0133] Reference FIG. 14 The core forming part CR can be arranged in the groove HP of the bending fixture CV-B, and the core forming part CR can move in the downward direction LD so that a portion of the component P-WP to be processed is inserted into the groove HP. As the core forming part CR is inserted into the groove HP, the flat portion of the component P-WP to be processed is bent in the direction ID adjacent to the core forming part CR. FIG. 5 In the figure, the top surface CV-UC defining the groove HP in the entire top surface of the forming fixture CV is shown as a curved surface. That is, the top surface CV-UC of the bending fixture CV-B may include a curved surface. The top surface CV-UC of the bending fixture CV-B, which contacts the workpiece P-WP when it is bent, may include a curved surface. The top surface CV-UC of the forming fixture CV adjacent to the groove HP may be configured as a curved surface to minimize damage to the workpiece P-WP that contacts the top surface CV-UC when it is inserted into the groove HP. However, the exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the shape of the top surface CV-UC of the forming fixture CV adjacent to the groove HP may be different from the shape shown in the figure.

[0134] FIG. 7 and FIG. 3 The window forming apparatus PE shown may include a core forming portion CR and a forming jig CV with a recessed groove HP for inserting the core forming portion CR. As a result, the window forming apparatus PE can be used to manufacture a window including a bent portion BP and two flat portions (e.g., a first flat portion PP-1 and a second flat portion PP-2) facing each other with the bent portion BP between them.FIGS. 15-17D The window WP shown in FIG. 1 is manufactured by the window forming method according to the present application. That is, the window forming apparatus PE can include the mold jig CV having the recess HP recessed concavely, the core molding part CR inserted into the recess HP, and the jig heating part HT-b for heating the mold jig CV to heat-form the member P-WP to be processed so that the window WP is manufactured, and the window WP is bent at an angle of about 180°.

[0135] Hereinafter, the window forming method according to the present application will be described with reference to FIG. 15 The window forming method according to the exemplary embodiments of the present application can correspond to the window forming method using the window forming apparatus PE according to the aforementioned exemplary embodiments. Hereinafter, in the description of the window forming method, the repeated description of the window forming apparatus PE according to the aforementioned embodiments will not be described again to avoid redundancy, and the differences therebetween will be mainly described.

[0136] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the window forming method according to the exemplary embodiments of the present application, and FIGS. 17A-17D is a flowchart of another exemplary embodiment of the window forming method according to the principles of the present application. FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the window forming method according to the principles of the present application. FIG. 16 and / or FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the window forming method shown in FIG. 1.

[0137] Referring to FIG. 7 , FIG. 15 and FIG. 5 , the window forming method according to the exemplary embodiments can be performed using the window forming apparatus PE including the core molding part CR and the mold jig CV shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 5 .

[0138] The window forming method (S10) includes a first step (S100) of arranging the member P-WP to be processed between the core molding part CR and the mold jig CV, and a third step (S300) of allowing the core molding part CR to move so that the core molding part CR is inserted into the recess HP with the member P-WP to be processed interposed therebetween. Alternatively, the window forming method (S10) includes a first step (S100) of arranging the member P-WP to be processed between the core molding part CR and the mold jig CV, a third step (S300) of allowing the core molding part CR to move so that the core molding part CR is inserted into the recess HP with the member P-WP to be processed interposed therebetween, and a fifth step (S500) of heating the mold jig CV to mold the member P-WP to be processed inserted into the recess HP.

[0139] Alternatively, according to FIG. 7 , FIG. 16 andFIG. 17A The window forming method (S10-a) may further include: a second step (S200) of aging the component P-WP after a first step (S100) of arranging the component P-WP to be processed between the core forming part CR and the forming fixture CV. Furthermore, the window forming method (S10-a) may further include: a sixth step (S600) of slowly cooling the component P-WP to be processed after a fifth step (S500) of heating the forming fixture CV to form the component P-WP inserted into the groove HP, and a seventh step (S700) of chemically toughening the component P-WP to be processed.

