Flexible OLED Encapsulation Groove for Moisture Barrier Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organic light emitting display devices face challenges in preventing moisture and oxygen infiltration, which can degrade the organic light emitting layer and reduce the device's lifespan.

Innovation Solution

The organic light emitting display device incorporates a flexible substrate with an undercut groove, a common layer including an organic light emitting layer that is disconnected by the groove, and an encapsulation member that covers the common layer, effectively blocking moisture and oxygen infiltration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a continuous common layer is used to cover the flexible substrate, then the encapsulation coverage is improved, but moisture and oxygen infiltration paths increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveencapsulation coverageVSAvoidmoisture and oxygen infiltration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The common layer is divided into multiple disconnected segments by the undercut groove, creating isolated regions that prevent continuous moisture and oxygen infiltration paths while maintaining encapsulation coverage over the flexible substrate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The groove is designed with different widths at different depths (wider at the second barrier layer, narrower at the first barrier layer), creating localized variations in the barrier structure that enhance moisture blocking at critical interfaces while maintaining overall encapsulation integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the groove width is increased to improve moisture barrier properties, then the disconnection of the common layer is improved, but the structural strength of the flexible substrate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture barrier propertiesVSAvoidstructural strength of flexible substrate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The groove width is locally optimized at different depths: wider at the second barrier layer to enhance moisture blocking, and narrower at the first barrier layer to maintain structural strength, creating a non-uniform geometry that balances both requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The groove extends in the depth dimension with varying width, transitioning from wider at the bottom to narrower at the top, utilizing the third dimension to achieve both moisture barrier enhancement and structural strength preservation simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This configuration enhances the device's moisture barrier properties, thereby improving the lifespan and performance of the organic light emitting display device by preventing degradation from external moisture and oxygen.

Implementation Method 1

a laser absorption rate of the first plastic layer may be greater than a laser absorption rate of the first barrier layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS12336378B2Organic light emitting display device and method of manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

An organic light emitting display device may include a flexible substrate, a common layer, and an encapsulation member. An undercut groove may be formed on the flexible substrate. The common layer may be disposed on the flexible substrate, may include an organic light emitting layer, and may be disconnected by the groove. The encapsulation member may be disposed on the common layer, and may cover the common layer.