Anode Layer Segmentation for Flexible OLED Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inorganic layer in current flexible OLED display panels is ineffective in blocking water and oxygen, leading to detachment of the anode layer's indium tin oxide and silver components, which reduces the electrical conductivity.
Innovation Solution
The anode layer is divided into two sub-portions, with a higher viscosity material in the non-display area to prevent detachment and enhance conductivity, using a stacked structure of titanium, aluminum, and titanium for the second sub-portion and indium tin oxide, silver, and indium tin oxide for the first sub-portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an inorganic layer is used to encapsulate the OLED panel, then the panel structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the inorganic layer cannot effectively block water and oxygen, leading to anode layer detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite encapsulation structure combining organic encapsulation layers with inorganic barrier layers. The organic layers provide flexibility and conformal coverage, while the inorganic layers provide superior water and oxygen blocking ability, creating a synergistic protective system that overcomes the limitations of using either material type alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulation structure employs multiple nested layers where organic and inorganic encapsulation layers are alternately stacked. Each layer is positioned within and protects the previous layer, creating a multi-barrier system that progressively blocks water and oxygen penetration paths while maintaining structural integrity.
2Reliability
If the anode layer uses a whole layer structure extending to the non-display area, then the electrical conductivity is maintained, but the anode layer becomes vulnerable to water and oxygen penetration causing detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The anode layer is segmented into display area and non-display area portions with different material compositions. The display area uses ITO/silver/ITO for optimal conductivity, while the non-display area uses a different material structure that provides both conductivity and enhanced resistance to water and oxygen penetration, preventing detachment at the edges.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the anode layer are assigned different material properties tailored to their specific functional requirements. The display area receives high-conductivity materials for electrical performance, while the non-display area receives materials with balanced conductivity and environmental stability, creating local optimization throughout the structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the anode layer material has low viscosity for easy processing, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the material cannot effectively prevent detachment when exposed to water and oxygen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the material parameters of the anode layer, specifically adjusting viscosity and compositional ratios, to achieve optimal balance between processability and performance. The material composition is tuned to provide sufficient viscosity for detachment resistance while maintaining manufacturability through standard processing techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
A display panel and a display module, the display panel includes a substrate. The display panel includes a display area and a non-display area; a switch array layer disposed on the substrate, the switch array layer includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer; an anode layer disposed on the switch array layer, the anode layer includes a first sub-portion positioned within the display area and a second sub-portion positioned within the non-display area; viscosity of material of the second sub-portion is greater than viscosity of material of the first sub-portion. The display panel and the display module of the invention can avoid detach of the anode layer, thereby improving electrical conductivity of the anode layer.