Optical Device Edge Sealing for Moisture Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical members in display panels, such as wavelength conversion layers, are vulnerable to moisture and oxygen ingress, which degrades their performance.

Innovation Solution

An optical device design featuring two substrates with a sealing element along their edges and side surfaces, using materials like siloxane-containing materials or silicon oxide to seal the wavelength conversion layer and light emitting unit, enhancing the moisture and oxygen blocking capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If optical members are placed between two substrates, then the optical device can be assembled and function, but moisture and oxygen can invade the optical members causing performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance stability of optical membersVSAvoidmoisture and oxygen invasion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a sealing element in the form of a flexible shell structure that conforms to the side surfaces of the substrates. This sealing element creates a protective barrier that prevents moisture and oxygen from reaching the optical members while maintaining the assembled structure's integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element acts as an intermediary component between the substrates and the external environment. It mediates the protection of optical members by blocking harmful substances (moisture and oxygen) without interfering with the optical device's functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If optical members are sandwiched between two substrates, then the device structure is formed, but the optical members remain vulnerable to environmental degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstrate assembly structureVSAvoidprotection of optical members

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the protection function by introducing a separate sealing element distinct from the substrates. This segmentation allows the sealing element to specifically address the vulnerability of optical members without requiring redesign of the entire substrate assembly structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element is disposed along the edges of the substrates, creating a nested protective structure where the sealing element envelops the perimeter of the substrate assembly, providing an additional layer of protection without disrupting the existing nested arrangement of optical members between substrates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11177419B2Optical device

Publication Date: 2021.11.16 INNOLUX CORP

AI summary

An optical device includes two substrates disposed opposite to each other. Each of the substrates has a surrounding edge and a side surface at the surrounding edge. A wavelength conversion layer is disposed between the two substrates. A light emitting unit corresponding to the wavelength conversion layer is disposed between the corresponding wavelength conversion layer and one of the two substrates. A sealing element is disposed along the edges and in contact with the side surfaces of the two substrates, and seals the wavelength conversion layer and the light emitting unit located between the two substrates.