Flexible Glass Substrate Multilayer Structure for Impact Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional glass substrates used in flexible display devices lack flexibility and are prone to breaking upon external impact, leading to safety concerns and optical property degradation, with existing anti-scattering layers compromising surface hardness and impact resistance.

Innovation Solution

A glass substrate multilayer structure comprising a flexible glass substrate with an anti-scattering layer made of polyfunctional (meth)acrylic crosslinked polymer and polyimide polymer, and a hard coating layer on the opposite surface, which maintains surface hardness and impact resistance while allowing for flexibility and excellent optical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an anti-scattering layer is formed on a flexible glass substrate, then impact resistance and safety are improved, but surface hardness decreases and marks are generated during pressing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidsurface hardness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different functional layers with distinct properties at different locations: the anti-scattering layer (soft polymer) is applied only to the rear surface where impact absorption is needed, while the front surface maintains the original glass hardness for writing and display purposes. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between impact resistance and surface hardness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by combining the flexible glass substrate with a soft polymer anti-scattering layer. This composite material system allows the structure to exhibit both the flexibility and impact absorption of the polymer while maintaining the hardness and optical clarity of the glass substrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If the glass substrate is thinned to achieve flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but impact resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a thin flexible glass substrate (thin film) that can be bent and folded, achieving the desired flexibility for portable displays. The thinning enables the glass to conform to various shapes and withstand bending without breaking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies an anti-scattering layer made of soft polymer material that acts as a cushioning layer before impact occurs. This layer absorbs and dissipates impact energy, protecting the thin glass substrate from breaking during external impacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Strength

If conventional glass is used for display window, then strength is improved, but weight increases and flexibility is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional thick rigid glass with a thin flexible glass substrate that maintains sufficient mechanical strength while dramatically reducing weight. The thin glass film provides the necessary protection while enabling flexibility and portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure combining thin flexible glass with a soft polymer anti-scattering layer. This composite provides enhanced mechanical strength and impact resistance while keeping the overall weight low, suitable for portable display applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite 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 multilayer structure prevents surface marks and damage during pressing or impact, enhances safety by mitigating scattering, and maintains optical clarity and visibility, making it suitable for flexible display devices.

Implementation Method 1

an anti-scattering layer formed on one surface of the flexible glass substrate, in which the anti-scattering layer comprises a polyfunctional (meth)acrylic crosslinked polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

the anti-scattering layer comprises a polyfunctional (meth)acrylic crosslinked polymer and a polyimide polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAromatic ring stability: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS12012355B2Glass substrate multilayer structure, manufacturing method thereof, and flexible display panel including the same

Publication Date: 2024.06.18 INTELLECTUAL DISCOVERY CO LTD

AI summary

Provided herein are glass substrate multilayer structure, a manufacturing method thereof, and a flexible display panel including the same. Also provided is a glass substrate multilayer structure that has remarkably good surface hardness, has remarkably good impact resistance, can provide for safety of a user by resisting scattering when the glass substrate is broken, and has excellent optical properties. The disclosure also relates to a manufacturing method the glass substrate multilayer structure, and a flexible display panel including the same.