Hydrophobic Blocking Layer on Through Portion for Moisture Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The expansion of display areas in display apparatuses, which includes forming grooves or through portions for internal components like cameras, creates moisture transmission paths that allow external moisture to penetrate, compromising the apparatus's integrity.

Innovation Solution

A display apparatus design featuring a substrate with a display area, a first non-display area, and a second non-display area, where a through portion in the second non-display area is surrounded by the display area and equipped with a hydrophobic blocking layer made from a metal oxide, which prevents moisture penetration by covering the inner surface of the through portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a through portion is formed inside the display area to arrange separate members (e.g., camera), then the display area can be expanded with additional functions, but moisture transmission paths are created that allow external moisture to penetrate into the display area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay area expansionVSAvoidmoisture resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A hydrophobic blocking layer is introduced as an intermediary substance coating the inner surface of the through portion. This blocking layer, made from metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed in a binder resin, acts as a mediator that allows the through portion to maintain its structural function while preventing moisture penetration. The hydrophobic nature of the blocking layer creates a moisture barrier without blocking the through portion's opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The surface properties of the through portion are changed by coating it with a hydrophobic blocking layer. The blocking layer has different surface energy characteristics compared to the original substrate material, creating a water-repellent surface. This parameter change in surface hydrophobicity prevents moisture adhesion and penetration while maintaining the through portion's geometric structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the display area is expanded by adding separate members, then the functionality of the display apparatus is enhanced, but the non-display area must be increased to accommodate additional structures

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidnon-display area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The solution moves from a two-dimensional planar expansion approach to a three-dimensional vertical integration approach. Instead of expanding the non-display area horizontally to accommodate separate members, the through portion allows vertical penetration through the substrate, enabling components to be positioned in the thickness direction. This dimensional change allows the display area to be maximized while minimizing the non-display area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If a through portion is formed to locate separate members inside the display area, then the display area can be fully utilized, but the through portion serves as a moisture transmission path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay area utilizationVSAvoidmoisture penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrophobic blocking layer converts the potential harm of the through portion (moisture transmission path) into a benefit by creating a moisture barrier. The blocking layer's hydrophobic properties cause moisture to bead up and roll off rather than penetrate, effectively transforming the through portion from a vulnerability into a moisture-resistant feature while maintaining full display area utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 effectively blocks moisture penetration, allowing for the expansion of the display area without increasing the non-display area, thus enhancing the apparatus's moisture resistance and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a hydrophobic blocking layer on an inner side surface of the through portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS11751423B2Display apparatus including hydrophobic blocking layer on through portion and method of manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2023.09.05 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display apparatus includes: a substrate including: a display area including a plurality of thin film transistors, and a plurality of display elements electrically connected to the plurality of thin film transistors; a first non-display area outside the display area; and a second non-display area at least partially surrounded by the display area; a through portion passing through the substrate in a vertical direction in the second non-display area; a metal layer surrounding the through portion at the second non-display area; and a hydrophobic blocking layer on an inner side surface of the through portion. The hydrophobic blocking layer includes an oxide of a metal material of the metal layer.