Display Panel Separator Layout for Color Mixing and Contact Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display panels face issues with contact reliability, color mixing between adjacent pixels, and luminance degradation.
Innovation Solution
The display panel design includes a first and second separator with a connection electrode on their side surfaces, and additional dummy layers to enhance contact reliability and reduce color mixing, featuring a spacer portion between the separators to minimize luminance degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If separators are disposed close to light-emitting elements to reduce color mixing, then color mixing between adjacent pixels is reduced, but contact reliability deteriorates due to insufficient contact area
Solution Approach 1:
The connection electrode extends from the planar surface onto the side surface of the separator, transitioning from two-dimensional contact to three-dimensional contact. This dimensional extension increases the contact area between the connection electrode and separator without requiring the separator to be positioned farther from the light-emitting element, thus maintaining both reduced color mixing and improved contact reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection electrode is divided into multiple segments: a first connection electrode portion on the pixel defining film, a second connection electrode portion on the side surface of the separator, and a third connection electrode portion extending to the upper electrode. This segmentation allows the connection electrode to make contact with both the pixel driver and the upper electrode while also contacting the separator, thereby improving contact reliability without increasing the distance to the light-emitting element.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If separators are disposed close to light-emitting elements to reduce color mixing, then color mixing between adjacent pixels is reduced, but luminance degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer portion acts as an intermediary element between the connection electrode and the separator. It provides a controlled gap that prevents the connection electrode from directly contacting the separator in a way that would cause luminance degradation, while still allowing the connection electrode to contact the side surface of the separator for improved contact reliability. This intermediary structure enables the separator to be positioned close to the light-emitting element without causing luminance issues.
3Reliability
If connection electrode contacts separator to improve contact reliability, then contact reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel defining film with its opening is formed first, establishing a predetermined position for the connection electrode. The connection electrode is then formed to extend from this predetermined position onto the side surface of the separator. This preliminary structuring of the pixel defining film and opening provides a built-in alignment reference that guides the connection electrode to the correct position on the separator, reducing the need for high-precision alignment during subsequent manufacturing steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A display panel includes a driving element layer including a pixel driver, a light-emitting element on the driving element layer and including a lower electrode, an intermediate layer including at least a light-emitting layer, and a upper electrode, a pixel defining film on the driving element layer, a connection electrode formed of a conductive material on the pixel defining film and electrically connected to the pixel driver and the upper electrode, a first separator on the pixel defining film adjacent to the light-emitting element, and a second separator on the pixel defining film and spaced apart from the first separator, wherein the first separator includes a first side surface adjacent to the light-emitting element and a second side surface facing the second separator, and the first connection electrode is disposed on at least a portion of the first side surface, and the conductive material exposes the second side surface.