A flexible light-emitting device and a production method thereof

Abstract

The present application provides a flexible light-emitting device and a production method thereof, comprising: a bendable light-emitting device body, the light-emitting device body having a bend inner side; a repair layer, the repair layer being arranged on the bend inner side of the light-emitting device body; the repair layer being formed of a self-repairing material; the self-repairing material comprising a polymer matrix, and microcapsules containing a polymer precursor doped in the polymer matrix and a polymerization reaction catalyst; the repair layer having a bend area and a base area distributed around the bend area; the concentration of the microcapsules containing a polymer precursor doped in the polymer matrix located in the bend area is greater than the concentration of the microcapsules containing a polymer precursor doped in the polymer matrix located in the base area. The flexible light-emitting device provided by the present application can be folded and bent according to the designed shape, and can self-repair the cracks caused by the folding and bending.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of light-emitting devices, and in particular to a flexible light-emitting device and a production method thereof. Background Art

[0002] The flexibility of OLED products is a major advantage of their application. It can achieve the diversification and design sense of their shapes and is suitable for different application scenarios. Therefore, they are often used in foldable and bendable designs. However, in the prior art, the shape produced by the folding and bending of the OLED screen is often quite random due to the different stresses between the layers of the device. It is necessary to add a support layer on the outside, but this will affect the flexibility of the screen, making it difficult to fold and bend according to the designed shape, that is, it is difficult to obtain the desired folding and bending shape. Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the present application proposes a flexible light-emitting device and a production method thereof. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the present application is to provide a flexible light-emitting device and a production method thereof in view of the above problems.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present application provides a flexible light-emitting device, comprising:

[0005] A bendable light emitting device body, wherein the light emitting device body has a bent inner side;

[0006] A repair layer, the repair layer being arranged on the inner side of the bend of the light emitting device body;

[0007] The repair layer has a bending area and a base area distributed around the bending area;

[0008] According to the technical solutions provided in certain embodiments of the present application, the repair layer is formed of a self-healing material; the self-healing material includes a polymer matrix, and microcapsules and a polymerization reaction catalyst doped in the polymer matrix; the microcapsules contain a polymer precursor.

[0009] According to the technical solutions provided in certain embodiments of the present application, the concentration of the microcapsules doped in the polymer matrix located in the bending area is greater than the concentration of the microcapsules doped in the polymer matrix located in the base area.

[0010] According to the technical solutions provided in certain embodiments of the present application, the concentration difference of the microcapsules doped in the polymer matrix in the bending area and the base area is greater than 10%.

[0011] According to the technical solutions provided in some embodiments of the present application, the light-emitting device body includes a first substrate, a first light-emitting layer and a first packaging layer arranged in sequence; the repair layer is arranged outside the first packaging layer or outside the first substrate.

[0012] According to the technical solutions provided in some embodiments of the present application, a first elastic layer is provided between the repair layer and the first packaging layer, or between the repair layer and the first substrate.

[0013] According to the technical solutions provided in some embodiments of the present application, the first substrate or the first packaging layer is made of elastic material.

[0014] According to the technical solutions provided in some embodiments of the present application, the light-emitting device body includes a second light-emitting layer and a second encapsulation layer; the repair layer is arranged on a side of the second light-emitting layer relatively far away from the second encapsulation layer.

[0015] According to the technical solutions provided in certain embodiments of the present application, the microcapsules are made of cyclopentadiene dimer encapsulated in urea-formaldehyde resin, and the polymerization reaction catalyst is a metal ruthenium-based catalyst.

[0016] According to the technical solutions provided in certain embodiments of the present application, the microcapsules are made of epoxy resin wrapped in urea-formaldehyde resin, and the polymerization reaction catalyst is a metal ruthenium-based catalyst.

[0017] According to the technical solutions provided in certain embodiments of the present application, the microcapsules are made of oligomeric organosiloxane wrapped in resin, and the polymerization reaction catalyst is a supported platinum-based catalyst.

[0018] According to the technical solutions provided in certain embodiments of the present application, the polymerization reaction catalyst is loaded on reinforcing particles or fiber fillers.

