Window manufacturing method and window manufactured by the same

KR103023705B1Active Publication Date: 2026-09-29SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
KR1020200080247
Authority / Receiving Office
KR · KR
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2020-06-30
Publication Date
2026-09-29
Estimated Expiration
2040-06-30

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Abstract

A method for manufacturing a window according to one embodiment comprises the steps of: providing a base substrate including an upper surface and a lower surface facing each other; attaching a protective film to the lower surface of the base substrate; removing a portion of the base substrate and the protective film to form the base substrate and the protective film such that the exposed surface of the protective film is adjacent to the lower surface of the protective film rather than the attachment surface of the base substrate and the protective film; providing a first hard coating layer on the formed base substrate and the exposed surface of the protective film exposed after forming; and removing the formed protective film from the formed base substrate, wherein the exposed surface of the protective film is adjacent to the lower surface of the protective film rather than the attachment surface of the protective film and the base substrate so that the first hard coating layer can be stably formed on the side.
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Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a window and a window manufactured by the method. More specifically, it relates to a method for manufacturing a window comprising a hard coating layer and a window manufactured by the method. Background Technology

[0002] Electronic devices such as monitors, smartphones, and tablets that provide images to users include a display device and a window. The display device generates images, and the window performs the function of transmitting the images generated by the display device to provide them to the user, as well as protecting the display device. To perform the function of protecting the display device, the window requires a certain level of hardness, and to this end, the window includes a hard coating layer.

[0003] With recent technological advancements, curved display devices with edge areas are being developed. Curved display devices feature a flat front surface and curved sides, and such devices require a window to protect both the front and sides. The problem to be solved

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a window that provides a hard coating layer on the side of a window having a curved surface.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a window that includes a hard coating layer on the side having a curved surface. means of solving the problem

[0006] One embodiment provides a method for manufacturing a window comprising the steps of: providing a base substrate including an upper surface and a lower surface facing each other; attaching a protective film to the lower surface of the base substrate; removing a portion of the base substrate and the protective film to form the base substrate and the protective film such that the base substrate and the protective film include an exposed surface of the protective film adjacent to the lower surface of the protective film rather than the attachment surface of the base substrate and the protective film; providing a first hard coating layer on the formed base substrate and the exposed surface of the protective film exposed after forming; and removing the formed protective film from the formed base substrate.

[0007] The step of forming the base substrate and the protective film may include the step of processing the base substrate such that the width of the upper surface of the base substrate is smaller than the width of the lower surface of the base substrate and includes a side surface disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the base substrate, and the step of processing the protective film such that the upper surface of the protective film includes an overlapping portion that overlaps with the base substrate, a non-overlapping portion that does not overlap with the base substrate and includes the exposed surface, and an exposed side surface disposed between the overlapping portion and the non-overlapping portion.

[0008] The step of providing the first hard coating layer may include the step of providing a hard coating liquid on the upper surface of the base substrate, the side surface, the non-overlapping portion, and the exposed side surface, and the step of curing the provided hard coating liquid.

[0009] The step of providing the hard coating solution may include the step of providing the hard coating solution by a spray method or a slit coating method.

[0010] The step of curing the hard coating solution may include a step of heat curing or UV curing.

[0011] The step of removing the protective film may include a step of removing the non-overlapping portion and a step of removing the overlapping portion, which are performed sequentially.

[0012] After the step of providing the first hard coating layer, the method may further include the step of providing a second hard coating layer on a first portion of the first hard coating layer that overlaps with the base substrate.

[0013] After the step of removing the protective film, the method may further include the step of providing a third hard coating layer on the lower surface of the base substrate.

[0014] Another embodiment comprises a base substrate including an upper surface and a lower surface facing each other and a side surface disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface, and a first hard coating layer disposed on the upper surface and the side surface, wherein the first hard coating layer comprises a first portion disposed on the upper surface and having a first thickness and a second portion disposed on the side surface and having a second thickness different from the first thickness, and the first thickness and the second thickness each provide a window which is a minimum distance in a normal direction to the upper surface and the side surface.

[0015] The above side may include a curved surface.

[0016] The width of the upper surface may be smaller than the width of the lower surface.

[0017] The width of the above side may decrease as it goes from the lower surface toward the upper surface.

