Hole-In Display Electrode Patterning Against Moisture Ingress

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to prevent moisture penetration and cracks in display devices with hole-in display (HID) designs, which can lead to deteriorated display quality and device defects.

Innovation Solution

A display device is designed with a light emitting stack that is patterned to block lateral moisture penetration paths, and a dam structure is incorporated to prevent micro cracks, along with a method of manufacturing that includes forming a substrate, sacrificial layer, and dam, followed by patterning the light emitting stack and disposing a capping layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a through-hole is formed in the non-display area to enable hole-in display design, then display flexibility and modern design are improved, but moisture penetration paths are created leading to display quality deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay flexibilityVSAvoidmoisture penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a light emitting stack as an intermediary barrier structure that extends from the display area into the non-display area, blocking moisture penetration paths while preserving the through-hole design for display flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The light emitting stack is extended in the vertical dimension from the display area into the non-display area, creating a three-dimensional barrier that blocks lateral moisture penetration while maintaining the two-dimensional through-hole appearance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the light emitting stack is extended into the non-display area to block moisture, then moisture penetration is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture penetrationVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light emitting stack serves multiple functions simultaneously: it emits light for display purposes and acts as a moisture barrier in the non-display area, eliminating the need for separate protective structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the light emitting function with the moisture barrier function into a single integrated structure, reducing overall device complexity while achieving both objectives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the substrate is removed to create hole-in display, then display area flexibility is improved, but cracks and moisture penetration occur causing display quality deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay area flexibilityVSAvoiddisplay quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The light emitting stack is constructed beforehand to extend into the non-display area, providing preventive protection against moisture penetration and cracks before they can affect the display quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4557920A1Display device and manufacturing method thereof
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 LG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4557920A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4557920A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4557920A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Discussed is a display device (100) that includes a substrate (301) having a non-display area (NA, OA) having a through-hole (TH) and a display area (AA) adjacent to the non-display area (NA, OA), an insulating layer (308) disposed on the substrate (301), a light emitting stack (352) disposed on the insulating layer (308), an electrode (353) extending from the display area (AA) to the non-display area (NA, OA) and disposed on the light emitting stack (352), and an electrode patterning material layer (420) contacting one end of the electrode (353), and disposed on the light emitting stack (352). One end of the light emitting stack (352) and one end of the electrode patterning material layer (420) can coincide. It is possible to provide a display device (100) capable of preventing or reducing lateral moisture penetration due to a presence of the light emitting stack (352).