Display panel protective layer and film tearing method thereof

Abstract

The application provides a display panel protection layer and a film tearing method thereof. The display panel protection layer comprises three first, second and third areas which are independent of each other. The first area covers a reserved area of the display panel. The third area covers a film tearing area of the display panel. The second area covers part of the reserved area and part of the film tearing area. The part of the second area covering the reserved area is arranged above the first area, and the part of the second area covering the film tearing area is arranged below the third area. The third area and the first area have a gap at least at a position where the second area is present, so that the first area and the third area are not mechanically connected to each other at the position. The second area is used to protect the first area from being affected by the film tearing action, and to ensure that the first area is stably covered on the reserved area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of display technology, and specifically relates to a protective layer for a display panel and a method for peeling off the protective layer. Background Technology

[0002] For display panel production, large panel assemblies are typically produced first, and then cut into individual panels using methods such as laser cutting. A protective layer is applied to the surface of the overall panel assembly before cutting. A panel assembly refers to a large panel containing multiple individual panels arranged in a specific pattern. In subsequent processes, this assembly needs to be cut to obtain the individual panels used in later manufacturing processes. Typically, this "specific pattern" refers to an array arrangement of panels, with rows and columns composed of individual panels. There are gaps between the individual panels, both to separate adjacent panels and to facilitate subsequent cutting. A protective layer, which can be a protective film, covers the entire panel assembly. This protective film needs to be removed before further processing; therefore, the film removal process is a necessary step.

[0003] Because different components or areas on the panel assembly are divided differently, some areas need to be retained and others need to be removed during film removal. To differentiate between these areas, the panel assembly is divided into a retention area and a film removal area. The retention area is where each individual panel is located, while the film removal area is the area of ​​the panel assembly excluding the individual panels, i.e., the area between adjacent individual panels. During the film removal process, the protective layer corresponding to the retention area must be retained and not removed. Therefore, the protective layer of designated areas needs to be selectively removed during the film removal process. However, the retention area and the film removal area have a direct boundary. If the film is removed directly from the film removal area, the boundary between the two areas is easily affected by the film removal action, causing the boundary to curl up or the protective layer of the retention area to be lifted as well. Existing methods for removing film generally involve mechanical or manual methods. Regardless of the method, it is necessary to distinguish between the retention area and the removal area during the removal process. In order to facilitate the removal of the protective layer only in the removal area, conventional solutions require applying a certain support or blocking force to the retention area to reduce the impact of film removal on the retention area. However, the application of such force may lead to accidental damage, soiling, or functional loss of the retention area. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a protective layer for a display panel and a method for peeling off the film therefrom, thereby resolving the technical issues described in the background section.

[0005] On one hand, the invention provides the following technical solution: a display panel protective layer, wherein the protective layer is divided into three independent first areas, second areas, and third areas, wherein:

[0006] The first area covers the reserved area of ​​the display panel;

[0007] The third area covers the peelable film area of ​​the display panel;

[0008] The second area covers a portion of the retention area and a portion of the tear-off area. The portion of the second area covering the retention area is located above the first area, while the portion covering the tear-off area is located below the third area.

[0009] The third surface and the first surface have a gap at least where the second surface coexists, so that the first surface and the third surface have no mechanical interaction at this location.

[0010] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: When the third area is peeled off manually or mechanically, the contact area between the third area and the second area is separated. Under the second adhesion, a portion of the second area (specifically, the edge of the second area under the third area) is also pulled apart, causing the edge of the second area to separate from the surface of the peeling area. The separated edge of the second area slightly curls up on the surface of the peeling area. Subsequently, the panel assembly is sent to the laser cutting process. The high-heat laser acts on the middle area of ​​the peeling area, that is, the area originally covered by the third area. The edge of the second area near the area affected by the high-heat laser begins to curl up due to heat, causing the edge of the second area to curl up further. The contact area between the second area and the first area is also reduced due to the curling of the second area, and even the edge of the second area in that part curls up. Afterwards, the second area can be easily peeled off manually or mechanically. It is understood that by having a gap between the third area and the first area at least where the second area coexists, the first area and the third area have no mechanical interaction at this position. This allows the second area to protect the first area from the tearing action when the third area is peeled off, ensuring that the first area is stably covered on the retention area and avoiding accidental damage, dirt, or functional loss of the retention area.