[0018] The above base substrate may include a polymer resin.

[0019] The hardness of the first part above may be pencil hardness 8H or higher and 9H or lower.

[0020] The ratio of the second thickness to the first thickness may be 0.5 or more and less than 1.

[0021] The first thickness may be 20㎛ or more and 50㎛ or less, and the second thickness may be 10㎛ or more and 25㎛ or less.

[0022] The thickness of the second part may decrease as it moves from the upper surface toward the lower surface.

[0023] It may further include a second hard coating layer disposed on the upper part of the first portion.

[0024] It may further include a third hard coating layer disposed on the lower part of the above surface.

[0025] The thickness of the third hard coating layer may be 1㎛ or more and 10㎛ or less. Effects of the invention

[0026] One embodiment provides a method for manufacturing a window that allows a hard coating layer to be stably positioned on the side of a base substrate by providing a protective film having an exposed surface having a height difference with respect to the attachment surface of the base substrate and the protective film.

[0027] One embodiment may provide a window without damage to the hard coating layer by including a hard coating layer having different thicknesses on the upper and side surfaces of the base substrate. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an electronic device according to one embodiment. FIG. 3a is a plan view of a window according to one embodiment. FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view of a part of a window according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a window according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a base substrate according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a base substrate with a protective film attached according to one embodiment. FIG. 7a is a flowchart of the molding steps of a protective film and a base substrate according to one embodiment. FIG. 7b is a cross-sectional view of a molded base substrate and a protective film according to one embodiment. FIG. 8a is a flowchart of the first hard coating layer providing step according to one embodiment. FIG. 8b is a cross-sectional view of a base substrate and a protective film provided with a first hard coating layer according to one embodiment. FIG. 9a is a flowchart of the protective film removal step according to one embodiment. FIG. 9b is a cross-sectional view of a base substrate with the protective film removed according to one embodiment. FIG. 10a is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a window including a second hard coating layer according to one embodiment. FIG. 10b is a cross-sectional view of a base substrate provided with a second hard coating layer according to one embodiment. FIG. 11a is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a window including a third hard coating layer according to one embodiment. FIG. 11b is a cross-sectional view of a base substrate including a third hard coating layer according to one embodiment. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion of a window provided with a first hard coating layer according to one embodiment. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of a window provided with a second hard coating layer according to one embodiment. FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion of a window provided with a third hard coating layer according to one embodiment. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0029] In this specification, where a component (or region, layer, area, etc.) is described as being "on," "connected," or "combined" with another component, it means that it may be directly placed / connected / combined with the other component, or that a third component may be placed between them.

[0030] Identical reference numerals denote identical components. Additionally, in the drawings, the thicknesses, proportions, and dimensions of the components are exaggerated for the effective illustration of the technical content.

[0031] "And / or" includes all one or more combinations that the associated configurations can define.

[0032] Terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components should not be limited by said terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0033] Additionally, terms such as "below," "lower side," "above," and "upper side" are used to describe the relationships between the components depicted in the drawings. These terms are relative concepts and are described based on the directions indicated in the drawings.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Additionally, terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and are explicitly defined herein unless interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense.

[0035] Terms such as "include" or "have" are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0036] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a window and a window according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device (EA) according to one embodiment. The electronic device (EA) may be a device that is activated by an electrical signal. The electronic device (EA) may include various embodiments. For example, the electronic device (EA) may include a tablet, a laptop, a smart television, etc. In this embodiment, the electronic device (EA) is illustrated as an exemplary smartphone.

[0038] An electronic device (EA) displays an image (IM) in a transmission area (TA). The image (IM) may include at least one of a static image and a dynamic image. In FIG. 1, a clock and a plurality of icons are shown as examples of the image (IM).

[0039] The transmission region (TA) may have a rectangular shape parallel to the first directional axis (DR1) and the second directional axis (DR2), respectively. However, this is illustrated as an example, and the transmission region (TA) may have various shapes and is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0040] The bezel area (BZA) is adjacent to the transparent area (TA). The bezel area (BZA) can surround the transparent area (TA).

