Substrate Bonding via Peelable Light Barrier Frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for bonding substrates in display devices face issues with non-uniform adhesive thickness, bubble formation, adhesive overflow, and lack of adhesive, particularly around the edges, which affect the optical performance of touch modules.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a light barrier frame with an easily-removed layer, where a peelable adhesive is printed and cured, allowing for precise coating and precuring of a curable adhesive, followed by removal of the easily-removed layer to achieve a uniform adhesive layer with a smooth surface and controlled edge slope, enabling bonding of substrates with improved flatness and reduced defects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If sealant bonding method is used, then bonding strength is improved, but gap formation occurs and optical performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidoptical performance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the sealant layer entirely and replaces it with a thin curable adhesive layer that provides both bonding and optical clarity. The easily-removed layer is extracted after serving its purpose as a coating guide, leaving no harmful gaps in the final structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the thickness parameter of the adhesive layer from typical sealant thickness (creating gaps) to a thin curable adhesive layer (less than 10 micrometers). This parameter change eliminates gap formation while maintaining bonding strength and optical performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If direct bonding with optical clear adhesive is used, then bonding strength is improved, but adhesive thickness uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidadhesive thickness uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The easily-removed layer acts as an intermediary between the coating head and the substrate, providing a stable surface for adhesive deposition. This intermediary layer ensures uniform adhesive thickness by preventing direct contact between the coating head and the flexible substrate, thereby improving manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If curable adhesive is coated without easily-removed layer, then process complexity is reduced, but adhesive thickness uniformity and surface flatness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess complexityVSAvoidadhesive thickness uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The easily-removed layer is applied in advance before curable adhesive coating. This preliminary action creates a stable coating surface that ensures uniform adhesive thickness and flat surface, while the layer itself is easily removed afterward without adding significant process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Quantity of substance

If adhesive is coated in thick layer, then coverage is improved, but bubble formation and adhesive overflow increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive coverageVSAvoidbubble formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the adhesive layer thickness parameter from thick to thin (less than 10 micrometers). This parameter change reduces the quantity of adhesive needed while preventing bubble formation and overflow, as the thin layer allows better control and reduces gravitational effects on the adhesive material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method ensures a uniform adhesive layer with reduced bubbles and adhesive defects, enhancing the optical performance of display devices by maintaining a consistent thickness and smooth surface, even for irregular shapes.

Implementation Method 1

the peelable adhesive comprises a light curing or heat curing material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight curing: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

the peelable adhesive comprises a light curing or heat curing material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat curing: Heat Treatment

Implementation Method 3

which may be cured and cohered after suffering an irradiation or heating accordingly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight irradiation curing: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 4

which may be cured and cohered after suffering an irradiation or heating accordingly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat curing: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentEP3196018B1Substrate bonding method
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3196018B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3196018B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3196018B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method for bonding substrates, a touch substrate and a display device. In the process of manufacturing a touch display panel and the display device by the method for bonding substrates provided in the present disclosure, by steps such as arranging an easily-removed layer at a surrounding of a first substrate, coating and procuring light curing adhesive and removing the easily-removed layer, the light curing adhesive may be formed into a desired shape (including irregular shapes). In addition, an adhesive layer of the light curing adhesive has a uniform thickness, a smooth surface and an edge slope angle approaching to 90°. Furthermore, bonding bubbles may be reduced, and phenomenon such as lack of adhesive and adhesive overflow may be suppressed in the bonding process, thereby guaranteeing optical performance of the display device.