[0011] Furthermore, there is a first adhesion between the first area and the retention area;

[0012] The contact area between the third region and the second region has a second adhesion;

[0013] The third area has a third adhesion at the contact point between the third area and the tear-off area;

[0014] The contact area between the second area and the first area has a fourth adhesion;

[0015] The second area has a fifth adhesion at the contact point with the tear-off area.

[0016] Furthermore, the adhesion degree of the first adhesion, the third adhesion, and the second adhesion decreases sequentially, and the adhesion degree of the fourth adhesion and the fifth adhesion is less than that of the second adhesion.

[0017] Furthermore, the initial adhesion of the entire third region is consistent, and the initial adhesion is equal to the third adhesion;

[0018] In this process, a reducing layer is applied to the portion of the second area that contacts the third area, so that the initial adhesion of that portion of the second area with the reducing layer is changed to the adhesion of the second adhesion.

[0019] Furthermore, the contact surface between the second area and the third area is divided into a first sub-region and a second sub-region. The adhesion degree on the second sub-region is greater than that on the first sub-region. The first sub-region is located closer to the third area, and the second sub-region is located farther away from the third area.

[0020] Furthermore, the thermal shrinkage of the material in the second region is greater than that of the materials in the first and third regions.

[0021] Furthermore, the display panel includes a peel-off area and a plurality of retention areas spaced apart on the peel-off area.

[0022] On the other hand, the present invention also proposes a method for peeling off the protective film of a display panel, the method comprising the following steps:

[0023] Peel off the third area on the display panel so that the contact area between the third area and the second area on the display panel is separated.

[0024] At the same time, under the second adhesion, part of the second area is also peeled off, causing the edge of the second area to separate from the surface of the tear film area of ​​the display panel and lift up.

[0025] The display panel is sent into the laser cutting process. The high-heat laser is applied to the middle area of ​​the film-tearing area, causing the edge of the second area near the high-heat laser to be heated and begin to curl, causing the raised edge of the second area to curl up further.

[0026] The second area surface and the first area surface on the display panel are in contact due to the second area surface shrinking due to heat, which reduces the adhesion of the fourth adhesion of the contact area, and even the other edge of the second area surface corresponding to the contact area also lifts up.

[0027] The second area is peeled off manually or mechanically based on the raised edge of the second area.

[0028] Furthermore, when the third area is peeled off, the force is mainly concentrated in the second sub-region of the contact surface between the second area and the third area, which reduces the adhesion between the second sub-region and the display panel area it covers, while the second area is held in the corresponding position through the first sub-region of the contact surface.

[0029] Furthermore, after laser cutting, a single panel of the display panel is obtained;

[0030] Use the second area to wrap around the remaining peeling area on the single-panel panel and break it off. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the display panel protective layer in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the result of the protective film peeling process of the display panel in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a top view of the display panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the method for peeling off the protective film of the display panel in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Explanation of key component symbols: 10, First area; 20, Second area; 21, Lowering layer; 30, Third area; 31, First sub-region; 32, Second sub-region; 40, Retention area; 50, Peel-off area.

[0036] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will further illustrate the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, a more complete description will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Several embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. However, the invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete.

[0038] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "fixed to" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intervening component. When a component is said to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intervening component. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this document are for illustrative purposes only.

[0039] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0040] Please see Figures 1 to 2 As shown, this is a display panel protective layer in the first embodiment of the present invention. The protective layer is divided into three independent regions: a first region 10, a second region 20, and a third region 30, wherein:

[0041] The first area 10 covers the storage area 40 of the display panel;

[0042] The third area 30 covers the peelable film area 50 of the display panel;

[0043] The second area 20 covers part of the retention area 40 and part of the tear-off area 50. The portion of the second area 20 covering the retention area 40 is located above the first area 10, while the portion covering the tear-off area 50 is located below the third area 30.

[0044] The third surface 30 and the first surface 10 have a gap at least at the location where the second surface 20 coexists, so that the first surface 10 and the third surface 30 have no mechanical interaction at this location.

[0045] The portion of the second area 20 covering the retention area 40 occupies one-third of the second area 20, and the portion covering the tear-off area 50 occupies two-thirds of the second area 20.

[0046] In this embodiment, the protective layer is designed to cover the entire panel assembly (display panel), and is divided into three independent areas, referred to as the first area 10, the second area 20, and the third area 30. "Independent" means that although each area is adjacent to the others, the boundaries are disconnected, for example, by cutting. The first area 10 covers the retention area 40, the third area 30 covers the peelable film area 50, and the second area 20 covers part of the retention area 40 and part of the peelable film area 50. The portion of the second area 20 covering the retention area 40 is positioned above the first area 10, and the portion covering the peelable film area 50 is positioned below the third area 30. The third area 30 and the first area 10 have a small gap at least where they share the second area 20, ensuring that there is no mechanical interaction between them at that location.