[0041] The normal direction of the front surface (FS) may correspond to the thickness direction (DR3, hereinafter referred to as the third direction) of the electronic device (EA). In this embodiment, the front surface (or top surface) and the back surface (or bottom surface) of each member are defined based on the direction in which the image (IM) is displayed. The front surface and the back surface are opposed to each other in the direction of the third direction axis (DR3).

[0042] Hereinafter, the first to third directions refer to the same reference numerals as the directions indicated by the first to third direction axes (DR1, DR2, DR3), respectively. Meanwhile, the directions indicated by the first to third directions (DR1, DR2, DR3) are relative concepts and can be converted to other directions.

[0043] The external shape of the electronic device (EA) can be defined by a window (WM) and an external case (HU). The front (FS) of the electronic device (EA) can substantially be defined by the window (WM).

[0044] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic device (EA) illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic device (EA) includes a display device (DD) and a window (WM). The display device (DD) includes a polarization module (POL) and a display module (DM). The window (WM), the polarization module (POL), and the display module (DM) are arranged parallel to a plane in which a first directional axis (DR1) and a second directional axis (DR2) are defined, and are stacked in a direction parallel to a third directional axis (DR3). Meanwhile, in one embodiment, the polarization module (POL) may be omitted.

[0045] FIG. 3a shows a plan view of a window (WM) according to one embodiment, and FIG. 3b shows a cross-sectional view of the window (WM) shown in FIG. 3a cut along line II'.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 3a, the window (WM) has a surface comprising a first part (PA1) and a second part (PA2). The second part (PA2) may be a part positioned at the outer edge of the first part (PA1). The first part (PA1) and the second part (PA2) will be described in more detail later.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 3b, the window (WM) may comprise a base substrate (SUB) and a hard coating layer (HC) disposed on the base substrate (SUB). Meanwhile, although not illustrated in the drawings, in one embodiment, the window (WM) may further comprise at least one functional layer in addition to the hard coating layer (HC). For example, the window (WM) may further comprise an anti-fingerprint layer, a protective layer, an antistatic layer, etc. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the functional layers disposed on the base substrate (SUB) may be arranged as a single layer performing a complex function or as multiple layers performing different functions. In one embodiment, the window (WM) may comprise the hard coating layer (HC) on the side as well as on the top surface. The window (WM) of one embodiment will be described in more detail later.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a window (WM) according to one embodiment. The method for manufacturing a window (WM) includes a step of providing a base substrate (S100), a step of attaching a protective film (S300), a step of forming the base substrate and the protective film (S500), a step of providing a first hard coating layer (S700), and a step of removing the protective film (S900). Hereinafter, the method for manufacturing a window (WM) according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12.

[0049] FIG. 5 illustrates the step of providing a base substrate (S100). The base substrate (SUB) includes an upper surface (UA1) and a lower surface (BA1) facing each other. In this specification, the upper surface (UA1) and the lower surface (BA1) are described separately based on the third directional axis (DR3). The upper surface (UA1) is defined and described as a surface exposed in the direction in which the third directional axis (DR) extends, and the lower surface (BA1) is defined and described as a surface exposed in a direction opposite to the direction in which the third directional axis extends.

[0050] The base substrate (SUB) may include a polymer resin having light transmittance. The base substrate (SUB) may include at least one of polyethylene (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PAM), polyacetal (POM), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polycarbonate blend series, cellulose, moisture-proof cellophane, and low refractive index resin. However, this is merely illustrative and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0051] FIG. 6 illustrates the step (S300) of providing a protective film. The protective film (PF) may be provided on the lower surface (BA1) of a base substrate (SUB). The protective film (PF) includes an facing upper surface (UA2) and a lower surface (BA2), and may be provided such that the upper surface (UA2) of the protective film contacts the lower surface (BA1) of the base substrate. The surface where the lower surface (BA1) of the base substrate and the upper surface (UA2) of the protective film contact each other is defined as the attachment surface (CA).

[0052] FIG. 7a is a flowchart showing the base substrate and protective film forming step (S500) in detail, and FIG. 7b is a diagram showing the forming step of the base substrate (SUB) and protective film (PF).