[0019] In a second aspect, the present application provides a method for producing the above-mentioned flexible light-emitting device, the method comprising the following steps:

[0020] At least one bending line is defined on the inner side of the flexible light-emitting device according to the use state of the flexible light-emitting device;

[0021] Deviate the bending line to the left by a set distance to obtain the left edge line;

[0022] Deviate the bending line to the right by a set distance to obtain the right edge line;

[0023] The area surrounded by the left edge line, the right edge line and the edge line of the light emitting device body is defined as a bending area;

[0024] Controlling a first coating robot to coat a first polymer matrix in the bending area, wherein the first polymer matrix is ​​doped with microcapsules of a first concentration;

[0025] The second coating robot is controlled to coat a second polymer matrix in the base area, wherein the second polymer matrix is ​​doped with microcapsules of a second concentration; the first concentration is greater than the second concentration; and the base area is the other area of ​​the inner side surface of the bend excluding the bend area.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the present application has the following beneficial effects: by arranging a repair layer on the inner side of the bend of the light-emitting device body, and the concentration of microcapsules containing polymer precursors doped in the polymer matrix in the bending area of ​​the repair layer is greater than the concentration of microcapsules containing polymer precursors doped in the polymer matrix in the base area, that is, the mechanical strength of the bending area is relatively poor compared with the base area, when the flexible light-emitting device body is folded and bent, the repair layer in the bending area is more likely to be damaged after being subjected to extrusion stress, so that the light-emitting device can be folded and bent according to the designed shape; at the same time, part of the microcapsules in the bending area are damaged, so that the polymer precursor flows out of the microcapsules and reacts with the polymerization catalyst to polymerize, connecting the two sides of the cracks generated by the folding and bending of the light-emitting device, that is, repairing the cracks, which not only increases the aesthetics of the flexible light-emitting device, but also protects the light-emitting device body, preventing the penetration of moisture and oxygen and the like from damaging the flexible light-emitting device body; when the folded and bent flexible light-emitting device is unfolded again, part of the microcapsules that were not broken before are damaged, and the cracks are repaired again. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a flexible light-emitting device provided in Example 1 of the present application;

[0028] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of a flexible light-emitting device provided in Example 1 of the present application;

[0029] Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of the flexible light-emitting device provided in Example 2 of the present application;

[0030] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a flexible light-emitting device provided in Example 3 of the present application;

[0031] Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of a flexible light-emitting device provided in Example 3 of the present application;

[0032] Figure 6 A schematic cross-sectional view of the flexible light-emitting device provided in Example 4 of the present application;

[0033] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the flexible light-emitting device provided in Example 7 of the present application.

[0034] The text annotations in the figure represent:

[0035] 1. Light-emitting device body; 101. First substrate; 102. First light-emitting layer; 103. First packaging layer; 104. First elastic layer; 105. Second light-emitting layer; 106. Second packaging layer; 2. Repair layer; 201. Bending area; 202. Base area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present application, the present application is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The description in this section is only exemplary and explanatory and should not have any limiting effect on the scope of protection of the present application.

[0037] Example 1

[0038] Please refer to Figure 1 , this embodiment provides a flexible light emitting device, comprising a bendable light emitting device body 1, wherein the light emitting device body 1 has a bent inner side;

[0039] A repair layer 2, wherein the repair layer 2 is arranged on the inner side of the bend of the light emitting device body 1;

[0040] The repair layer 2 is formed of a self-repairing material; the self-repairing material includes a polymer matrix, and microcapsules containing a polymer precursor and a polymerization catalyst doped in the polymer matrix;

[0041] The repair layer 2 has a bending area 201 and a base area 202 distributed around the bending area 201; the concentration of microcapsules containing polymer precursors doped in the polymer matrix located in the bending area 201 is greater than the concentration of microcapsules containing polymer precursors doped in the polymer matrix located in the base area 202.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, the light-emitting device body 1 can be, for example, an OLED screen body, and the light-emitting device body 1 includes a first substrate 101, a first light-emitting layer 102 and a first encapsulation layer 103 arranged in sequence; in this embodiment, one side of the first encapsulation layer 103 of the light-emitting device body 1 is its bent inner side; the repair layer 2 is arranged outside the first encapsulation layer 103, that is, the first encapsulation layer 103 is away from the side of the light-emitting layer 102; the first encapsulation layer 103 is a thin film encapsulation layer.

[0043] The repair layer 2 is formed by coating at the corresponding position outside the light-emitting device body 1, and includes a polymer matrix and microcapsules containing polymer precursors and a polymerization reaction catalyst doped in the polymer matrix, wherein the polymer matrix can be, for example, a resin matrix; the microcapsules and the polymerization reaction catalyst doped in the polymer matrix can be optionally used in any of the following ways:

[0044] Method 1: The microcapsule containing the polymer precursor is made of cyclopentadiene dimer wrapped in urea-formaldehyde resin, and the polymerization reaction catalyst is a metal ruthenium-based catalyst.

[0045] Method 2: The microcapsules containing the polymer precursor are made of epoxy resin wrapped in urea-formaldehyde resin, and the polymerization reaction catalyst is a metal ruthenium-based catalyst.

