OLED Display Panel Encapsulation for Undercut Groove Stress Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing OLED display panels with O-shaped through holes suffer from encapsulation failures due to stress concentration and fracture of inorganic barrier layers at undercut structures, leading to water and oxygen intrusion, which shortens product life.
Innovation Solution
A display panel design with first and second grooves in the transition area, featuring first and second undercut areas filled with organic material layers, preventing direct deposition of inorganic barrier layers on bent surfaces, and using water-absorbing and water-blocking materials to enhance encapsulation reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple layers of inorganic barrier layers are deposited continuously on the sidewall and bottom of the groove with undercut structure, then the encapsulation structure is formed, but the inorganic barrier layers are prone to stress concentration and fracture due to the bent inner surface of the undercut structure
Solution Approach 1:
An organic material layer is introduced as an intermediary between the first and second inorganic barrier layers in the undercut area. This organic layer acts as a stress buffer that prevents direct contact between the two inorganic layers at the bent interface, thereby eliminating stress concentration points and preventing fracture while maintaining encapsulation integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the OLED device is encapsulated with continuous inorganic barrier layers on bent surfaces, then the encapsulation structure is completed, but water and oxygen intrusion occurs due to stress-induced fracture
Solution Approach 1:
The organic material layer serves as a mediator that prevents water and oxygen from penetrating through fracture paths. By placing this layer between the inorganic barrier layers in the undercut region, it blocks potential intrusion channels that would otherwise form due to stress-induced cracking, thus protecting the OLED device from harmful environmental factors.
3Reliability
If the inner surface of the undercut structure is covered with multiple inorganic barrier layers, then the barrier function is enhanced, but stress concentration occurs on the bent inner surface
Solution Approach 1:
The organic material layer is positioned as an intermediary between the first and second inorganic barrier layers specifically in the undercut area where the inner surface is bent. This intermediate layer has different mechanical properties that allow it to accommodate the bent geometry without creating stress concentration, while still maintaining the barrier function through the stacked structure.
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 design reduces stress concentration on inorganic barrier layers, improving encapsulation reliability and extending product life by preventing water and oxygen intrusion.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of the multiple layers of inorganic barrier layers on the inner surface of the undercut structure is prone to stress concentration and fracture when subjected to stress
Implementation Method 2
a material of the first organic material layer includes an organic material and a water absorbing material and/or a water blocking material dispersed in the organic material
Implementation Method 3
a material of the first organic material layer includes an organic material and a water absorbing material and/or a water blocking material dispersed in the organic material
Data Source
AI summary
A display panel and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The display panel includes a functional area, a transition area defined at a periphery of the functional area, and a display area defined at a periphery of the transition area. The display panel further includes a substrate, at least one first groove is defined on the substrate in the transition area, and a first organic material layer is disposed in a first undercut area and/or a second undercut area in the first groove. The display panel of an embodiment of the present application has better encapsulation reliability and longer product service life.