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 7a and 7b, the base substrate and protective film forming step (S500) may include a processing step (S501) of the base substrate and a processing step (S502) of the protective film. The processing step (S501) of the base substrate (SUB) includes a step of forming a side surface (SA1) that is positioned between the upper surface (UA1) and the lower surface (BA1). The side surface (SA1) may be positioned on both sides with the upper surface (UA1) in between. The upper surface (UA1) may include a flat surface, and the side surface (SA1) may include a curved surface. The width (W1) of the upper surface (UA1) of the base substrate (SUB) may be smaller than the width (W2) of the lower surface (BA2). In one embodiment, the width of the side surface (SA1) of the base substrate (SUB) may decrease as it goes from the lower surface (BA2) to the upper surface (UA1).

[0054] The processing step (S502) of the protective film (PF) includes the step of forming an exposed side (SA2) positioned between the attachment surface (CA) and the exposed surface (DCA) of the protective film (PF). The exposed surface (DCA) of the protective film (PF) is provided adjacent to the lower surface (BA2) of the protective film (PF) than to the base substrate (SUB) and the attachment surface (CA) of the protective film (PF). Although the exposed side (SA2) is not shown in the drawing, its width may increase as it approaches the exposed surface (DCA).

[0055] The protective film (PF) is divided into an overlapping portion (SPP) that overlaps with the base substrate (SUB) and a non-overlapping portion (NSPP) that does not overlap. The non-overlapping portions (NSPP) may be positioned on both sides with the overlapping portion (SPP) in between. The non-overlapping portion (NSPP) may be the part exposed to the outside by the molding of the base substrate (SUB) and the protective film (PF). The non-overlapping portion (NSPP) may be a concave portion facing the lower surface of the protective film (PF) relative to the attachment surface (CA). The exposed surface (DCA) may correspond to the upper surface of the non-overlapping portion (NSPP).

[0056] FIG. 8a is a flowchart showing the step of providing the first hard coating layer (S700) in detail, and FIG. 8b is a cross-sectional view of the base substrate and protective film provided with the first hard coating layer.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 8a, the step of providing a first hard coating layer (HC1) on a base substrate (SUB) may include a step of providing a hard coating liquid (S701) and a step of curing the hard coating liquid (S702). The step of providing the hard coating liquid may include a step of providing the hard coating liquid by a spray method or a slit coating method. The step of curing the hard coating liquid may include a step of thermal curing or UV curing.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 8b, the first hard coating layer (HC1) is provided such that the upper surface (UA1) and the side surface (SA1) of the base substrate (SUB) and the exposed side surface (SA2) and the exposed surface (DCA) of the protective film (PF) overlap. The exposed surface (DCA) of the protective film (PF) may be provided adjacent to the lower surface (BA2) of the protective film (PF) rather than the attachment surface (CA), so that the first hard coating layer (HC1) covers the side surface (SA1). That is, the first hard coating layer may be provided with a thickness necessary to prevent damage to the window from external impact.

[0059] For example, if the base substrate (SUB) is processed alone without a protective film (PF), or if the exposed surface (DCA) is provided without a height difference of a certain width from the attachment surface (CA), the hard coating liquid cannot be fixed on the curved surface, and thus a hard coating layer (HC) of the required thickness cannot be provided on the side (SA1). In comparison, the window manufacturing method of one embodiment allows the hard coating liquid to be laminated on the exposed surface (DCA) and stably provided to the entire side (SA1) of the base substrate, thereby providing a first hard coating layer (HC1) to the entire curved side (SA1).

[0060] The first portion (PA1) of the first hard coating layer (HC1) may have a uniform thickness. The second portion (PA2) of the first hard coating layer (HC1) may not be uniform. However, this is merely illustrative and the present invention is not limited thereto, and the thickness of the first portion (PA1) may be non-uniform, the thickness of the second portion (PA2) may be uniform, or both the thickness of the first portion (PA1) and the thickness of the second portion (PA2) may be uniform or non-uniform.

[0061] FIG. 9a is a flowchart showing the protective film removal step (S900) in detail, and FIG. 9b is a cross-sectional view of the base substrate with the protective film removed.

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 9a and 9b, in one embodiment, the removal step (S900) of the protective film may include a removal step of a non-overlapping portion (S901) and a removal step of an overlapping portion (S902). The non-overlapping portion (NSPP) may be removed by cutting in a direction opposite to the third direction (DR3) from the third direction (DR3). The overlapping portion (SPP) may be removed by detaching the attached protective film. However, this is merely illustrative, and the present invention may remove the non-overlapping portion (NSPP) and the overlapping portion (SPP) of the protective film (PF) simultaneously.

