Thin Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive for LCD Optical Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to develop a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition that maintains durability and adhesion strength for thin optical members used in liquid crystal displays (LCDs), particularly in mobile devices where the adhesive thickness is limited to 20 μm or less, while preventing corrosion of the ITO layer and ensuring resistance to environmental factors like humidity and temperature.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves an optical member with a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer comprising an acryl polymer derived from a first (meth)acrylic acid ester monomer, a crosslinkable monomer with a functional group other than an acid group, and a second (meth)acrylic acid ester monomer, which forms a homopolymer with a glass transition temperature between 0°C and 100°C, enhancing endurance reliability and preventing corrosion by avoiding the use of acidic materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If the pressure-sensitive adhesive thickness is reduced to 20 μm or less for thinner mobile devices, then the device thickness is reduced, but the adhesion strength and durability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive thicknessVSAvoidadhesion strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite pressure-sensitive adhesive layer combining acrylic polymer and silicone polymer in a specific ratio (70:30 to 90:10). This composite structure provides both strong adhesion and durability at reduced thickness of 20 μm or less, resolving the contradiction between thinness and adhesion strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the compositional parameters of the adhesive by specifying precise ratios of acrylic polymer (70-95 parts) and silicone polymer (5-30 parts), along with controlling gel fraction (5-50%) and crosslinking density. These parameter optimizations enable the adhesive to maintain high strength at 20 μm thickness or less.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If conventional acidic pressure-sensitive adhesives are used, then adhesion is achieved, but corrosion of the ITO layer occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion strengthVSAvoidcorrosion of ITO layer
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates acidic components from the adhesive formulation, replacing them with neutral acrylic and silicone polymers. This conversion prevents ITO layer corrosion while maintaining adhesion strength, transforming the harmful acidic property into a benign or beneficial neutral composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes acidic substances from the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, using only non-acidic acrylic polymer and silicone polymer. This extraction eliminates the corrosion problem while preserving the essential adhesion function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Length of stationary object

If the pressure-sensitive adhesive is made thinner for modern displays, then device profile is improved, but resistance to environmental factors (humidity and temperature) deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive thicknessVSAvoidresistance to environmental factors
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite adhesive system where acrylic polymer provides temperature resistance and silicone polymer provides humidity resistance. This composite structure at 20 μm thickness or less achieves excellent reliability under environmental stress while maintaining thin profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a controlled gel fraction (5-50%) and specific polymer ratios to create an adhesive that maintains optimal balance between flexibility and stability, ensuring environmental resistance without requiring excessive thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 approach results in an optical member with excellent endurance reliability and adhesion properties, even at a thickness of 20 μm or less, preventing corrosion of the ITO layer and maintaining performance under high humidity and temperature conditions, thus effectively addressing the limitations of existing adhesive technologies.

Implementation Method 1

a crosslinkable monomer including a crosslinkable functional group except an acid functional group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a small thickness of 20 μm or less and excellent endurance reliability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

a first (meth)acrylic acid ester monomer, a crosslinkable monomer including a crosslinkable functional group except an acid functional group, and a second (meth)acrylic acid ester monomer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGlass transition:

Data Source

PatentUS10131825B2Optical member, pressure-sensitive adhesive composition and liquid crystal display
Publication Date: 2018.11.20 SHANJIN OPTOELECTRONICS (NANJING) CO

AI summary

Provided are an optical member, a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, and an LCD. The optical member may have excellent endurance reliability even when a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is formed to have a thickness of 20 μm or less.