Optical Laminate Asperity Formation Without Reinforcement Waste

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in producing optical laminates with finely provided asperities on thin base layers without deformation, while existing methods incur increased costs due to the need for reinforcement layers that must be peeled off and discarded.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the lamination of a pressure-sensitive adhesive and protective layers on the base layer, followed by the formation of asperities on the opposite surface, which enhances the base layer's strength and prevents deformation without the need for a reinforcement layer that must be discarded.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a reinforcement layer is adhered to the base layer to prevent deformation during asperity formation, then the base layer strength is improved, but the reinforcement layer must be peeled off and discarded increasing cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase layer strengthVSAvoidreinforcement layer waste
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer serves dual functions: it provides reinforcement to the thin base layer to prevent deformation during asperity formation, and simultaneously serves as the final adhesive layer for bonding optical functional layers. This eliminates the need for a separate reinforcement layer that would need to be discarded, reducing waste while maintaining base layer strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the reinforcement layer function with the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. Instead of using separate reinforcement and adhesive layers, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is applied to the base layer before asperity formation, combining structural reinforcement with final adhesive functionality in a single layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of substance

If the base layer is made thin to reduce weight and cost, then material cost is reduced, but the base layer deforms when asperities are formed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase layer material costVSAvoidasperity formation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is applied to the base layer before the asperity formation process. This preliminary reinforcement allows the thin base layer to maintain its shape and prevent deformation during the subsequent asperity formation, enabling precise asperity patterns to be formed on cost-effective thin substrates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach allows for the cost-effective production of optical laminates with finely provided asperities on thin base layers, maintaining the base layer's integrity and reducing production costs.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure-sensitive adhesive/adhesive layer 30... are laminated on a base layer 10

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3476589B1Optical laminate manufacturing method and optical laminate intermediate body
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 NITTO DENKO CORP
  • EP3476589B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(e)
  • EP3476589B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(f)
  • EP3476589B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is intended to provide a method for producing an optical laminate, capable of finely providing asperities in a thin base layer at low cost. The method for producing an optical laminate according to the present invention includes the steps of: laminating a pressure-sensitive adhesive/adhesive layer 30 and a protective layer 40 on a base layer 10 in this order; and after the step of laminating, providing asperities 10A on a surface of the base layer 10 opposite to a surface on which the pressure-sensitive adhesive/adhesive layer 30 is laminated.