Protective Film Structure for Damage-Free Display Panel Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for removing panel protective films from display panels often cause damage to the display panel due to the mismatch in thermal expansion coefficients between the film and the panel.

Innovation Solution

A protective film with a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the display panel, featuring a flat portion and inclined/boundary portions that thin away from the flat portion, is used, along with a method involving application of a resin and coolant to facilitate separation without damaging the panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional protective film with uniform thickness is used, then the film provides adequate protection, but the film causes damage to the display panel during removal due to thermal expansion mismatch

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoiddamage during removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective film transitions from uniform thickness to variable thickness, with the edge portions being thinner than the central portion. This local variation in thickness allows the edges to separate first during removal, preventing damage to the display panel while maintaining protection effectiveness in the central area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The protective film is effectively segmented into different thickness zones (central thick portion and edge thin portions), which separate at different times during removal. This segmentation allows controlled separation starting from the edges, reducing damage risk to the display panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the protective film has the same thermal expansion coefficient as the display panel, then thermal stress is minimized, but the film cannot be easily separated from the panel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal stress stabilityVSAvoidseparation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective film is designed with a thermal expansion coefficient higher than that of the display panel. During cooling, this differential thermal expansion causes the film to contract more than the panel, creating separation force that facilitates easy removal while minimizing thermal stress during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #37Thermal expansion

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the thermal expansion coefficient parameter of the protective film to be higher than the display panel, and varies the thickness parameter across different regions of the film. These parameter changes enable both easy separation and reduced thermal stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the protective film edges are thick, then the film provides uniform protection, but the edges cannot separate cleanly from the panel during removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection uniformityVSAvoidseparation cleanliness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The protective film has different thickness characteristics in different regions: the central portion maintains sufficient thickness for protection, while the edge portions are deliberately made thinner to enable clean separation from the display panel during removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The film structure is segmented into central and edge regions with different thicknesses, allowing the edges to separate first and cleanly from the panel while the central portion maintains protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively reduces the likelihood of damage to the display panel by allowing controlled separation of the protective film, leveraging the higher thermal expansion of the film to contract and separate cleanly from the panel.

Implementation Method 1

the first protective film may be configured to contract more than the display panel when a coolant is provided on the first protective film

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Implementation Method 2

The first protective film may have a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the display panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS12545019B2Protective film and method of removing protective film

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a protective film including a first protective film configured to cover an upper surface of a display panel, the first protective film including a flat portion, inclined portions extending from the flat portion, and surrounding the flat portion in plan view, and boundary portions respectively between the inclined portions, and respectively corresponding to corners of the flat portion, wherein the inclined portions and the boundary portions become thinner in a direction away from the flat portion.