Flexible Electroluminescence Element Spacer Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electroluminescence elements on flexible substrates are prone to leakage defects due to contact between the light-emitting layer and the opposing substrate during deformation, and the laser repair process often damages the sealing film, leading to inaccurate defect removal.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating spacers between the electroluminescence substrate and the sealing substrate, which are flexible and made of elastic materials, to prevent contact between the light-emitting layer and the opposing substrate during deformation, and using these spacers to create a gap for accurate laser repair of defects caused by foreign particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two plastic substrates are bonded together with sealing resin, then the electroluminescence element can be made flexible, but the light-emitting layer contacts the opposing substrate during bending or deformation causing leakage defects
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer layer is introduced between the light-emitting layer and the opposing substrate to prevent direct contact during deformation. This intermediary layer absorbs mechanical stress and prevents the light-emitting layer from touching the opposing substrate, thereby maintaining both flexibility and preventing leakage defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer layer is positioned in advance between the substrates to cushion against potential contact between the light-emitting layer and the opposing substrate during bending or deformation. This pre-positioned protective layer prevents damage before it can occur.
2Device complexity
If a sealing film is used instead of sealing substrate, then only one flexible substrate is needed, but the laser repair process damages the sealing film causing inaccurate defect removal
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer layer serves as an intermediary that protects the sealing film during laser repair operations. It allows the laser to access and remove defective electrodes without directly damaging the sealing film, thereby maintaining both the simplified single-substrate structure and enabling accurate laser repair.
3Length of stationary object
If the light-emitting layer is made very thin to reduce device thickness, then the element becomes more susceptible to physical damage from contact, force or impact
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer layer is positioned beforehand to cushion and absorb physical damage from contact, force, or impact before it reaches the thin light-emitting layer. This protective layer enables the use of thinner light-emitting layers while maintaining adequate mechanical strength and damage resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
An electroluminescence element includes an electroluminescence substrate including a thin film transistor substrate, and a light-emitting layer provided over the thin film transistor substrate and divided by picture-element separating portions so as to correspond to unit picture elements; and a sealing substrate arranged to hermetically seal the light-emitting layer of the electroluminescence substrate. At least one of the electroluminescence substrate and the sealing substrate is a flexible substrate. Spacers are provided between the electroluminescence substrate and the sealing substrate.