Organic Buffer Layer in Sealing Film for Display Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

The sealing capability of organic EL display devices deteriorates when an insular non-display area is introduced within the display area, compromising the protection against water and oxygen contamination.

Innovation Solution

A display device design featuring a frame-shaped inner circular wall with an organic buffer layer interposed between inorganic films in the sealing film, ensuring effective sealing around the non-display area and maintaining the integrity of the sealing film.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an insular non-display area is provided in the display area, then the device can accommodate additional components (camera, fingerprint sensor), but the sealing capability of the sealing film deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent accommodation capabilityVSAvoidsealing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing film is segmented into multiple inorganic layers (first inorganic film, second inorganic film) with an organic buffer layer in between, allowing the sealing structure to adapt to the complex geometry created by the insular non-display area while maintaining protective function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An organic buffer layer is introduced as an intermediary between the first and second inorganic films, filling the space above the insular non-display area and enabling the sealing film to maintain integrity and sealing capability over the non-planar surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the sealing film is formed as a simple stack without organic buffer layer, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the sealing capability deteriorates over non-display areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing film fabrication simplicityVSAvoidsealing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing film uses a composite structure combining organic and inorganic materials, where the organic buffer layer complements the inorganic films to provide comprehensive sealing protection over both display and non-display areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS11329110B2Display device having organic buffer layer between inorganic sealing films and method of manufacturing display device

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 SHARP KK

AI summary

A display device includes: a base substrate; light-emitting elements on the base substrate with a TFT layers intervening between the light-emitting elements and the base substrate, to form a display area; a sealing film including a sequentially formed stack of a first inorganic film and a second inorganic film and provided so as to cover the light-emitting elements; and an insular non-display area in the display area, wherein the non-display area includes a frame-shaped inner circular wall protruding in a thickness direction of the base substrate and extending along a boundary between the non-display area and the display area, and the inner circular wall includes on a surface thereof an organic buffer layer interposed between the first inorganic film and the second inorganic film.