OLED Data Pad Electrode Adhesion via Insulating Pattern Holes

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Solution Overview

Problem

The insulating film in organic light-emitting displays tends to peel off due to weakened adhesive force, leading to defects in the connection with data driving parts and reduced reliability of the display.

Innovation Solution

Forming electrode holes in the data pad electrodes that overlap with the insulating pattern, ensuring the second interlayer dielectric film is exposed to enhance the adhesive force between the insulating pattern and the data pad electrode, thereby preventing peeling and improving connection reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an insulating film is disposed to cover the contact hole region to prevent pad electrode loss, then pad electrode protection is improved, but adhesive force between the insulating film and underlying layers is weakened causing peeling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepad electrode protectionVSAvoidadhesive force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by forming protrusions on the lower surface of the insulating film at specific contact hole regions. These protrusions are localized structural modifications that enhance adhesion only where needed (at contact holes) without affecting the overall insulating film structure. The protrusions create increased surface area and mechanical interlocking with the underlying pad electrodes, solving the peeling problem locally while maintaining the protective function globally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by forming the protrusions on the insulating film before the final assembly and bonding processes. This pre-formed structural feature ensures that when the insulating film is later bonded to underlying layers, the adhesion is already optimized through the protrusion geometry. The protrusions are prepared in advance to prevent peeling during subsequent manufacturing steps and device operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If the insulating film is peeled off due to weakened adhesive force, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but connection reliability with data driving part is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulating film applicationVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusions are formed only at specific contact hole regions rather than across the entire insulating film surface. This localized modification maintains the overall simplicity of the insulating film application process while providing enhanced adhesion precisely where pad electrodes contact the underlying structure. The selective formation of protrusions balances manufacturing ease with connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the insulating film covers the entire contact hole region, then pad electrode protection is improved, but adhesive force is weakened due to layer contact at the bottom

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepad electrode protectionVSAvoidadhesive force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces protrusions at specific locations on the lower surface of the insulating film corresponding to contact hole regions. These localized protrusions create mechanical interlocking features that enhance adhesion without requiring the insulating film to be completely removed or restructured. The protrusions are formed by selective etching or deposition processes that modify only the necessary areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent solves the adhesion problem by transitioning from a two-dimensional planar contact interface to a three-dimensional protrusion structure. The protrusions extend vertically from the insulating film lower surface, creating additional surface area and mechanical interlocking capability. This dimensional change allows the insulating film to maintain its protective coverage while achieving stronger bonding through the protrusion geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3176827B1Display device
Publication Date: 2022.02.02 LG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3176827B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3176827B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3176827B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A display device is discussed. The display device comprises a substrate (110), a display region (DP) disposed over the substrate (110) and comprising a plurality of subpixels (SP), and a data pad part (60) disposed in regions other than the display region (DP), wherein the data pad part (60) comprises, a data signal line (DSL) extended from the display region (DP); an insulating film (ILD2) disposed on the data signal line (DSL) and insulating the data signal line (DSL), the insulating film (ILD2) includes a via hole (VIA) which has partially exposed the data signal line (DSL), a data pad electrode (DPE) disposed on the insulating film (ILD2) and connected to the data signal line (DSL) through the via hole (VIA); and an insulating pattern (OIL) configured to cover the via hole (VIA), and the data pad electrode (DPE) includes at least one electrode hole (SH).