Thermosensitive Quantum Dot Transfer for High-Resolution AMOLED Manufacturing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

High-resolution active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) products face technical difficulties, low yield, and high costs due to the limitations of mask evaporation methods, which are hard to align and have low precision, making them less competitive compared to LCDs.

Innovation Solution

A method for manufacturing a quantum dot light emitting diode (QD-LED) subpixel array using a thermosensitive quantum dot material layer applied on a quantum dot accepting layer, where the thermosensitive organic ligand undergoes a chemical reaction upon heating, allowing precise transfer onto subpixel regions, bypassing the limitations of traditional evaporation methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If mask evaporation method is used to prepare organic light emitting layer, then AMOLED can be manufactured, but alignment precision and manufacturing yield are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing yield
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical mask evaporation method with a printing process that uses a nozzle to deposit quantum dot material directly onto the substrate. This substitution eliminates the alignment and precision problems inherent in mask-based mechanical systems, achieving both high manufacturing precision and improved productivity through direct material deposition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material state and deposition parameters by using solution-processable quantum dot materials instead of requiring vacuum evaporation. This parameter change enables printing-based fabrication with better control over deposition area and improved alignment precision, while also enhancing manufacturing yield through a more controllable process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If mask evaporation method is used, then organic light emitting layer can be formed, but control over evaporation area is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaporation area controlVSAvoidtechnical difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mask evaporation mechanical system with a printing system that uses a programmable nozzle to deposit material. This allows precise digital control over the deposition area through software control of the nozzle movement and activation, significantly improving evaporation area control while reducing technical difficulty compared to mask fabrication and alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a printing nozzle as an intermediary between the quantum dot material source and the substrate. This intermediary enables precise control over where material is deposited by controlling nozzle position and activation, providing excellent area control without the complexity of mask systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If printing process is used to prepare organic light emitting layer, then mask evaporation can be substituted, but resolution is extremely limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess substitutabilityVSAvoiddisplay resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters by using quantum dot materials with precise size-controlled emission wavelengths instead of conventional organic materials. This enables high-resolution color display through the quantum confinement effect, where small changes in dot size produce distinct emission colors, achieving high display resolution while maintaining printing process advantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite quantum dot structures with core-shell configurations or alloy compositions to precisely control emission wavelengths. This material composition control enables high-resolution color definition in each pixel, overcoming the resolution limitations of conventional printing while maintaining the ease of manufacturing through printing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Manufacturing precision

If AMOLED technology is developed for high-resolution products, then next generation display can be achieved, but cost is high and yield is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay resolutionVSAvoidmanufacturing yield
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex multi-step vacuum evaporation and mask alignment processes of AMOLED with a simpler printing process. This substitution dramatically improves manufacturing yield by eliminating the low-yield steps of mask fabrication, alignment, and evaporation, while achieving high display resolution through precise nozzle control and quantum dot material properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables self-aligned deposition where the printing nozzle directly deposits material in the desired pattern without requiring separate mask layers. This self-service approach eliminates alignment errors and improves yield by allowing the system to self-correct positioning through real-time feedback control of the nozzle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

5Manufacturing precision

If AMOLED technology is developed for high-resolution products, then next generation display can be achieved, but commodity price is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay resolutionVSAvoidcommodity price
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive vacuum evaporation equipment and mask systems with more economical printing equipment. This substitution reduces capital equipment costs and material waste, leading to lower commodity prices while maintaining high display resolution through precise digital control of the printing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses solution-processable quantum dot materials that can be deposited from liquid solutions rather than requiring expensive vacuum evaporation. This approach uses cheaper material delivery methods and reduces the need for expensive equipment, lowering overall manufacturing costs and commodity prices while achieving high resolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 method facilitates the efficient production of high-resolution active matrix quantum dot light emitting diodes (AM-QD-LEDs), improves yield, and reduces costs, enabling AM-QD-LEDs to compete with LCDs on price by enhancing resolution and material utilization.

Implementation Method 1

the thermosensitive organic ligand undergoes a chemical reaction upon heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal decomposition: Thermolysis

Data Source

PatentEP3410511B1Method for manufacturing a quantum dot light-emitting diode sub-pixel array
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3410511B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3410511B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP3410511B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2F

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a quantum dot light emitting diode subpixel array, a method for manufacturing the same, and a display device. The method for manufacturing the quantum dot light emitting diode subpixel array according to embodiments of the present disclosure comprises a quantum dot accepting layer forming step of forming a quantum dot accepting layer on a substrate; a thermosensitive quantum dot material layer applying step of applying a thermosensitive quantum dot material layer containing a thermosensitive organic ligand on the quantum dot accepting layer; and a thermosensitive quantum dot material transferring step of subjecting the organic ligand of the thermosensitive quantum dot material in a predetermined area of the thermosensitive quantum dot material layer to a chemical reaction by heating such that the thermosensitive quantum dot material in the predetermined area is transferred onto a corresponding subpixel region on the quantum dot accepting layer.