Notch and Protrusion Design for OLED Display Region Division

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the manufacturing process of organic electroluminescent (EL) devices, the formation of a groove using a laser scribing apparatus can damage the light-emitting element, and mounting external modules in the active region increases the risk of foreign matter penetration, leading to display abnormalities.

Innovation Solution

A display device configuration with a base material, TFT layer, organic insulating film, light-emitting layer, and sealing layer, featuring a notch and protruding portion in the active region to disconnect the light-emitting layer and reduce foreign matter penetration, while maintaining design flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an opening is formed in the active region to support external modules, then design freedom of display surface is improved, but foreign matter penetration increases causing display abnormalities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign freedomVSAvoiddisplay abnormality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The active region is divided into a light-emitting region and a non-light-emitting region, with the external module supported in the non-light-emitting region. This segmentation allows the display surface to extend across the entire active region while isolating the external module from areas that would cause display abnormalities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the active region are assigned different functions: the light-emitting region maintains display functionality while the non-light-emitting region supports external modules. This local differentiation enables both design freedom and display reliability to be achieved simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If laser scribing is used to form grooves for region division, then manufacturing precision is improved, but light-emitting element damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregion division precisionVSAvoidlight-emitting element damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The groove for region division is formed in the substrate layer before the light-emitting layer is deposited. This preliminary action ensures that the light-emitting element is never exposed to laser scribing, eliminating damage risk while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled groove formation in the substrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate groove acts as a pre-established protective structure that guides subsequent layer formation. By pre-defining the region boundaries in the substrate, the patent cushions against potential damage to the light-emitting element during manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS10897026B2Display device and manufacturing method of display device

Publication Date: 2021.01.19 SHARP KK

AI summary

To improve a degree of design freedom of a display surface of a device while maintaining a reliability of the device, provided is a display device including an active region that contributes to a display, and a notch formed in a position surrounded by an end portion of the active region. A protruding portion is formed on a peripheral end side of the active region where the notch is formed. A light-emitting layer is disconnected as a result of a step at the protruding portion.