OLED Insulating Layer Stress Dispersion via Wavy Line Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays face durability issues due to the brittleness of inorganic insulating layers, which can lead to stress transmission and damage when external impacts are applied, especially at the border areas of flexible substrates.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a substrate with an inorganic insulating layer featuring a wavy line and openings that disperse stress, combined with a cover layer made of organic material, to enhance durability by blocking and dispersing stress away from the display unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an inorganic insulating layer is used in OLED displays, then manufacturing precision and electrical insulation are improved, but durability and stress resistance deteriorate due to brittleness
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating layer is segmented into multiple sub-layers (first sub-insulating layer, second sub-insulating layer, third sub-insulating layer) with different functions. The first sub-insulating layer contains openings for stress relief, the second provides electrical insulation, and the third offers mechanical support. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining inorganic materials (for the first and third sub-insulating layers requiring stress resistance and mechanical strength) with organic materials (for the second sub-insulating layer requiring electrical insulation). This composite approach allows the insulating system to simultaneously achieve manufacturing precision, electrical performance, and durability that single materials cannot provide.
2Reliability
If a continuous insulating layer is used, then electrical insulation is improved, but stress transmission increases causing damage at border areas
Solution Approach 1:
The first sub-insulating layer is segmented by introducing a plurality of openings that extend from the top surface to the bottom surface. This segmentation divides the continuous layer into isolated regions, allowing stress to be blocked and dispersed at the openings while maintaining electrical insulation through the remaining insulating material. The segmentation directly resolves the contradiction between electrical insulation and stress transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the insulating structure are assigned different qualities: the first sub-insulating layer has localized openings for stress blocking, the second sub-insulating layer provides uniform electrical insulation, and the third sub-insulating layer offers continuous mechanical support. This local quality differentiation allows the system to simultaneously achieve electrical insulation and stress resistance.
3Manufacturing precision
If the insulating layer is made brittle for manufacturing precision, then layer formation accuracy is improved, but resistance to external impacts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating layer is segmented into multiple sub-layers with specialized functions. The first sub-insulating layer uses brittle inorganic material for precise layer formation, while the third sub-insulating layer provides impact resistance. The openings in the first layer prevent stress propagation, allowing the brittle material to maintain precision without sacrificing overall impact resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials where inorganic materials (brittle but precise) are combined with organic materials (flexible but impact-resistant) in different sub-layers. This composite structure allows the system to achieve both manufacturing precision from the inorganic layers and impact resistance from the organic layers, resolving the contradiction between precision and strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a substrate including an outer area neighboring a border; and an insulating layer positioned over the substrate and including a plurality of openings positioned over the outer area. The openings are arranged to be spaced from each other in a direction. The display device further includes a wavy line extending in the direction and passing the plurality of openings.