Display Device Camera-Hole Buffer Structure for Crack Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The formation of a camera hole in display devices through laser-beam irradiation can cause cracks that extend to the display area, leading to picture quality degradation and device deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A display device design featuring a hole area surrounded by a buffer area with a damage preventing portion, made of the same material as the source and drain electrodes, to prevent cracks from extending to the display area, and a groove structure on the lateral surface of the damage preventing portion to facilitate crack containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a camera hole is formed through laser-beam irradiation, then the camera can be placed inside the display device, but cracks may be generated and extend to the display area causing picture quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer area is introduced as an intermediary zone between the camera hole and the display area. This buffer area acts as a mediator that absorbs and contains the cracks generated during laser-beam irradiation, preventing them from extending to the display area. The buffer area serves as a protective barrier that isolates the harmful effects of hole formation from the critical display region.
Solution Approach 2:
The display device structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: a camera hole area, a buffer area, and a display area. This segmentation allows the buffer area to specifically handle the mechanical stress and crack propagation from the camera hole formation process, while the display area remains protected and maintains its integrity for high-quality image display.
2Reliability
If a buffer area with damage preventing portion is added to prevent crack extension, then display area protection is improved, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The damage preventing portion is merged with the existing source and drain electrode structures. By forming the damage preventing portion using the same material and manufacturing process as the electrodes, the design combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure. This reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the crack prevention function, as the damage preventing portion becomes part of the existing electrode system rather than a separate component.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer area serves multiple functions: it acts as a mechanical barrier to contain cracks, provides an electrical connection path through the damage preventing portion, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving comprehensive display area protection.
3Ease of manufacture
If the damage preventing portion is made of the same material as source and drain electrodes, then manufacturing process is simplified, but material selection becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The damage preventing portion is made homogeneous with the source and drain electrodes by using the same material. This homogeneity allows both structures to be formed in the same manufacturing process step using the same deposition conditions, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process. The unified material approach eliminates the need for separate material deposition processes and ensures consistent fabrication parameters throughout the device.
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
Prevents cracks from extending to the display area, maintaining picture quality and reducing manufacturing complexity and costs by integrating the damage preventing portion with existing electrode processes.
Implementation Method 1
the camera hole is obtained by a process of removing some areas from the display device through a laser-beam irradiation
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes an organic light emitting device in a display area on a substrate; a thin film transistor being connected with the organic light emitting device; a planarization layer on the thin film transistor; a protecting portion on a buffer area on the substrate, the protecting portion surrounding at least a portion of a camera area on the substrate, the buffer area being disposed between the display area and the camera area; an encapsulation layer including a first encapsulation layer, a second encapsulation layer on the first encapsulation layer, and a third encapsulation layer on the second encapsulation layer; a dam structure on the buffer area, the dam structure blocking the second encapsulation; and a hole in the camera area, the hole provided inside the display area, wherein the first encapsulation layer and the third encapsulation layer are extended to the protecting portion.