OLED Encapsulation Structure with Metal Extension Layer for Stress Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the packaging process of OLED display devices, uneven temperature gradients and stress intensities can lead to cracks in the film under the frit, causing breakage of signal lines and abnormal displays due to mismatched thermal expansion coefficients during the laser sealing process.

Innovation Solution

A packaging structure featuring a first substrate with a power supply terminal, a second substrate, and a metal extension layer with via holes for stress relief, extending from the power supply terminal to both ends of the substrate, covered by a packaging layer that matches the width of the metal extension layer, effectively conducting thermal energy and reducing stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a frit packaging process is used with laser sealing, then the packaging process can be completed, but cracks are easily generated on the film under the frit due to uneven temperature gradient and stress intensity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging processVSAvoidsignal line integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a stress relief structure with through-holes at specific locations beneath the frit packaging layer. This creates local quality differences in the substrate structure, allowing stress to be relieved at specific points while maintaining overall structural integrity, thereby preventing crack propagation in the film layer during laser sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The stress relief structure is segmented into multiple through-holes distributed across the substrate. This segmentation allows the stress to be distributed and relieved at multiple discrete locations rather than concentrating in one area, preventing the formation of continuous cracks in the film under the frit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the temperature gradient and stress intensity are unevenly distributed, then the packaging process can proceed, but thermal expansion coefficient mismatch causes cracks in the film

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging process efficiencyVSAvoidfilm uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The stress relief structure with through-holes is pre-formed in the substrate before the frit packaging process. This beforehand cushioning structure is designed to absorb and distribute the thermal stress and temperature gradients that will occur during subsequent laser sealing, preventing uneven stress distribution and film cracking while maintaining packaging process efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 packaging structure reduces the risk of signal line breakage by evenly distributing thermal energy and stress, improving the uniformity of the film thickness and preventing cracks, thus ensuring stable display performance.

Implementation Method 1

effectively conducting thermal energy and reducing stress

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

when a temperature gradient and a stress intensity are unevenly distributed as well as that the temperature gradient and the stress intensity do not match a thermal expansion coefficient of material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP3641000B1Encapsulation structure
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 KUNSHAN GO VISIONOX OPTO ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3641000B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3641000B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3641000B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present application discloses a packaging structure, the packaging structure includes a first substrate, a side of the first substrate including a power supply terminal; a second substrate; a metal extension layer, extending from the power supply terminal to both ends of the first side of the first substrate; and a packaging layer, covering the metal extension layer and fastening the first substrate and the second substrate. Thereby, the packaging structure provided by the present application effectively utilizes an extension filling of a metal can contribute to conducting thermal energy and improving the breakage of the signal lines.