Flexible Cover Board Nanomaterial Buffer Layer Impact Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional glass cover boards used in display devices are prone to breaking under external impacts and are unbendable, failing to provide adequate scratch resistance and impact resistance for flexible display panels.

Innovation Solution

A flexible cover board structure comprising a flexible substrate, a buffer layer with nanomaterial-filled through-holes, and stacked hardened layers, which enhances scratch resistance and impact resistance by distributing stress and maintaining structural strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If glass cover boards are used, then scratch resistance and impact resistance are improved, but bending properties deteriorate and the glass becomes easily broken under external impacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescratch resistance and impact resistanceVSAvoidbending properties
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid glass with a flexible cover board comprising a flexible substrate and multiple functional layers including buffer layers and hardened layers. This flexible structure enables bending properties while maintaining protective functions through the composite layer design rather than using traditional rigid glass shells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite structure with multiple layers including flexible substrate, buffer layers, and hardened layers. Each layer contributes specific properties: the flexible substrate provides bendability, the buffer layers absorb impact energy, and the hardened layers provide scratch resistance. This composite material approach resolves the contradiction between rigidity for protection and flexibility for bending.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If glass cover boards are used, then structural strength is improved, but reliability under external impacts deteriorates due to easy breaking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidresistance to breaking under external impacts
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates buffer layers with through-holes filled with nanomaterials before the hardened layers. These buffer layers are positioned to absorb and dissipate impact energy before it reaches the brittle hardened layers, providing beforehand cushioning that prevents sudden breaking while maintaining structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses through-holes filled with nanomaterials within the buffer layers, creating a porous structure that enhances impact absorption. The nanomaterial-filled pores provide energy dissipation pathways that improve reliability under external impacts while maintaining the overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

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 flexible cover board achieves improved bending properties, scratch resistance, and impact resistance, thereby extending the service lifespan of display devices.

Implementation Method 1

at least one through-hole penetrating the buffer layer is filled with a nanomaterial

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStress distribution:

Implementation Method 2

at least one through-hole penetrating the buffer layer is filled with a nanomaterial

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNano material absorption:

Implementation Method 3

the first hardened layer, the organic layer, and the second hardened layer stacked in sequence are disposed on a side surface of the buffer layer away from the flexible substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectComposite material strength: Composite Materials

Data Source

PatentUS11357124B2Flexible cover board, manufacturing method thereof, and display device
Publication Date: 2022.06.07 WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICONDUCTOR DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • US11357124B2 patent drawing
  • US11357124B2 patent drawing
  • US11357124B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A flexible cover board, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device are provided. The flexible cover board includes a flexible substrate, a buffer layer, a first hardened layer, an organic layer, and a second hardened layer. The buffer layer is disposed on a side surface of the flexible substrate, and at least one through-hole penetrating the buffer layer is filled with a nanomaterial. The first hardened layer, the organic layer, and the second hardened layer stacked in sequence are disposed on a side surface of the buffer layer away from the flexible substrate.