Mask plate frame, mask plate and evaporation apparatus

The present disclosure provides a mask plate frame. The mask plate frame includes two opposite rims, and a plurality of connectors detachably mounted to a first surface of each rim along a length direction of each rim. Each connector is used to mount a mask strip.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201820002531.8, filed on Jan. 2, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of evaporation technology, and in particular to a mask plate frame, a mask plate and an evaporation apparatus.

BACKGROUND

In the organic evaporation coating technology for organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) in the related art, a high-precision metal mask plate is taken as a mold, and organic material is evaporated at high temperature. Then, evaporated organic material in the molecular state passes through effective openings of the mask plate and is coated at openings of a transparent conductive film (ITO) of a backboard glass, thereby realizing organic luminescence.

The mask plate includes a frame and a metal mask strip. Two ends of the mask strip are welded to two opposite rims of the frame, respectively. When the mask strip is damaged and is required to be replaced with a new mask strip, it is needed to remove away the damaged mask strip before welding the new mask strip, and it is necessary to polish residual solder joints and the remaining mask strip on a surface of the frame. Due to repeated welding of mask strips, the welded surface is constantly polished, which results in problems such that the frame gets thinner and flatness is poor, thereby affecting service life.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a mask plate frame which includes two opposite rims and a plurality of connectors detachably mounted to a first surface of each rim along a length direction of each rim. Each connector is configured to mount a mask strip.

Optionally, each rim includes a slot defined in the first surface of each rim; the connectors mounted to each rim are snapped in the slot of each rim.

Optionally, the slot of each rim is a strip slot that extends along the length direction of each rim; each rim further includes a plurality of stoppers; each of the stoppers of each rim is detachably mounted to one position selected from different positions of the slot of each rim along the length direction of each frame; the stoppers of each rim limit positions of the connectors mounted to each rim in the length direction of each rim.

Optionally, each rim further includes a plurality of limiting grooves defined in the slot of each rim, and the limiting grooves are arranged along the length direction of each rim and are spaced from each other; each stopper includes a limiting block that is detachably mounted to one limiting groove selected from the limiting grooves of each rim; a thickness of the limiting block of each stopper in a depth direction of the slot of each rim is greater than a depth of the slot of each rim; and a limiting space is defined between every adjacent two limiting blocks and between a slot wall of the slot of each rim and the limiting block adjacent the slot wall.

Optionally, each rim further includes a second surface, and the first surface and the second surface are two opposite surfaces of each rim; one portion of a slot bottom of the slot of each rim is depressed in a direction towards the second surface of each rim to define one limiting groove of each rim; and each limiting groove of each rim extends through two opposite sides of the slot of each rim.

Optionally, each connector mounted to each rim is a connecting block that is snapped in the slot of each rim; a thickness of the connecting block in the depth direction of the slot of each rim is greater than a depth of the slot of each rim.

Optionally, the connecting block has a first connecting surface for mounting the mask strip; the first connecting surface has a first height relative to the first surface of each rim in a direction perpendicular to the first surface of each rim; along the length direction of each rim, the first height of the connecting block is gradually reduced from a middle of each rim towards two ends of each rim.

Optionally, the connecting block has a second connecting surface for mounting a shielding strip; the second connecting surface has a second height relative to the first surface of each rim in the direction perpendicular to the first surface of each rim; and the first height is greater than the second height.

One embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a mask plate which includes a mask body including a plurality of mask strips and a mask plate frame. The mask plate frame includes two opposite rims, and a plurality of connectors detachably mounted to a first surface of each rim along a length direction of each rim. One end of each strip is mounted to one of the connectors mounted to one of the two rims, and the other end of each strip is mounted to one of the connectors mounted to the other one of the two rims.

Optionally, the mask body further includes a shielding strip disposed between adjacent two mask strips; and edges of the shielding strip overlap with edges of adjacent two mask strips in the direction perpendicular to the first surface.

Optionally, one end of each strip is welded to one of the connectors mounted to one of the two rims, and the other end of each strip is welded to one of the connectors mounted to the other one of the two rims.

