Stacked Power Line Metal Layer Extending Beyond Encapsulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing organic electroluminescent display panels face performance degradation due to water vapor permeation through the anode layer during thin-film encapsulation, leading to undesirable black spots.
Innovation Solution
A display panel design featuring a stacked first and second electrode metal layer structure with an inorganic insulating layer and a blocking dam, where the second electrode metal layer is positioned within an encapsulating structure, and the first electrode metal layer extends beyond the encapsulating structure's edge, effectively blocking external water vapor and reducing current passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-layer metal signal line is used for power connection, then the device complexity is reduced, but water vapor can permeate through the anode layer causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The power line is divided into two separate metal layers (first electrode metal layer and second electrode metal layer) stacked vertically. This segmentation creates multiple barriers for water vapor permeation, preventing moisture from reaching the display area through the anode layer, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and encapsulation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-layer horizontal structure to a multi-layer vertical stacked structure. By adding the vertical dimension with two metal layers at different heights, the design blocks water vapor permeation paths while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
2Reliability
If the metal layer extends beyond the encapsulating structure, then water vapor blocking is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first electrode metal layer is designed to extend beyond the encapsulating structure's edge in advance, creating a preliminary barrier before water vapor can penetrate. This preliminary extension ensures that even with manufacturing tolerances, the water vapor blocking function is maintained while managing alignment precision requirements.
3Reliability
If a stacked multi-layer metal structure is used, then water vapor permeation is blocked, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power connection is segmented into two metal layers stacked vertically, where each layer serves the dual function of electrical conduction and water vapor blocking. This segmentation improves encapsulation reliability while keeping the overall structure relatively simple compared to adding separate blocking layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The stacked metal layers serve multiple functions simultaneously: electrical power transmission and water vapor permeation blocking. By making the metal layers multi-functional, the design improves encapsulation performance without requiring additional dedicated blocking structures, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a display panel and a display device. The display panel includes: a base substrate; a reference power line, arranged in a non-display area and including a first electrode metal layer and a second electrode metal layer which are arranged on the base substrate in sequence in a stacked manner; and an encapsulating structure, arranged on a side, deviating from the base substrate, of the reference power line; where in the reference power line, a projection of the second electrode metal layer on the base substrate is arranged within a projection of the encapsulating structure on the base substrate, and a projection of the first electrode metal layer on the base substrate goes beyond an edge of the projection of the encapsulating structure on the base substrate.