[0047] In practice, when the third area 30 is peeled off manually or mechanically, the contact area between the third area 30 and the second area 20 is separated. Under the second adhesion, a portion of the second area 20 (specifically, the edge of the second area 20 under the third area 30) is also peeled off, causing the edge of the second area 20 to separate from the surface of the film-peeling area 50. The separated edge of the second area 20 slightly curls up on the surface of the film-peeling area 50. Subsequently, the panel assembly is sent to the laser cutting process. The high-heat laser acts on the middle area of ​​the film-peeling area 50, which is the area originally covered by the third area 30. The edge of the second area 20 near the area affected by the high-heat laser begins to curl up due to the heat, causing the edge of the second area 20 to curl up further. The contact area between the second area 20 and the first area 10 also experiences a reduction in the fourth adhesion due to the curling of the second area 20, and even causes the edge of the second area 20 in that part to curl up. Afterward, the second area 20 can be easily peeled off manually or mechanically. It is understood that by having a gap between the third area 30 and the first area 10 at least where the second area 20 coexists, the first area 10 and the third area 30 have no mechanical interaction at this position. Thus, when the third area 30 is peeled off, the second area 20 protects the first area 10 from the tearing action, ensuring that the first area 10 stably covers the retention area 40, and avoiding accidental damage, dirt or functional loss of the retention area 40.

[0048] Furthermore, there is a first adhesion between the first area 10 and the retention area 40;

[0049] The contact area between the third surface 30 and the second surface 20 has a second adhesion;

[0050] The contact area between the third region 30 and the tear-off region 50 has a third adhesion;

[0051] The contact area between the second area 20 and the first area 10 has a fourth adhesion;

[0052] The second area 20 has a fifth adhesion at the contact point with the tear-off area 50.

[0053] The adhesion degree of the first adhesion, the third adhesion, and the second adhesion decreases sequentially, and the adhesion degree of the fourth adhesion and the fifth adhesion is less than that of the second adhesion.

[0054] In this embodiment, the contact area between the third surface 30 and the second surface 20 has a second adhesive effect; the first surface 10 and the retention area 40 have a first adhesive effect; the contact area between the third surface 30 and the tear-off area 50 (i.e., excluding the contact area with the second surface 20) has a third adhesive effect; the contact area between the second surface 20 and the first surface 10 has a fourth adhesive effect; and the contact area between the second surface 20 and the tear-off area 50 has a fifth adhesive effect. By pre-adjusting the adhesion method or adhesive formulation or concentration of each adhesion area, different adhesion methods and different forces can be formed in different areas. The first adhesive effect is relatively the largest, followed by the third adhesive effect, then the second adhesive effect. The fourth and fifth adhesive effects may have different relative magnitudes under different conditions, but overall, the fourth and fifth adhesive effects are both smaller than the second adhesive effect.

[0055] Furthermore, the initial adhesion of the entire third region 30 is consistent, and the initial adhesion is equal to the third adhesion;

[0056] In this process, a reducing layer 21 is applied to the portion of the second area 20 that contacts the third area 30, so that the initial adhesion degree of the portion of the second area 20 with the reducing layer 21 is changed to the adhesion degree of the second adhesion.

[0057] In this embodiment, the initial adhesion of the entire third surface 30 can be set to be consistent and equal to the third adhesion. This helps in the production of the original material of the third surface 30. In the part where the second surface 20 contacts the third surface 30, a material that can reduce adhesion is coated on the surface of the second surface 20 in this part, or this part of the second surface 20 itself is made of a material that can reduce adhesion, so that the adhesion in this part is changed from the third adhesion to the second adhesion.

[0058] Furthermore, the thermal shrinkage of the material of the second region 20 is greater than that of the materials of the first region 10 and the third region 30.