[0046] Mode 3: The microcapsules containing the polymer precursor are made of oligomeric organic siloxane wrapped in resin, the polymerization reaction catalyst is a supported platinum-based catalyst, and the polymerization reaction catalyst is supported on reinforcing particles or fiber fillers.

[0047] The repair layer 2 has a bending area 201 and a base area 202. The position and shape of the bending area 201 are determined by the design before coating. The bending line of the light-emitting device is designed according to actual needs before coating. The bending area 201 corresponds to the bending line of the light-emitting device. The position on the repair layer other than the bending area 201 is defined as the base area 202. The coating process of the repair layer 2 includes the following steps:

[0048] Step 1: preparing a polymer matrix doped with microcapsules and a polymerization reaction catalyst, and coating the polymer matrix at a position corresponding to the bending line of the light-emitting device to form a bending area; wherein the concentration of the microcapsules containing the polymer precursor doped in the polymer matrix is ​​recorded as a first concentration;

[0049] Step 2: Prepare a polymer matrix doped with microcapsules and a polymerization reaction catalyst, and apply it to a position corresponding to the non-bending line of the light-emitting device to form a base area; wherein the concentration of microcapsules containing polymer precursors doped in the polymer matrix is ​​recorded as a second concentration; and the first concentration is greater than the second concentration.

[0050] Preferably, the concentration difference between the second concentration and the first concentration is greater than 10%, such as 15%. By adopting the above technical solution, it is helpful to reduce the mechanical strength of the coating itself, making the repair layer in the folding area more easily damaged, forming a folding line.

[0051] In the prior art, when a flexible light-emitting device body is folded and bent, cracks may be formed at the bending line thereof, and the appearance of such cracks may affect the overall aesthetics, and if the folded and bent flexible light-emitting device body is unfolded again, the previously formed cracks will still exist; however, by adopting the technical solution provided by the present application, when the flexible light-emitting device is folded and bent, since the concentration of microcapsules containing polymer precursors doped in the polymer matrix located in the bending area is greater than the concentration of microcapsules containing polymer precursors doped in the polymer matrix located in the base area, the repair layer in the bending area is more easily damaged by the extrusion stress, so that the light-emitting device body can be folded and bent according to the designed shape, and at the same time, part of the microcapsules in the bending area are damaged, and the polymer matrix is ​​self-repaired, and the two sides of the cracks generated by the folding and bending of the light-emitting device are connected, that is, the cracks are repaired, which not only increases the aesthetics of the flexible light-emitting device, but also protects the light-emitting device body; when the folded and bent flexible light-emitting device is unfolded again, part of the microcapsules that were not broken before are damaged, and another self-repair process is performed.

[0052] Among them, the process of microcapsule self-repair of polymer matrix is ​​completed by the reaction of microcapsules containing polymer precursors with catalytically active chemical substances (polymerization reaction catalysts) in the polymer matrix. When the polymer matrix is ​​damaged by external force, the self-sensing of the microcapsules and the stress concentration at the crack tip are used as incentives to cause the microcapsules to rupture, and the polymer precursor is released to the rupture area by capillary action, and undergoes a polymerization reaction with the polymerization reaction catalyst pre-embedded in the polymer matrix, bonding to the crack surface to achieve a self-repairing effect.

[0053] It should be noted that if the repair layer 2 is the light-emitting surface of the flexible light-emitting device, it is required to be made of a transparent material.

[0054] Example 2

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a flexible light-emitting device. This embodiment is an improvement based on Embodiment 1. The improvement is as follows:

[0056] One side of the first substrate 101 of the light-emitting device body 1 is the inner side of the bend, and the repair layer 2 is arranged outside the first substrate 101, that is, the first substrate 101 is on the side away from the light-emitting layer 102; the role played by the repair layer 2 in this embodiment is the same as that in Embodiment 1, so it will not be repeated here.

[0057] Example 3

[0058] like Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, this embodiment provides a flexible light-emitting device. This embodiment is an improvement based on Embodiment 1. The improvement is as follows:

[0059] A first elastic layer 104 is disposed between the repair layer 2 and the first encapsulation layer 103; the first elastic layer 104 is made of an elastic material, such as elastic polymer materials such as styrene and olefin. It should be noted that when the repair layer 2 is a light-emitting surface, the first elastic layer 104 is required to be a transparent material.

[0060] By setting the first elastic layer 104, when the light-emitting device is folded and bent, the first elastic layer 104 can receive a certain stress, thereby preventing the crack from expanding, and further preventing the normal operation of the first light-emitting layer inside the light-emitting device body from being affected, that is, it can play a certain cutoff role; at the same time, it can also protect the flexible light-emitting device and prevent it from being damaged due to a small bending radius.

