OLED Display Component Area Layout With Undercut Metal Layer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Display apparatuses face challenges in expanding their display area while maintaining reliability and functionality, particularly in integrating electronic components and achieving efficient light transmission and image display.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus with a substrate featuring a main display area, a component area, and a peripheral area, including a lower metal layer with a undercut structure, thin-film transistors, and organic light-emitting diodes, where the lower metal layer has distinct thicknesses and materials to support both display and component functions, and a method of manufacturing involving laser processing to enhance light transmittance and prevent component degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the display area is enlarged to include component areas, then the image display area is expanded, but the reliability deteriorates due to integration of electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is divided into distinct functional areas: a main display area for high-quality image display and a component area for housing electronic components. This segmentation allows each area to be optimized independently, maintaining display reliability while expanding the overall functional area of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the substrate are assigned different structural characteristics. The main display area employs a uniform lower metal layer for optimal light transmission, while the component area incorporates an undercut structure in the lower metal layer to accommodate electronic components, ensuring each region has the local quality needed for its specific function.
2Ease of manufacture
If a uniform lower metal layer is used across the entire substrate, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the light transmittance deteriorates in the component area
Solution Approach 1:
The lower metal layer is designed with spatially varying thickness: a first thickness in the main display area for optimal light transmission and a second thickness with undercut structure in the component area for component integration. This local differentiation optimizes both light transmittance and component accommodation without requiring complete redesign of the entire layer structure.
3Strength
If the lower metal layer thickness is increased to support components, then the structural strength is improved, but the light transmittance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lower metal layer is segmented into two distinct thickness regions: a thinner first thickness in the main display area to maximize light transmission, and a thicker second thickness with undercut structure in the component area to provide structural support for electronic components. This segmentation resolves the conflict between strength and light transmittance by applying appropriate thickness locally.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower metal layer in the component area incorporates an undercut structure that extends horizontally beneath the component area, providing structural support without increasing the vertical thickness in the light transmission path. This dimensional approach allows structural reinforcement while maintaining light transmittance performance.
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 enables an enlarged display area with improved reliability and functionality by effectively integrating electronic components and enhancing light transmittance, allowing for diverse applications and expanded uses of display apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating a lower surface of the substrate that is opposite to the upper surface of the substrate in the transmission area with a laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes a substrate including a main display area, a component area, and a peripheral area. The component area includes a transmission area, and the peripheral area is arranged outside the main display area. The display apparatus further includes a main thin-film transistor arranged in the main display area, a main organic light-emitting diode arranged in the main display area and connected to the main thin-film transistor, an auxiliary thin-film transistor arranged in the component area, an auxiliary organic light-emitting diode arranged in the component area and connected to the auxiliary thin-film transistor, and a lower metal layer arranged between the substrate and the auxiliary thin-film transistor in the component area and having an undercut structure.