[0063] By removing the protective film (PF) from the base substrate (SUB), a window (WM) can be provided in which a first hard coating layer (HC1) is provided on the upper surface (UA1) and side surface (SA1) of the base substrate (SUB) according to one embodiment.

[0064] A method for manufacturing a window (WM-1) according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 10a and 10b. In the description of FIGS. 10a and 10b below, details that overlap with those described in FIGS. 1 to 9b above will not be explained again, and the differences will be explained primarily.

[0065] FIG. 10a is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a window (WM-1) according to one embodiment. FIG. 10b illustrates one step of a method for manufacturing a window (WM-1) according to one embodiment.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 10a and FIG. 10b, a method for manufacturing a window (WM-1) of one embodiment may further include a step (S800) of providing a second hard coating layer (HC2) in the method for manufacturing a window of one embodiment described above.

[0067] The step of providing the second hard coating layer (HC2) (S800) is a step of providing the second hard coating layer (HC2) on top of the first hard coating layer (HC1). The second hard coating layer (HC2) may be provided on top of the first part (PA1). The first part (PA1) is the first hard coating layer (HC1) that overlaps with the upper surface (UA1) of the window (WM-1). The second hard coating layer (HC2) may be provided to secure the hardness necessary to prevent damage to the window (WM-1) on the upper surface (UA1) of the window (WM-1) by stacking the hard coating layer (HC) in a double layer. However, although this embodiment describes a method of stacking two hard coating layers (HC), this is exemplary, and the hard coating layer (HC) may be a single layer or a plurality of sub-coating layers stacked to secure hardness.

[0068] The second hard coating layer (HC2) may be provided to be relatively thin compared to the first hard coating layer (HC1). The second hard coating layer (HC2) may have a uniform thickness. However, this is merely illustrative and the present invention is not limited thereto, and the second hard coating layer (HC2) may be relatively thick compared to the first hard coating layer (HC1) and may have a non-uniform thickness.

[0069] A method for manufacturing a window (WM-2) according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 11a and 11b. In the description of FIGS. 11a and 11b below, details that overlap with those described in FIGS. 1 to 9b above will not be explained again, and the differences will be explained in detail.

[0070] FIG. 11a is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a window (WM-2) according to one embodiment. FIG. 11b illustrates one step of a method for manufacturing a window (WM-2) according to one embodiment.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 11a and FIG. 11b, a method for manufacturing a window (WM-2) of one embodiment may further include a step (S1000) of providing a third hard coating layer (HC3) in the method for manufacturing a window (WM-2) of one embodiment described above.

[0072] The step of providing the third hard coating layer (HC3) is a step of providing a coating layer on the lower surface (BA1) of the base substrate (SUB). The third hard coating layer (HC3) may be provided for the purpose of preventing scratches that may occur during the process of bonding the window (WM-2) with the display device (DD).

[0073] The third hard coating layer (HC3) may be thinner than the first hard coating layer (HC1) and the second hard coating layer (HC2). The third hard coating layer (HC3) may have a uniform thickness. However, this is exemplary and the present invention is not limited thereto, and the third hard coating layer (HC3) may be the same thickness as or thicker than the first hard coating layer (HC1) and the third hard coating layer (HC2), and the thickness of the third hard coating layer (HC3) may be non-uniform.

[0074] Hereinafter, a window (WM) according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12. In describing the window (WM) of an embodiment, FIGS. 9, FIGS. 10b, and FIGS. 11b are described by reference again, and content that overlaps with the above description will not be described again. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view (ED) of a part of the window (WM) of FIG. 9.

[0075] The window (WM) includes a base substrate (SUB) and a first hard coating layer (HC1) disposed on top of the base substrate (SUB).

[0076] The first hard coating layer (HC1) is positioned to overlap the upper surface (UA1) and the side surface (SA1) of the base substrate (SUB). The first hard coating layer (HC1) overlaps the upper surface (UA1) and includes a first portion (PA1) having a first thickness (T1) and a second portion (PA2) having a second thickness (T2) that overlaps the side surface (SA1).

