Organic Thin Film Transistor Array Substrate Printing Process

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Solution Overview

Problem

The fabrication of organic thin film transistor (OTFT) array substrates is cumbersome and inefficient, leading to significant material waste due to the multiple patterning processes required for forming the gate electrode, gate insulating layer, organic semiconductor layer, source and drain electrodes, signal line, and pixel electrode.

Innovation Solution

The formation of the organic semiconductor layer, gate insulating layer, gate electrode, gate line, common electrode, and common electrode line is achieved through the use of first and second bank insulating layers made of photosensitive resin, allowing for printing within their through holes and openings, thereby simplifying the process and improving accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple patterning processes (deposition, exposure, etching) are used to form gate electrode, gate insulating layer, organic semiconductor layer, source and drain electrodes, signal line and pixel electrode, then the OTFT array substrate can be fabricated with complete structures, but the fabrication process becomes cumbersome and material waste increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure formation accuracyVSAvoidraw material waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple patterning processes into a single printing process. The printing process directly forms the gate electrode, gate insulating layer, organic semiconductor layer, source and drain electrodes, signal line, and pixel electrode in one step, eliminating the need for separate deposition, exposure, and etching processes for each layer, thus reducing material waste while maintaining structure formation accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The printing process serves multiple functions simultaneously: it patterns all conductive layers (gate electrode, source/drain electrodes, signal line, pixel electrode) and insulating layers (gate insulating layer) in a single operation, making the printing apparatus a universal tool that replaces multiple specialized fabrication processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple patterning processes are performed several times to form complete OTFT structures, then all necessary layers and electrodes can be created, but fabrication efficiency decreases and process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern formation capabilityVSAvoidfabrication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple sequential patterning operations into a single printing operation. The printing process directly deposits patterned materials for all layers simultaneously, reducing the number of fabrication steps from multiple deposition-exposure-etching cycles to a single printing step, thereby dramatically improving fabrication efficiency while maintaining pattern formation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The printing process performs preliminary patterning action for all layers at once. By pre-forming all electrode patterns and insulating layer patterns in a single printing step, the patent eliminates the need for subsequent separate patterning operations, thus improving productivity without sacrificing manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method reduces material waste and enhances the accuracy of the OTFT array substrate structures, improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the manufacturing process while maintaining high display quality.

Implementation Method 1

forming the first bank insulating layer and the second bank insulating layer with the photosensitive resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP2672316B1Organic thin film transistor array substrate and preparation method thereof, and display device
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP2672316B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2672316B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2672316B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

According to embodiments of the present invention, there are provided an organic semiconductor array substrate, a method for manufacturing the same and a display device. The organic thin film transistor array substrate comprises a pixel structure formed on a transparent substrate; the pixel structure includes: a gate line, a data line, an organic thin film transistor, a pixel electrode, a common electrode line and a common electrode; the organic thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, an organic semiconductor layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode; above the data line, the source electrode, the drain electrode and the pixel electrode, there are disposed in order a first bank insulating layer and a second bank insulating layer from bottom to top; and at openings and through holes of the first bank insulating layer and the second bank insulating layer, the pixel structure is formed by printing.