Inorganic Barrier Layer for LED Display Outgas Contamination

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light emitting diode displays face challenges in preventing contamination and contraction of the light emission layer due to outgases from organic materials, which affects the reliability and performance of the display.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an inorganic layer that surrounds the light emission layer, preventing outgases from organic materials from entering and thus reducing contamination and enhancing the reliability of the display by using inorganic materials for the pixel electrode, common electrode, and encapsulation layers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If organic materials are used in the display structure, then ease of manufacture is improved, but contamination and contraction of the light emission layer occur due to outgases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An inorganic layer is introduced as an intermediary between the organic pixel defining layer and the light emission layer. This inorganic layer acts as a barrier that prevents outgases from the organic materials from reaching and contaminating the light emission layer, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture (using organic materials) and reliability (preventing contamination).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The display structure employs a composite material approach by combining organic materials (pixel defining layer) with inorganic materials (inorganic layer) in a multi-layer configuration. The organic layer provides manufacturing advantages while the inorganic layer provides protective barriers against outgases, achieving both ease of manufacture and reliability through material composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If the light emission layer is surrounded by organic materials, then ease of manufacture is improved, but outgases from organic materials cause contamination and deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The inorganic layer serves as a protective intermediary that blocks the harmful outgases from organic materials from reaching the light emission layer. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the organic materials for ease of manufacture while preventing their harmful effects through the inorganic barrier layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful outgases are effectively extracted or blocked from reaching the light emission layer by the inorganic layer. This separation allows the organic materials to remain in the structure for manufacturing benefits while their harmful byproducts are prevented from contaminating the light emission layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If inorganic layer is added to surround light emission layer, then reliability is improved by preventing contamination, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single inorganic layer is introduced as a simple intermediary barrier between the organic pixel defining layer and the light emission layer. This straightforward addition provides reliable protection against contamination without significantly complicating the device structure, as it integrates seamlessly into the existing multi-layer architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The inorganic layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a barrier against outgases, provides structural support, and maintains the integrity of the light emission layer. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single layer addition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 inorganic layer effectively prevents outgases from contaminating the light emission layer, improving the reliability and performance of the light emitting diode display by surrounding it with inorganic materials, which enhances the display's quality and reduces deterioration.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating an inorganic layer that surrounds the light emission layer, preventing outgases from organic materials from entering and thus reducing contamination

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP3522230B1Light emitting diode display

Publication Date: 2020.12.30

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A light emitting diode display includes a first electrode, a second electrode overlapping the first electrode, a light emission layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, a pixel defining layer overlapping a part of the first electrode, the pixel defining layer and the light emission layer being spaced apart from each other in a top view, and an inorganic layer between the first electrode and the light emission layer, and an edge of the inorganic layer overlapping the light emission layer and the pixel defining layer.