Display Panel Moisture Protection via Waterproofing Frame and Trench
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrophoretic display panels are prone to damage and reliability reduction due to moisture invasion from the environment, as the low thickness bibulous planarization layer absorbs moisture, affecting switching elements and the electrophoresis layer.
Innovation Solution
A display panel design featuring a first substrate with a ring-shaped through trench and a water-proofing frame that encloses a wet-proof space between substrates, using a bibulous insulating layer and gate-insulating layer to isolate the view area from external moisture, with switching elements and pixel electrodes electrically connected within this protected space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a bibulous planarization layer is used to planarize the surface, then the surface flatness is improved, but the layer absorbs moisture from the environment causing reliability deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The planarization function is segmented into two separate layers: a non-bibulous planarization layer for surface flattening and a bibulous insulating layer for moisture absorption. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without the drawbacks of the previous single-layer design, preventing moisture ingress while maintaining surface flatness.
Solution Approach 2:
A water-proofing frame is introduced as an intermediary barrier between the external environment and the internal device components. This frame prevents moisture from reaching the switching elements and electrophoresis layer, while the bibulous insulating layer acts as a secondary protective barrier, together resolving the moisture absorption issue without compromising planarization.
2Ease of manufacture
If the bibulous planarization layer thickness is reduced, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but moisture absorption increases causing harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function against moisture is segmented between the water-proofing frame (primary barrier) and the bibulous insulating layer (secondary barrier). This allows the bibulous layer to be thin without compromising protection, as the frame handles the primary moisture blocking while the thin layer provides supplementary protection and planarization.
Solution Approach 2:
The moisture-blocking function is extracted from the bibulous planarization layer and assigned to a dedicated water-proofing frame structure. This extraction allows the bibulous insulating layer to be made thinner since its primary role is no longer moisture blocking but rather supplementary protection and surface planarization, reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Reliability
If switching elements are exposed for electrical connection, then the electrical connectivity is improved, but the exposed parts become vulnerable to moisture damage
Solution Approach 1:
The water-proofing frame serves as an intermediary protective barrier that allows electrical connections to be made to exposed switching element parts while preventing moisture from reaching these exposed areas. The frame creates a protected cavity that maintains electrical accessibility while blocking environmental moisture.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-proofing frame creates a flexible protective enclosure around the exposed switching elements. This enclosure maintains the electrical connectivity needed for operation while providing a physical barrier against moisture, effectively protecting vulnerable exposed areas without compromising electrical function.
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
The solution effectively prevents moisture from reaching the switching elements and display layer, enhancing the reliability of the display panel by maintaining their functionality in moist environments.
Implementation Method 1
a water-proofing frame (240) disposed in the ring-shaped through trench (T2), connecting the first substrate (210) and the second substrate (230)
Implementation Method 2
a ring-shaped through trench (T2) passing through the bibulous insulating layer (213) and the part of the gate-insulating layer (212e) exposed by the second metal layer (212h) and surrounding the view area (V2)
Data Source
AI summary
A display panel includes a first substrate, a display layer, a second substrate and a water-proofing frame. The first substrate has a view area and a ring-shaped through trench and includes a first base, a first metal layer, a gate-insulating layer, a second metal layer, a semiconductor layer, a bibulous insulating layer and a pixel-electrode layer. The gate-insulating layer is disposed between the first and the second metal layers. The bibulous insulating layer is disposed on the second metal layer and the gate-insulating layer. The ring-shaped through trench passes through the bibulous insulating layer and the part of the gate-insulating layer exposed by the second metal layer and surrounds the view area. The water-proofing frame is disposed at the ring-shaped through trench, connects the first substrate and the second substrate and encloses a wet-proof space between the first substrate and the second substrate. Besides, another display panel is also provided.