Flexible Display Encapsulation Wrinkle Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display apparatuses suffer from degraded flexibility due to the low flexibility of encapsulation films, which compromises the overall performance despite having flexible substrates and display elements.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus is designed with a substrate, a display element, a first inorganic film layer, a first organic film layer with a flat surface, a second organic film layer having a wrinkled surface, and a second inorganic film layer that corresponds to the wrinkle shape of the second organic film layer, using materials like hexamethyldisiloxane and polyacrylate, and formed using chemical vapor deposition and ultraviolet light hardening methods to enhance flexibility and prevent impurity permeation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional encapsulation film is used to cover the display element, then the display element is protected from external oxygen or moisture, but the flexible characteristic of the display apparatus is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulation film is divided into multiple thin inorganic film layers (first, second, and third inorganic film layers) separated by organic film layers. This segmentation allows each layer to be thinner and more flexible, preventing cracks during bending while collectively providing effective protection against oxygen and moisture permeation.
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulation film uses a composite structure combining inorganic film layers (such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or aluminum oxide) with organic film layers (such as polyacrylate or polyethylene terephthalate). This composite material approach leverages the impermeability of inorganic materials and the flexibility of organic materials to simultaneously achieve protection and flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the encapsulation film is made thinner to improve flexibility, then the flexible characteristic is enhanced, but the protection against impurity permeation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single thin encapsulation layer, the protection is segmented into multiple thin inorganic film layers. Each layer can be kept thin to maintain flexibility, but the cumulative effect of multiple layers provides sufficient barrier protection against oxygen and moisture permeation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different layers are assigned different functions: inorganic film layers provide local quality of impermeability to block oxygen and moisture, while organic film layers provide local quality of flexibility and crack resistance. This local differentiation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function.
3Device complexity
If a single-layer encapsulation film is used to simplify the structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the flexibility and crack resistance are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulation film is segmented into multiple functional layers with distinct roles. The inorganic layers provide barrier protection while the organic layers provide flexibility and stress relief, creating a multi-layer structure that is more flexible and crack-resistant than a single-layer film despite increased structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulation structure transitions from a single-dimensional thin film to a multi-dimensional layered structure. By adding the dimension of multiple layers with alternating inorganic and organic materials, the structure achieves superior flexibility and crack resistance that cannot be obtained with a single-layer approach.
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 cracks in the encapsulation film during bending, maintains excellent flexible characteristics, simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, and enhances the durability of the display apparatus by aligning the inorganic film layer with the wrinkle shape of the organic film layer.
Implementation Method 1
forming a second inorganic film layer on the second organic film layer and including a shape corresponding to the wrinkled upper surface of the second organic film layer
Implementation Method 2
formed using chemical vapor deposition and ultraviolet light hardening methods
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes a substrate, a display element disposed on the substrate, a first inorganic film layer disposed on the display element, a first organic film layer disposed on the first inorganic film layer, a second organic film layer disposed on the first organic film layer and including a wrinkled upper surface, and a second inorganic film layer disposed on the second organic film layer and including a shape corresponding to the wrinkled upper surface of the second organic film layer.