Transparent Elastomer Cover Plate for Flexible Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible display cover plates, such as ultra-thin glass plates and transparent polyimide films, suffer from brittleness, poor impact resistance, and irreversible deformation under high temperatures or continuous bending stress.
Innovation Solution
A cover plate comprising a transparent elastomer layer, a spacer layer, and a low surface energy layer, where the transparent elastomer layer is made of materials like transparent silicone rubber or urethane rubber, the spacer layer is made of non-elastomeric rubber or transparent polyethylene terephthalate, and the low surface energy layer is made of fluorine-containing or silicon-containing polymer materials, enhancing impact resistance and reducing surface friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If ultra-thin glass plates or transparent polyimide films are used as cover plates, then transparency and thinness are achieved, but brittleness and poor impact resistance occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from traditional rigid or semi-rigid materials (glass, polyimide) to elastomeric materials with specific mechanical properties (Young's modulus 0.001-3 GPa, elongation at break 100-500%). This parameter transformation enables the cover plate to maintain thinness while achieving high impact resistance through elastic deformation and energy absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction by combining the elastomeric transparent material with adhesive layers and functional coatings. This composite structure integrates the flexibility and impact resistance of elastomers with the protective and optical properties of other materials, resolving the contradiction between thinness and strength.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible display products are deformed with larger deformation amounts and more degrees of freedom, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but irreversible deformation and creep increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the elastomeric material (Young's modulus 0.001-3 GPa, elongation at break 100-500%) to optimize the balance between flexibility and dimensional stability. These parameter controls ensure the material can undergo large deformations while recovering completely, preventing irreversible deformation and creep.
Solution Approach 2:
This principle is not applicable to this patent as the invention focuses on durable, reusable elastomeric cover plates designed for long-term flexibility and stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the transparent elastomer layer is made with lower Young's modulus to improve flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines a specific Young's modulus range (0.001-3 GPa) that balances flexibility with manufacturability. This parameter optimization ensures the material is soft enough for flexible applications but stable enough for precise manufacturing and assembly, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturing precision.
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 proposed cover plate design improves impact resistance, drop resistance, and maintains flatness after flexible operations, avoiding irreversible deformation and reducing stress between layers, thereby enhancing the performance of flexible display devices with large deformation capabilities and low creep.
Implementation Method 1
The spacer layer is disposed between the transparent elastomer layer and the low surface energy layer
Implementation Method 2
A surface energy of the low surface energy layer is less than a surface energy of the transparent elastomer layer
Implementation Method 3
The transparent elastomer layer is made of at least one elastomer material
Implementation Method 4
The adhesive layer is disposed between the transparent elastomer layer and the spacer layer
Data Source
AI summary
A cover plate includes a transparent elastomer layer, a spacer layer and a low surface energy layer. The transparent elastomer layer is made of at least one elastomer material. The low surface energy layer is disposed at a side of the transparent elastomer layer. A surface energy of the low surface energy layer is less than a surface energy of the transparent elastomer layer. The spacer layer is disposed between the transparent elastomer layer and the low surface energy layer.