Display Panel Encapsulation With Hydrophobic Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display panels face challenges in managing the flow of organic material during encapsulation, leading to dead spaces that increase the bezel area and reduce the sensitivity of input sensors.
Innovation Solution
The deposition position and inclination angle of the organic layer in the encapsulation layer are controlled using a hydrophobic layer and patterns to create a flat upper surface, reducing dead space and enhancing input sensor sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the organic material is allowed to flow freely during encapsulation, then the encapsulation process is simple, but dead spaces are created in the display panel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a hydrophobic layer with specific surface properties in the non-display area. This hydrophobic layer has different wetting characteristics compared to the display area, causing the organic material to be repelled from the non-display area and confined to the display area, thereby eliminating dead spaces while maintaining controlled deposition
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic layer acts as an intermediary between the organic material and the substrate. It mediates the interaction by providing a surface that repels the organic material, preventing it from flowing into the non-display area and creating dead spaces, thus controlling material distribution without complex mechanical structures
2Productivity
If the organic layer is deposited with a large inclination angle, then the deposition process is faster, but the upper surface becomes non-flat affecting sensor sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface energy parameter of the substrate by introducing a hydrophobic layer. This parameter change affects the wetting behavior of the organic material, causing it to form a flat interface with the hydrophobic layer. The inclination angle is controlled by adjusting the hydrophobicity parameter, allowing the organic layer to deposit with both speed and flatness
3Area of stationary object
If the bezel area is reduced to maximize display area, then the display panel efficiency increases, but input sensor sensitivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct functional zones: the display area with standard properties for light emission, and the non-display area with hydrophobic properties for material confinement. This localized differentiation allows the sensor area to maintain optimal characteristics for sensitivity while maximizing the display area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the substrate into functionally distinct regions: display area and non-display area separated by the hydrophobic layer. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each region - the display area for light emission and the non-display area for controlling organic material flow, thereby maintaining sensor sensitivity while maximizing display area
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 reduces the bezel area and improves the sensitivity of input sensors by ensuring a flat organic layer surface, thereby optimizing the display panel's design and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophobic layer disposed in the non-display area and spaced apart from the light-emitting elements
Data Source
AI summary
A display panel includes a base layer including a display area and a non-display area adjacent to the display area, a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed in the display area, a hydrophobic layer disposed in the non-display area and spaced apart from the light-emitting elements, an insulating layer disposed on the light-emitting elements and including an upper surface and an inclined surface inclined with respect to the upper surface, and a plurality of patterns contacting with the hydrophobic layer, and the plurality of patterns is spaced apart from the inclined surface.