[0059] In this embodiment, the second surface 20 is made of a material with relatively stronger heat shrinkage properties, meaning that compared to the first surface 10 and the third surface 30, the second surface 20 shrinks more significantly after heating. Since the first surface 10 and the third surface 30 are made of thermoplastic materials, the second surface 20 shrinks more easily after heating compared to the first surface 10 and the third surface 30, while the first surface 10 and the third surface 30 are made of plastic materials that are less prone to shrinkage. This ensures that the first surface 10 and the third surface 30 remain in their respective covering positions or can be completely torn off without significant deformation. The second area 20, which is prone to thermal shrinkage deformation, will undergo the following changes: First, when the third area 30 is peeled off manually or mechanically, the contact area between the third area 30 and the second area 20 is separated. Under the second adhesion, part of the second area 20 (specifically, the edge of the second area 20 under the third area 30) is also pulled apart, causing the edge of the second area 20 to separate from the surface of the film-peeling area 50. The separated edge of the second area 20 is slightly raised on the surface of the film-peeling area 50. Subsequently, the panel assembly is sent to the laser cutting process. The high-heat laser acts on the middle area of ​​the film-peeling area 50, which is the area originally covered by the third area 30. The edge of the second area 20, which is located near the area of ​​the high-heat laser, begins to curl due to heat, causing the edge of the second area 20 to curl further. The contact area between the second area 20 and the first area 10 is also reduced due to the curling of the second area 20, and even the edge of the second area 20 in this part curls up. Then, the second section 20 can be easily peeled off manually or mechanically.

[0060] Furthermore, the contact surface between the second sub-region 20 and the third sub-region 30 is divided into a first sub-region 31 and a second sub-region 32. The adhesion degree on the second sub-region 32 is greater than that on the first sub-region 31. The first sub-region 31 is located close to the third sub-region 30, and the second sub-region 32 is located away from the third sub-region 30.

[0061] In this embodiment, the contact surface between the second surface 20 and the third surface 30 is divided into two sub-regions, referred to as the first sub-region 31 and the second sub-region 32, respectively. The second sub-region 32 has a second adhesive relationship with the third surface 30. Positionally, the first sub-region 31 is closer to the third surface 30, while the second sub-region 32 is relatively farther from the third surface 30 and closer to the first surface 10. This design allows the third surface 30 and the first surface 10 to be closer together, which is beneficial for the adhesion of the third surface 30 at the corresponding position and for protecting its corresponding area. The second sub-region 32 has a second adhesive relationship with the third surface 30, while the first sub-region 31 has no adhesive relationship with the third surface 30, or has an adhesive relationship weaker than the second adhesive relationship. Therefore, when the third surface 30 is removed, the tearing force acts on the second sub-region 32, reducing or causing detachment between the second sub-region 32 and the panel assembly area it covers. This detachment only occurs in the second sub-region 32. This allows the second area 20 to be held in the corresponding position by the first sub-region 31, and when the second area is torn off, the second sub-region 32, which can be reduced or detached by the adhesion, accelerates the curling and detachment speed of the second area 20, making it easier to tear off the second area 20.

[0062] Please see Figure 3 As shown, specifically, the display panel includes a tear-off area 50 and a plurality of retention areas 40 spaced apart on the tear-off area 50.

[0063] Example 2

[0064] Please see Figure 4 The figure shows a method for peeling off the protective film of a display panel in the second embodiment of the present invention. The method includes the following steps: steps S01 to S05.

[0065] S01, peel off the third area on the display panel so that the contact area between the third area and the second area on the display panel is separated;

[0066] S02, at the same time, under the second adhesion, the third area also causes part of the second area to be peeled off, so that the edge of the second area separates from the surface of the tear film area of ​​the display panel and lifts up;

[0067] S03, the display panel is sent into the laser cutting process. The high-heat laser is applied to the middle area of ​​the film-tearing area, causing the edge of the second area near the high-heat laser to be heated and begin to curl, causing the raised edge of the second area to curl up further.

[0068] S04, the contact portion between the second area and the first area on the display panel shrinks due to the heat of the second area, which reduces the adhesion of the fourth adhesion of the contact portion, and even the other edge of the second area corresponding to the contact portion also lifts up.

[0069] S05, the second area is torn off manually or mechanically based on the raised edge of the second area.

[0070] Specifically, when the third area is peeled off, the force is mainly concentrated in the second sub-region of the contact surface between the second and third areas, which reduces the adhesion between the second sub-region and the display panel area it covers, while the second area is held in the corresponding position through the first sub-region of the contact surface.

[0071] Specifically, after laser cutting, a single panel of the display panel is obtained;

[0072] Use the second area to wrap around the remaining peeling area on the single-panel panel and break it off.

