Screen Printing Plate Masking Lines for OLED Packaging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional screen printing technologies fail to provide an effective packaging solution for OLED display devices, which are sensitive to moisture and oxygen, leading to reduced lifespan due to inadequate sealing.

Innovation Solution

A screen plate with a mesh structure and masking lines is used to create a packaging method where a packaging adhesive is printed with a scraper, forming an annular structure with retaining walls that enhance sealing and resistance to erosion, and the adhesive is solidified using laser irradiation, creating a hump-like cross-section with two retaining walls for secondary protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional screen printing technology is used to apply packaging adhesive, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the packaging effect is insufficient and cannot provide adequate sealing for OLED devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging effectVSAvoidscreen plate structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The screen plate is divided into multiple functional components: a frame, a mesh fixed to the frame, and a masking film arranged on the mesh. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the mesh provides adhesive application areas while the masking film creates the retaining wall structure, together achieving superior packaging effect without excessive overall complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a vertical dimension to the packaging adhesive by creating retaining walls through the masking film structure. The masking line width is greater than mesh line width, causing adhesive to accumulate vertically and form retaining walls that provide enhanced sealing and protection in the vertical dimension, transforming a 2D printing process into a 3D protective structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional screen printing is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the resistance to erosion and moisture ingress is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to erosion and moisture ingressVSAvoidmasking line width control
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The masking line is designed with a specific local quality - its width is greater than the mesh line width. This local difference in dimensions causes the packaging adhesive to form retaining walls at the masking line locations, creating localized areas of enhanced protection against erosion and moisture ingress where they are most needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The masking film is pre-positioned on the mesh before the packaging adhesive is applied. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when adhesive is printed, it automatically forms the desired retaining wall structure with proper height and positioning, achieving precise erosion resistance without requiring complex post-processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a single-layer packaging adhesive is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the protection against moisture and oxygen is insufficient for OLED devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against moisture and oxygenVSAvoidlifespan of OLED display device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining walls formed by the masking line create a protective barrier structure before the OLED device is fully assembled and before any moisture or oxygen ingress can occur. This preemptive protective structure cushions the organic layer against harmful environmental factors, extending device lifespan

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

The method achieves a better packaging effect and improved resistance to erosion and moisture ingress, extending the lifespan of OLED display devices by ensuring a tighter seal and enhanced protection.

Implementation Method 1

the adhesive is solidified using laser irradiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser irradiation: Laser

Implementation Method 2

laser irradiation, creating a hump-like cross-section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotothermal conversion: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3664176B1Screen printing plate, packaging method, display panel and display device
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3664176B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3664176B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3664176B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A screen plate, a packaging method, a display panel and a display device are provided. The screen plate includes a frame, a mesh fixed onto the frame and a masking film arranged on the mesh. A printing area is formed in a portion of the mesh that is not masked by the masking film. At least one masking line is arranged in the printing area. The at least one masking line is arranged along an edge of the masking film respectively. A width of the masking line is greater than a width of each mesh line of the mesh.