Mask Assembly Within Encapsulation for Narrow-Bezel Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices face challenges in achieving a narrow bezel design while ensuring protection against external materials, moisture, oxygen penetration, and plasma-induced particle generation, which affects the reliability and performance of the display.
Innovation Solution
A mask assembly comprising a mask frame with spaced first and second mask sticks, coated with a coating layer, is integrated into the display device structure, including a substrate, display area, non-display area, and encapsulation layers to prevent material penetration and plasma-induced particle generation, enabling a narrow bezel and reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a narrow bezel design is implemented, then the display area is increased, but the protection against external materials and plasma-induced particles is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested protection by placing the mask assembly inside the encapsulation structure. The mask stick is positioned within the encapsulation layer boundary, creating a nested configuration where the mask assembly is contained within the protective encapsulation structure. This allows the narrow bezel design to maintain protection against external materials while increasing display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulation layer serves as an intermediary protective barrier between the mask assembly and the external environment. The encapsulation layer extends beyond the mask stick to provide additional protection, acting as a mediator that protects the mask assembly from external materials and plasma-induced particles while allowing the narrow bezel design.
2Ease of manufacture
If the mask stick structure is simplified, then the manufacturing process is easier, but the prevention of plasma-induced particle generation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by coating only the specific surface of the mask stick that is exposed to plasma during the manufacturing process. The coating is applied to the mask stick surface that will be in contact with plasma, providing localized protection against plasma-induced particles while keeping the overall structure simple and easy to manufacture.
3Reliability
If the encapsulation layer is extended to cover the mask stick, then the protection against external materials is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the encapsulation layer with the mask assembly structure by extending the encapsulation layer to cover the mask stick. This integration combines two protective functions into a unified structure, improving protection against external materials while minimizing the increase in manufacturing complexity through structural integration.
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 mask assembly allows for a lightweight display device with a narrow bezel, effectively blocking external materials and preventing plasma-induced particles, enhancing the reliability and performance of the display device.
Implementation Method 1
preventing generation of particles due to plasma
Implementation Method 2
blocking diffusion of external materials introduced into a display device
Implementation Method 3
capable of preventing penetration of external materials, such as moisture or oxygen
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject technology provide a mask assembly that allows a display device to have a narrow bezel and a highly reliable structure, where the mask assembly may include a mask frame and a mask stick coupled to the mask frame and including a first mask stick spaced apart in a first direction and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction and a second mask stick spaced apart in the second direction and extending in the first direction. Two opposite end surfaces of the second mask stick may be respectively coupled to corresponding side surfaces of the first mask sticks that may be spaced apart from each other. A method for manufacturing the mask assembly, and a display device are also disclosed.