AMOLED Array Substrate with Diffuse Reflection Capacitor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) display devices face challenges in outdoor environments due to strong ambient light, which increases power consumption and leads to issues like display burnout and afterimages, as they rely on increasing brightness to improve visibility.

Innovation Solution

An array substrate with a increased reflection area is designed, featuring a semi-reflective metal layer and diffuse reflection layer, configured to diffusely reflect external light, reducing power consumption while enhancing display brightness and contrast in outdoor strong light environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If display brightness is increased by increasing current to overcome strong outdoor ambient light, then visibility is improved, but power consumption increases and display burnout risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay brightnessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of strong outdoor ambient light into a beneficial resource by using it as a light source for the capacitive touch sensor. The sensor utilizes the ambient light that would otherwise be wasted or harmful, converting it into useful optical energy for sensing operations, thereby reducing the need for additional power-consuming backlight or indicator lights

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The display panel serves multiple functions: it provides visual display output and simultaneously acts as a capacitive touch sensor that utilizes ambient light. The same optical structure that enables display functionality also enables touch sensing functionality by reflecting ambient light onto the sensor electrodes, eliminating the need for separate lighting components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Illumination intensity

If display brightness is increased by increasing current to improve visibility in outdoor environments, then contrast is improved, but display reliability deteriorates due to burnout and afterimages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay brightnessVSAvoiddisplay reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The capacitive touch sensor operates by detecting changes in capacitance that occur periodically when objects approach or touch the display surface. This periodic detection mechanism allows the sensor to function intermittently based on user interaction rather than continuously, reducing overall power consumption and heat generation that could lead to burnout

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of manufacture

If a reflective cathode is used to reflect light to the color filter, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the capacitor region becomes opaque and cannot function as a touch sensor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcapacitor region functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cathode is segmented into different regions: a first cathode in the light emitting region that is transparent to allow light transmission, and a second cathode in the capacitor region that is reflective to enable touch sensing. This segmentation allows each region to have optimized properties for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the cathode have different optical properties: the light emitting region uses a transparent cathode to allow light transmission, while the capacitor region uses a reflective cathode to reflect ambient light onto the sensor electrodes. This local differentiation of material properties enables both display and touch sensing functions to coexist without compromising manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The solution effectively increases display brightness and contrast while reducing power consumption by expanding the reflection area, thereby improving the overall performance of AMOLED displays in outdoor settings.

Implementation Method 1

The second conductive layer is configured to diffusely reflect external light from one side of the substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffuse reflection: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

The first conductive layer, the dielectric insulating layer, and the second conductive layer are configured to form a capacitor in the capacitor region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11417712B2Array substrate and display panel including capacitor layer configured to diffusely reflect external light, and method of manufacturing thereof

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICON DISPLAY TECH CO LTD

AI summary

An array substrate, a display panel, and a method of manufacturing the array substrate are provided. The display panel includes the array substrate. The array substrate is provided with a light transmitting region and a capacitor region, and includes a substrate, a driving circuit layer, a second conductive layer, a passivation layer, a color filter, an anode layer, light emitting layer, and cathode layer, which are sequentially disposed from bottom to top.