Rib Structure for OLED Electrode Adhesion and Moisture Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing organic EL display devices face issues with defective light emission due to moisture ingress through defects in the sealing region, leading to light emission failures such as dark spots.
Innovation Solution
The organic EL display device incorporates a rib structure on a conductor portion in the frame region, allowing the upper electrode to be positioned above the conductor portion via the rib, with a first contact portion located in the frame region, enhancing adhesiveness and reducing peeling and floating issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing method is used to protect the light emitting element from moisture, then protection from moisture is improved, but defects in the sealing region can still allow moisture to reach the light emitting element and cause light emission failure
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure is divided into multiple segments: a sealing layer covering the display region, a conductor portion in the frame region, and a rib structure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the sealing layer provides primary protection, while the conductor portion and rib structure provide additional protection against moisture ingress through potential defects in the sealing layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib structure acts as an intermediary element between the conductor portion and the upper electrode. It provides a protected pathway for electrical connection while simultaneously serving as a barrier against moisture ingress. The rib structure mediates between the need for electrical connectivity and the need for moisture protection.
2Ease of manufacture
If the upper electrode is directly positioned on the conductor portion, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but peeling and floating issues occur at the interface
Solution Approach 1:
The rib structure serves as an intermediary between the conductor portion and the upper electrode. It provides a protected pathway for electrical connection while simultaneously serving as a barrier against moisture ingress. The rib structure mediates between the need for electrical connectivity and the need for moisture protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib structure extends in the vertical dimension, creating a three-dimensional interface between the conductor portion and upper electrode. This dimensional change provides additional surface area for adhesion and creates a mechanical interlock that prevents peeling and floating, while still maintaining electrical connectivity.
3Reliability
If the rib structure is added to prevent peeling and floating, then interface stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rib structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support to prevent peeling and floating of the upper electrode, creates a protected pathway for electrical connection, and serves as a barrier against moisture ingress. By making the rib structure multi-functional, the design achieves enhanced reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a base material including a display region having a plurality of pixels and a frame region; a lower electrode provided in each of the plurality of pixels; an organic material layer arranged on the lower electrode; an upper electrode arranged on the organic material layer and covering the display region; a conductor portion provided in the frame region and connected to the upper electrode; and a rib provided on the conductor portion, wherein the upper electrode is arranged on the conductor portion via the rib, a first contact portion where the upper electrode and the conductor portion contact each other is located in the frame region, the rib has a side surface located at an opposite side of the first contact portion from the display region, and an end portion of the upper electrode faces the side surface.