[0061] Example 4

[0062] like Figure 6 As shown, this embodiment provides a flexible light-emitting device. This embodiment is an improvement on the basis of Embodiment 2. The improvement is as follows:

[0063] A first elastic layer 104 is disposed between the repair layer 2 and the first substrate 101; the first elastic layer 104 is made of an elastic material, such as elastic polymer materials such as styrene and olefin. It should be noted that when the repair layer 2 is a light-emitting surface, the first elastic layer 104 is required to be a transparent material.

[0064] By providing the first elastic layer 104, when the light-emitting device is folded and bent, the first elastic layer 104 can receive a certain stress, thereby preventing crack expansion and further preventing the normal operation of the first light-emitting layer inside the light-emitting device body from being affected, that is, it can play a certain cutoff role.

[0065] Example 5

[0066] This embodiment provides a flexible light-emitting device. This embodiment is an improvement on the basis of Embodiment 3. The improvement is as follows:

[0067] The first elastic layer 104 is arranged between the repair layer 2 and the first light-emitting layer 102. The first elastic layer 104 serves as the first encapsulation layer of the light-emitting device body 1. It can also be understood that the first encapsulation layer 103 is made of elastic material, for example, it can include elastic polymer materials such as styrene and olefin. It should be noted that when the repair layer 2 is the light-emitting surface, the first elastic layer 104 is required to be a transparent material.

[0068] By adopting the above technical solution, it is possible to prevent crack expansion and protect the normal operation of the light-emitting layer inside the light-emitting device body, and it is also beneficial to save materials, simplify process and reduce costs.

[0069] Example 6

[0070] This embodiment provides a flexible light-emitting device. This embodiment is an improvement on the basis of Embodiment 4. The improvement is as follows:

[0071] The first elastic layer 104 is arranged between the repair layer 2 and the first light-emitting layer 102. The first elastic layer 104 serves as the first substrate of the light-emitting device body 1. It can also be understood that the first substrate 101 is made of elastic material, for example, it may include elastic polymer materials such as styrene and olefin. It should be noted that when the repair layer 2 is the light-emitting surface, the first elastic layer 104 is required to be a transparent material.

[0072] By adopting the above technical solution, it is possible to prevent crack expansion and protect the normal operation of the light-emitting layer inside the light-emitting device body, and it is also beneficial to save materials, simplify process and reduce costs.

[0073] Example 7

[0074] like Figure 7 As shown, this embodiment provides a flexible light-emitting device. This embodiment is an improvement based on Embodiment 1. The improvement is as follows:

[0075] The light-emitting device body 1 includes a second light-emitting layer 105 and a second encapsulation layer 106 which are stacked; the repair layer 2 is arranged on a side of the second light-emitting layer 105 which is relatively far away from the second encapsulation layer 106, that is, the repair layer 2 replaces the substrate, which is beneficial to saving materials and reducing the overall thickness of the flexible light-emitting device.

[0076] The flexible light-emitting device provided in this embodiment is manufactured by the following method and steps:

[0077] Step 1: According to the designed bending line, a polymer matrix doped with microcapsules and a polymerization catalyst is coated on the substrate to form a repair layer having a bending area and a base area;

[0078] Step 2: sequentially forming a second light-emitting layer 105 and a second encapsulation layer 106 on the repair layer;

[0079] Step 3: Peel off the substrate from the repair layer to obtain a finished flexible light-emitting device.

[0080] Example 8

[0081] This embodiment provides a method for producing a flexible light-emitting device, the method comprising the following steps:

[0082] At least one bending line is defined on the inner side of the flexible light-emitting device according to the use state of the flexible light-emitting device;

[0083] Deviate the bending line to the left by a set distance to obtain the left edge line;

[0084] Deviate the bending line to the right by a set distance to obtain the right edge line;

[0085] The area surrounded by the left edge line, the right edge line and the edge line of the light emitting device body is defined as a bending area;

[0086] Controlling a first coating robot to coat a first polymer matrix in the bending area, wherein the first polymer matrix is ​​doped with microcapsules containing a polymer precursor at a first concentration;

[0087] The second coating robot is controlled to coat a second polymer matrix in the base area, wherein the second polymer matrix is ​​doped with microcapsules containing a polymer precursor at a second concentration; the first concentration is greater than the second concentration; and the base area is the other area on the inner side of the bend excluding the bend area.

