Self-Repairing OLED Encapsulation Structure for Flexible Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
The encapsulation structure for OLED devices has a poor encapsulation effect due to the formation of air channels during the bending process, which compromises the ability to effectively isolate the device from moisture and oxygen, thereby reducing its service life.
Innovation Solution
An encapsulation structure comprising multiple film layers with an inorganic layer and an organic layer, where the organic layer includes a polymer matrix and a repairing microstructure in the form of capsules with a reversible addition-fragmentation transfer radical polymerization reaction capability, allowing for self-repair of cracks and through-holes, enhancing the encapsulation effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the encapsulation structure uses a conventional inorganic-organic-inorganic layered structure, then the device achieves water resistance and flexible display capability, but the bending process causes the encapsulation structure to break and form air channels, resulting in poor encapsulation effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds repairing microstructures (capsules containing repairing agents) into the organic layer before the device is subjected to bending stress. These capsules are pre-positioned throughout the organic layer, ready to activate and repair cracks as they form during bending, rather than waiting for damage to occur and then applying a repair solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of bending-induced cracks into a beneficial self-repair process. When cracks form and penetrate the capsules, the releasing of repairing agents is triggered, which then fills and seals the cracks, transforming the damage into an opportunity for automatic restoration of the encapsulation structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the organic layer is made more flexible to enable bending, then the flexible display capability is improved, but the encapsulation structure becomes more prone to breaking and forming air channels
Solution Approach 1:
The organic layer is equipped with self-repairing capability through the embedded capsules containing repairing agents. When bending causes cracks to form, the capsules automatically rupture and release their contents, which then seal the cracks without requiring external intervention. This self-service mechanism allows the flexible layer to maintain encapsulation integrity despite repeated bending cycles.
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 encapsulation structure effectively repairs air channels and improves the encapsulation effect, extending the service life of OLED devices by maintaining a robust barrier against moisture and oxygen, even under bending stress.
Implementation Method 1
The repairing agent is used for a reversible addition-fragmentation transfer radical polymerization reaction with the polymer matrix
Data Source
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AI summary
An encapsulation structure, a manufacturing method thereof and a display apparatus are provided in the present disclosure, in the field of display device encapsulation. The encapsulation structure includes a plurality of film layers coated on the outside of a device to be encapsulated and the plurality of film layers include an inorganic layer and an organic layer that are laminated. The organic layer includes a polymer matrix and a repairing microstructure. The present disclosure solves the problem that the encapsulation structure has a poor encapsulation effect and improves the encapsulation effect. The present disclosure is applied for device encapsulation.