OLED Spacer Design with Receiving Groove to Prevent Debris Invasion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Organic light emitting diode displays face defects due to debris from damaged spacers invading the openings of the pixel defining layer, leading to performance reduction and increased defect rates, especially when subjected to external impacts.
Innovation Solution
A spacer design that minimizes the likelihood of debris invasion by being positioned within an imaginary polygon defined by the corners of the openings, with a receiving groove on the pixel defining layer to contain the spacer material, allowing it to reflow and fill the groove, thus preventing external damage from causing defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a spacer is positioned over the pixel defining layer to maintain structural integrity, then the mechanical strength is improved, but debris from damaged spacers can invade the openings and cause defects
Solution Approach 1:
A receiving groove is formed at the boundary of the pixel defining layer before the spacer is installed. This groove is prepared in advance to catch and contain any debris that may fall from a damaged spacer, preventing the debris from invading the openings and causing defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving groove acts as an intermediary structure between the pixel defining layer and the spacer. It serves as a protective barrier that intercepts debris from damaged spacers, preventing direct contamination of the openings while maintaining the overall structural integrity provided by the spacer.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the spacer is made large enough to cover all openings for protection, then the protective coverage is improved, but the spacer material can invade and block the openings
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function is segmented into two distinct components: the spacer that provides structural support and the receiving groove that provides debris containment. This segmentation allows the spacer to be positioned without directly blocking openings, while the groove separately handles the protection function by catching debris at the boundary.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving groove serves as an intermediary structure that separates the protective function from the spacer itself. It allows the spacer to maintain its structural role while the groove independently provides the protective coverage by intercepting debris before it can block the openings.
3Area of stationary object
If the spacer boundary is positioned close to the openings for compact design, then the device area is reduced, but debris can more easily enter the openings
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving groove is formed in advance at the boundary region where the spacer meets the pixel defining layer. This preliminary structure creates a debris trap zone that actively captures falling debris before it can reach the openings, allowing the spacer boundary to be positioned close to openings for compact design without increasing debris entry risk.
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
This design significantly reduces the occurrence of defects by preventing debris from damaged spacers from entering the openings, enhancing the reliability and performance of the organic light emitting diode displays.
Implementation Method 1
making the spacer reflow to fill the spacer forming material in the receiving groove
Data Source
AI summary
An organic light emitting diode display comprises a substrate comprising a major surface; first, second, third and fourth electrodes positioned over the substrate; a pixel defining layer positioned over the plurality of electrodes and comprising first, second, third and fourth openings; and a spacer positioned over the pixel defining layer. The first, second, third and fourth openings overlap the first, second, third and fourth electrodes, respectively, when viewed in a viewing direction perpendicular to the major surface. The first, second, third and fourth openings comprise first, second, third and fourth corners, respectively, wherein the first, second, third and fourth corners neighbor one another when viewed in the viewing direction. When viewed in the viewing direction, the spacer comprises at least a portion placed within an imaginary polygon defined by the first, second, third and fourth corners.