Display Panel Module Hole Blocking Groove Sealing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Organic light emitting display devices are vulnerable to moisture and oxygen, leading to reliability and lifespan issues due to external contamination.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a blocking groove adjacent to the module hole in the display panel to prevent the ingress of moisture and oxygen, with a sealing member and inorganic films covering the groove to enhance barrier effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a module hole is provided in the display panel for component mounting, then ease of manufacture and assembly are improved, but moisture and oxygen can ingress through the hole causing reliability degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoiddevice reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing structure is divided into multiple functional parts: a sealing member that physically blocks the module hole, and multiple inorganic films (first and second inorganic films) that provide additional barrier layers. This segmentation creates a multi-layer defense system against moisture and oxygen ingress while maintaining the opening for component assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing member acts as an intermediary element that fills and seals the module hole, preventing direct exposure of the organic light emitting device to external contaminants. The inorganic films serve as additional intermediary barrier layers between the external environment and the sensitive device components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the organic light emitting device is exposed to external environment for assembly access, then manufacturing accessibility is improved, but vulnerability to moisture and oxygen damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly accessibilityVSAvoidmoisture and oxygen exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing member and inorganic films are provided in advance to seal the module hole before the organic light emitting device is fully exposed or during the assembly process. This preliminary sealing action prevents moisture and oxygen from entering through the access hole while still allowing for component mounting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing member and multiple inorganic films form thin film barrier structures that seal the module hole. These flexible yet effective barrier layers prevent harmful substance ingress while allowing the display panel to maintain its structural integrity and assembly accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If barrier layers are added to block moisture and oxygen, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from contaminationVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing member and multiple inorganic films are integrated into a unified sealing structure at the module hole location. This merging of sealing functions into a single coordinated structure provides comprehensive protection against moisture and oxygen without requiring separate complex systems for each protective function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing member and inorganic films serve multiple functions simultaneously: they seal the module hole, block moisture and oxygen ingress, and provide a barrier against other external contaminants. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate protective components, thereby managing complexity while enhancing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3441845B1Display panel and electronic device having the same
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3441845B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3441845B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3441845B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display panel (100) includes: a base substrate (10) including a front surface and a rear surface, and a display area (DA) and a periphery area (NDA) adjacent to the display area (DA) when viewed in a plane; a pixel layer including a plurality of pixels in the display area (DA); and a cover layer on the base substrate (10) and including an inorganic material, and the base substrate (10) includes: a module hole (MH) defined in the display area (DA) and passing through the front surface and the rear surface of the base substrate (10); and a blocking groove (BR) adjacent to the module hole (MH) and recessed from the front surface of the base substrate (10), and the cover layer includes a passing-through portion covering the front surface of the base substrate (10) and overlapping the blocking groove (BR).