[0077] The first thickness (T1) may be thicker than the second thickness (T2). The ratio of the second thickness (T2) to the first thickness (T1) may be 0.5 or more and less than 1. The first thickness (T1) may be 20 µm or more and 50 µm or less. The second thickness (T2) may be 10 µm or more and 25 µm or less. The first thickness (T1) may be 20 µm or more and 50 µm or less, and the second thickness may be 10 µm or more and 25 µm or less. The first thickness (T1) may be 20 µm or more and 50 µm or less, and the second thickness may be 10 µm or more and 25 µm or less, and the first thickness (T1) may be thicker than the second thickness (T2).

[0078] If the first thickness (T1) is thinner than 20㎛, the required hardness is not secured on the front surface of the window (WM), and if it is thicker than 50㎛, the surface hardness may increase, but at the same time, wrinkles or curls may increase due to the hardening shrinkage of the hard coating layer, and cracks or peeling of the hard coating layer may occur.

[0079] The thickness of the first hard coating layer (HC1) may be non-uniform from the boundary point between the first part (PA1) and the second part (PA2) to the end point of the second part (PA2). Specifically, the second thickness (T2) of the second part may decrease as it moves from the upper surface (UA1) of the base substrate (SUB) toward the lower surface (BA1).

[0080] The first part (PA1) of the first hard coating layer (HC1) may have a hardness of 8H or higher and 9H or lower in terms of pencil hardness. Pencil hardness may be the density symbol of the hardest pencil that does not damage the surface when a load is applied to the pencil and scratched at a 45-degree angle. If the hardness of the first hard coating layer (HC1) is less than 8H in terms of pencil hardness, the pencil hardness required for the window (WM) is not secured, making it difficult to protect the display device (DD); if it exceeds 9H, wrinkles or curls may form due to the hardening shrinkage of the hard coating layer, and at the same time, cracks or peeling may occur in the hard coating layer (HC).

[0081] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view (ED-1) of a portion of the window (WM-1) of FIG. 10b. A window (WM-1) according to one embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 10b and FIG. 13.

[0082] A window (WM-1) according to one embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 10b and FIGS. 13. In this embodiment, the details regarding the base substrate (SUB) and the first hard coating layer (HC1) are the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 9 and FIGS. 12, so they are omitted, and this embodiment will be described with a focus on the second hard coating layer (HC2).

[0083] Referring to FIG. 10b, in the window (WM-1) of the present embodiment, a second hard coating layer (HC2) is disposed on the upper portion (PA1) of the first hard coating layer (HC1). The first portion (PA1) is the portion where the hard coating layer (HC1) overlaps with the upper surface (UA1).

[0084] If the required hardness of the window (WM-1) is not secured when only the first hard coating layer (HC1) is placed, the required hardness can be secured by additionally laminating a second hard coating layer (HC2). Although this embodiment describes a method of laminating two hard coating layers, this is exemplary, and the hard coating layer may consist of multiple sub-coating layers or a single layer in order to secure hardness.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 13, the first hard coating layer (HC1) has a first thickness (T1) and the second hard coating layer (HC2) has a third thickness (T3). In FIG. 10b and FIG. 13, the first thickness (T1) is shown as being thicker than the third thickness (T3), but this is merely illustrative and the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first thickness (T1) may be thinner than the third thickness (T3) or the first thickness (T1) and the third thickness (T3) may be the same.

[0086] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view (ED-2) of a portion of the window (WM-2) of FIG. 11b. Hereinafter, a window (WM-2) according to one embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 11b and FIG. 14.

[0087] In this embodiment, the details regarding the base substrate (SUB) and the first hard coating layer (HC1) are the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 9 and FIG. 12, so they are omitted, and this embodiment is described with a focus on the third hard coating layer (HC3).

[0088] Referring to FIG. 11b, the window (WM-2) of the present embodiment may further include a third hard coating layer (HC3) on the lower surface (BA1) of the base substrate (SUB). The third hard coating layer (HC3) can prevent scratches that may occur during the process of bonding the window (WM-2) with the display device (DD).

