Display Panel Undercut Grooves for Moisture Barrier Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices face challenges in integrating sensors and other elements while maintaining high light transmittance and preventing moisture penetration through the display area, especially around opening areas.

Innovation Solution

A display panel design featuring a substrate with an opening area surrounded by a display area, incorporating a multilayer film with grooves having an undercut structure to enhance moisture barrier properties, using a combination of organic and inorganic encapsulation layers to prevent lateral moisture transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional flat encapsulation layer is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but moisture can penetrate through the display area and the light transmittance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture barrier propertyVSAvoidencapsulation layer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The encapsulation layer is divided into multiple functional segments: a first encapsulation layer (organic) and a second encapsulation layer (inorganic), each serving specific protective functions. The inorganic layer provides superior moisture barrier properties while the organic layer provides flexibility and additional protection, together resolving the contradiction between simple structure and effective moisture blocking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite encapsulation structure combining organic and inorganic materials. The organic encapsulation layer (first encapsulation layer) and inorganic encapsulation layer (second encapsulation layer) work synergistically to provide both flexibility and superior moisture barrier properties, achieving reliable moisture protection without excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If the display area is increased to provide more sensors and elements, then the functionality is enhanced, but the light transmittance and moisture barrier capability are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor integration capabilityVSAvoidlight transmittance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The encapsulation structure is optimized locally at the display area boundary where sensors and elements are integrated. The multilayer film with undercut grooves provides enhanced moisture barrier properties specifically at these critical interfaces, allowing increased sensor integration without compromising overall light transmittance through the display area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the display area is increased to integrate more sensors, then the functionality is enhanced, but the moisture penetration risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor integration capabilityVSAvoidmoisture penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses moisture penetration by creating an undercut groove structure that extends into the depth dimension of the encapsulation layers. This three-dimensional groove structure (with width greater than depth) creates an effective moisture barrier path that prevents lateral moisture transmission through the display area, enabling enhanced sensor integration without increasing moisture penetration risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If grooves with undercut structure are introduced to block moisture, then the moisture barrier property is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture barrier propertyVSAvoidgroove structure fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The undercut groove structure is formed during the encapsulation layer deposition process, integrating the moisture barrier feature into the standard manufacturing sequence. By preparing the groove structure in advance as part of the encapsulation process rather than as a separate post-processing step, the manufacturing complexity is managed more effectively while achieving reliable moisture blocking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12356844B2Display panel and display device including display panel

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display panel includes a substrate having an opening area, and a display area at least partially surrounding the opening area. Display elements are arranged in the display area. The display elements includes a pixel electrode, an opposite electrode, and an intermediate layer interposed therebetween. A multilayer film includes a first insulating layer between the substrate and the pixel electrode and a second insulating layer, of a different material, on the first insulating layer. A thin film encapsulation layer covers the display elements and includes at least one organic encapsulation layer and at least one inorganic encapsulation layer. The multilayer film includes a first groove disposed between the opening area and the display area. The first groove has an undercut structure in which a lower width of the first groove is greater than an upper width of the first groove.