Optical Path Control Member With In-Substrate Sealing Holes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light blocking films face issues with adhesion failures and sealing defects due to improper height and area control of dams and sealing parts, leading to potential overflow and increased thickness, which affects reliability and visibility.

Innovation Solution

An optical path control member with a novel structure featuring a first and second substrate, electrodes, and a light conversion unit, where the second substrate and electrode include holes for internal dam and sealing parts, reducing thickness and improving sealing characteristics by disposing the dam and sealing parts within these holes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the dam and sealing part are disposed higher than the upper surface of the light blocking film, then the sealing characteristics are improved, but a step occurs causing adhesion failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing characteristicsVSAvoidadhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing part is disposed inside the hole formed in the second substrate, nesting the sealing function within the substrate structure itself. This eliminates the need for the sealing part to protrude above the surface, preventing adhesion failure while maintaining sealing effectiveness through the internal hole structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Strength

If the height of the dam and sealing part is reduced to prevent steps, then adhesion is improved, but ink overflow occurs and sealing characteristics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidsealing characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing part is positioned within the hole of the second substrate, allowing it to provide adequate sealing length without protruding above the surface. This internal positioning maintains adhesion by avoiding steps while preserving sealing characteristics through the hole structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing function is transitioned from a vertical protrusion above the surface to a horizontal extension within the plane of the substrate, utilizing the hole structure. This dimensional change allows adequate sealing area without increasing height, preventing both adhesion failure and overflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the dam height is increased to prevent ink overflow, then sealing is improved, but the overall thickness of the optical path control member increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing characteristicsVSAvoidoverall thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing part is nested within the hole structure of the second substrate, utilizing the existing substrate thickness rather than adding to it. This provides adequate sealing length without increasing the overall thickness of the optical path control member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 prevents overflow of light conversion material and enhances sealing, reducing overall thickness and improving reliability by allowing for controlled height and area of dam and sealing parts, thus enhancing visibility and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a light conversion unit disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight conversion: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 2

filling the inside of the pattern portion with particles that may move when a voltage is applied and a dispersion liquid for dispersing the particles and by dispersing and aggregating the particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Implementation Method 3

Such a dispersion liquid may be injected into each pattern portion by a capillary method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP4174565B1Optical path control member and display device comprising same
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 LG INNOTEK CO LTD
  • EP4174565B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4174565B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4174565B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An optical path control member according to an embodiment comprises: a first substrate; a first electrode disposed on the first substrate; a second substrate disposed on the first substrate; a second electrode disposed below the second substrate; and a light conversion unit disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the second substrate and the second electrode comprise at least one hole penetrating the second substrate and the second electrode, and a sealing part is disposed inside the hole.