Conductive Paste Contacting for Sensitive Optoelectronic Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for contacting electrodes in optoelectronic components, such as OLEDs and organic solar cells, often damage these sensitive components due to high temperatures and pressures, and are time-consuming, especially when using conventional soldering or flexible electronic circuits.

Innovation Solution

The use of a conductive paste, such as silver, copper, or graphite paste, to create a stable and robust connection between electrodes and conductor tracks, which modifies the electrode surface to enhance contact area and eliminate the need for high temperatures and pressures, combined with adhesive-coated conductive fiber composites for additional mechanical and electrical stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional soldering is used to connect electrodes to conductor tracks, then a stable electrical connection is achieved, but the optoelectronic components are damaged due to high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidtemperature damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a conductive paste as an intermediary material between the electrode and conductor track. This paste contains conductive particles embedded in an adhesive matrix, allowing electrical connection to be established through the paste layer without requiring direct metal-to-metal contact that would necessitate high-temperature soldering. The paste acts as a mediator that transfers both mechanical load and electrical current while protecting the sensitive optoelectronic components from thermal damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If flexible electronic circuits with conductive adhesives are used for contacting, then high temperatures and pressures are avoided, but the manufacturing process becomes time-consuming due to drying requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature and pressure avoidanceVSAvoiddrying time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the conductive adhesive paste to reduce drying time. This includes adjusting the solvent composition, particle size distribution, and adhesive formulation to enable faster evaporation or alternative curing mechanisms. The optimized paste formulation maintains adequate open time for positioning while significantly reducing the overall drying duration, thus balancing protection from harsh conditions with manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional soldering methods are used, then strong electrical connection is achieved, but printed conductor tracks are destroyed or dissolved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection strengthVSAvoidconductor track integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive paste serves as a protective intermediary layer between the electrode and the printed conductor track. During the bonding process, the paste absorbs mechanical stress and distributes loads, preventing direct contact forces from damaging the printed track. The paste's adhesive matrix protects the delicate printed conductive patterns from being disrupted, while still establishing reliable electrical connection through its own conductive particle network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 provides a quick, cost-effective, and gentle contacting solution that ensures a long-lasting, stable connection, reducing manufacturing time and costs while enhancing the reliability and efficiency of optoelectronic components, particularly those sensitive to heat and pressure.

Implementation Method 1

a layer of a conductive paste is present on the electrode, by means of which a contacting to the conductor track occurs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface modification: Deposition (physical)

Implementation Method 2

adhesive-coated conductive fiber composites for additional mechanical and electrical stability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS11018301B2Contacting optoelectronic components
Publication Date: 2021.05.25 INURU GMBH
  • US11018301B2 patent drawing
  • US11018301B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for the contacting of electrodes with conductor tracks by means of a conductive paste and/or adhesive-coated conductive fiber composites is provided. Furthermore, an electronic component whose electrodes are connected by means of a conductive paste and/or adhesive-coated conductive fiber composites is provided.