Inorganic Barrier Layer for Flexible Display Moisture Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid crystal display devices, moisture and oxygen penetration through plastic substrates and resin films can significantly affect the properties of thin film transistors, leading to fluctuations in display luminance and quality.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a barrier layer composed of inorganic materials, such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride, covering the resin layers, along with specific resin materials like polybenzoxazole or polyimide, to prevent moisture and oxygen ingress, while also using a second resin layer with controlled transmittance and thickness to enhance protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a plastic substrate and resin film are used as the first substrate to achieve flexure property and impact resistance, then flexibility and impact resistance are improved, but moisture and oxygen penetration occurs affecting TFT layer properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a plastic substrate, resin film, and inorganic barrier layer. The barrier layer is formed by stacking multiple inorganic films (such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide) with different barrier properties to create a multi-layer composite structure that effectively blocks moisture and oxygen penetration while maintaining the flexibility and impact resistance of the plastic substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin film structures including the resin film and multiple inorganic barrier layers that can be deposited as flexible thin coatings on the plastic substrate. These thin films provide moisture and oxygen barrier functions without compromising the overall flexibility of the display device, enabling the plastic substrate to maintain its bendable properties while achieving effective protection.
2Reliability
If a barrier layer is provided between the first substrate and resin film to block moisture and oxygen, then TFT layer property stability is improved, but side surfaces of the plastic substrate and resin film remain exposed to atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the barrier protection from the traditional two-dimensional planar interface to three-dimensional coverage by forming the inorganic barrier layer to wrap around and cover the side surfaces of the resin film and plastic substrate. This vertical extension of the barrier layer in the thickness direction creates a complete enclosure that prevents moisture and oxygen exposure at previously vulnerable edge portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a nested protective structure where the inorganic barrier layer is positioned between the plastic substrate and the resin film, with the barrier layer effectively nested within the overall substrate structure. The barrier layer is sandwiched between the plastic substrate and resin film while extending to cover side surfaces, creating a nested configuration that provides comprehensive protection.
3Reliability
If multiple inorganic films are stacked to form the barrier layer to enhance moisture and oxygen blocking, then penetration prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the barrier layer into multiple segmented inorganic film layers, each with specific thickness and material composition. By segmenting the barrier function into discrete layers (such as alternating layers of silicon oxide and silicon nitride), the patent achieves enhanced barrier performance while maintaining a structured and manageable fabrication process through sequential deposition steps.
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
This solution effectively blocks moisture and oxygen, stabilizing the thin film transistors and improving the display quality by preventing changes in transistor properties and luminance fluctuations, thus enhancing the reliability and performance of flexible liquid crystal display devices.
Implementation Method 1
a barrier layer which comprises an inorganic film covering a surface of the first resin layer
Data Source
AI summary
An image display device includes a resin film, an organic film which is formed above the resin film, a circuit layer which is formed above the organic film and includes at least a thin film transistor, and a barrier layer which is formed between the organic film and the circuit layer. The organic film has a first surface which faces the circuit layer and a side surface which crosses the first surface. The barrier layer covers the first surface and the side surface.