Curved Jig Etching for Flexible Window Folding Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window manufacturing methods for flexible electronic devices fail to produce windows with optimal folding properties and surface characteristics that do not hinder display quality, and lack efficient control over the shape of slimming regions.
Innovation Solution
A window manufacturing device and method utilizing a fixing jig with a curved or inclined seating surface and an etching solution supply part, allowing precise control over the etching process to create smooth, continuous recessed portions in the window, eliminating the need for pre-treatment masking and post-processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional window manufacturing methods are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the surface characteristics and folding properties are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The base glass is pre-bent to match the curvature of the seating surface before etching. This preliminary shaping action allows the etching solution to uniformly access the surface, creating consistent slimming regions without requiring complex post-processing steps to achieve proper folding properties
Solution Approach 2:
A fixation jig with a curved seating surface acts as an intermediary tool between the base glass and the etching solution. The jig's curved surface serves as a template that guides the etching process, transferring the desired curvature to the window while maintaining surface quality and folding characteristics
2Manufacturing precision
If the seating surface is fully accommodated in the storage part, then etching uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation jig with its curved seating surface is nested within the storage part that holds the etching solution. This nested arrangement ensures the entire seating surface is submerged in the etching solution, providing uniform etching across the curved surface without requiring complex positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The etching solution storage part is designed to accommodate the three-dimensional curved seating surface rather than treating it as a flat surface. By designing the storage part to envelop the curved jig, the system achieves uniform etching in multiple dimensions without adding complex control systems
3Manufacturing precision
If pre-treatment masking and post-processing are added, then surface quality improves, but process efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The base glass is pre-bent to match the seating surface curvature before etching, and the fixation jig is designed with the exact curvature needed for the desired slimming region. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for subsequent masking and post-processing steps, as the etching process directly produces the final desired geometry in one step
Solution Approach 2:
The bending, fixation, and etching operations are merged into a single integrated process flow. The pre-bent base glass is fixed to the curved seating surface, and the etching solution is applied simultaneously, combining multiple operations that would traditionally require separate steps into one efficient process
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 method and device enable the production of windows with improved surface quality and flexibility, ensuring smooth transitions between etched and unetched areas, enhancing the durability and display quality of flexible electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
exposing the base glass, which is fixed to correspond to the curved or inclined surface, to the etching solution
Data Source
AI summary
A window manufacturing device includes a fixing jig with a seating surface, on which a workpiece is fixed, where the seating surface includes a curved surface or an inclined surface, and an etching solution supply part disposed below the fixing jig, where a storage part is defined in the etching solution supply part to accommodate at least a portion of the seating surface.