Auxiliary Electrode Segmentation for OLED Cathode Voltage Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Organic light-emitting display devices experience voltage drops due to variations in voltage applied to the cathode electrode, leading to decreased light-emitting efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An organic light-emitting display device is designed with a base substrate, a thin-film transistor, and an auxiliary electrode that includes a connection part and a non-connection part with different resistances, connected to the second electrode to prevent voltage drops by applying heat to remove adjacent organic layer portions using the auxiliary electrode's connection part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a thin metal layer is used as the cathode electrode, then the device structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but voltage drop occurs causing voltage variation depending on position
Solution Approach 1:
The cathode electrode is divided into multiple segments: a thin metal layer (first cathode electrode) and an auxiliary electrode (second cathode electrode) with different materials and thicknesses. This segmentation allows the thin layer to provide ease of manufacture while the auxiliary electrode compensates for voltage drop, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and voltage consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary electrode uses a different material composition and thickness compared to the thin metal layer. By changing the electrical parameters (conductivity, thickness) of the auxiliary electrode, the overall cathode structure achieves both ease of manufacture and voltage consistency, preventing voltage drop across different positions.
2Device complexity
If the auxiliary electrode connection part has the same width as the non-connection part, then the structure is simpler, but organic layer removal precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary electrode is designed with different widths in different regions: the connection part has a first width while the non-connection part has a second width. This local quality variation enables precise control of organic layer removal at the connection part while maintaining structural simplicity elsewhere, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and manufacturing precision.
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 configuration enhances the light-emitting efficiency by maintaining consistent voltage across the device and improving the electric connection properties between the auxiliary and second electrodes.
Implementation Method 1
applying electric power to the auxiliary electrode to produce heat from the connection part and removing a portion of the organic layer adjacent to the connection part using the heat
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an organic light-emitting display device and a method of fabricating the same. The device may include a base substrate, a thin-film transistor disposed on the base substrate, an organic light-emitting device including a first electrode connected to the thin-film transistor, an organic pattern disposed on the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed on the organic pattern. The device further includes an auxiliary electrode including a connection part and a non-connection part, the connection part being connected to the second electrode. The width of the connection part may be less than that of the non-connection part, when measured in the direction perpendicular to a current flow.