Flexible Packaging Thin Film via Electrostatic Layering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional packaging methods for organic light emitting devices, such as glass packaging and vacuum deposition of thin films, result in thick and rigid devices that are difficult to apply on curved surfaces and are costly, while also requiring expensive equipment.

Innovation Solution

A method of manufacturing a package thin film involving pretreatment of a substrate with positive or negative charges, followed by immersion in nano material and moisture absorbent solutions to form alternately stacked layers, which are then sealed using a self-assembly process, eliminating the need for vacuum devices and allowing for flexible and cost-effective large-area manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If package glass is used for packaging, then water and oxygen blocking function is achieved, but device thickness increases and flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater and oxygen blocking functionVSAvoidflexibility and applicability on curved surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid package glass with flexible thin film packaging layers, including organic light-emitting layer, inorganic barrier layer, and encapsulation layer. These thin films maintain water and oxygen blocking functionality while enabling device flexibility and curved surface application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite packaging structure combining multiple materials: organic light-emitting materials, inorganic barrier materials (such as aluminum oxide, silicon oxide), and encapsulation materials. This composite approach achieves effective moisture and oxygen blocking while maintaining thin profile and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If package glass with additional moisture absorbent is used, then water and oxygen blocking is improved, but device thickness and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater and oxygen blocking functionVSAvoidnumber of additional components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates moisture absorption function directly into the packaging thin film structure itself, rather than adding separate moisture absorbent components. The inorganic barrier layer and encapsulation layer work together to provide both blocking and moisture management functions, simplifying device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If vacuum deposition method is used for thin film packaging, then flexibility and reduced thickness are achieved, but manufacturing cost increases due to expensive equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility and thin profileVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive vacuum deposition equipment with solution-based processing methods. The inorganic barrier layer and organic layers are deposited from aqueous or organic solutions through dip-coating, spray-coating, or spin-coating techniques, eliminating the need for high-vacuum systems while achieving comparable or superior film quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes liquid solutions (aqueous or organic) as the medium for depositing packaging layers, replacing gas-phase vacuum deposition. The solutions contain dissolved inorganic and organic materials that are deposited onto the substrate through liquid handling techniques, enabling low-cost manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 method produces a thin, flexible package film that effectively blocks water and oxygen, enabling application on flexible devices and reducing manufacturing costs by simplifying the process and eliminating the need for expensive vacuum equipment.

Implementation Method 1

performing pretreatment to a substrate, thereby a surface thereof being provided with positive charges or negative charges

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic charge: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

immersing the pretreated substrate in a nano material solution with contrary charges with respect to those in the step S1 or in a solution of polycation organic material provided the pretreated substrate carriers negative charges

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Implementation Method 3

constructing the package thin film through a simple immersion method... performing self assembly of each layer according to the principle of layered assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelf-assembly: Self-Assembly

Implementation Method 4

the moisture absorbent is a montmorillonite solution... forming a moisture absorption layer attached on the nano material layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3306696B1Methof of manufacturing a packaging thin-film
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3306696B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3306696B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A package thin film and a manufacturing method thereof, a light emitting device, a display panel and a display device are provided. The package thin film may comprise: a nano material layer or a polycation organic material layer, a moisture absorption layer formed on the nano material layer or the polycation organic material layer, a sealing layer for sealing the nano material layer or the polycation organic material layer and the moisture absorption layer. The package structure provided by embodiments of the present invention is formed by alternate assembly of materials (the nano material layer or the polycation organic material layer and the moisture absorption layer) with different charges.