[0089] The third hard coating layer (HC3) may be a hard coating layer that is disconnected from the first hard coating layer (HC1). However, this is merely an example, and the third hard coating layer (HC3) may be extended in a direction parallel to the first direction (DR1), or the first hard coating layer (HC1) may be extended in a direction parallel to the third direction (DR3), so that the first hard coating layer (HC1) and the third hard coating layer (HC3) are in contact and form a continuous hard coating layer.

[0090] The thickness (T4) of the third hard coating layer (HC3) may be uniform. The thickness of the third hard coating layer (HC3) may be thinner than that of the first hard coating layer (HC1). However, this is merely illustrative and the present invention is not limited thereto, and the thickness (T4) of the third hard coating layer (HC3) may be non-uniform, or may be the same as or relatively thicker than the first thickness (T1) of the first hard coating layer (HC1).

[0091] In summary, one embodiment provides a method for manufacturing a window (WM) in which a hard coating layer (HC) can protect a side (SA1) of a base substrate (SUB) by providing an exposed surface (DCA) adjacent to the lower surface (BA2) of the protective film (PF) rather than the attachment surface (CA) of the protective film (PF) and the base substrate (SUB).

[0092] One embodiment can protect the side portion of a curved display device (DD) including a window (WM) by providing a window (WM) including a hard coating layer (HC) arranged to overlap the front surface of a side (SA1).

[0093] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art or those with ordinary knowledge in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and technical scope of the invention as described in the claims set forth below.

[0094] Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification, but should be determined by the claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0095] SUB: Base board UA1: Top surface BA1: Lower surface HC1: First hard coating layer SA1: Side HC2: Second hard coating layer PF: Protective film HC3: Third hard coating layer CA: Attachment surface PA1: First part DCA: Exposed surface PA2: Part 2 T1: First thickness BA2: Lower surface of the protective film T2: Second thickness SA2: Exposed side T3: 3rd thickness SPP: Overlapping part NSPP: Non-overlapping parts

Claims

Claim 1 A method for manufacturing a window comprising: providing a base substrate including an upper surface and a lower surface facing each other; attaching a protective film to the lower surface of the base substrate; removing a portion of the base substrate and the protective film to form the base substrate and the protective film such that the base substrate and the protective film include an exposed surface of the protective film adjacent to the lower surface of the protective film rather than the attachment surface of the base substrate and the protective film; providing a first hard coating layer on the formed base substrate and the exposed surface of the protective film exposed after forming; and removing the formed protective film from the formed base substrate. Claim 2 A method for manufacturing a window according to claim 1, wherein the step of forming the base substrate and the protective film comprises: a step of processing the base substrate such that the width of the upper surface of the base substrate is smaller than the width of the lower surface of the base substrate and includes a side surface disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the base substrate; and a step of processing the protective film such that the upper surface of the protective film includes an overlapping portion that overlaps with the base substrate, a non-overlapping portion that does not overlap with the base substrate and includes the exposed surface, and an exposed side surface disposed between the overlapping portion and the non-overlapping portion. Claim 3 A method for manufacturing a window according to claim 2, wherein the step of providing the first hard coating layer comprises: providing a hard coating liquid on the upper surface of the base substrate, the side surface, the non-overlapping portion, and the exposed side surface; and curing the provided hard coating liquid. Claim 4 A method for manufacturing a window according to paragraph 3, wherein the step of providing the hard coating liquid comprises the step of providing the hard coating liquid by a spray method or a slit coating method. Claim 5 In paragraph 3, the step of curing the hard coating liquid comprises a step of heat curing or UV curing, in a method for manufacturing a window. Claim 6 A method for manufacturing a window according to paragraph 2, wherein the step of removing the protective film comprises a step of removing the non-overlapping portion and a step of removing the overlapping portion, which are performed sequentially. Claim 7 A method for manufacturing a window according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a second hard coating layer on a first portion of the first hard coating layer that overlaps with the base substrate after the step of providing the first hard coating layer. Claim 8 A method for manufacturing a window according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a third hard coating layer on the lower surface of the base substrate after the step of removing the protective film. Claim 9 delete Claim 10 delete Claim 11 delete Claim 12 delete Claim 13 delete Claim 14 delete Claim 15 delete Claim 16 delete Claim 17 delete Claim 18 delete Claim 19 delete Claim 20 delete

Citation Information

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