OLED Thin Film Encapsulation Anti-Reflection Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
OLED display devices face challenges with increased thickness and weight due to glass substrates for protection from external factors, and reflection of external light reduces contrast and visibility, especially in outdoor use.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a thin film encapsulation layer and an anti-reflection layer comprising dielectric and metal layers, alternately stacked, to prevent oxygen and moisture penetration and reduce external light reflection, thereby maintaining durability and improving visibility without the need for a circular polarizer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a glass substrate is used to protect the OLED from oxygen and moisture, then the durability and reliability are improved, but the overall thickness and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional thick glass substrate with a thin film encapsulation layer consisting of multiple alternating inorganic and organic layers. This thin film structure provides the necessary protection against oxygen and moisture while significantly reducing the overall thickness and weight of the display device, directly resolving the contradiction between durability and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulation layer is constructed as a composite structure with alternating inorganic layers (providing barrier properties against oxygen and moisture) and organic layers (providing flexibility and stress relief). This composite material approach maintains high reliability while achieving low weight and thin profile.
2Reliability
If a circular polarizer is arranged on the OLED surface to reduce external light reflection, then the visibility is improved, but the overall thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the encapsulation layer by carefully controlling the thickness and refractive index of alternating inorganic and organic layers. This creates an anti-reflection effect that reduces external light reflection and improves visibility without requiring a separate circular polarizer, thereby avoiding the thickness penalty.
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulation layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides protection against oxygen and moisture (durability), reduces external light reflection (visibility), and maintains a thin profile. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and resolves the contradiction between visibility improvement and thickness control.
3Weight of stationary object
If a thin film encapsulation layer is used instead of glass substrate, then the thickness and weight are reduced, but the protection against oxygen and moisture must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure with alternating inorganic layers (providing excellent barrier properties against oxygen and moisture penetration) and organic layers (providing flexibility and stress management). This composite design ensures that the thin film encapsulation layer maintains superior protection against external factors while achieving reduced weight and thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulation layer is segmented into multiple thin alternating inorganic and organic layers rather than using a single thick layer. This segmentation approach enhances the barrier effect against oxygen and moisture while maintaining flexibility and reducing overall thickness, thus resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and protection maintenance.
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 solution reduces the overall thickness and weight of the OLED display while enhancing durability and visibility by effectively preventing moisture and oxygen ingress and minimizing external light reflection, resulting in a lightweight, slim, and reliable display device.
Implementation Method 1
a thin film encapsulation layer arranged on the substrate to cover the OLED... preventing oxygen and moisture from penetrating into an organic light emitting diode (OLED)
Implementation Method 2
an anti-reflection layer arranged on the thin film encapsulation layer and including a dielectric layer and a metal layer... reducing reflection of external light
Data Source
AI summary
A display device and a method of manufacturing the same. The display device includes a substrate, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) arranged on the substrate, a thin film encapsulation layer arranged on the substrate to cover the OLED and including an inorganic material layer and an organic material layer, and an anti-reflection layer arranged on the thin film encapsulation layer and including a dielectric layer and a metal layer.