Patterned Gate Insulator for Flexible OLED Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
The flexibility of organic light emitting display apparatuses is limited by the presence of thin films, such as insulating layers, which restricts their manufacturing and application in flexible display devices.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a substrate with a thin film transistor and a gate insulator formed with patterns that do not overlap with the intermediate layer, allowing for improved flexibility by reducing the thickness of insulating layers and enhancing the separation space between patterns, thereby increasing the apparatus' ability to withstand external pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If insulating layers are used to ensure electrical insulation, then electrical insulation is improved, but flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gate insulator is divided into multiple patterns (first gate insulator pattern, second gate insulator pattern, third gate insulator pattern) that are spaced apart from each other. This segmentation maintains electrical insulation functionality while creating gaps that improve flexibility and reduce overall insulating layer thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the gate insulator have different properties - the insulator is present where electrical insulation is needed (around gate electrode and active layer) and absent where flexibility is prioritized (in the spaced regions between patterns). This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between insulation and flexibility.
2Reliability
If inorganic insulating layers are used for insulation, then insulation performance is improved, but flexibility deteriorates even more
Solution Approach 1:
The inorganic gate insulator is segmented into spaced-apart patterns rather than forming a continuous layer. This reduces the total amount of rigid inorganic material, thereby improving flexibility while maintaining insulation performance in the regions where the insulator is present.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses organic insulating layers (such as benzocyclobutene or polyimide) in combination with the patterned inorganic gate insulator. These organic layers are more flexible and can better accommodate bending, thus improving overall device flexibility while maintaining insulation through the patterned inorganic structure.
3Reliability
If continuous insulating layers are used, then insulation coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gate insulator is formed as spaced-apart patterns rather than a continuous layer. This simplifies the overall structure by reducing material usage and potentially simplifying manufacturing processes, while the patterns are strategically positioned to provide insulation coverage where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes portions of the insulating layer (creating the spaced-apart patterns) from regions where full insulation coverage is not required. This extraction simplifies the structure and reduces material complexity while maintaining adequate insulation coverage for device operation.
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 configuration enhances the flexibility of the organic light emitting display apparatus, enabling its application in various fields and improving its performance by reducing the thickness of insulating layers and maintaining the integrity of the organic emitting layer.
Implementation Method 1
the gate insulator is disposed to insulate the gate electrode and the active layer
Implementation Method 2
when a voltage is applied to the electrodes, visible rays are generated in the organic emitting layer
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an organic light emitting display apparatus including a substrate, a thin film transistor disposed on the substrate and including an active layer, a gate electrode, a gate insulator, a source electrode and a drain electrode, a first electrode electrically connected to the source electrode or the drain electrode, a second electrode disposed to face the first electrode, and an intermediate layer including an organic emitting layer and disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The gate insulator is disposed to insulate the gate electrode and the active layer and includes a plurality of patterns spaced apart from each other.