Valley-Separated Display Circuits for Encapsulation Overflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices face challenges in minimizing the non-display area to maximize the display area, particularly in preventing overflow of the organic encapsulation layer, which can lead to image quality degradation and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a display device design featuring a thin film encapsulation layer with grooves on the circuit units in the non-display area, which includes a combination of inorganic and organic encapsulation layers, and a connecting conductive layer with holes covered by an external layer, to prevent or check the overflow of the organic encapsulation layer and reduce the non-display area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the non-display area is reduced to expand the display area, then the display area ratio is improved, but the risk of organic encapsulation layer overflow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit unit is divided into first and second circuit portions by a valley portion, with the external layer further segmented by grooves into multiple pattern portions. This segmentation isolates the organic encapsulation layer within defined boundaries, preventing overflow from spreading across the entire non-display area while maximizing the display area ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure acts as an intermediary barrier between the organic encapsulation layer and the surrounding circuit portions. This intermediate structure controls and directs the organic encapsulation layer, preventing harmful overflow while maintaining the reduced non-display area configuration.
2Reliability
If grooves are added to prevent organic encapsulation layer overflow, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The groove structure is integrated with the external layer formation process, combining the protective function with the existing layer structure. The valley portion and groove configuration work together as a unified sealing system, preventing organic encapsulation layer overflow without requiring separate complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The external layer with grooves forms a flexible sealing structure that conforms to the underlying circuit portions while providing overflow prevention. This thin film-based approach offers effective protection with minimal structural complexity compared to rigid barrier solutions.
3Reliability
If the thin film encapsulation layer extends to the valley portion, then sealing is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valley portion and groove structures are pre-formed before the organic encapsulation layer deposition. This preliminary structuring guides the encapsulation layer flow and positioning, ensuring precise extension to the valley portion while maintaining sealing effectiveness and reducing manufacturing difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure in the external layer provides self-aligning guidance for the organic encapsulation layer during deposition. The geometric configuration of the grooves and valley portion enables the encapsulation layer to naturally extend to the correct position without requiring complex precision control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes: a substrate including a display area and a non-display area; a circuit portion including a first circuit portion and a second circuit portion on the non-display area; a valley portion separating the first circuit portion and the second circuit portion from each other; and a thin film encapsulation layer sealing the display area, the thin film encapsulation layer extending from the display area to the valley portion, and the first circuit portion is between the valley portion and the display area, the second circuit portion is at an outside of the valley portion, an internal layer on the first circuit portion includes a plurality of island portions that are apart from one another in a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction, and an external layer on the second circuit portion includes at least one groove extending in the first direction.