OLED Packaging with Water-Blocking and Light-Absorbing Adhesive Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current OLED display panel packaging methods fail to effectively block external moisture and ultraviolet light, leading to inadequate sealing and electrical property drift in substrates, which affects the panel's lifetime.

Innovation Solution

A display panel packaging method involving a water-blocking layer on a substrate, a sealant structure with a polymeric adhesive and light-absorbing material, including polymer nanofibers, applied using inkjet printing and electrospinning processes, to absorb ultraviolet light and prevent moisture ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single sealant structure is used for packaging, then the packaging process is simple, but the sealing effect is insufficient to block external moisture and ultraviolet light

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging structureVSAvoidsealing effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging structure is divided into multiple functional layers: a water-blocking layer (first functional layer) and a light-absorbing adhesive layer (second functional layer). Each layer performs a specific function - the water-blocking layer prevents moisture ingress while the light-absorbing layer blocks ultraviolet light. This segmentation allows the complex packaging structure to achieve superior sealing effects by distributing functions across multiple specialized layers rather than relying on a single multi-functional sealant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If a simple organic sealant is used, then the packaging process is easy, but the sealant cannot effectively block water, oxygen, and external light after curing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging processVSAvoidmoisture and ultraviolet light penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs composite materials with distinct functional properties. The water-blocking layer uses inorganic materials such as SiOx, SiON, or SiNx that provide excellent moisture and oxygen barrier properties. The light-absorbing adhesive layer combines organic polymeric adhesive materials with inorganic light-absorbing nanoparticles (TiO2, ZnO, talcum) to create a composite layer that simultaneously provides adhesion, UV absorption, and structural integrity. This composite material approach allows effective blocking of harmful factors while maintaining ease of manufacturing through established deposition and coating processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If external ultraviolet light is not blocked, then the packaging structure remains simple, but the driving switch electrical properties experience negative drift and affect display panel lifetime

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight-blocking functionVSAvoiddisplay panel lifetime
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the potentially harmful ultraviolet light into a beneficial function by incorporating light-absorbing materials (TiO2, ZnO, talcum) into the adhesive layer. These materials absorb UV radiation that would otherwise damage the driving switch and OLED components, transforming the harmful UV energy into heat that is dissipated safely. This approach adds the light-blocking function to the packaging structure without significantly increasing complexity, as the same layer that provides adhesion also provides UV protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The method enhances the sealing effect and protects the driving switch from ultraviolet light, improving the display panel's electrical stability and overall performance.

Implementation Method 1

coating a light-absorbing material on the polymeric adhesive material... the polymeric adhesive material includes polyacrylate or polymethacrylates... the light-absorbing material includes polymer nanofibers, and the polymer nanofibers are selected from the group consisting of TiO2, ZnO, and talcum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

forming a water-blocking layer on the first substrate... a material of the water-blocking layer includes SiNx, SiON, or SiOx

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater blocking:

Implementation Method 3

coating a polymeric adhesive material on the second substrate... bonding the first substrate and the second substrate, uniformly mixing the polymeric adhesive material and the light-absorbing material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 4

the polymeric adhesive material is coated by an inkjet printing process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInkjet printing:

Implementation Method 5

the light-absorbing material is disposed on the polymeric adhesive material by an electrospinning process or an electrostatic spraying process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrospinning:

Implementation Method 6

the light-absorbing material is disposed on the polymeric adhesive material by an electrospinning process or an electrostatic spraying process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic deposition: Electrostatic Deposition

Implementation Method 7

a forming process of the water-blocking layer includes a chemical vapor deposition process or an atomic layer deposition process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical vapor deposition: Chemical Vapour Deposition

Implementation Method 8

a forming process of the water-blocking layer includes a chemical vapor deposition process or an atomic layer deposition process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAtomic layer deposition:

Implementation Method 9

curing the first sealant, the second sealant, and the polymeric adhesive material... cured by ultraviolet irradiation or heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCuring:

Data Source

PatentUS11309516B2Display panel packaging method and packaging structure each having laminated structure of water-blocking layer and light-absorbing adhesive layer
Publication Date: 2022.04.19 SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICON DISPLAY TECH CO LTD
  • US11309516B2 patent drawing
  • US11309516B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention provides a display panel packaging method and a packaging structure. The display panel packaging method includes: providing a first substrate and forming a water-blocking layer, dispensing a sealant on a second substrate, coating a polymeric adhesive material in a region surrounded by the sealant, coating a light-absorbing material on the polymeric adhesive material, bonding the two substrates and uniformly mixing the polymeric adhesive material and the light-absorbing material to form a uniformly mixed film, and curing them and finishing packaging. This display panel packaging is effective.