One embodiment of the present disclosure further provides an evaporation apparatus including the above mask plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The following description refers to the accompanying drawings in which the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The following description of exemplary embodiments is merely used to illustrate the present disclosure and is not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 4, some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mask plate frame for mounting a mask body. The mask body includes a plurality of mask strips4each with an opening pattern. The mask plate frame includes at least two opposite rims1. The rim1includes a first surface20for mounting the mask body. Several connectors2are detachably mounted to the first surface20and are arranged along a length direction (i.e., a first direction indicated with an arrow A1shown inFIG. 2) of the rim1. The connector2is used to fixedly mount an end portion of the mask strip4. In one embodiment as shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the connector2is detachably mounted to the first surface20, and an end portion41of the mask strip4in a second direction A2is welded to the connector2, thereby enabling the end portion41of the mask strip4in the second direction A2to be detachably mounted to the rim1by means of the connector2.

The presence of the connector2enables the end portion41of the mask strip4in the second direction A2to be detachably mounted to the rim1by means of the connector2. Thus, when replacing the mask strip4, it is only needed to remove the connector2away from the rim1, without performing operations that damage the rim, such as polishing the surface of the rim1, thereby extending the service life of the mask plate frame.

The connector2may be mounted to the rim1in a variety of ways, as long as the connector2is detachably mounted to the rim1. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a slot11is defined in the first surface20of the rim1, and the connector2is snapped in the slot11. A length of the connector2in the length direction of the rim matches a width of the mask strip4. In other words, the connector2of one type corresponds to the mask strip4of one type. When the width of the mask strip4changes, the corresponding connector2is used without performing operations that damage the rim, such as polishing the surface of the rim1, thereby extending the service life of the mask plate frame.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the slot11is a strip slot that extends along the length direction of the rim1. The connector2is capable of being snapped into different positions of the slot11. For example, several stoppers3may be mounted in the slot11along a length direction (which is parallel to a direction indicated by the arrow A1shown inFIG. 3) of the slot11. The stopper3can limit a position of the connector2. The stopper3is movably mounted in the slot11, and may be mounted at different positions of the slot11.

In the related art, the mask strip of the mask plate is directly welded to the surface of the rim. But the mask strips in the mask plates of different types have different widths, and are welded to different positions of the rims. Thus, the mask plate of one type can be connected to only one type of the mask strip with a certain width, and the mask strips of different widths cannot share the same mask plate frame, resulting in increased cost.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the stopper3may be mounted to different positions of the slot11, and the position of the stopper3in the slot11may be adjusted for the mask strips4of different widths. Thus, the connector2of a corresponding a length in the length direction of the slot11may be used, so that the mask strips4of different widths can share the same mask plate frame, thereby reducing costs.

The specific structure of the stopper3and the specific connection mode between the stopper3and the slot may be varied, as long as the stopper3can limit the position of the connector2and the stopper3may be mounted at different positions of the slot11. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, several limiting grooves12are defined in the slot11along the length direction of the slot11and are spaced from each other. The stopper3includes a limiting block that is detachably mounted in one limiting groove12. At least one part of the limiting block protrudes from a slot bottom110. In other words, a thickness of the limiting block in a depth direction (which is parallel to a direction indicated by the arrow A3shown inFIG. 3) of the slot11is greater than a depth of the limiting groove12in the depth direction of the slot11. A limiting space is defined between two adjacent limiting blocks, and between a slot wall112of the slot11and the limiting block. For one limiting space at a middle portion of the slot11, the limiting space is defined by two adjacent limiting blocks and two opposite slot walls113and115. For one limiting space at an end portion of the slot11, the limiting space is defined by one limiting block adjacent to the end portion of the slot11and three adjacent slot walls112,113and115.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the rim1further includes a second surface26. The first surface20and the second surface26are two opposite surfaces of the rim1.

One portion of the slot bottom110of the slot11is depressed in a direction towards the second surface26to define the limiting groove12. The limiting groove12extends along a direction that is perpendicular to an extension direction (which is parallel to a direction indicated by an arrow A1shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3) of the slot11, and extends through two opposite sides of the slot11in a direction indicated by an arrow A2shown inFIG. 2.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the mask body includes several mask strips4each with an opening pattern. The connector2may be a connecting block that is snapped in the slot11. A thickness of the connecting block in the depth direction of the slot11is greater than a depth of the slot11, thereby facilitating assembling the connector2with the mask strip4in the slot11.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the connecting block has a first connecting surface21for mounting the end portion41of the mask strip4. The first connecting surface21is located at an outside of the slot11. The mask strip4is fixed to the first connecting surface21by means of welding.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first connecting surface21of the connecting block has a first height H1relative to the first surface20in a direction perpendicular to the first surface20. As shown inFIG. 5, along the length direction of the rim1, the first height of the connecting block is gradually reduced from a middle of the rim2towards two ends of the rim1.

