OLED Display Panel Recesses Narrow Transition Area

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing OLED display panels face challenges in achieving a narrow frame due to a wide transition area, which increases the frame size and hinders the development of full-screen borderless display products with enhanced screen ratios.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a first recess in the bending area and a second recess in the transition area, with specific layer structures and through holes, allows for improved bending characteristics and reduces the transition area width, enabling an ultra-narrow frame and increased screen ratio.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dam is disposed in the transition area to prevent overflow of inkjet printing material, then the organic layer is protected from contamination, but the width of the transition area increases, which increases the frame size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of material overflowVSAvoidwidth of transition area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the dam structure from the transition area and extracts the overflow prevention function to the pixel defining layer instead. The pixel defining layer's protrusion structure naturally confines the inkjet printing material within pixel regions without requiring additional dam structures, thereby eliminating the need for a wide transition area while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The pixel defining layer is given multiple functions: it not only defines pixel boundaries for light emission but also serves as a natural barrier to prevent inkjet printing material overflow. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dam structures, allowing the transition area to be narrowed without compromising material containment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Length of stationary object

If the transition area width is reduced to achieve narrow frame, then the screen ratio increases, but the risk of disconnection and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewidth of transition areaVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar transition area to a three-dimensional structure with recesses in the flexible substrate and corresponding protrusions in the array substrate. This vertical dimensionality change allows the transition area to maintain mechanical connection reliability through interlocking structures while reducing its horizontal width, thereby achieving narrow frame without compromising connection strength.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The transition area is segmented into multiple functional zones: the recess region in the flexible substrate, the protrusion structures in the array substrate, and the pixel defining layer regions. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the recesses provide mechanical support and alignment, while the protrusions ensure electrical connection reliability, enabling the overall transition area to be narrowed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Length of stationary object

If the transition area width is reduced to achieve narrow frame, then the screen ratio increases, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewidth of transition areaVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The recesses are formed in the flexible substrate before the array substrate is deposited and patterned. This preliminary action establishes precise alignment references that guide subsequent manufacturing steps. The protrusions in the array substrate are then formed to match these pre-established recess positions, ensuring high alignment precision without requiring excessively tight tolerances in later processing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By introducing vertical depth dimensions through recesses and protrusions, the patent compensates for the reduced horizontal tolerance margin. The interlocking three-dimensional structures provide mechanical self-alignment that reduces sensitivity to lateral positioning errors, thereby maintaining manufacturing feasibility even with a narrowed transition area.

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

Data Source

PatentUS11271056B2Display panel having a recess disposed in the transistion area
Publication Date: 2022.03.08 WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICONDUCTOR DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • US11271056B2 patent drawing
  • US11271056B2 patent drawing
  • US11271056B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A display panel and a display device are provided. The display panel is divided into a display area, a transition area, and a bending area. The display panel includes a first recess and a second recess. The first recess is disposed in the bending area, and the second recess is disposed in the transition area.