Shield Layer With Through Holes For OLED Static Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing organic light-emitting display apparatuses face challenges in effectively passivating the driving unit from static electricity, which can lead to out-gassing defects and damage, particularly due to the conventional shield layer's inability to exhaust gases properly.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a shield layer with through holes that do not overlap with the second thin film transistors, positioned above the driving unit and extending to the edge of the substrate, which includes the same material as the pixel electrodes and contacts both the opposite electrode and the electrode power supply line, while being formed in the same layer as the pixel electrodes and second thin film transistors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shield layer is added to passivate the driving unit from static electricity, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield layer is merged with the pixel electrode layer, forming a combined structure that serves both as a protective shield for the driving unit and as a functional electrode layer. This integration reduces the total number of separate layers and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining the static electricity protection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield layer performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a protective barrier against static electricity for the driving unit, serves as an electrical connection layer through its contact with the electrode power supply line, and maintains the structural integrity of the display apparatus. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
2Manufacturing precision
If through holes are created in the shield layer for out-gassing, then manufacturing precision is improved, but reliability worsens due to potential static electricity exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The shield layer has non-uniform structure with through holes positioned only in specific regions that do not overlap with the second thin film transistors. This local differentiation allows out-gassing in safe areas while maintaining continuous protection over the sensitive transistor regions, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The through holes act as intermediary pathways that allow gas to escape from the encapsulation layer without compromising the protective function of the shield layer. By positioning these holes in non-overlapping regions, they serve as controlled release points that do not create direct exposure paths to static electricity for the driving unit.
Data Source
AI summary
An organic light-emitting display apparatus including a shield layer and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a substrate having a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area. A plurality of first thin film transistors (TFTs) are disposed in the display area of the substrate and a plurality of second TFTs disposed in the peripheral area of the substrate. A shield layer is positioned above the second TFTs and extended to an edge portion of the substrate. The shield layer includes a plurality of through holes in a portion that does not overlap with the second TFTs.