OLED Barrier Rib Isolating Groove Ink Crossover Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, ink can cross over barrier ribs and flow into neighboring pixels due to hydrophilic ink properties, leading to non-uniform thickness and light leakage issues, which are exacerbated by hydrophobic surface treatments that fail to prevent ink crossover without affecting the side portions of the barrier ribs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an isolating groove with a hydrophilic surface treatment on the barrier rib between pixels, which prevents ink from crossing over and ensures uniform thickness by forming a step shape that assists in ink containment, thereby eliminating the need for hydrophobic surface treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrophobic surface treatment is applied to the barrier rib, then ink crossover is prevented, but the thickness becomes non-uniform and light leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier rib is segmented into multiple functional regions: a first region with hydrophobic treatment for preventing ink crossover, and a second region with hydrophilic treatment for ensuring uniform ink thickness. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between ink containment and thickness uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different surface properties are applied to different portions of the barrier rib. The upper surface has hydrophobic properties for ink containment, while the side surface has hydrophilic properties for uniform ink coating. This local differentiation of properties enables the barrier rib to simultaneously achieve both ink containment and thickness uniformity.
2Reliability
If hydrophobic surface treatment is applied to the barrier rib, then ink crossover is prevented, but color reproducibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier rib is divided into functional zones where the side surface has hydrophilic properties to ensure uniform ink thickness for consistent color, while the upper surface has hydrophobic properties to prevent ink crossover. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between ink containment and color reproducibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different surface treatments are applied locally to different portions of the barrier rib. The hydrophilic side surface ensures uniform ink coating for accurate color reproduction, while the hydrophobic upper surface prevents ink leakage, thereby maintaining both ink containment and color reproducibility.
3Manufacturing precision
If no hydrophobic surface treatment is applied, then thickness uniformity is maintained, but ink flows into neighboring pixels
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier rib is segmented into a first region with hydrophobic treatment for ink containment and a second region with hydrophilic treatment for uniform thickness. This segmentation allows the structure to achieve both ink containment and thickness uniformity simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
Different surface properties are assigned to different regions of the barrier rib: hydrophobic properties on the upper surface for preventing ink flow, and hydrophilic properties on the side surface for ensuring uniform ink thickness. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between ink containment and thickness uniformity.
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 effectively prevents ink from flowing into neighboring pixels, maintains uniform thickness, and enhances the barrier effect, reducing light leakage and improving color reproducibility in OLED displays.
Implementation Method 1
the side surface of the isolating groove may have undergone a hydrophilic surface treatment
Implementation Method 2
hydrophilic ink does not pass over the barrier rib which has undergone the hydrophobic surface treatment
Data Source
AI summary
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display may be constructed with a substrate; a first electrode formed on the substrate; a barrier rib formed on the substrate and having an opening exposing the first electrode; an organic emission layer formed on the first electrode; and a second electrode formed on the organic emission layer. The barrier rib includes an isolating groove formed between organic emission layers of neighboring pixels. Accordingly, in the organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, the isolating groove is formed at the barrier rib such that ink is prevented from crossing over the barrier rib and flowing into a neighboring pixel without a hydrophobic surface treatment of the barrier rib.