Reinforced Window Member Ion-Exchange Stress Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional window members for electronic devices lack sufficient reinforcement to withstand external impacts and maintain durability while being thin and optically transparent, leading to potential damage and reduced reliability.

Innovation Solution

A method of manufacturing a reinforced window member involving a first ion-exchange treatment at high temperature, followed by a stress relief operation, and a second ion-exchange treatment, which distributes compressive stress and increases the depth of compression, resulting in a window member with high surface compressive stress and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single ion-exchange treatment is performed to reinforce the window member, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the window member lacks sufficient durability and impact resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement process is divided into multiple distinct ion-exchange treatment stages (first and second reinforcement operations), each targeting different aspects of compressive stress distribution. This segmentation allows achieving superior durability through cumulative effect while maintaining clear process boundaries for manufacturing control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first ion-exchange treatment creates an initial compressive stress distribution that serves as a foundation for subsequent treatments. The stress relief operation between stages prepares the structure by reducing peak stresses, enabling the second treatment to build upon and enhance the existing reinforcement rather than starting from scratch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If high surface compressive stress is increased to improve impact resistance, then the window member becomes more durable, but the risk of internal tensile stress and potential damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidinternal tensile stress

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stress relief operation acts as a cushioning step between reinforcement stages. It temporarily reduces the compressive stress and associated internal tensile stresses to safe levels, preventing damage accumulation and allowing the structure to withstand the enhanced reinforcement from the second ion-exchange treatment without failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement process uses periodic application of ion-exchange treatments separated by stress relief operations. This periodic cycling of reinforcement and relief allows building up cumulative compressive stress benefits while periodically eliminating harmful internal tensile stresses, achieving high impact resistance without structural damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If the depth of compression is increased to improve durability, then the window member withstands impacts better, but the manufacturing time and process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple ion-exchange treatments are performed in continuous sequence with the stress relief operation serving to maintain rather than interrupt the reinforcement process. Each stage builds upon the previous one, creating a continuous accumulation of compressive stress depth without significant idle time, thus achieving deep compression enhancement efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful 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

The method produces a window member with enhanced durability and impact resistance, maintaining thinness and optical transparency, thereby improving the reliability and protection of electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

performing a first ion-exchange treatment on an initial window member. The first ion-exchange treatment includes applying ion salts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

giving the initial window member a first surface compressive stress and a first depth of compression

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressive stress generation: Compression

Implementation Method 3

A stress relief operation includes performing a heat treatment and/or a salt treatment on the initial window member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat treatment: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentUS20230303436A1Reinforced window member and method of manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2023.09.28 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A method of manufacturing a window member includes performing a first reinforcement operation including performing a first ion-exchange treatment on an initial window member. The first ion-exchange treatment includes applying ion salts at a temperature equal to or greater than a first temperature of about 500° C. A stress relief operation includes performing a heat treatment and/or a salt treatment on the initial window member to which the first reinforcement operation is performed. A second reinforcement operation includes performing a second ion-exchange treatment on the initial window member to which the stress relief operation is performed.