Anti-glare Substrate Textured Surface with Multi-Elevation Features

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-glare substrates for display articles face challenges in simultaneously achieving low specular reflection, low pixel power deviation, no Moiré interference fringes, low transmission haze, and low reflection color artifacts, as current texturing methods like sandblasting and liquid etching result in imprecise and unrepeatable surface geometry, failing to optimize all these metrics simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A substrate with a textured surface featuring specifically placed and randomly distributed surface features, formed through a controlled etching process using an etching mask and spacing distribution algorithms, allowing for precise geometry repetition and optimization of anti-glare metrics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If sandblasting or liquid etching is used to texture the substrate surface, then specular reflection is reduced, but the surface geometry becomes imprecise and unrepeatable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecular reflectionVSAvoidsurface geometry precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical texturing methods (sandblasting, liquid etching) with a photolithography-based etching process. A photomask with precisely defined surface feature patterns is used to control the etching process, substituting random mechanical action with controlled photochemical etching. This allows precise and repeatable surface geometry while maintaining the diffuse reflection effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If surface roughness is increased to reduce specular reflection, then anti-glare performance improves, but transmission haze and pixel power deviation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecular reflectionVSAvoidimage quality metrics
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating specific surface feature geometries with controlled dimensions, spacing, and depth. Instead of uniform surface roughness, the design uses locally optimized features (such as microlenses, prisms, or specific pattern geometries) that provide diffuse reflection in specific directions while maintaining optical clarity. The surface features are strategically positioned and dimensioned to achieve low specular reflection without excessive transmission haze or pixel power deviation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If random texturing is applied to reduce specular reflection, then anti-glare effect is achieved, but Moiré interference fringes and reflection color artifacts appear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecular reflectionVSAvoidMoiré interference fringes and color artifacts
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric and aperiodic surface feature patterns that avoid regular periodicity. By using non-repeating patterns with varied feature sizes, shapes, and spacings, the design prevents the formation of Moiré interference fringes and reflection color artifacts. The asymmetric distribution of surface features ensures that reflected light does not constructively interfere in specific directions, eliminating the harmful optical effects associated with periodic structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively reduces specular reflection, minimizes pixel power deviation, eliminates Moiré interference, maintains low transmission haze, and minimizes reflection color artifacts, providing a consistent and improved anti-glare performance.

Implementation Method 1

The textured region includes one or more surfaces at two, three, or four elevations, and surface features providing at least a portion of the one or more surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEtching:

Data Source

PatentUS20230028863A1Anti-glare substrate for a display article with a textured region including one or more surfaces at two, three, or four elevations, and surfaces features providing at least a portion of the one or more surfaces, and method of making the same
Publication Date: 2023.01.26 CORNING INC
  • US20230028863A1 patent drawing
  • US20230028863A1 patent drawing
  • US20230028863A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A substrate for a display article is described herein including (a) a primary surface; and (b) a textured region disposed at the primary surface, the textured region comprising: (i) one or more higher surfaces residing at a higher mean elevation parallel to a base-plane disposed below the textured region extending through the substrate; (ii) one or more lower surfaces residing at a lower mean elevation parallel to the base-plane; and (iii) surface features providing at a least a portion of either or both of (i) the one or more higher surfaces and (ii) the one or more lower surfaces. The surface features can include larger surface features and smaller surface features, either or both providing one or more surfaces of the substrate that reside at one or more intermediate mean elevations parallel to the base-plane between the higher mean elevation and the lower mean elevation.