OLED Encapsulation Hole Anchoring for Flexible Display Peeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Organic light emitting display apparatuses face issues with the organic light emitting layer peeling from the anode electrode when subjected to stress, such as bending or folding, which affects their ability to emit light effectively.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves forming a substrate with a thin film transistor layer, a bank layer, and an encapsulation layer that includes an inorganic and organic layer, with specific holes designed to extend downward and fill into these holes, ensuring the organic light emitting layer is securely fixed to the anode electrode, preventing peeling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the organic light emitting display apparatus is made flexible to allow folding or bending, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but the organic light emitting layer peels from the anode electrode due to stress, causing reliability to deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidpeeling prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by forming a buffer layer and a hole in the substrate before forming the anode electrode and organic light emitting layer. The buffer layer is prepared in advance to absorb stress, and the hole is pre-formed to allow the encapsulation layer to extend downward and fill the hole, creating a stress-absorbing structure that prevents peeling when the display is folded or bent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the buffer layer as an intermediary element between the substrate and the anode electrode. This buffer layer acts as a mediator that absorbs and distributes stress generated during folding or bending, preventing direct stress transmission to the organic light emitting layer and anode electrode interface, thereby preventing peeling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If additional manufacturing steps are added to prevent peeling, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepeeling preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the hole formation process with existing manufacturing steps. The hole is formed during the same process step as the bank layer formation, combining multiple functions into a single process step. This integration prevents peeling while avoiding additional manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer layer serves multiple functions: it provides a base layer for device formation, absorbs stress during folding/bending, and works with the encapsulation layer to prevent peeling. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated stress-management components, simplifying the overall manufacturing process.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3496177B1Organic light emitting display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2021.01.27 LG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3496177B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3496177B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3496177B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is an organic light emitting display apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same, which prevent an organic light emitting layer from being peeled from an anode electrode.