Modular Gas Enclosure Assembly for Inert OLED Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in creating a hermetically sealed gas enclosure system that can maintain an inert, particle-free environment for OLED printing, particularly for larger substrate sizes, while allowing for easy access and minimal downtime during processing and maintenance, as existing solutions struggle with scaling and maintaining low levels of reactive species like oxygen and water vapor.
Innovation Solution
A gas enclosure assembly with a modular design featuring frame members that can be sealed together using reusable fasteners, incorporating ductwork for gas circulation and filtration, and a pressurized inert gas recirculation system to maintain low levels of reactive species and particles, ensuring an ISO 14644 Class 3 and Class 4 clean room environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a hermetically sealed gas enclosure is used to maintain inert atmosphere, then the level of reactive species (oxygen, water vapor) is reduced, but the complexity of the system increases and access for maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The gas enclosure system is divided into modular sections with standardized frame members that can be assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows the complex sealed environment to be constructed from manageable components while maintaining hermetic seals through gasket systems at the joints between modules.
Solution Approach 2:
Gasket seals serve as intermediary elements between frame members to achieve hermetic sealing. These gaskets mediate the connection between structural components, providing the necessary seal to maintain inert atmosphere without requiring direct metal-to-metal sealing which would increase complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If the gas enclosure is designed for large substrate sizes, then the fabrication capability is improved, but the volume of the enclosure increases requiring more inert gas and higher purification requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is designed as a modular system where multiple frame members can be connected to create larger fabrication areas. This allows the system to scale to accommodate large substrates while maintaining manageable gas volumes through efficient modular configuration rather than requiring a single large enclosed space.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the enclosure is hermetically sealed to maintain clean environment, then particle contamination is reduced, but access for maintenance and operation becomes restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The modular frame structure allows specific sections to be accessed or removed for maintenance while the rest of the enclosure remains sealed. This segmentation enables maintenance operations without requiring complete disassembly or breaking the hermetic seal of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic access mechanisms such as removable panels or adjustable frame sections that allow maintenance personnel to access internal components while maintaining the overall hermetic seal. This dynamic design provides flexibility for operation and maintenance without compromising the particle-free environment.
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 solution enables the creation of a scalable, hermetically sealed environment that maintains low levels of reactive species and particles, facilitating the production of OLED panels on larger substrates with reduced downtime and improved maintenance access, thereby enhancing the longevity and quality of OLED displays.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating ductwork for gas circulation and filtration, and a pressurized inert gas recirculation system to maintain low levels of reactive species and particles
Data Source
AI summary
The present teachings relate to various embodiments of an hermetically-sealed gas enclosure assembly and system that can be readily transportable and assemblable and provide for maintaining a minimum inert gas volume and maximal access to various devices and apparatuses enclosed therein. Various embodiments of an hermetically-sealed gas enclosure assembly and system of the present teachings can have a gas enclosure assembly constructed in a fashion that minimizes the internal volume of a gas enclosure assembly, and at the same time optimizes the working space to accommodate a variety of footprints of various OLED printing systems. Various embodiments of a gas enclosure assembly so constructed additionally provide ready access to the interior of a gas enclosure assembly from the exterior during processing and readily access to the interior for maintenance, while minimizing downtime.