[0140] The component P-WP to be processed formed by each of the window forming methods (S10 and S10-a) may be a glass substrate. The component P-WP to be processed formed by each of the window forming methods (S10 and S10-a) may have a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm.

[0141] FIG. 17B This is a schematic diagram illustrating the first step (S100) of arranging the component P-WP to be processed between the core forming part CR and the forming fixture CV. The component P-WP to be processed can be arranged on the forming fixture CV. The component P-WP to be processed can be arranged in a flat state between the forming fixture CV and the core forming part CR. The forming fixture CV can be heated by heat provided by the fixture heating part HT-b.

[0142] The component P-WP to be processed can be heated (e.g., aged) by heat provided by the forming fixture CV. For example, the component P-WP to be processed can be aged by being heated for a given time. The second step (S200) of heating (e.g., aging) the component P-WP to be processed can be performed before the third step (S300) of allowing the core forming part CR to move so that the core forming part CR is inserted into the groove HP with the component P-WP to be processed in between. The component P-WP to be processed can be heated while it is placed on the forming fixture CV, and the heating can be performed before applying pressure to the component P-WP to be processed. The heating temperature of the component P-WP to be processed can be the temperature in the section where the glass substrate of the component P-WP to be processed exhibits viscoelasticity. The heating temperature can be when the viscosity of the glass substrate of the component P-WP to be processed is about 10. 7 berth to about 10 9 The temperature within a section of the bath. For example, the heating temperature may be about 550°C or higher. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0143] FIG. 15is a schematic view showing a third step (S300) of allowing the core forming portion CR to move so that the core forming portion CR is inserted into the recess HP with the member to be processed P-WP interposed therebetween. The core forming portion CR can be moved downward so that the core forming portion CR is inserted into the recess HP of the forming jig CV with the member to be processed P-WP interposed therebetween. For example, the third step (S300) of allowing the core forming portion CR to move can include a step of pressing the member to be processed P-WP at a pressure of about 10 psi to about 100 psi. In the third step (S300) of allowing the core forming portion CR to move, the first flat portion PP-1 and the second flat portion PP-2 of the member to be processed P-WP can be bent to be adjacent to the flat forming portion CR-P of the core forming portion CR while the member to be processed P-WP and the core forming portion CR are moved into the recess HP of the forming jig CV. In the third step (S300) of allowing the core forming portion CR to move, at least a portion of the member to be processed P-WP can be inserted into the recess HP, and the first flat portion (first portion) PP-1 and the second flat portion (second portion) PP-2 can be formed to face each other with the core forming portion CR interposed therebetween.

[0144] FIG. 16 and FIG. 7 Each of the window forming methods (S10 and S10-a) shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 can include a fifth step (S500) of heating the forming jig CV to form the member to be processed P-WP inserted into the recess HP after the third step (S300) of allowing the core forming portion CR to move. The fifth step (S500) of forming the member to be processed P-WP can include a step of forming the first flat portion PP-1 and the second flat portion PP-2 of the member to be processed P-WP inserted into the recess HP so that the first flat portion PP-1 and the second flat portion PP-2 face each other with the core forming portion CR interposed therebetween.

[0145] The fifth step (S500) of forming the member to be processed P-WP can include a step of providing heat to the member to be processed P-WP so that the member to be processed P-WP has a viscosity of about 10 7 poise to about 10 9 poise. In the fifth step (S500) of forming the member to be processed P-WP, the forming jig CV can be directly controlled to be heated. For example, the entire forming jig CV can be heated to control the temperature of the forming jig CV.

[0146] In addition, the fifth step (S500) of forming the member to be processed P-WP can include a step of providing heat to the bent portion jig CV-B (see FIG. 7 ) so that the member to be processed P-WP has a viscosity of about 10 7 poise to about 109 The viscosity of the dope. That is, in the fifth step (S500) of molding the member P-WP to be processed, heat can be supplied only to the bending portion jig CV-B (see FIG. 7 ) of the molding jig CV. The bending portion jig CV-B (see FIG. 7 ) can receive heat from the jig heating portion HT-b (see FIG. 17A ) arranged to surround the bending portion jig CV-B (see

[0147] In the fifth step (S500) of molding the member P-WP to be processed, the temperature outside the member P-WP to be processed adjacent to the groove HP can be controlled to be greater than the temperature inside the member P-WP to be processed adjacent to the core molding portion CR. In the fifth step (S500) of molding the member P-WP to be processed, the temperature of the molding jig CV can be maintained to be greater than the temperature of the core molding portion CR.

