Segmented Encapsulation Layers for OLED Moisture Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Organic light-emitting display devices have low resistance to moisture and oxygen, leading to reduced reliability and lifespan due to easy deterioration.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a layered encapsulation structure, comprising a lower inorganic encapsulation layer, spaced organic encapsulation layers, and an upper inorganic encapsulation layer, which are divided into multiple parts to prevent moisture and oxygen diffusion between subpixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a continuous encapsulation layer is used to cover the light-emitting element, then the encapsulation provides complete coverage, but cracks can propagate across the entire layer and moisture/oxygen can diffuse freely between subpixels
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulation layer is divided into multiple discrete segments, with each segment covering a specific subpixel region. The inorganic encapsulation layers are formed as separate regions corresponding to individual subpixels, with gaps between them. This segmentation prevents crack propagation across the entire encapsulation layer and blocks moisture/oxygen diffusion pathways between adjacent subpixels, thereby improving reliability while preventing harmful factor diffusion.
2Reliability
If the encapsulation layer is made thicker to improve protection, then resistance to moisture and oxygen increases, but the device becomes more complex and manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulation structure employs a composite design combining inorganic encapsulation layers with organic encapsulation layers. The inorganic layers provide barrier properties against moisture and oxygen, while the organic layers provide additional protection and fill gaps between inorganic segments. This composite approach enhances protection without requiring excessive thickness of a single material type, thereby maintaining manufacturing feasibility while improving reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An organic light-emitting display device characterized by improved reliability is disclosed. The organic light-emitting display device is configured such that each of an organic encapsulation layer, which is disposed on a light-emitting element, and an upper inorganic encapsulation layer, which is disposed on the organic encapsulation layer, are divided into a plurality of parts. Even when cracks are formed in a subpixel due to an external impact or when external moisture or oxygen permeates into the subpixel, therefore, it is possible to prevent the cracks, the moisture, or the oxygen from diffusing to an adjacent subpixel, whereby the reliability and lifespan of the display device are improved.