Flexible Substrate Mesh Current Sinking Layer Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current OLED display devices face challenges with poor electrical conductivity of anode materials, which affects the overall performance and efficiency of the display.

Innovation Solution

A flexible substrate with a mesh depression layer embedding a mesh current sinking layer made of metallic materials like silver, enhancing electrical conductivity and smoothness, is developed. The mesh current sinking layer is flush with the substrate's surface, improving contact with the anode and addressing conductivity issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conductive polymer materials are used as anode materials, then the anode can be manufactured with simple process, but the electrical conductivity is poor compared with metal and ITO materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidelectrical conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining conductive polymer material and metal nanoparticle pattern. The metal nanoparticle pattern is embedded in the conductive polymer material, creating a composite anode structure that leverages both the ease of manufacture of polymers and the high conductivity of metals, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and electrical conductivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a metal nanoparticle pattern with specific spatial distribution within the conductive polymer material. The metal nanoparticles are concentrated in specific regions to form conductive pathways, while the polymer material provides the base structure. This localized enhancement of conductivity through patterned metal nanoparticles resolves the contradiction by maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity while achieving high conductivity at critical locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If metal silver pattern is bonded on support body with adhesive layer, then the electrical conductivity is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses conductive polymer material as an intermediary between the metal nanoparticle pattern and the substrate. The metal nanoparticles are embedded within the polymer matrix, which acts as a bonding medium and conductive pathway. This intermediary approach simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for separate adhesive layers and complex bonding steps, while maintaining high electrical conductivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the anode surface is made smooth for better contact, then the carrier injection is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier injection efficiencyVSAvoidsurface smoothness control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surface morphology parameters by creating a metal nanoparticle pattern within the conductive polymer material. The nanoparticle size, distribution density, and pattern geometry are optimized to achieve smooth surface contact while maintaining high conductivity. This parameter optimization allows the anode to achieve good carrier injection efficiency without requiring extreme manufacturing precision, as the nanoparticle pattern naturally fills surface irregularities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 flexible substrate significantly enhances the electrical conductivity and smoothness of the anode, improving carrier injection and overall performance of OLED display devices, making them more efficient and aesthetically appealing by being thinner and lighter.

Implementation Method 1

a metallic mesh layer; wherein the metallic mesh layer comprises a plurality of metal lines arranged in a mesh pattern... the metallic mesh layer enhances the electrical conductivity of the flexible substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

The metallic mesh layer has a precisely controlled nanostructure... The sheet is composed of a substrate containing an array of wire electrodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2996167B1Flexible substrate, manufacturing method for same, and OLED display apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 HEFEI BOE OPTOELECTRONIC TECH CO LTD
  • EP2996167B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2996167B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2996167B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A flexible substrate, a manufacturing method for the flexible substrate and an OLED display device including the flexible substrate are provided. The flexible substrate includes a flexible base on which a mesh depression layer is provided, in which a mesh current sinking layer is embedded. The mesh current sinking layer is configured to enhance electrical conductivity of the flexible substrate. With the mesh depression layer, the mesh current sinking layer may be embedded in the flexible substrate, which effectively enhances the electrical conductivity of the flexible substrate.