Ultra-Thin Multi-Layer Window Substrate for Foldable Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible display devices are prone to defects and quality deterioration when subjected to external shock forces, requiring materials that provide shock resistance while maintaining flexibility and preventing damage from repeated folding.
Innovation Solution
A window substrate comprising two glass substrates with a predetermined thickness and an interlayer, where the sum of their thicknesses is 190 μm or less, providing compressive stress and impact resistance, and optionally including an optically clear adhesive and a cover layer for enhanced protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the window substrate uses thicker glass substrates to improve impact resistance, then shock resistance is improved, but flexibility and bendability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The window substrate is divided into multiple glass substrates (first glass substrate, second glass substrate, etc.) with an interlayer between them. This segmentation allows each layer to be thinner and more flexible while collectively providing sufficient impact resistance through the multi-layer structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining multiple glass substrates with an interlayer material. This composite approach achieves both flexibility (from thinner individual layers and the interlayer) and impact resistance (from the combined multi-layer structure), resolving the contradiction between strength and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the window substrate uses thinner glass substrates to improve flexibility, then bendability is improved, but impact resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the window substrate into multiple thinner glass layers with an interlayer, each individual glass substrate can be made thin for flexibility while the combined structure maintains impact resistance through the multi-layer configuration and interlayer cushioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of multiple thin glass substrates combined with an interlayer material achieves both flexibility (from thin individual layers) and impact resistance (from the composite multi-layer structure), resolving the contradiction between adaptability and strength.
3Device complexity
If the window substrate uses a single thick glass substrate to simplify structure, then device complexity is reduced, but resistance to repeated folding deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The window substrate is segmented into multiple glass substrates with an interlayer, which distributes the stress from repeated folding across multiple layers rather than concentrating it in a single thick substrate, thereby improving resistance to repeated folding.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer composite structure with interlayer provides superior resistance to repeated folding compared to a single thick substrate, as the interlayer absorbs and distributes mechanical stress, enhancing reliability despite increased structural complexity.
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 solution effectively protects display devices from external shocks and repeated folding, maintaining flexibility and preventing damage, with improved impact resistance and light transmittance, while allowing for bending without excessive repulsive force.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the first and second glass substrates may include a first region extending from one surface thereof to a first depth at which an ion exchange process occurs, and having a first compressive stress.
Implementation Method 2
an interlayer disposed between the first glass substrate and the second glass substrate, the interlayer having a third thickness, wherein the sum of the first thickness, the second thickness, and the third thicknesses is about 190 μm or less
Data Source
AI summary
A window substrate for protecting an electronic display device, the window substrate includes: a first substrate; a second substrate; and an interlayer having opposed sides disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, with one side of the interlayer being in contact with the first substrate, and the other side of the interlayer being in contact with the second substrate, wherein the first substrate has a first thickness, the second substrate has a second thickness, and the interlayer has a third thickness, and wherein the sum of the first thickness, the second thickness, and the third thickness is about 190 μm or less.