Window Glass Groove Etching for Foldable Crack Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window glasses in flexible electronic devices lack improved folding characteristics, which are crucial for devices like foldable smartphones and tablets, leading to potential cracking and reduced durability during folding operations.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing method involving the application of a resin between mother glasses, followed by UV irradiation, etching in both directions to form groove patterns, and cutting the stack structure to create window glasses with balanced groove depths and thicknesses, enhancing flexibility and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If window glass is made thin to improve flexibility for folding, then folding characteristics are improved, but strength and resistance to cracking deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating groove patterns at specific locations on the window glass surface. These grooves are formed through etching or laser processing to create localized stress distribution patterns that allow the glass to flex without cracking. The groove depth, width, and spacing are carefully controlled to provide flexibility exactly where needed while maintaining overall structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining the window glass with a resin layer that has been cured through UV irradiation. This composite structure allows the resin to absorb stress during folding operations, protecting the glass from cracking while maintaining the glass's optical and protective functions. The combination creates a flexible yet strong assembly suitable for foldable devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If window glass is etched deeply to improve flexibility, then bending characteristics are improved, but manufacturing precision and thickness consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by etching grooves only in specific regions of the window glass rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This selective etching allows the glass to maintain thickness consistency in non-etched areas while achieving the necessary flexibility in grooved regions. The groove patterns are designed to provide sufficient bending capability without excessively reducing overall glass thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by precisely controlling the etching depth, width, and spacing of the groove patterns. These parameters are optimized to achieve the desired flexibility while maintaining manufacturing precision. The groove depth is controlled to be a specific fraction of the glass thickness, and the spacing is adjusted to ensure uniform stress distribution during folding, thereby maintaining thickness consistency.
3Productivity
If multiple sheets of window glass are produced from a single stack to improve productivity, then production efficiency is improved, but etching uniformity and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by bonding multiple sheets of window glass together with a resin layer to form a single stacked structure. This combined stack is then etched as one unit, ensuring uniform etching across all sheets. The resin layer acts as a bonding agent that holds the sheets together during the etching process, preventing misalignment and ensuring consistent groove patterns are formed on each sheet, thereby maintaining etching uniformity while improving productivity.
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 method produces window glasses with improved bending characteristics, reducing the risk of cracking and ensuring consistent thickness across folding regions, thereby enhancing the durability and folding performance of flexible electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
curing a portion of the applied resin by irradiating the stack structure with rays
Implementation Method 2
forming groove patterns on the mother glasses by dipping the stack structure including the cured resin into an etching solution
Data Source
AI summary
A manufacturing method of a window glass includes forming a stack structure in which a resin is applied between mother glasses, curing a portion of the applied resin by irradiating the stack structure with rays, forming groove patterns on the mother glasses by dipping the stack structure including the cured resin into an etching solution, and cutting the stack structure.