OLED Encapsulation Spacer Prevents Moisture Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
OLED displays face performance degradation due to internal penetration of moisture and oxygen, and particle occurrence during manufacturing, which reduces their lifespan and introduces defects.
Innovation Solution
An OLED display with a spacer surrounding the encapsulation thin film, formed of materials like acryl, urethane, or polyimide, that is higher than the layered structure, directly contacts the encapsulation thin film to prevent moisture and oxygen penetration, and alternately layers inorganic and organic films to achieve a low water vapor transmission rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an encapsulation method is used to prevent moisture and oxygen penetration, then the reliability of OLED is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple encapsulation layers
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulation structure is divided into multiple functional layers: a lower encapsulation layer directly covering the OLED, an upper encapsulation layer covering the lower layer and part of the substrate, and a spacer layer filling the gap between them. This segmentation allows each layer to perform specific protection functions while collectively providing comprehensive moisture and oxygen barrier protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower encapsulation layer is nested within the upper encapsulation layer, creating a multi-level protective structure. The spacer layer is nested in the gap between the two encapsulation layers, forming a nested configuration that maximizes protection while minimizing overall structure complexity.
2Reliability
If a thick encapsulation layer is used to prevent particle penetration, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer layer acts as an intermediary element between the lower and upper encapsulation layers. It fills the gap between these layers and provides a reference structure that facilitates precise alignment during manufacturing, thereby reducing the precision requirements for direct alignment of the encapsulation layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer layer is formed first, before the upper encapsulation layer. This preliminary action creates a predefined structure that guides the subsequent formation of the upper encapsulation layer, making the alignment process easier and reducing manufacturing precision requirements.
3Reliability
If multiple encapsulation layers are used to suppress particle occurrence, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lower and upper encapsulation layers are merged to form a continuous protective barrier against particles, moisture, and oxygen. The spacer layer is combined with these encapsulation layers to create an integrated multi-functional structure that provides both protection and alignment reference in a single manufactured assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer layer serves multiple functions: it fills the gap between encapsulation layers, provides alignment reference, prevents particle penetration, and maintains the structural integrity of the encapsulation system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall manufacturing process.
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
Effectively suppresses the penetration of moisture and oxygen, reducing performance degradation and particle occurrence, thereby extending the lifespan and improving manufacturing efficiency of OLED displays.
Implementation Method 1
If moisture and oxygen penetrates into the organic light emitting diode that is made of an organic material, its performance degrades. Accordingly, an encapsulation method is generally used in order to prevent penetration of moisture and oxygen into OLED displays.
Implementation Method 2
The encapsulation thin film may include at least a pair of inorganic film and organic film, and may be formed by alternately layering the inorganic film and the organic film.
Data Source
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AI summary
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display is disclosed. In one embodiment, the display includes i) a substrate, ii) a driving circuit (DC) formed on the substrate (110), iii) an organic light emitting diode (70) formed on the substrate (110) and electrically connected to the driving circuit (DC), iv) an encapsulation thin film (210) formed on the driving circuit (DC) and organic light emitting diode (70) and v) a spacer (300) formed on the substrate (110) and surrounding the encapsulation thin film (210).