Encapsulation Member With Alternating Inorganic Organic Layers

Solution Overview

Problem

Standard encapsulation members for display devices fail to achieve both desired moisture-proof properties and flexibility, as they either lack flexibility when composed of only inorganic material layers or do not provide adequate moisture-proofing when composed of only organic material layers.

Innovation Solution

The encapsulation member is designed with a structure that includes both regions of inorganic material layers and organic material layers, featuring alternating curved and concave patterns in multiple layers to enhance moisture-proofing and flexibility, with specific materials like aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, and epoxy resin used in the layers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the encapsulation member is composed of only inorganic material layers, then moisture-proof properties are improved, but flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture-proof propertiesVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The encapsulation member is constructed as a composite structure comprising alternating inorganic material layers (such as aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, silicon oxide, or silicon nitride) and organic material layers (such as epoxy resin, acrylate resin, or urethane acrylate resin). This composite configuration allows the inorganic layers to provide moisture barrier functionality while the organic layers contribute flexibility and stress relief, thereby simultaneously achieving both moisture-proof properties and flexibility that cannot be obtained with single-material structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the encapsulation member utilize different material properties: inorganic material layers are positioned where moisture barrier performance is critical, while organic material layers are positioned where flexibility and stress accommodation are needed. This spatial differentiation of material functions allows each layer to optimize its local contribution to the overall performance, resolving the contradiction between rigidity for protection and flexibility for adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the encapsulation member is composed of only organic material layers, then flexibility is improved, but moisture-proof properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidmoisture-proof properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The encapsulation member is constructed as a composite structure comprising alternating inorganic material layers (such as aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, silicon oxide, or silicon nitride) and organic material layers (such as epoxy resin, acrylate resin, or urethane acrylate resin). This composite configuration allows the inorganic layers to provide moisture barrier functionality while the organic layers contribute flexibility and stress relief, thereby simultaneously achieving both moisture-proof properties and flexibility that cannot be obtained with single-material structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If multiple layers are used to achieve both moisture-proofing and flexibility, then performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture-proof propertiesVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The encapsulation member is divided into multiple thin alternating layers of inorganic and organic materials, with each layer performing a specific function. The inorganic layers provide moisture barrier properties while the organic layers provide flexibility and stress relief. This segmentation into functional sub-layers allows the system to achieve complex performance requirements through simple repetition of a basic unit structure, thereby managing complexity through modularity rather than through monolithic design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The encapsulation member is constructed as a composite structure comprising alternating inorganic material layers (such as aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, silicon oxide, or silicon nitride) and organic material layers (such as epoxy resin, acrylate resin, or urethane acrylate resin). This composite configuration allows the inorganic layers to provide moisture barrier functionality while the organic layers contribute flexibility and stress relief, thereby simultaneously achieving both moisture-proof properties and flexibility that cannot be obtained with single-material structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS9502687B2Encapsulation member and display device having the same

Publication Date: 2016.11.22 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

An encapsulation member for a display device is disclosed. In one aspect, the encapsulation layer includes a first layer, a second layer formed over the first layer, and a third layer formed over the second layer. The third layer is formed of the same material as that of the first layer. An end of at least one of the first to third layers has a curved shape.