OLED Fan-Out Line Protection Against Etchant Infiltration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, the low adherence between the organic layer and the sealant leads to separation issues, causing damage to the fan-out lines during the etching process, which can result in product failure due to exposure of the gate metal layer.
Innovation Solution
An OLED display structure that includes a substrate with signal lines, pixels, fan-out lines, interlayer insulating layers, and an etching preventing member positioned to overlap the fan-out lines, preventing damage from etchant inflow through sealant openings during the etching process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the organic layer is removed at the sealant formation position to improve sealant adherence, then the sealant can be properly formed, but the gate metal layer becomes exposed and vulnerable to damage during etching
Solution Approach 1:
An etching preventing member is introduced as an intermediary element positioned between the sealant opening and the gate metal layer. This member blocks etchant from reaching the gate metal layer while allowing the sealant to be properly formed and adhered in the removed organic layer region.
Solution Approach 2:
The etching preventing member is formed in advance before the etching process that removes the inorganic layer. This preliminary protective measure ensures that when etching occurs, the gate metal layer is already protected from etchant infiltration through the sealant opening.
2Ease of manufacture
If the inorganic layer is etched away to expose the gate metal layer for fan-out line connection, then electrical connection is achieved, but the exposed gate metal layer becomes damaged by etchant infiltration
Solution Approach 1:
The etching preventing member serves as a protective intermediary that allows the inorganic layer to be etched away for fan-out line connection while simultaneously preventing etchant from damaging the gate metal layer underneath.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective function is applied locally only at the sealant opening position where the gate metal layer is vulnerable, while allowing the rest of the inorganic layer to be etched away for proper electrical connection. The etching preventing member is strategically positioned to provide localized protection.
3Ease of manufacture
If the sealant opening is formed to allow sealant filling, then encapsulation is achieved, but etchant can infiltrate through the opening and damage underlying structures
Solution Approach 1:
The etching preventing member acts as a mediator that permits sealant to be filled through the opening while blocking etchant from infiltrating deeper into the structure during subsequent etching processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The etching preventing member is prepared in advance before etching operations, creating a protective barrier that allows sealant filling to proceed while preventing future etchant infiltration damage to the gate metal layer and fan-out lines.
Data Source
AI summary
An organic light emitting diode display includes: a substrate including a display area displaying an image and a peripheral area enclosing the display area; a plurality of signal lines formed in the display area; a plurality of pixels connected to the plurality of signal lines; a plurality of fan-out lines formed in the peripheral area and connected to the plurality of pixels; a first interlayer insulating layer covering the plurality of fan-out lines; a second interlayer insulating layer covering the first interlayer insulating layer and including a first sealant opening exposing a portion of the first interlayer insulating layer; and an etching preventing member positioned in the first sealant opening and overlapping the plurality of fan-out lines in plan view.