Curved Display Lamination Apparatus Elastic Sheet Misalignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laminating apparatuses for curved display devices face misalignment issues due to the expansion of elastic sheets, which changes the position of display panels relative to window panels, leading to inaccuracies in lamination.

Innovation Solution

A laminating apparatus comprising a first jig, a second jig, a step difference portion, an elastic sheet, and a guide portion, where the step difference portion has a wider width than the recessed portion of the first jig, and a fluid regulating portion is used to adjust the height of the elastic sheet, minimizing the change in the elastic sheet's length and preventing misalignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an elastic sheet is used to laminate curved display panels, then the lamination process becomes feasible for curved surfaces, but the elastic sheet expands during lamination causing misalignment between panels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to laminate curved surfacesVSAvoidalignment accuracy between panels

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus divides the lamination process into distinct zones: a first jig with recessed portions for initial panel placement and alignment, and a second jig with an elastic sheet for curved surface conformal lamination. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without interfering with the other's precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first jig with recessed portions performs preliminary alignment of the display panels before the actual lamination process. By pre-positioning and aligning panels on the first jig, the system ensures accurate registration before the panels are transferred to the elastic sheet for curved surface lamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Area of stationary object

If the elastic sheet is expanded to cover curved surfaces, then full surface coverage is achieved, but the position of display panels changes relative to window panels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage area of elastic sheetVSAvoidrelative position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lamination system is divided into two functional jigs: the first jig handles alignment with fixed recessed portions, while the second jig with the elastic sheet handles area expansion for curved coverage. This segmentation isolates the area expansion function from the positioning function, preventing position drift.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Panel alignment is performed in advance on the first jig using precisely positioned recessed portions. Once aligned, the panels are transferred to the elastic sheet which then expands to cover the curved surface. The preliminary alignment ensures that even as the elastic sheet expands, the panels maintain their relative positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a simple elastic sheet structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but misalignment occurs due to uncontrolled expansion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidalignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single complex elastic sheet structure, the system segments the function into two simple jigs: one for alignment (first jig with recessed portions) and one for lamination (second jig with elastic sheet). This segmentation maintains structural simplicity while achieving precise alignment through functional division.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first jig with recessed portions acts as an intermediary device that facilitates precise alignment before the actual lamination process. This intermediary structure enables accurate panel positioning without requiring the elastic sheet itself to have complex alignment features, thus maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 the amount of change in the elastic sheet's length during the lamination process, minimizing misalignment between the window and display panels, thereby enhancing the reliability of the curved display device.

Implementation Method 1

The fluid regulating portion may supply a fluid between the step difference portion and the elastic sheet. The fluid supplied between the step difference portion and the elastic sheet may adjust a height of the elastic sheet.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

by including an elastic sheet which is flexible, a display panel and a window panel of the curved display device may be pressed to be laminated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10357951B2Laminating apparatus and laminating method using the same

Publication Date: 2019.07.23 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A laminating apparatus includes a first jig having at least one recessed portion, a second jig disposed opposite to the first jig, a step difference portion disposed on the second jig, an elastic sheet disposed on each of the second jig and the step difference portion, and a guide portion spaced apart from the step difference portion and overlapping an edge of the elastic sheet. A width of the step difference portion is greater than a width of the recessed portion of the first jig.