Under-Display Transmission Area Layout for Optical Device Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the bezel of display devices is reduced, it becomes challenging to dispose optical devices such as sensors or cameras within the bezel region without interfering with the screen, leading to a need for technologies that can integrate these devices into the screen itself.
Innovation Solution
A display device design that includes a substrate with defined display and transmission areas, featuring a metal blocking layer, inorganic and organic insulation layers, a pixel defining layer, an emission layer, a planarization layer, and an encapsulation layer, allowing the optical device to be disposed within the screen while maintaining high performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the bezel is reduced to increase screen-to-body ratio, then the screen area increases, but the optical device cannot be easily disposed in the bezel region
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the optical device from the bezel region (horizontal dimension) to the screen region (utilizing the display area dimension), specifically placing it in the transmission area where light can pass through. This dimensional shift allows the optical device to be integrated without increasing bezel size, thereby maintaining high screen-to-body ratio while providing space for the optical device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a localized transmission area within the screen with specific optical properties (light transmissivity) to accommodate the optical device. This transmission area has different characteristics from the surrounding display area, allowing the optical device to function while maintaining overall screen integrity and visual display quality in other regions.
2Area of stationary object
If the optical device is disposed in the screen, then the screen-to-body ratio is increased, but light diffraction may occur affecting optical performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multiple intermediary layers (metal blocking layer, inorganic insulation layer, organic insulation layer, pixel defining layer, planarization layer, and encapsulation layer) between the optical device and the external environment. These layers serve as mediators that control light interaction, block unwanted light paths, and minimize diffraction effects while allowing necessary light transmission for optical device functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the screen into distinct functional regions: a display area for visual output and a transmission area for optical device operation. This segmentation allows optimized light management in each region, with the transmission area specifically designed to minimize diffraction while the display area maintains visual quality, thereby preserving overall optical performance.
3Reliability
If multiple insulation layers are disposed in the transmission area, then the optical device is sealed, but the surface flatness may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary planarization by disposing a planarization layer over the stacked insulation layers in the transmission area. This preliminary action flattens the surface before final encapsulation, ensuring that the encapsulation layer can be properly formed and that the overall surface maintains required flatness for optical device operation and display quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures with different properties: inorganic insulation layers provide sealing and barrier functions, while organic insulation layers and the planarization layer provide surface flattening. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of sealing performance and surface flatness by combining materials with complementary characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes: a substrate on which a display area and a transmission area are defined; a metal blocking layer disposed in the display area on the substrate; an inorganic insulation layer disposed on the metal blocking layer; an organic insulation layer disposed on the inorganic insulation layer; a pixel defining layer disposed on the organic insulation layer, where an opening is defined through the pixel defining layer; an emission layer disposed on the organic insulation layer, and in the opening; a planarization layer disposed in the transmission area, on the organic insulation layer; and an encapsulation layer disposed in the display area and the transmission area. The inorganic insulation layer is at least partially removed in the transmission area, the organic insulation layer is disposed in the display area and the transmission area, and the planarization layer contacts a side surface of the pixel defining layer.