Display Panel Thermal Barrier Layout for High-Resolution OLED Pixels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display panels face challenges in achieving high-resolution display quality while minimizing damage to light-emitting and common layers, and effectively disconnecting organic films between neighboring light-emitting regions.

Innovation Solution

A display panel design featuring a base substrate, circuit element layer, pixel defining layer, light-emitting element with a first and second electrode and a functional layer, a metal pattern layer, and a low thermal conductive layer. The low thermal conductive layer, made of polymer-type amorphous carbon film, is disposed between the pixel defining layer and the metal pattern layer to prevent heat transfer and minimize damage to the functional layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a metal pattern layer is disposed directly on the pixel defining layer, then the structural integrity and electrical connectivity are improved, but heat transfer to the functional layer increases causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidheat transfer damage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A low thermal conductive layer is introduced between the metal pattern layer and the pixel defining layer. This intermediary layer blocks heat transfer from the metal pattern layer to the functional layer while maintaining structural integrity and electrical connectivity of the overall device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the light-emitting region size is reduced to achieve high-resolution display, then the display quality is improved, but the organic films between neighboring regions are harder to disconnect effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay resolutionVSAvoidorganic film disconnection
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The low thermal conductive layer is extracted and positioned between neighboring light-emitting regions to serve as an effective barrier that disconnects organic films in adjacent regions, enabling high-resolution display while preventing interference between neighboring pixels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If the metal pattern layer is positioned closer to the functional layer, then the device structure is simplified, but the risk of damage to the functional layer from heat increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayer structureVSAvoidthermal damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The low thermal conductive layer acts as a protective intermediary that allows the metal pattern layer to be positioned closer to the functional layer without increasing thermal damage risk, thus simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining safety

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 design enhances display quality by minimizing damage to light-emitting and common layers and effectively disconnecting organic films between light-emitting regions, thereby preventing leakage current and color mixing, and achieving high-resolution display capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a low thermal conductive layer disposed between the pixel defining layer and the metal pattern layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4521898A1Display panel and manufacturing method of the same
Publication Date: 2025.03.12 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4521898A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4521898A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4521898A1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

Provided is a display panel including a base substrate, a circuit element layer disposed on the base substrate, a pixel defining layer disposed on the circuit element layer and including a light-emitting opening, a light-emitting element disposed on the circuit element layer and including a first electrode, a second electrode facing the first electrode, and a functional layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, a metal pattern layer disposed on the pixel defining layer, and a low thermal conductive layer disposed between the pixel defining layer and the metal pattern layer, thereby having excellent display quality.