Sub-Metal Layer Opening Structure for Moisture-Resistant Displays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In display devices with openings, moisture can penetrate through the lateral surfaces, potentially damaging the surrounding display elements.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a substrate having an opening, featuring a metal stacked structure comprising a first sub-metal layer with a first hole and a second sub-metal layer underneath with a second hole, where the second hole overlaps the first hole and has a greater width. This structure includes an edge tip of the first sub-metal layer that protrudes further into the first hole than the edge of the second sub-metal layer, and an intermediate layer with organic material layers separated by the tip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple opening structure is used, then manufacturing is easier, but moisture can penetrate into the lateral surface and damage display elements
Solution Approach 1:
The metal layer is divided into multiple sub-metal layers (first sub-metal layer, second sub-metal layer, third sub-metal layer) stacked vertically. Each layer has holes that overlap to form a continuous vertical passage, segmenting the moisture barrier function across multiple layers while maintaining overall protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane metal layer to a multi-layer stacked structure in the vertical dimension. The overlapping holes create a three-dimensional moisture transmission path control mechanism, blocking moisture laterally while allowing vertical passage for display functionality
2Reliability
If a metal stacked structure with overlapping holes is used, then moisture transmission is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metal stacked structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a moisture barrier, provides electrical connectivity through the overlapping holes, and maintains structural integrity. The same structure that blocks moisture also serves as the conductive pathway for display elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the moisture barrier function and electrical conduction function into a single integrated metal stacked structure. The overlapping holes in different sub-metal layers create both the moisture blocking effect and the electrical connection pathway, merging two separate requirements into one structure
3Reliability
If the second hole has greater width than the first hole, then moisture barrier effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes the hole patterns in each sub-metal layer during the manufacturing process before final assembly. The overlapping hole configurations are pre-designed with specific width relationships (second hole wider than first hole) to ensure moisture blocking effectiveness while maintaining alignment tolerances
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes: a substrate having an opening; a plurality of display elements at a display area adjacent to the opening, the plurality of display elements each including a pixel electrode, an opposite electrode, and an intermediate layer between the pixel electrode and the opposite electrode; and a metal stacked structure between the opening and the display area, and including: a first sub-metal layer having a first hole; and a second sub-metal layer under the first sub-metal layer and having a second hole, the second hole overlapping with the first hole and having a width greater than a width of the first hole.