OLED Mask Frame Assembly Alignment Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mask frame assemblies in OLED production face challenges with alignment precision due to residual liquids and magnetic variations, leading to inferior product quality and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
A mask frame assembly design featuring a blind hole with a cover plate and auxiliary through-holes that facilitate precise alignment and liquid discharge, minimizing contamination and magnetic offset issues through staggered and offset alignment holes and passages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional mask frame assemblies are used with simple alignment holes, then the device structure is simple, but alignment precision deteriorates due to residual liquids and magnetic variations
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment hole is segmented into multiple components: a first through-hole in the cover plate, a second through-hole in the alignment mask, and multiple auxiliary through-holes in both components. This segmentation allows each part to perform specific functions - the first through-hole provides a larger alignment target, the second through-hole enables precise alignment, and auxiliary through-holes discharge residual liquids, collectively improving alignment precision without creating a monolithic complex structure
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment structure uses a nested configuration where the alignment mask with its second through-hole is positioned over the first through-hole in the cover plate. The auxiliary through-holes are nested within the respective components and work in conjunction with the main through-holes. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional elements to be integrated in a compact manner, improving alignment precision while controlling overall structural complexity
2Reliability
If conventional alignment masks without liquid discharge pathways are used, then the device structure is simple, but liquid accumulation occurs leading to contamination and re-alignment needs
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid discharge function is extracted from the main alignment hole structure and implemented through separate auxiliary through-holes. These auxiliary holes are specifically designed to discharge residual liquids from the alignment mark area, separating the liquid discharge function from the alignment function. This extraction improves reliability by preventing liquid accumulation and contamination while adding only minimal structural complexity through the inclusion of additional holes
Solution Approach 2:
The cover plate and alignment mask are designed with multi-functionality: the first through-hole serves both as an alignment reference and a liquid discharge pathway, the second through-hole provides alignment precision, and the auxiliary through-holes provide additional liquid discharge capability. This multi-functionality improves reliability by addressing both alignment and liquid management in integrated components without proportionally increasing structural complexity
3Productivity
If conventional mask frames without cover plates are used, then the device structure is simple, but magnetic offset variations occur reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The cover plate is installed on the mask frame before the alignment and evaporation processes. This preliminary action provides a stable, non-magnetic reference structure that prevents magnetic offset variations from affecting subsequent alignment operations. By establishing this stable reference in advance, productivity is improved through consistent alignment without requiring re-alignment, while the structural complexity increase is limited to adding the cover plate component
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to display technologies, and in particular, to a mask frame assembly that is suitable for use in the production of a display device, for example, an organismic light emitting diode (OLED) device. A mask frame assembly includes a frame, and an alignment mask secured to the frame. The frame includes at least one alignment mark and a cover plate on the at least one at least one alignment mark. The cover plate includes a first through-hole and a plurality of first auxiliary through-holes. The alignment mask includes at least one second through-hole and a plurality of second auxiliary through-holes.