Light Emitting Display Sealing Structure for Thin Substrates

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Light emitting displays, particularly OLEDs, face challenges in maintaining mechanical integrity and longevity due to vulnerability to moisture and oxygen, especially when substrate thickness is reduced, leading to compromised sealing and reduced device life.

Innovation Solution

The use of an inorganic sealing material comprising frit, combined with a dam member and filling material, where the inorganic sealing material is melted using laser or IR radiation, and the filling material is hardened to fill spaces between substrates, enhancing moisture and oxygen barrier properties while improving mechanical reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the substrate thickness is reduced to no more than 0.3 mm to reduce the overall thickness of the light emitting display, then the device meets user demands for thinner displays, but the mechanical integrity of the device is compromised under stresses such as falling and twisting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstrate thicknessVSAvoidmechanical integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite sealing structure combining an inorganic sealing material (frit) with an organic filling material. The inorganic frit provides rigid mechanical support and sealing, while the organic filling material provides flexibility and stress absorption. This composite approach allows the substrate to be thinner while maintaining mechanical integrity through the combined properties of different materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the inorganic sealing material from solid granules (frit) to a melted state during laser heating, allowing it to flow and fill gaps, then solidifies upon cooling to form a strong seal. This phase change enables the sealing material to adapt to substrate deformations while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If the substrate thickness is reduced to no more than 0.3 mm to reduce the overall thickness of the light emitting display, then the device meets user demands for thinner displays, but the sealed state of the device is compromised, thereby reducing the life of the organic light emitting display

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstrate thicknessVSAvoidsealed state
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite sealing system where inorganic frit provides the primary seal with excellent moisture and oxygen barrier properties, while the organic filling material provides secondary sealing and compensates for substrate deformations. This dual-material approach ensures reliable sealing even in thin-substrate configurations where mechanical stresses are more pronounced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The inorganic sealing material (frit) acts as an intermediary between the thin substrate and the external environment. When melted and solidified, it creates a robust sealing layer that protects the organic light emitting display from moisture and oxygen infiltration, compensating for the reduced mechanical protection that comes with thinner substrates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If an inorganic sealing material is used to effectively prevent moisture or oxygen from penetrating, then the protection against moisture and oxygen is improved, but the mechanical reliability of the seal may be compromised due to the brittleness of inorganic materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture and oxygen barrierVSAvoidmechanical reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite sealing structure where the inorganic frit provides superior moisture and oxygen barrier properties, while the organic filling material provides mechanical flexibility and shock absorption. The combination allows the seal to maintain both excellent barrier performance and mechanical reliability, overcoming the brittleness issue of pure inorganic materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different materials with different properties to different regions of the sealing structure. The inorganic frit is used where moisture and oxygen barrier properties are most critical, while the organic filling material is used where mechanical flexibility and stress absorption are needed. This localized material selection optimizes both barrier performance and mechanical reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If the inorganic sealing material is melted using laser or IR radiation to seal the substrates, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the complexity of the manufacturing process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical heating methods with laser or IR radiation for melting the inorganic frit. This non-contact heating method provides more precise temperature control and faster heating, improving sealing effectiveness while actually simplifying the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for complex mechanical heating apparatus and reducing overall processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 approach effectively prevents moisture and oxygen infiltration, enhances mechanical reliability, reduces Newton's ring, and improves visibility and shock tolerance, thereby extending the life of the light emitting display.

Implementation Method 1

the inorganic sealing material is melted using laser or IR radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 2

the inorganic sealing material is melted using laser or IR radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation heating: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 3

the filling material is hardened to fill spaces between substrates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV radiation hardening: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP2009715B1Light emitting display and method of manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP2009715B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2009715B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP2009715B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4F

AI summary

A light emitting display and a method of manufacturing the same, wherein the light emitting display includes a first substrate on which a plurality of light emitting devices is formed, a second substrate provided to face the first substrate, a dam member provided between the first substrate and the second substrate to surround the plurality of light emitting devices, an inorganic sealing material provided between the first substrate and the second substrate on an outer circumference of the dam member to attach the first substrate and the second substrate to each other, and a filling material provided on an internal side of the dam member to cover the plurality of light emitting devices. The inorganic sealing material effectively shields moisture or oxygen and/or increases the life of the light emitting display. The filling material fills the space between the substrates to improve mechanical reliability.