Mask Frame Partitioning Stick Rigidity Balance

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mask frame assemblies for thin film deposition in organic light-emitting devices face challenges in maintaining the rigidity and accuracy of partitioning sticks during the manufacturing process, leading to potential deformation and inaccuracies in pattern formation.

Innovation Solution

A mask frame assembly with a partitioning stick design featuring opposing fixing ends and a narrow width portion with alternating concave and protruding portions, and step portions, which are recessed inward from the edges, to define boundary lines and maintain rigidity balance, preventing deformation and ensuring accurate partitioning of pattern regions into unit cell patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the partitioning stick is made with a simple linear structure, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the partitioning stick deforms during manufacturing leading to inaccurate pattern formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidpattern formation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The partitioning stick is divided into multiple segments (first partitioning portion and second partitioning portion) with recessed portions, creating a segmented structure that prevents deformation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized processing steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partitioning stick features local structural variations including recessed portions at specific locations and different width portions, creating non-uniform local geometry that enhances rigidity where needed while maintaining overall manufacturability through controlled processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If the partitioning stick has a narrow width portion with recessed parts, then deformation is prevented and partitioning accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepartitioning accuracyVSAvoidpartitioning stick structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partitioning stick is divided into multiple segments (first partitioning portion and second partitioning portion) with recessed portions, creating a segmented structure that prevents deformation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized processing steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partitioning stick employs asymmetric geometry with varying widths and recessed portions at specific locations, creating an optimized structure that balances rigidity and deformation prevention while remaining manufacturable through controlled processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of manufacture

If the partitioning stick uses a uniform width structure, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the stick cannot maintain rigidity balance and deforms during processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidrigidity balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The partitioning stick features local structural variations including recessed portions at specific locations and different width portions, creating non-uniform local geometry that enhances rigidity where needed while maintaining overall manufacturability through controlled processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10236475B2Mask frame assembly and manufacturing method thereof

Publication Date: 2019.03.19 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A mask frame assembly including a frame, a mask coupled to the frame and including a pattern region for deposition, and a partitioning stick coupled to the frame and configured to partition the pattern region of the mask into unit cell patterns. The partitioning stick includes a pair of opposing fixing ends fixed to sides of the frame, and a narrow width portion connecting the pair of fixing ends and including a first partitioning portion and a second partitioning portion respectively recessed inwards from both edges of the fixing ends in a width direction to maintain rigidity balance between the first and second partitioning portions.