OLED Support Structure Prevents Mask Contact Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing process of organic light emitting display (OLED) devices often results in damage to the anode due to mask contact, leading to unsatisfactory image display quality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a support structure with siloxane-based resin in the transparent region of the OLED device, which includes a first and second support pattern, and a pixel defining layer that covers the lower electrode, preventing mask contact and ensuring the integrity of the electrodes and light emitting layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a mask is used in the manufacturing process to form organic material, then the organic material can be formed, but the mask contacts the anode causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a support structure as an intermediary element between the mask and the anode. This support structure prevents direct contact between the mask and the anode, thereby eliminating the damaging effect while still allowing the mask to perform its function of forming organic material. The support structure acts as a mediator that resolves the contradiction between manufacturing ease and anode integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is formed in advance before the mask is applied during the organic material formation process. By preliminarily establishing this protective structure, the patent prevents potential damage to the anode before it can occur, while still enabling the subsequent manufacturing steps to proceed smoothly.
2Reliability
If the support structure is added to prevent mask contact, then electrode integrity is improved, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it prevents mask contact with the anode, provides structural support for the transparent region, and maintains the overall device architecture. By making this single structure multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved electrode integrity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the transparent region is maintained for display quality, then image display quality is improved, but the region is vulnerable to mask damage
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure positioned in the transparent region acts as an intermediary that protects this vulnerable area from mask contact damage. It allows the transparent region to maintain its optical properties for high image display quality while simultaneously providing mechanical protection against manufacturing-related harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is specifically positioned in the transparent region where the vulnerability to mask damage is highest. By applying protection locally to this specific area rather than uniformly across the entire device, the patent maintains the optical quality of the transparent region while providing targeted protection where it is most needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device may include a substrate, a first light emitting structure, a second light emitting structure, and a support structure. The first light emitting structure may include an electrode and a light emitting layer. A face of the electrode may directly contact the light emitting layer and may overlap the substrate. The support structure may be positioned between the first light emitting structure and the second light emitting structure, may be spaced from each of the first light emitting structure and the second light emitting structure, may overlap a transparent portion of the substrate, and may not include or directly contact any light emitting layer. A height of the support structure relative to the substrate may be greater than at least one of a height of the face of the electrode relative to the substrate and a height of the light emitting layer relative to the substrate.