OLED Contact Electrode Insulating Layer Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
In OLED displays, a smooth contact between the contact electrode in the non-display area and the upper electrode in the display area is not achieved, leading to potential short circuits and damage due to electric field concentration on the upper edge of the contact electrode.
Innovation Solution
The OLED display includes a contact unit with insulating layers that expose a portion of the contact electrode, allowing for a smooth electrical connection between the contact electrode in the non-display area and the upper electrode in the display area, preventing electric field concentration and short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the contact electrode is formed in the non-display area to supply power to upper electrodes, then power supply function is improved, but short circuit between contact electrode and upper electrode occurs due to poor contact smoothness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a contact unit as an intermediary structure between the contact electrode and upper electrode. This contact unit includes a contact hole penetrating through the insulating layer and a filling material that fills the contact hole, creating a smooth transitional interface. The intermediary structure eliminates direct abrupt contact between electrodes, preventing short circuits while maintaining power supply function.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact unit is formed in advance before the upper electrode is deposited. The contact hole is created and filled with conductive material through the insulating layer, establishing a pre-prepared smooth contact interface. This preliminary action ensures that when the upper electrode is subsequently formed, it can make smooth contact with the contact electrode without causing short circuits.
2Power
If the contact electrode is formed in the non-display area, then power transfer capability is improved, but electric field concentration occurs on the upper edge of the contact electrode causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The contact unit introduces a curved or rounded transition interface instead of a sharp edge. The filling material in the contact hole creates a gradual geometric transition from the contact electrode to the upper electrode, eliminating the sharp upper edge that causes electric field concentration. This curvature principle distributes the electric field more evenly, preventing damage while maintaining power transfer capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If direct contact between contact electrode and upper electrode is formed, then manufacturing process is simplified, but smooth contact is not achieved leading to short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The contact interface is segmented into distinct components: the contact electrode, the insulating layer with contact hole, the filling material, and the upper electrode. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the insulating layer provides electrical isolation where needed, the contact hole provides a defined pathway, and the filling material provides smooth contact surfaces. The segmented approach achieves manufacturing precision without significantly complicating the overall process.
Data Source
AI summary
An organic light emitting diode display includes a substrate including a display area and a non-display area, subpixels arranged in the display area in a matrix form, a contact electrode that is formed in the non-display area, transfers a power received from the outside, and includes at least one of electrodes included in each subpixel, and a contact unit that includes at least one of insulating layers included in each subpixel and exposes a portion of the contact electrode. An upper electrode included in each subpixel is formed in the display area and the non-display area and is electrically connected to the contact electrode through the contact unit.