Organic EL Device Supporting Layers Prevent Bending Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible organic EL devices face damage to the organic EL layer when bent, due to reduced distance between substrates causing contact with the sealing substrate and concentration of stress at interfaces, leading to potential peeling of the sealing layer.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating supporting layers that connect regions without organic EL elements on the substrates, forming a laminate structure to maintain substrate separation and distribute bending stress, preventing contact between the sealing substrate and the organic EL layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flexible substrates are used to enable bending, then flexibility is improved, but the distance between substrates decreases causing organic EL layer damage
Solution Approach 1:
A supporting layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the first substrate and the second substrate. This supporting layer extends from the first substrate toward the second substrate in the region without organic EL elements, preventing direct contact between the substrates during bending while maintaining the flexibility of the device.
2Volume of moving object
If substrates are laminated closely to reduce device thickness, then device compactness is improved, but stress concentration occurs at interfaces causing sealing layer peeling
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting layer is positioned specifically in the region without organic EL elements, segmenting the structural support function from the light-emitting region. This segmentation allows the supporting layer to bear mechanical stress and prevent peeling at the substrate-sealing layer interfaces without interfering with the organic EL layer functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting layer is pre-positioned between the substrates in the region without organic EL elements to provide beforehand cushioning against bending-induced stress. This prevents stress concentration at the sealing layer interfaces before peeling can occur, maintaining interface bonding strength during flexing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an organic EL device that can prevent an organic EL layer(s) from being damaged when the organic EL device is bent. An organic EL device (10) of the present invention includes: a first substrate (11); a second substrate (12); one or more organic EL elements; and a sealing layer (14). Each of the one or more organic EL elements includes an organic EL layer (13) and a pair of electrodes (16, 17). One surface of the first substrate (11) is a mounting surface on which the one or more organic EL elements are disposed. The first substrate (11) and the second substrate (12) are laminated in such a manner that the mounting surface of the first substrate (11) and one surface of the second substrate (12) face each other with the sealing layer (14) interposed therebetween. The sealing layer (14) seals a gap between the first substrate (11) and the second substrate (12) along an entire periphery of a region facing the second substrate (12) on the mounting surface of the first substrate (11) and an entire periphery of a region facing the first substrate (11) on the surface of the second substrate (12) facing the first substrate (11). The organic EL device further includes one or more supporting layers (15). The supporting layers (15) are disposed in such a manner that the supporting layers (15) connect the whole or part of a region without the one or more organic EL elements on the mounting surface of the first substrate (11) and a region facing the whole or part of the region without the one or more organic EL elements on the surface of the second substrate (12) facing the first substrate (11).