OLED Substrate Eave Structures for Aperture Encapsulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electroluminescent display apparatuses, such as OLEDs, face performance and lifespan issues due to water and oxygen infiltration through apertures, which compromise encapsulation and lead to reduced display effectiveness and shortened service life.
Innovation Solution
An electroluminescent display substrate with eave structures and an encapsulating layer is designed, where the eave structures have undercuts that disconnect the light-emitting and electrode layers, and an encapsulating layer comprising inorganic and organic sub-layers covers these structures to prevent water and oxygen ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If apertures are reserved in the display screen for additional elements (cameras, sensors), then the screen ratio and functionality are improved, but water and oxygen infiltration paths are created that compromise encapsulation and reduce OLED element performance and lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous light-emitting layer and electrode layer into separate segments by introducing eave structures with undercuts around the aperture. This segmentation breaks the continuous invasion path that would otherwise allow water and oxygen to reach the OLED element, while still allowing the aperture to function for cameras or sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The eave structure acts as an intermediary barrier between the aperture and the OLED element. The undercut geometry creates a physical intermediate zone that blocks direct infiltration paths, mediating between the need for aperture functionality and the need for encapsulation integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If continuous light-emitting layer and electrode layer are formed through evaporation, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but continuous invasion paths are created from aperture to OLED element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality modification by creating undercuts only in specific regions around the aperture, rather than changing the entire manufacturing process. The light-emitting and electrode layers remain continuous in most areas for ease of manufacture, but are locally disconnected at the undercut positions to block infiltration paths.
Data Source
AI summary
An electroluminescent display substrate and a manufacturing method thereof, and an electroluminescent display apparatus, are disclosed. The display substrate includes: a base substrate; an electroluminescent element on the base substrate, the electroluminescent element including a first electrode layer, a light-emitting layer and a second electrode layer which are disposed in sequence on the base substrate; an encapsulating layer disposed on the base substrate and covering the electroluminescent element; an aperture, the aperture at least penetrating the encapsulating layer; and at least one eave structure on the base substrate, the at least one eave structure surrounding the aperture, and being located between the aperture and the electroluminescent element. Each eave structure includes at least one undercut at one end of the eave structure close to the base substrate, and at least one of the light-emitting layer and the second electrode layer is disconnected at the at least one undercut.