Organic EL Display Barrier for Water and Oxygen Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Organic EL display devices are vulnerable to damage from water and oxygen exposure, especially in high temperature and high humidity environments, which can degrade the organic layer in non-display areas over time.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a permeation prevention barrier and blocking layers, comprising inorganic and conductive materials, is used to prevent water and oxygen from entering the display area, with a double layer structure of transparent and metal layers that reduce permeability and protect the organic EL cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the organic EL display device operates in high temperature and high humidity environments, then the device can function in diverse conditions, but the organic layer in non-display areas is exposed to water and oxygen and may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different protective measures to different areas of the display device. Specifically, a barrier layer is applied only to the non-display area to prevent water and oxygen penetration, while the display area maintains its original structure for optimal optical performance. This localized protection approach allows the device to operate in humid environments without compromising the organic layer in non-display areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier layer acts as an intermediary between the external environment (water and oxygen) and the organic layer in non-display areas. This intermediate protective layer blocks harmful substances from reaching the organic layer, enabling the device to function reliably in high humidity conditions while preserving the integrity of the organic materials.
2Reliability
If barrier layers are applied to protect the organic light-emitting layer, then water and oxygen penetration is prevented, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying barrier layers to the entire device surface, the patent selectively applies the barrier layer only to the non-display area where the organic layer exists but is not needed for light emission. This localized application reduces the overall complexity of the device structure while providing necessary protection where required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the display device into distinct functional areas: a display area for light emission and a non-display area for electrical connections and organic layer protection. The barrier layer is specifically applied to the non-display area segment, creating a segmented protection strategy that simplifies the overall structure compared to universal coverage while maintaining effective protection.
Data Source
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AI summary
An organic electro-luminescent display device includes barriers in a non-display area to protect a display area from water and oxygen. Barriers may include a permeation prevention barrier, a voltage contact portion, and a blocking layer. A permeation prevention barrier includes contact portions where a barrier layer having a lower permeability than a passivation layer penetrates through the passivation layer. A voltage contact portion penetrates the passivation layer so that a signal supply line contacts a conductive material. A blocking layer covers a wall, a planarization layer, and an inorganic insulation layer, and has a lower permeability than the planarization layer, the wall, and the inorganic insulation layer. The permeation prevention barrier, the voltage contact portion, and the blocking layer may be used in various combinations.