Hermetic Seal with Controlled Wettability for OLED Moisture Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sealing OLED devices to control moisture levels are ineffective in reducing moisture transmission rates without increasing the size of the device border, which is particularly problematic for top-emitting OLEDs where desiccants must be placed outside the display area.
Innovation Solution
A hermetic seal with controlled wettability strips is used, where a sealing member wets certain strips but not others, allowing for a narrow, controllable seal that reduces moisture permeation without the need for large enclosures, utilizing materials like indium and tin alloys with specific wetting properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If desiccants are placed inside the enclosure to absorb moisture, then moisture levels can be controlled, but the device border size increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the desiccant from the enclosure interior and places it in the seal structure itself. The seal comprises a first seal portion, a second seal portion, and a desiccant portion where the desiccant is positioned between these seal portions. This extraction of the desiccant from the enclosure space allows moisture control functionality to be achieved without occupying display area or increasing border size.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides hermetic sealing to prevent moisture ingress and contains the desiccant for moisture absorption. The desiccant portion is integrated into the seal, making the seal both a barrier and a moisture-absorbing component, thereby eliminating the need for separate desiccant placement within the enclosure.
2Reliability
If wide seals are used to reduce moisture permeation rate, then moisture protection is improved, but the device border size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is constructed as a composite structure comprising a first seal portion, a second seal portion, and a desiccant portion integrated between them. This composite design combines sealing materials with desiccant materials, creating a multi-functional seal that provides both barrier protection and active moisture absorption, thereby achieving effective moisture protection without requiring increased seal width.
Solution Approach 2:
The desiccant is specifically positioned in the desiccant portion of the seal structure, concentrating moisture-absorbing functionality where it is most effective - at the sealing interface. This localized placement of functional materials maximizes moisture control efficiency within the minimal border area required by the display device.
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
This solution effectively reduces moisture permeation into OLED devices while maintaining a narrow seal, minimizing the device border size and ensuring adequate moisture protection without the need for extensive desiccant placement, thus optimizing the device's size and manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A hermetic seal for an electronic device comprising an active organic material includes a sealing member that wets a first substrate strip and a first cover strip
Data Source
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AI summary
Hermetic seal for a device includes a substrate (10) and a cover (50). A first strip (30) on the substrate has a first surface wettability and a second strip (32) on the substrate has a second surface wettability different from the first surface wettability and in contact with the first substrate strip. The seal further includes a first cover strip (80) on the cover having the first surface wettability spaced from the first substrate strip (30) and a second cover strip (82) on the cover having the second surface wettability spaced from the second substrate strip (32) and in contact with the first cover strip. A sealing member (40) wets and adheres to the first substrate and cover strips but not the second substrate and cover strips.