CONTROLLING SPACING BETWEEN DISPLAY AND REINFORCEMENT LAYER

• US 20120092580A1
• Filed: 10/13/2010
• Published: 04/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Dighde, Rajesh Manohar
• Application Number:
  US12/904,025
• Publication Number:
  US 20120092580A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 349/58
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13338 Input devices, e.g. touch panels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/503 Arrangements improving the resistance to shock
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 by opto-electronic means

Abstract

Embodiments are disclosed herein that relate to the reinforcement of a display panel. One disclosed embodiment provides a method of manufacturing a reinforced display panel, wherein the method comprises applying a fluid adhesive layer over one of a display panel and a protective layer, placing the other of the protective layer and the display panel in contact with the adhesive layer, maintaining a spacing between the display panel and the protective layer via a plurality of spacers dispersed within the adhesive layer spatially across an area between the display panel and the protective layer, and curing the adhesive layer.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a reinforced display panel, the method comprising:

applying a fluid adhesive layer over one of a display panel and a protective layer;

placing the other of the protective layer and the display panel in contact with the adhesive layer;

maintaining a spacing between the display panel and the protective layer via a plurality of spacers dispersed within the adhesive layer spatially across an area between the display panel and the protective layer; and

curing the adhesive layer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein maintaining the spacing between the display panel and the protective layer comprises maintaining the spacing via a plurality of printed features on one or more of the display panel and the protective layer.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein maintaining the spacing between the display panel and the protective layer comprises maintaining the spacing via printed features on the protective layer.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the printed features comprise a refractive index within +/−

0.01 of an index of refraction of the adhesive layer after curing.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein maintaining the spacing between the display panel and the protective layer comprises maintaining the spacing via microspheres contained within the fluid adhesive layer.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein applying the fluid adhesive layer comprises applying a fluid adhesive comprising 1-10% microspheres by volume.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the microspheres comprise a refractive index within +/−

0.01 of an index of refraction of the adhesive layer after curing.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the microspheres and the adhesive layer comprise a same material.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein curing the adhesive comprises curing the adhesive via exposure to ultraviolet light.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the fluid adhesive layer comprises applying a liquid adhesive into a region within a gasket.

11. A method of manufacturing a reinforced display panel, the method comprising:

applying a fluid adhesive layer over the display panel;

placing a protective layer in a vacuum tool comprising a flat support surface and vacuum ports configured to form and maintain a vacuum between the flat support surface and the protective layer;

forming a vacuum with the vacuum tool, thereby holding the protective layer against the flat support surface of the vacuum tool;

placing the protective layer over the adhesive layer while maintaining the vacuum; and

curing the adhesive layer while maintaining the vacuum.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein curing the adhesive layer comprises exposing the adhesive layer to one or more of ultraviolet and visible light.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein exposing the adhesive layer to one or more of ultraviolet and visible light comprises directing light through the flat support surface.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein directing light through the flat support surface comprises directing the light through a float glass surface.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the display panel is an LCD panel or an OLED panel.

16. A reinforced display panel, comprising:

a display panel configured to display an image;

a protective layer bonded to the display panel; and

an adhesive layer located between the display panel and the protective layer, the adhesive layer comprising a plurality of spacers dispersed within the adhesive layer spatially across an area between the display panel and the protective layer, wherein the spacers are formed from a material having a refractive index within +/−

0.01 of the refractive index of the adhesive layer.

17. The reinforced display panel of claim 16, wherein the adhesive layer and the spacers are formed from poly(methyl methacrylate).

18. The reinforced display panel of claim 16, wherein the spacer comprise a plurality of printed elements.

19. The reinforced display panel of claim 16, wherein the spacers comprise a plurality of microspheres.

20. The reinforced display panel of claim 16, wherein the reinforced display panel is incorporated in an interactive display device.