Display Protective Layer Combining Hard Coating and Anti-Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-reflective film processes for organic light-emitting devices are expensive, require multiple cleaning-coating-baking steps, and can cause staining and poor thickness uniformity, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective alternative.
Innovation Solution
A display protective layer comprising a hard coating layer with an anti-reflective layer formed by a single coating process using inorganic particles with different refractive indices, where the surface of one type of particle is coated with a fluorine-containing moiety, allowing for a low specular component and improved hydrophobicity, thereby reducing reflections and enhancing layer uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional anti-reflective film processes are used, then anti-reflective performance is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the anti-reflective layer and hard coating layer into a single integrated layer that performs both functions simultaneously. This merging eliminates the need for separate cleaning-coating-baking steps for each layer, reducing process complexity while maintaining anti-reflective performance through the specific particle composition (inorganic particles with refractive indices of 1.3-1.7 in a resin matrix).
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-reflective hard coating layer is designed to perform multiple functions: anti-reflection, surface hardening, and scratch resistance. By incorporating inorganic particles with specific refractive indices into a resin-based hard coating matrix, the single layer achieves both optical (anti-reflective) and mechanical (hard coating) properties that traditionally required separate layers.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional anti-reflective film processes are used, then anti-reflective performance is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the anti-reflective layer and hard coating layer into a single integrated layer that performs both functions simultaneously. This merging eliminates the need for separate cleaning-coating-baking steps for each layer, reducing process complexity while maintaining anti-reflective performance through the specific particle composition (inorganic particles with refractive indices of 1.3-1.7 in a resin matrix).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a cost-effective formulation combining common resin materials (acrylate, polyester, or epoxy-based) with inorganic particles that can be produced economically. This approach replaces expensive traditional anti-reflective film processes with a more affordable sol-gel or dip-coating method using readily available materials.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional anti-reflective film processes are used, then anti-reflective performance is achieved, but staining occurs and thickness uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the refractive index of the anti-reflective layer by selecting inorganic particles with specific refractive indices (1.3-1.7) and adjusting their concentration and size distribution. This parameter optimization ensures both effective anti-reflection and uniform light scattering, preventing staining while achieving consistent thickness across the display surface.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If inorganic particles with different refractive indices are used, then anti-reflective performance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inorganic particles with different refractive indices (1.3-1.7) to create local variations in light scattering and reflection properties within the coating layer. This local quality variation optimizes anti-reflective performance at different depths and angles, while the particles are distributed uniformly to maintain overall manufacturing simplicity.
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 achieves a low specular component and improved surface energy, reducing reflections and staining while being more economical and efficient than traditional methods, with a single coating step.
Implementation Method 1
a surface of the first inorganic particle may be coated with a fluorine-containing moiety
Implementation Method 2
a surface energy of an upper portion of the anti-reflective layer may be less than or equal to about 25 dyne/cm
Implementation Method 3
the anti-reflective layer may include a first inorganic particle having a first refractive index and a second inorganic particle having a second refractive index
Implementation Method 4
an anti-reflective layer on the hard coating layer, wherein the anti-reflective layer may include a first inorganic particle having a first refractive index and a second inorganic particle having a second refractive index
Implementation Method 5
The second refractive index may be greater than the first refractive index
Data Source
AI summary
A display protective layer includes a hard coating layer on a substrate, and an anti-reflective layer on the hard coating layer. The anti-reflective layer includes a first inorganic particle having a first refractive index and a second inorganic particle having a second refractive index, a surface of the first inorganic particle is coated with a fluorine-containing moiety, and the second refractive index is greater than the first refractive index.