UV-Curable Ink Composition for Foldable Display Bezel Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable display devices require a bezel pattern with low thickness and excellent light-shielding properties to prevent panel pattern visibility and light leakage, while also needing a cost-effective single-layer printing process for the bezel formation.

Innovation Solution

A film printable ultraviolet curable ink composition comprising a black pigment, dispersant, alicyclic epoxy compound, oxetane compound, photosensitizer, and photopolymerization initiator, with specific weight ratios and content percentages, is used to form a bezel pattern through single-layer printing and UV curing, ensuring low thickness and high light-shielding properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the bezel thickness is increased to improve light-shielding properties, then light leakage is prevented, but the bezel step becomes visually recognizable and bubbles form during OCA attachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight leakageVSAvoidbezel step visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink, specifically using a photopolymerization initiator with maximum absorption wavelength of 380 nm or more and adjusting the photosensitizer to photopolymerization initiator weight ratio to 1:1 to 1:4, enabling effective curing at low UV doses and forming thin bezels with sufficient light-shielding properties without visible steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite ink system combining black pigment, photopolymerization initiator, and photosensitizer that work synergistically to achieve both light-shielding function and thin profile, where the composite formulation enables effective UV curing at low doses while maintaining adequate light blocking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If multi-layer printing is used to achieve high light-shielding properties, then light leakage is prevented, but process complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight leakageVSAvoidprinting process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the light-shielding function and UV-curable properties into a single ink layer formulation, combining black pigment for light blocking with optimized photopolymerization components, allowing one-layer printing to achieve both adequate light shielding and thin profile without requiring multiple printing layers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single-layer ink composition performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides light-shielding properties through black pigment, forms a thin uniform layer through proper rheology, and cures effectively at low UV dose through the optimized photopolymerization system, eliminating the need for separate printing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If high UV dose is applied to cure thick bezel patterns, then complete curing is achieved, but surface wrinkles form and film damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecuring completenessVSAvoidsurface wrinkle
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the UV curing parameters by using a photopolymerization initiator system with photosensitizer that absorbs at 380 nm or more and has specific weight ratios, enabling complete curing at low UV doses (100-500 mJ/cm²) and preventing surface wrinkles and film damage that occur with high UV dose exposure

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

The solution enables the formation of a bezel pattern with excellent light-shielding and adhesion properties, suitable for foldable display devices, achieving low UV dose curing and maintaining inkjet processability without surface wrinkles or pattern visibility issues.

Implementation Method 1

an ultraviolet curable ink composition for forming a bezel pattern of a display substrate, comprising a black pigment, a dispersant, an alicyclic epoxy compound, an oxetane compound, a photosensitizer, a photopolymerization initiator, and an organic solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS11332631B2Film-printable ultraviolet-ray-curable ink composition, bezel pattern manufacturing method using same, bezel pattern manufactured according to same, and display substrate including same
Publication Date: 2022.05.17 LG CHEM LTD

AI summary

An ultraviolet curable ink composition for forming a bezel pattern of a foldable display substrate, methods of using the same, a bezel pattern formed from the same, and a foldable display substrate include the bezel pattern are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an ultraviolet curable ink composition includes a black pigment, a dispersant, an alicyclic epoxy compound, an oxetane compound, a photosensitizer, a photopolymerization initiator, and an organic solvent, wherein a weight ratio of the photosensitizer to the photopolymerization initiator is 1:1 to 1:2, and a sum of the amounts of the photosensitizer and the photopolymerization initiator is 13 to 21 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a sum of the amounts of the alicyclic epoxy compound and the oxetane compound. The ink composition is capable of forming a bezel pattern having a diminished thickness and excellent light blocking properties.