Gradient Tempered Flexible Cover Window
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Solution Overview
Problem
Glass-based ultra-thin flexible cover windows face challenges in simultaneously achieving strength and folding characteristics, particularly as they become thinner, with conventional tempering processes limiting durability and impact resistance.
Innovation Solution
A method involving primary and secondary tempering processes, including ion exchange, chemical dipping, and slimming, to create a gradient tempered layer with increased surface compressive stress, optimizing the depth and compressive stress of the tempered layer for improved strength and folding characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the glass-based cover window is made thinner to reduce weight and thickness, then weight and thickness are reduced, but strength characteristics and impact resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the tempering process parameters (temperature, time, chemical composition) to create a gradient tempered layer with optimized depth and compressive stress distribution, enabling ultra-thin glass to achieve sufficient strength without increasing thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure with a gradient tempered layer on the glass surface, combining the base glass material with a surface-modified layer that has enhanced mechanical properties, achieving both thinness and strength
2Adaptability or versatility
If the glass-based cover window is made thinner to meet flexible display requirements, then flexibility is improved, but folding characteristics and durability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the gradient tempered layer parameters (depth, compressive stress intensity) to achieve a balance between flexibility for folding and durability, allowing the glass to bend repeatedly without cracking while maintaining sufficient strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a gradient tempered layer with varying compressive stress distribution through the glass thickness, with higher compressive stress at the surface for strength and controlled stress deeper in the glass for flexibility
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional single-stage tempering is used to simplify the manufacturing process, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the ability to simultaneously achieve strength characteristics and folding characteristics is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tempering process into multiple stages (primary and secondary tempering) with different parameters, allowing independent control of tempered layer depth and compressive stress intensity to simultaneously achieve strength and folding characteristics
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 enhances the strength and folding characteristics of ultra-thin glass-based flexible cover windows by adjusting the depth and surface compressive stress of the tempered layer, achieving higher compressive stress even under the same tensile stress conditions, thereby improving durability and impact resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a second step of subjecting the glass to primary tempering to form a tempered layer on a surface of the glass; a fourth step of subjecting the glass to secondary tempering to increase a compressive stress of the glass
Implementation Method 2
the primary tempering of the second step and the secondary tempering of the fourth step may be implemented by applying any one of chemical dipping, chemical slurry, spray tempering, and paste tempering
Implementation Method 3
after performing the primary tempering of the second step or after performing the secondary tempering of the fourth step, heat treatment or rapid cooling may be performed
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed are a flexible cover window for simultaneously improving strength characteristics and folding characteristics of a glass-based ultra-thin flexible cover window, and a method of manufacturing the same. A glass-based flexible cover window is configured such that a ratio of the intensity of replacing metal ions at the glass center to the intensity of replacing metal ions at the glass surface is 1:3 or greater. The present disclosure can provide a flexible cover window with improved window strength characteristics and folding characteristics by adjusting the depth (ion penetration depth) and the surface compressive stress of a tempered layer by performing a gradient tempering process including primary tempering, slimming, and secondary tempering.