Display Power Line Protection via Insulating Dam and Protective Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display apparatuses face challenges in effectively protecting power supply lines from defects and moisture ingress, particularly due to step coverage issues during manufacturing, which can affect the reliability and performance of organic light-emitting displays.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a protective layer that covers exposed portions of the power supply lines in the non-display area, utilizing a single-layer structure on the same layer as the inorganic insulating layer, and employing a conductive layer structure with titanium, aluminum, and titanium components, along with insulating dams to prevent material encapsulation and enhance protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If power supply lines are exposed in the non-display area to reduce manufacturing complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to step coverage defects and moisture ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different structural configurations to different regions: in the display area, the organic insulating layer continuously covers the power supply lines, while in the non-display area, the organic insulating layer is removed to create spaced areas where power supply lines are exposed and covered only by inorganic insulating layers and protective layers. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the insulating structure into multiple independent layers: inorganic insulating layers (first and second) and organic insulating layers (first and second), with the organic layers selectively removed in spaced areas. This segmentation allows the inorganic layers to provide protection in exposed areas while maintaining manufacturing flexibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If organic insulating layer is removed in spaced areas to prevent material encapsulation defects, then manufacturing precision is improved, but protection against moisture and air deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite insulating structure combining inorganic insulating layers (providing barrier properties against moisture and air) and organic insulating layers ( providing planarization and additional insulation). In spaced areas, the organic layer is removed but the inorganic layers remain to provide the essential protective barrier function.
Solution Approach 2:
The inorganic insulating layers serve as intermediary protective barriers between the exposed power supply lines and the external environment (moisture and air). These layers mediate the protection function in areas where the organic insulating layer is absent.
3Reliability
If protective layer is added to cover exposed power supply lines, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inorganic insulating layers serve multiple functions: they provide electrical insulation, act as barriers against moisture and air penetration, and serve as protective layers over the power supply lines in spaced areas. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated protective structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the protective function with the existing inorganic insulating layer structure, so that the same layers that provide electrical insulation also provide environmental protection. This integration avoids adding separate protective components that would increase complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes a protective layer, a substrate including a non-display area adjacent to a display area, and a sub-pixel in the display area and including a conductive layer, an inorganic insulating layer on the conductive layer, an organic insulating layer on the inorganic insulating layer, and a display device connected to the conductive layer. The display apparatus further includes a power supply line including a first power supply line and a second power supply line electrically connected to the sub-pixel; and an insulating dam as at least one layer in the non-display area. The non-display area includes the insulating dam, the power supply line are placed, and a spaced area which does not include the organic insulating layer. The protective layer covers an exposed portion of the power supply line.