Self-healing urethane film for foldable device protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective materials for electronic devices, such as tempered glass and hard coating layers, are either too heavy, brittle, or lack flexibility, making them unsuitable for portable and foldable devices, and they fail to self-heal after scratches.

Innovation Solution

A self-healing composition comprising urethane (meth)acrylate with multiple (meth)acrylate groups and polyhedral silsesquioxane, which forms a flexible and transparent film that can self-heal scratches and is suitable for foldable devices, achieved through a UV-curable process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If tempered glass is applied to protect the front screen, then mechanical strength is improved, but weight increases and flexibility is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a thin film coating layer on the front screen instead of using thick tempered glass. This coating layer provides protective functions while maintaining light weight and flexibility, enabling application on portable and foldable devices where traditional tempered glass is unsuitable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If hard coating layer is applied to protect the front screen, then scratch resistance is improved, but flexibility is lost and self-healing capability is absent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescratch resistanceVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a flexible coating layer that can be applied to foldable devices, maintaining both protection and adaptability to device bending and folding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The coating layer incorporates self-healing functionality through microcapsules containing healing agents. When scratches occur, the microcapsules break and release the healing agents that automatically repair the damaged areas, enabling the coating to restore itself without external intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If hard coating layer is applied to the front screen, then hardness is improved, but self-healing capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovehardnessVSAvoidself-healing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite coating structure combining hard protective materials with self-healing microcapsules. This composite formulation achieves both high hardness for scratch resistance and self-healing capability through the embedded microcapsule system that releases repair agents upon damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If protective material is applied to foldable device, then protection is improved, but flexibility and adaptability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprotectionVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a flexible coating layer that can be applied to foldable devices, maintaining both protection and adaptability to device bending and folding operations. The thin film structure allows the coating to conform to the dynamic shape changes of foldable devices without cracking or delaminating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 self-healing film exhibits excellent recovery from scratches, high transparency, and flexibility, enabling protection for foldable devices while maintaining appearance and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a self-healing composition comprising urethane (meth)acrylate having two or more (meth)acrylate groups and polyhedral silsesquioxane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3312209B1Self-healing composition, self-healing film, and device including the self-healing film

Publication Date: 2023.09.27 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

A self-healing composition including, urethane (meth)acrylate having two (meth)acrylate groups, six or more urethane groups, and a substituted or unsubstituted polyhedral silsesquioxane.