[0148] The molding jig CV can be controlled in temperature by using the jig heating portion HT-b, and the core molding portion CR can be controlled in temperature by using the core heating portion HT-a. As FIG. 5 indicated in FIG. 13a, the core heating portion HT-a (see FIG. 5 ) can heat the member P-WP to be processed in a state where the member P-WP to be processed is seated on the molding jig CV. The core heating portion HT-a (see FIG. 5 ) can be controlled to move in the vertical direction so that the core molding portion CR is inserted into the through hole HL (see FIG. 13a) of the core heating portion HT-a (see FIG. 9 ). The temperature of the flat molding portion CR-P (see FIG. 5 ) of the core molding portion CR can be controlled by the core heating portion HT-a (see FIG. 17C ).

[0149] For example, the outside of the member P-WP to be processed adjacent to the groove HP can be heated to a temperature of about 650°C to about 750°C. The inside of the member P-WP to be processed can be controlled to be lower in temperature than the outside. For example, the inside of the member P-WP to be processed can be controlled to a temperature of about 400°C or less. In the window molding method according to the exemplary embodiment, the temperature of the inside of the member P-WP to be processed and to be bent can be maintained to be lower in temperature than the outside thereof to stably maintain the size of the member P-WP to be processed molded to have the bending portion BP, thereby achieving a state where the stress generated during molding is alleviated.

[0150] FIG. 17Cis a schematic view showing a step of molding the first flat portion PP-1 and the second flat portion PP-2 of the member to be processed P-WP inserted into the groove HP so that the first flat portion PP-1 and the second flat portion PP-2 face each other with the core molding portion CR interposed therebetween. Referring to FIG. 17C , the core molding portion CR can be inserted into the groove HP, and at least a portion of the member to be processed P-WP can be inserted into the groove HP.

[0151] Referring to FIG. 17D , in the window molding method according to the exemplary embodiment, the core heating portion HT-a can be disposed outside the member to be processed P-WP to control the temperature of the member to be processed P-WP in a state in which the first flat portion PP-1 and the second flat portion PP-2 of the member to be processed P-WP are bent to be adjacent to the core molding portion CR. However, the exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the core heating portion HT-a can be fixed to an upper portion of the core molding portion CR in a state in which the first flat portion PP-1 and the second flat portion PP-2 of the member to be processed P-WP are bent to be adjacent to the core molding portion CR. In this case, the core heating portion HT-a can not be operated, and the core heating portion HT-a can be maintained at room temperature without being heated.

[0152] The window molding method (S10-a) according to the exemplary embodiment can further include a process of slowly cooling the member to be processed P-WP (S600). The sixth step (S600) of slowly cooling the member to be processed P-WP can be performed after the step of molding the member to be processed P-WP. The sixth step (S600) of slowly cooling the member to be processed P-WP can be performed in a state of being fixed to the window molding apparatus PE, or can be performed by separating the member to be processed P-WP from the window molding apparatus PE.

[0153] In addition, the sixth step (S600) of slowly cooling the member to be processed P-WP can be performed using a separate module MD (see FIG. 17D ). The sixth step (S600) of slowly cooling the member to be processed P-WP can be performed to stabilize values of the processed member (for example, the window WP) and to relieve stress generated in the processing process. The sixth step (S600) of slowly cooling the member to be processed P-WP can be performed at a temperature lower than a thermoforming temperature at which the fifth step (S500) of molding the member to be processed P-WP is performed. Alternatively, the sixth step (S600) of slowly cooling the member to be processed P-WP can be performed at room temperature.

