Micro LED Display Fluidic Self-Assembly and Wafer Bonding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for fabricating micro LED displays face challenges in reducing power consumption, achieving high manufacturing yield, and managing defectivity, particularly in transferring multiple color micro LEDs, which are costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The approach involves manufacturing monolithic red, green, and blue pixels on a wafer and transferring them as a whole pixel using wafer-to-wafer bonding equipment, with techniques like thermo-compression bonding and fluidic self-assembly to align and bond micro LEDs to a display backplane, reducing defect density and manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional methods are used to transfer multiple color micro LEDs, then manufacturing complexity increases and costs rise, but manufacturing yield and defectivity management deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing yield
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple color micro LEDs (red, green, blue) into integrated pixel elements that are transferred and assembled together as single units. This merging approach simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of separate transfer operations needed, thereby improving productivity while maintaining high manufacturing yield through coordinated assembly of complete pixel elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a universal transfer and assembly system that can handle multiple color micro LEDs and pixel elements through a single integrated process. The methodology provides multi-functional capabilities for transferring, aligning, and bonding different types of micro LED components, improving manufacturing efficiency without compromising yield through specialized dedicated processes for each color.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If micro LEDs are transferred using conventional techniques, then manufacturing costs increase, but power consumption and defect density management worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-aligned transfer and assembly processes where micro LEDs and pixel elements automatically position themselves through the bonding methodology. This self-service approach reduces the need for complex external alignment equipment and manual intervention, lowering manufacturing costs while minimizing energy consumption through automated self-organizing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical alignment and bonding systems with advanced bonding techniques that reduce reliance on complex mechanical positioning equipment. This substitution lowers manufacturing costs by simplifying equipment requirements and reduces power consumption by eliminating energy-intensive mechanical alignment processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If micro LEDs are assembled with high precision alignment, then manufacturing yield improves, but manufacturing complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing yieldVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs preliminary preparation of micro LEDs and pixel elements with pre-defined bonding interfaces and alignment features before the actual assembly process. This preliminary action ensures that when assembly occurs, high precision alignment is achieved automatically through the pre-prepared structures, improving manufacturing yield without requiring complex real-time alignment systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary structures such as carrier substrates and bonding layers that facilitate precise alignment between micro LEDs and pixel elements. These intermediaries act as mediators that simplify the alignment process by providing reference surfaces and bonding interfaces, thereby achieving high manufacturing yield through reduced assembly process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 method results in low-power micro LED displays with improved manufacturing efficiency, higher yield, and reduced defect density, enabling longer battery life and cost-effectiveness compared to OLED displays.

Implementation Method 1

techniques like thermo-compression bonding and fluidic self-assembly to align and bond micro LEDs to a display backplane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermo-compression bonding:

Implementation Method 2

techniques like thermo-compression bonding and fluidic self-assembly to align and bond micro LEDs to a display backplane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluidic self-assembly: Self-Assembly

Data Source

PatentUS10361337B2Micro light-emitting diode (LED) display and fluidic self-assembly of same
Publication Date: 2019.07.23 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US10361337B2 patent drawing
  • US10361337B2 patent drawing
  • US10361337B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Micro light-emitting diode (LED) displays and assembly apparatuses are described. In an example, method of manufacturing a micro-light emitting diode (LED) display panel includes positioning a display backplane substrate in a tank or container, the display backplane substrate having microgrooves therein. The method also includes adding a fluid to the tank or container, the fluid including a suspension of light-emitting diode (LED) pixel elements therein. The method also includes moving the fluid over the display backplane substrate. The method also includes assembling LED pixel elements from the fluid into corresponding ones of the microgrooves.