Display Electrode Coating for Precise Light-Emitting Element Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing display devices face challenges in precisely arranging light emitting elements between electrodes, leading to inefficiencies and increased defects due to spreading of the ink containing light emitting elements.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the formation of a coating layer with a hydrophobic material on the electrodes, which prevents the ink containing light emitting elements from spreading, allowing for precise placement of the elements between the electrodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional method without coating layer is used to place light emitting elements, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the ink containing light emitting elements spreads and positioning precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precision of light emitting elementsVSAvoidcomplexity of manufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A coating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the substrate and the ink containing light emitting elements. This coating layer serves as a mediator that controls the spreading of the ink and enables precise positioning of the light emitting elements, resolving the contradiction between positioning precision and process simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The coating layer is formed in advance before the ink is applied. This preliminary action prepares the surface with controlled wettability characteristics, ensuring that when the ink is subsequently applied, it will not spread uncontrollably and will maintain precise positioning of the light emitting elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the ink containing light emitting elements is applied without a coating layer, then the application process is faster, but the ink spreads and manufacturing efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidalignment accuracy of light emitting elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coating layer acts as an intermediary that prevents uncontrolled spreading of the ink while still allowing for efficient application. By controlling the wettability of the surface, it enables the ink to be applied quickly without sacrificing alignment accuracy, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If no coating layer is used, then the device structure is simpler, but light emitting elements cannot be accurately positioned between electrodes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracy between light emitting elements and electrodesVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coating layer serves as a mediator between the electrodes and the light emitting elements, providing a controlled interface that enables accurate positioning. This single additional layer achieves the alignment function without requiring complex multi-layer structures or additional positioning mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 approach enhances the yield and reliability of light emission for each pixel by ensuring accurate alignment and positioning of light emitting elements, thereby reducing defects and improving manufacturing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a coating layer which includes a material having a polarity opposite to a polarity of an ink, and thus prevents the ink from spreading

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP3913694B1Display device and manufacturing method therefor
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3913694B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3913694B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3913694B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The display device comprises: a substrate in which a first region and a second region that is a region other than the first area, are defined; a first electrode and a second electrode that are at least partially spaced apart from each other in the first area on the substrate; a coating layer disposed on the substrate so as to cover at least a portion of the first electrode and the second electrode; and at least one light-emitting element disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode in the first region, wherein the coating layer comprises: an opening exposing at least portion of the first electrode and the second electrode in the first region, wherein the coating layer comprises: an opening exposing at least portion of the first electrode and the second electrode; and a first coating layer disposed in a region other than the opening and including a material having a first polarity.