[0073] In summary, the display panel protective layer and its peeling method in the above embodiments of the present invention have the following characteristics:

[0074] Beneficial effects:

[0075] 1. Separating the traditional boundary between the retention area and the film-tearing area helps reduce the impact of the film-tearing action on the protective layer in the retention area.

[0076] 2. The portion of the second area that contacts the third area is located below the third area, which facilitates the quick removal of the third area.

[0077] 3. The second area is used to protect the first area from the tearing action when the third area is removed, ensuring that the first area stably covers the remaining area.

[0078] 4. The second area remains on the panel assembly after the third area is removed, and the area covered by the second area does not include the laser-cut area. During the laser cutting process, the second area serves as an additional protective layer to protect the first area from the heat and debris generated by the laser cutting.

[0079] 5. During laser cutting, the second area undergoes self-curling due to the heat generated, reducing its adhesion to other interfaces. This makes it easy to peel off the second area without affecting the stability of the protective layer on other parts.

[0080] 6. After laser cutting, the remaining part of the film-peeling area on the single panel obtained by cutting needs to be broken off manually or mechanically (this part is called waste edge). The waste edge can be broken off by contacting the second area surface to wrap it. On the one hand, wrapping can reduce the flying of debris generated during the breaking of the edge. On the other hand, the second area surface can be torn off at the same time, thereby saving action steps and optimizing the production process.

[0081] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0082] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of this patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A protective layer for a display panel, characterized in that, The protective layer is divided into three independent regions: a first region, a second region, and a third region, wherein: The first area covers the reserved area of ​​the display panel; The third area covers the peelable film area of ​​the display panel; The second area covers a portion of the retention area and a portion of the tear-off area. The portion of the second area covering the retention area is located above the first area, while the portion covering the tear-off area is located below the third area. The third surface and the first surface have a gap at least where the second surface coexists, so that the first surface and the third surface have no mechanical interaction at this location.

2. The display panel protective layer according to claim 1, characterized in that: There is a first adhesion between the first area and the retention area; The contact area between the third region and the second region has a second adhesion; The third area has a third adhesion at the contact point between the third area and the tear-off area; The contact area between the second area and the first area has a fourth adhesion; The second area has a fifth adhesion at the contact point with the tear-off area.

3. The display panel protective layer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The adhesion degree of the first adhesion, the third adhesion, and the second adhesion decreases sequentially, and the adhesion degree of the fourth adhesion and the fifth adhesion is less than that of the second adhesion.

4. The display panel protective layer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The initial adhesion of the entire third region is consistent, and the initial adhesion is equal to the third adhesion; In this process, a reducing layer is applied to the portion of the second area that contacts the third area, so that the initial adhesion of that portion of the second area with the reducing layer is changed to the adhesion of the second adhesion.

5. The display panel protective layer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The contact surface between the second area and the third area is divided into a first sub-region and a second sub-region. The adhesion degree on the second sub-region is greater than that on the first sub-region. The first sub-region is located closer to the third area, and the second sub-region is located farther away from the third area.

6. The display panel protective layer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thermal shrinkage of the material in the second region is greater than that of the materials in the first and third regions.

7. The display panel protective layer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display panel includes a peel-off area and a plurality of retention areas spaced apart on the peel-off area.

8. A method for peeling off the protective film of a display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: Peel off the third area on the display panel so that the contact area between the third area and the second area on the display panel is separated. At the same time, under the second adhesion, part of the second area is also peeled off, causing the edge of the second area to separate from the surface of the tear film area of ​​the display panel and lift up. The display panel is sent into the laser cutting process. The high-heat laser is applied to the middle area of ​​the film-tearing area, causing the edge of the second area near the high-heat laser to be heated and begin to curl, causing the raised edge of the second area to curl up further. The second area surface and the first area surface on the display panel are in contact due to the second area surface shrinking due to heat, which reduces the adhesion of the fourth adhesion of the contact area, and even the other edge of the second area surface corresponding to the contact area also lifts up. The second area is peeled off manually or mechanically based on the raised edge of the second area.

9. The method for peeling off the protective film of a display panel according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the third area is peeled off, the force is mainly concentrated in the second sub-region of the contact surface between the second area and the third area, which reduces the adhesion between the second sub-region and the display panel area it covers, while the second area is held in the corresponding position through the first sub-region of the contact surface.

10. The method for peeling off the protective film of a display panel according to claim 8, characterized in that, After laser cutting, a single panel of the display panel is obtained; Use the second area to wrap around the remaining peeling area on the single-panel panel and break it off.

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