[0154] FIG. 17D is a schematic view showing the sixth step (S600) of slowly cooling the member to be processed P-WP. FIGS. 17A-17C shows that the member to be processed P-WP is slowly cooled by performing FIG. 17DThe processed window WP bent by the process shown in FIG. 10 is inserted into the module MD to perform the process of the sixth step (S600) of slowly cooling the member P-WP to be processed. The module MD can include a base MD-B, a protrusion MD-E, and an outer support MD-S. The protrusion MD-E can be disposed on the base MD-B to serve as a support that supports the window WP. The outer support MD-S can be disposed on the base MD-B and can be disposed at both ends of the base MD-B with respect to the protrusion MD-E. The protrusion MD-E can have a shape corresponding to the inner shape of the window WP inserted into the protrusion MD-E. The flat portion of the window WP can be inserted into a space between the outer support MD-S and the protrusion MD-E.

[0155] In FIG. 16 the exemplary embodiments, although the outer support MD-S and the base MD-B are integrated with each other, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. Unlike this, the outer support MD-S can be configured to be separated from the base MD-B, and the outer side WP-OS of the window WP can be surrounded when the window WP is inserted into the protrusion MD-E.

[0156] FIG. 16 The window forming method (S10-a) shown in FIG. 10 can further include a seventh step (S700) of chemically toughening the member P-WP to be processed. The seventh step (S700) of chemically toughening the member P-WP to be processed can be a process of chemically toughening the window WP in a toughening molten salt. For example, the seventh step (S700) of chemically toughening the member P-WP to be processed can be performed in a temperature range of about 400°C to about 500°C, but the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0157] ​ The window forming method (S10-a) shown in FIG. 10 can further include a step of polishing the member P-WP to be processed. The step of polishing the member P-WP to be processed can be performed after the fifth step (S500) of forming the member P-WP to be processed. In the step of polishing the member P-WP to be processed, only the outer surface of the member P-WP to be processed can be polished. The outer side WP-OS of the window WP on which the polishing process is performed can have a surface roughness of about to about . In addition, the inner side WP-IS of the window WP on which the polishing is not performed can have a surface roughness of about or less. As used herein, the surface roughness indicates an arithmetic average roughness.

[0158] A window forming method according to the principles and exemplary embodiments of the present application can be used to manufacture a window including a bent portion bent at a large bending angle by using a window forming apparatus including a core forming portion and a forming jig having a recess into which the core forming portion is inserted. In particular, the window forming method according to the exemplary embodiments can be used to manufacture a window bent at an angle of about 180° in which flat portions disposed on both sides of the bent portion face each other in a substantially parallel configuration.

[0159] A window forming apparatus constructed according to the principles and exemplary embodiments of the present application can include a forming jig having a recess into which a portion of a member to be processed is inserted to manufacture a window having a bent portion bent at a large bending angle.

[0160] A window having a bent portion bent at a large bending angle and flat portions disposed with the bent portion interposed therebetween can be manufactured by using a window forming method according to the principles and exemplary embodiments of the present application.

[0161] While certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and variations thereon will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the descriptions herein. Accordingly, the inventive concept is not limited to these embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the appended claims and all equivalent variations and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A window forming apparatus for processing a member having opposite first and second flat portions and a bendable portion disposed between the first and second flat portions, the window forming apparatus comprising: a first forming portion controlled to move in a linear direction; a jig including a support surface on which the member is seated and a recess in the support surface to receive the bendable portion of the member and the first forming portion; and a first heater to provide heat to the jig, wherein the first heater is arranged to surround the recess; a second heater having a through-hole to receive the first forming portion; wherein the first forming portion includes a bend forming portion corresponding to the bendable portion, and a bottom surface of the bend forming portion is a continuously curved forming surface when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the linear direction; and the recess includes a bend surface corresponding to the bend forming portion, and the bend surface is a continuously curved surface having a radius of curvature corresponding to the bend forming portion. the first forming portion is configured to:

