Flexible Encapsulation Multilayer for OLED Moisture Barrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Organic light-emitting display devices are prone to deterioration due to external moisture and oxygen, which can penetrate through the electroluminescent unit, compromising their performance and longevity.

Innovation Solution

An electroluminescent device with a flexible encapsulation multilayer structure that includes an inorganic surface portion and an organic surface portion, where the inorganic surface portion is made of inorganic materials and directly contacts the flexible encapsulation multilayer, forming a sealing region that prevents moisture and oxygen infiltration, while the organic surface portion surrounds the emission area to enhance encapsulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the electroluminescent unit is exposed to external environment, then the device structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but moisture and oxygen penetrate into the electroluminescent unit causing deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies flexible encapsulation multilayers consisting of thin film structures to seal the electroluminescent unit. These flexible thin films provide effective barrier protection against moisture and oxygen penetration while maintaining ease of manufacture through conventional thin film deposition techniques, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and device reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite encapsulation structures combining multiple materials with different properties (such as inorganic barrier layers and organic flexible layers) to create an effective seal. This composite approach provides both the barrier functionality needed for reliability and the flexibility required for ease of manufacture and device bending.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a rigid encapsulation structure is used to prevent moisture and oxygen penetration, then reliability is improved, but the device cannot be bent or flexed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid encapsulation with flexible thin film multilayers that can conform to bent surfaces. These flexible encapsulation layers maintain their barrier functionality while allowing the device to be bent or flexed, thus simultaneously achieving both reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the encapsulation material from rigid to flexible by selecting appropriate polymer materials and controlling film thickness. This parameter change enables the encapsulation structure to provide both protection against moisture/oxygen and flexibility for bending applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the encapsulation layer is made thicker to prevent moisture and oxygen penetration, then reliability is improved, but the device becomes bulkier and less thin-type

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidthickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite multilayer structures where thin inorganic barrier layers (providing excellent moisture and oxygen barrier properties) are combined with organic flexible layers. This composite approach achieves effective encapsulation with minimal total thickness, preventing the need for thick single-layer encapsulation that would increase device bulk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs ultra-thin flexible film structures that provide effective barrier protection without adding significant thickness to the device. These thin film encapsulation layers maintain device thinness while providing sufficient protection against moisture and oxygen penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 moisture and oxygen penetration, thereby improving the encapsulating properties and extending the lifespan of the electroluminescent device, ensuring reliable operation and maintaining high display quality.

Implementation Method 1

The flexible encapsulation multilayer may be disposed on the emission area and the peripheral area... The peripheral area may include an inorganic surface portion... that directly contacts the lower surface of the flexible encapsulation multilayer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier:

Data Source

PatentUS10833291B2Display device

Publication Date: 2020.11.10 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

An electroluminescent device includes a lower structure and a flexible encapsulation multilayer. The lower structure may have an emission area and a peripheral area surrounding the emission area. The flexible encapsulation multilayer may be disposed on the emission area and the peripheral area. The peripheral area may include an inorganic surface portion having a closed shape continuously surrounding the display area and comprising one or more inorganic materials. The flexible encapsulation multilayer may include a lower surface comprising only one or more inorganic materials. The lower surface of flexible encapsulation multilayer may be in direction contact with the inorganic surface portion.