[0088] by Figure 1 Take the flexible light-emitting device shown in as an example to illustrate its production method:

[0089] First, the shape and size data of the light-emitting device body are obtained, and a bending shape is designed for it. The bending shape can be designed into any shape according to needs. In the present embodiment, the bending shape is similar to a "human" shape, which includes three bending lines; the surface of the light-emitting device body is rectangular; the position of the bending shape on the inner side surface of the bending of the light-emitting device body is designed, and each bending line is deviated to the left by a set distance to obtain a corresponding left edge line, and each bending line is deviated to the right by a set distance to obtain a right edge line; wherein the set distance, for example, can be 1 cm; the area surrounded by the left edge line, the right edge line and the edge line of the light-emitting device body is defined as a bending area, and the other areas of the inner side surface of the bending except the bending are defined as the basic area, and the above operations are completed in the controller;

[0090] Secondly, a first polymer matrix and a second polymer matrix are prepared, wherein the first polymer matrix is ​​doped with microcapsules containing a polymer precursor at a first concentration, and the first concentration may be, for example, 40%; and the second polymer matrix is ​​doped with microcapsules containing a polymer precursor at a second concentration, and the second concentration may be, for example, 25%;

[0091] Finally, the first coating robot is controlled to coat the first polymer matrix in the bending area; the second coating robot is controlled to coat the second polymer matrix in the base area; wherein the first coating robot and the second coating robot are respectively connected to the controller, and the two perform coating in the corresponding area according to the coating range set in the controller.

[0092] This article uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and its core ideas of this application. The above is only the preferred implementation method of this application. It should be pointed out that due to the limitations of textual expression and the objective existence of infinite specific structures, ordinary technicians in this technical field can make several improvements, modifications or changes without departing from the principles of the present invention, and can also combine the above technical features in an appropriate manner; these improvements, modifications, changes or combinations, or the direct application of the inventive concept and technical solution to other occasions without improvement, should be regarded as the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A flexible light-emitting device, characterized in that: include: A bendable light-emitting device body (1), the light-emitting device body (1) having a bent inner side; A repair layer (2), the repair layer (2) being arranged on the inner side of the bend of the light emitting device body (1); The repair layer (2) comprises a bending area (201) and a base area (202) distributed around the bending area (201); The repair layer (2) is formed of a self-repairing material; the self-repairing material comprises a polymer matrix, and microcapsules and a polymerization reaction catalyst doped in the polymer matrix, wherein the microcapsules contain a polymer precursor; The concentration of microcapsules doped in the polymer matrix in the bending area (201) is greater than the concentration of microcapsules doped in the polymer matrix in the base area (202), so that the light-emitting device body (1) can be folded and bent according to a designed shape.

2. The flexible light-emitting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The concentration difference of the microcapsules doped in the polymer matrix in the bending area (201) and the base area (202) is greater than 10%.

3. The flexible light-emitting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light-emitting device body (1) comprises a first substrate (101), a first light-emitting layer (102) and a first encapsulation layer (103) which are arranged in sequence; the repair layer (2) is arranged outside the first encapsulation layer (103) or outside the first substrate (101).

4. The flexible light-emitting device according to claim 3, characterized in that: A first elastic layer (104) is provided between the repair layer (2) and the first packaging layer (103), or between the repair layer (2) and the first substrate (101).

5. The flexible light-emitting device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first substrate (101) or the first packaging layer (103) is made of elastic material.

6. The flexible light-emitting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light-emitting device body (1) comprises a second light-emitting layer (105) and a second encapsulation layer (106); the repair layer (2) is arranged on a side of the second light-emitting layer (105) relatively far from the second encapsulation layer (106).

7. The flexible light-emitting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microcapsules are made of epoxy resin wrapped in urea-formaldehyde resin, and the polymerization catalyst is a metal ruthenium-based catalyst; Alternatively, the microcapsule is made of oligomeric organic siloxane wrapped in resin, and the polymerization catalyst is a supported platinum-based catalyst; the polymerization catalyst is supported on reinforcing particles or fiber fillers.

8. A method for producing a flexible light-emitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps: At least one bending line is defined on the inner side of the flexible light-emitting device according to the use state of the flexible light-emitting device; Deviate the bending line to the left by a set distance to obtain the left edge line; Deviate the bending line to the right by a set distance to obtain the right edge line; The area surrounded by the left edge line, the right edge line and the edge line of the light emitting device body is defined as a bending area; Controlling a first coating robot to coat a first polymer matrix in the bending area, wherein the first polymer matrix is ​​doped with microcapsules of a first concentration; The second coating robot is controlled to coat a second polymer matrix in the base area, wherein the second polymer matrix is ​​doped with microcapsules of a second concentration; the first concentration is greater than the second concentration; and the base area is the other area of ​​the inner side surface of the bend excluding the bend area.

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