2. The window forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein, be spaced apart from the jig with the member seated between the first forming portion and the jig when the member is in a first state in which the first and second flat portions and the bendable portion are flat; and be at least partially inserted into the recess in a second state in which the bendable portion is concavely bent in a longitudinal direction of the recess. the first forming portion includes a core forming portion having a bend forming portion and a flat forming portion, in the first state, the bendable portion is configured to be adjacent to the bend forming portion, and each of the first and second flat portions is configured to be spaced apart from the flat forming portion, and 3. The window forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein, in the second state, the bendable portion is configured to be in contact with the bend forming portion, and the first and second flat portions are configured to be adjacent to the flat forming portion. 4.The window forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein: the second heater is controlled to move in the linear direction so that the first forming portion is arranged in the through-hole. the first heater includes a jig heating portion, and the second heater includes a core heating portion, and at least one of the jig heating portion and the core heating portion includes an induction heating coil. 6.The window forming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

5. The window forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein, a pressing portion arranged on the first forming portion and controlled to move in the linear direction. the jig includes a forming jig including: a bend portion jig in which the recess is defined; 7. The window forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein, a first support arranged at one side of the bend portion jig; and a second support arranged at the other side of the bend portion jig. ​ ​ 8. A window forming method using a window forming apparatus having a first forming portion and a jig including a surface and a groove in the surface, the window forming apparatus comprising: a first forming portion controlled to move in a linear direction; a jig including a support surface on which a member is placed and a groove in the support surface to receive the bendable portion of the member and the first forming portion; and a first heater providing heat to the jig, wherein the first heater is arranged to surround the groove; a second heater having a through-hole to receive the first forming portion; wherein the first forming portion includes a bend forming portion corresponding to the bendable portion, and a bottom surface of the bend forming portion is a continuously curved forming surface when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the linear direction; and the groove includes a bend surface corresponding to the bend forming portion, and the bend surface is a continuously curved surface having a radius of curvature corresponding to the bend forming portion; the window forming method comprising the steps of: arranging a member to be processed between the first forming portion and the jig; and allowing the first forming portion to move so that the first forming portion is inserted into the groove with the member to be processed between the first forming portion and the groove, wherein the member to be processed has a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion arranged between the first portion and the second portion, and wherein the step of allowing the first forming portion to move includes: forming the first portion and the second portion so that the first portion and the second portion inserted into the groove with the first forming portion between the first portion and the second portion face each other, and wherein the member to be processed includes a glass substrate, and the step of forming the member includes: the third portion includes a bend portion, heating the member to a temperature such that the member has a viscosity of 10 7 pascals to 10 9 pascals.

9. The window forming method of claim 8, wherein, the first portion includes a first flat portion arranged at one side of the bend portion, and the second portion includes a second flat portion arranged at the other side of the bend portion. the step of allowing the first forming portion to move includes:

10. The window forming method of claim 8, wherein, pressing the member at a pressure of 10 psi to 100 psi.

11. The window forming method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of: heating the jig to form the member as the member is inserted into the groove. In the step of heating the jig to form the member, an outer side of the member adjacent to the groove has a temperature greater than a temperature of an inner side of the member adjacent to the first forming portion.

12. The window forming method of claim 11, wherein, In the step of heating the jig to form the member, a temperature of the jig is maintained to be greater than a temperature of the first forming portion.

13. The window forming method of claim 11, wherein, the jig includes:

14. The window forming method of claim 11, wherein, ​ a bending portion jig defining the recess, a first support arranged at one side of the bending portion jig, and a second support arranged at the other side of the bending portion jig; and the step of heating the jig to shape the member includes: The bend clamp is heated to cause the member to have a viscosity of 10 7 Poise to 10 9 Poise.

15. The window forming method of claim 11, further comprising: cooling the member after the step of heating the jig to shape the member.

16. The window forming method of claim 15, wherein, the step of cooling the member includes: inserting the member into a mold having a shape corresponding to a shape of the member.

17. The window forming method of claim 15, wherein, the first portion and the second portion remain in a parallel configuration after the step of cooling the member.

18. The window forming method of claim 15, further comprising: chemically toughening the member after the step of cooling the member.

Images