OLED Support Post Structure to Reduce Pixel Opening Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The yield of OLED display panels is affected by scratching of support posts during the evaporation process, leading to impurities falling into pixel openings and reducing the display panel's performance.
Innovation Solution
The display panel design includes a support post with a first section and a second section arranged in a stacked manner, featuring a first top surface intersecting with a first side surface to increase spacing and structural strength, and a mask with auxiliary openings to form the first top surface, reducing particle entry into pixel openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the support post is positioned close to the pixel opening to save space, then the device complexity is reduced, but particles generated from support post scratching can easily fall into the pixel opening, reducing manufacturing precision and yield
Solution Approach 1:
The support post is divided into two distinct sections: a first section with a larger cross-sectional area that serves as the primary support structure, and a second section with a smaller cross-sectional area positioned closer to the pixel opening. This segmentation allows the first section to be positioned farther from the pixel opening, creating a safety buffer zone that prevents particles from falling into the pixel opening, while the second section maintains the necessary structural support with reduced material usage.
2Ease of manufacture
If the support post uses a uniform cross-sectional area to simplify manufacturing, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the structural strength is reduced, making the support post more prone to damage during scratching
Solution Approach 1:
The support post employs non-uniform cross-sectional areas at different locations: the first section has a larger cross-sectional area to provide enhanced structural strength and resistance to scratching damage, while the second section has a smaller cross-sectional area to reduce material usage and simplify the overall structure. This local quality variation optimizes both manufacturing ease and structural strength by placing material only where it is most needed for structural integrity.
3Strength
If the first top surface is made to intersect with the first side surface to increase structural strength, then the strength is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the additional geometric configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The first top surface is pre-configured to intersect with the first side surface of the support post before the evaporation process begins. This preliminary geometric configuration creates a built-in structural advantage where the intersecting surfaces form a reinforced corner structure that naturally resists scratching and mechanical damage. The intersection geometry is designed in advance to provide maximum strength with minimal additional complexity, serving as a preventive measure against potential damage during subsequent manufacturing steps.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present application provide a display panel, a display device and a mask. The display panel includes: a substrate; a pixel defining layer, the pixel defining layer including an isolation portion and a plurality of pixel openings; and at least one support post arranged on a side of the isolation portion facing away from the substrate, the support post including a first section and a second section, an orthographic projection of at least part of the second section on the substrate being located within an orthographic projection of the first section on the substrate, where the isolation portion includes a first top surface distributed on a peripheral side of the first section, the first section includes a first side surface connected to the first top surface and extending toward the second section, and the first top surface intersects the first side surface.