Non-Planar Substrate for AMOLED Encapsulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) display panels, water vapor and oxygen can easily enter the display area through damaged areas of the inorganic layer in the non-display area, leading to reduced display performance due to the small bonding force between the inorganic layer and the substrate with planar surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A display panel design featuring a non-planar substrate surface with an inorganic layer conformally contacting the substrate, along with an encapsulation layer and dams, enhances the bonding force between the inorganic layer and the substrate, preventing water vapor and oxygen from entering the display area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the substrate surface is planar, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the bonding force between the inorganic layer and the substrate is small, leading to water vapor and oxygen entry
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate surface is designed with a non-planar configuration featuring protrusions and recesses instead of a flat surface. This curved/topographic structure increases the surface area and creates mechanical interlocking with the inorganic layer, thereby enhancing bonding force and preventing water vapor and oxygen penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate surface exhibits local variations in topology with specific protrusions and recesses distributed across the surface. These localized structural features create regions of enhanced bonding interaction with the inorganic layer, improving overall adhesion strength without requiring the entire structure to be complex.
2Reliability
If the inorganic layer is made thicker to prevent water vapor and oxygen entry, then protection improves, but the risk of cracking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-planar substrate surface with protrusions and recesses allows the inorganic layer to conform to the topography. This reduces stress concentration that would occur on flat surfaces with thick layers, distributing mechanical stresses more evenly and reducing crack formation while maintaining protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate surface is effectively segmented into multiple protrusion and recess regions. This segmentation allows the inorganic layer to be divided into corresponding segments that can independently accommodate stress, reducing the likelihood of continuous crack propagation across the entire layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A display panel including a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area, wherein the non-display area includes: a substrate, at least a part of a surface of the substrate being non-planar; and an inorganic layer conformally located on one side of the substrate and in contact with the at least a part of the surface.