Rough Strippable Boundary Layers for Optical Film Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional polymeric multilayer optical films face challenges in maintaining the reflective properties of optical layers while incorporating non-optical boundary layers for protection and mechanical enhancement, as these layers can affect light transmission and reflection.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a rough strippable boundary layer between optical films, composed of immiscible polymers with asymmetric surface structures, which can be removed without damaging the optical films, allowing for improved optical performance and flexibility in installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If non-optical boundary layers are integrated into polymeric multilayer optical films for protection and mechanical enhancement, then the optical films gain protective and mechanical properties, but the reflective properties of the optical layers are affected due to light transmission through these layers
Solution Approach 1:
The boundary layer is segmented into multiple sub-layers with different functions: a rough strippable sub-layer for protection and easy removal, and a smooth non-strippable sub-layer for maintaining optical performance. This segmentation allows each sub-layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the boundary layer have different properties: the portion adjacent to the optical layer has a smooth surface to maintain reflective properties, while the outer portion has a rough surface for protection and strippability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between protection and optical performance.
2Ease of operation
If a rough strippable boundary layer is used to protect optical films and provide easy removal, then the optical films gain protective coverage and installation flexibility, but the surface smoothness required for optimal optical performance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The boundary layer is divided into functional sub-layers where the rough strippable sub-layer provides protection and easy removal, while the smooth non-strippable sub-layer maintains surface quality for optical performance. This segmentation allows both roughness for strippability and smoothness for optics to coexist in different regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The rough strippable sub-layer is designed to be completely removable from the optical film, extracting the protective function temporarily during installation while leaving the smooth surface intact for optimal optical performance during operation.
3Strength
If traditional non-strippable boundary layers are used to protect optical layers, then the optical layers are protected from damage, but the optical films cannot be easily separated or repositioned, reducing installation flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The boundary layer transitions from a static permanently bonded structure to a dynamic system where the rough strippable sub-layer can be easily removed when needed. This dynamic characteristic provides both protection during handling and flexibility during installation by allowing selective removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The boundary layer has differentiated adhesion properties: the smooth sub-layer maintains strong adhesion to protect the optical layer, while the rough sub-layer has reduced adhesion for easy strippability. This local quality differentiation enables both protection and flexibility simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
Optical bodies are disclosed that include an optical film and at least one rough strippable skin layer. The at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a continuous phase and a disperse phase. In some embodiments, the at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a first polymer, a second polymer different from the first polymer and an additional material that is substantially immiscible in at least one of the first and second polymers. In some exemplary embodiments, a surface of the at least one rough strippable skin layer adjacent to the optical film comprises a plurality of protrusions and the adjacent surface of the optical film comprises a plurality of asymmetric depressions substantially corresponding to said plurality of protrusions. Methods of making such exemplary optical bodies are also disclosed.