In the related art, after the mask strip is welded to the surface of the frame, the mask strip mask strip contracts inward and then tension is applied to the surface of the frame. Due to the tension, edges of the frame is easily curled and deformed, which may result in that the mask plate cannot be attached to a glass substrate in a proper manner during evaporation, resulting in poor color mixing during evaporation. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the deformation of the mask plate frame can be compensated by changes in the first height of the connecting block, thereby reducing occurrence of poor color mixing and then improving the product yield.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in order to prevent evaporated material from leaking through a gap between adjacent two mask strips, the mask body may further include a shielding strip5for shielding the gap between adjacent two mask strips4. The connecting block has a second connecting surface22for mounting the shielding strip5of the mask plate.

The first connecting surface21of the connecting block has the first height H1relative to the first surface20in the direction perpendicular to the first surface20. The second connecting surface22of the connecting block has a second height H2relative to the first surface20in the direction perpendicular to the first surface20. The first height H1is greater than the second height H2.

In order to effectively shield the gap between adjacent two mask strips4, as shown inFIG. 4, edges of the shielding strip5overlap with edges of adjacent two mask strips4in the direction perpendicular to the first surface20. Accordingly, in order to facilitate mounting of the shielding strip5and the mask strip4, the first connecting surface21for mounting the mask strip4and the second connecting surface22for mounting the shielding strip5are at different planes. Further, in order to not affect utilization of the mask plate, the first height H1is greater than the second height H2. In other words, after the mask strip4and the shielding strip5are mounted to the connecting block, the mask strip4is located above the shielding strip5, as shown inFIG. 4.

One embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a mask plate. The mask plate includes a mask body and the above mask plate frame. The mask body includes several mask strips4. Two ends of the mask strip4are fixed mounted to two opposite rims1of the mask plate frame by means of the connectors2, respectively.

The presence of the connector2enables the end portion41of the mask strip4in the second direction A2to be detachably mounted to the rim1by means of the connector2. Thus, when replacing the mask strip4, it is only needed to remove the connector2away from the rim1, without performing operations that damage the rim, such as polishing the surface of the rim1, thereby extending the service life of the mask plate frame.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the mask body may further include a shielding strip5disposed between adjacent two mask strips4. Edges of the shielding strip5overlap with edges of adjacent two mask strips4in the direction perpendicular to the first surface20.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the presence of the shielding strip5can prevent evaporated material from leaking through a gap between adjacent two mask strips4. Further, in order to effectively shield the gap between adjacent two mask strips4, the edges of the shielding strip5overlap with edges of adjacent two mask strips4in the direction perpendicular to the first surface20. Accordingly, in order to facilitate mounting of the shielding strip5and the mask strip4, the first connecting surface21for mounting the mask strip4and the second connecting surface22for mounting the shielding strip5are at different planes. Further, in order to not affect utilization of the mask plate, the first height H1is greater than the second height H2. In other words, after the mask strip4and the shielding strip5are mounted to the connecting block, the mask strip4is located above the shielding strip5, as shown inFIG. 4.

One embodiment of the present disclosure further provides an evaporation apparatus that includes the above mask plate.

The presence of the connector2enables the end portion41of the mask strip4in the second direction A2to be detachably mounted to the rim1by means of the connector2. Thus, when replacing the mask strip4, it is only needed to remove the connector2away from the rim1, without performing operations that damage the rim, such as polishing the surface of the rim1, thereby extending the service life of the mask plate frame.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the deformation of the mask plate frame can be compensated by changes in the first height H1of the connecting block, thereby reducing occurrence of poor color mixing and then improving the product yield.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in order to prevent evaporated material from leaking through a gap between adjacent two mask strips4, the mask body may further include a shielding strip5for shielding the gap between adjacent two mask strips4. Further, in order to effectively shield the gap between adjacent two mask strips4, the edges of the shielding strip5overlap with edges of adjacent two mask strips4in the direction perpendicular to the first surface20. Accordingly, in order to facilitate mounting of the shielding strip5and the mask strip4, the first connecting surface21for mounting the mask strip4and the second connecting surface22for mounting the shielding strip5are at different planes. Further, in order to not affect utilization of the mask plate, the first height H1is greater than the second height H2. In other words, after the mask strip4and the shielding strip5are mounted to the connecting block, the mask strip4is located above the shielding strip5, as shown inFIG. 4.

The above are merely the optional embodiments of the present disclosure and shall not be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that, a person skilled in the art may make improvements and modifications without departing from the principle of the present disclosure, and these improvements and modifications shall also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.