Display Device Isolating Portion Light Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

In display devices with organic electroluminescence, light leakage between adjacent light emitting elements can occur due to diffused light from the protection layer, which degrades the quality of the displayed image.

Innovation Solution

A display device structure is implemented with a substrate, light emitting elements isolated by an insulator portion, a protection layer with an isolating portion having a different refractive index, and a color filter layer, where the isolating portion is arranged over and spaced apart from the upper electrode to reflect diffused light and prevent leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protection layer is arranged to cover the light emitting elements to protect the organic layer from water, then the reliability of the display device is improved, but light leakage between adjacent light emitting elements occurs due to diffused light, deteriorating the image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of organic layer from waterVSAvoidlight leakage between adjacent light emitting elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protection layer is segmented by forming isolating portions (trenches) that divide the continuous protection layer into separate regions. These isolating portions are filled with a light-blocking material to prevent light diffusion between adjacent light emitting elements while maintaining the protective function against water moisture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protection layer is modified locally by creating isolating portions at specific positions between adjacent light emitting elements. The refractive index and light-blocking properties are changed only in these local regions where light leakage occurs, while the rest of the protection layer maintains its original protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If color filters are arranged above the protection layer to achieve color display, then the display quality is improved, but the structural complexity of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor display qualityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The isolating portions are integrated into the protection layer structure rather than being separate components. The color filter layer is positioned above the protection layer with the isolating portions, merging multiple functions (protection, light isolation, and color filtering) into a unified multi-layer structure that reduces overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the isolating portion is formed in the protection layer to suppress light leakage, then the image quality is improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight leakage suppressionVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The isolating portions are formed in the protection layer before the color filter layer is deposited. This preliminary formation allows the color filter layer to be deposited over the isolating portions without requiring additional alignment or positioning steps, simplifying the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The isolating portions filled with light-blocking material serve as an intermediary structure between the protection layer and the color filter layer. This intermediary structure enables both layers to coexist and function properly while preventing light leakage, without requiring complex manufacturing steps.

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 structure effectively suppresses light leakage between adjacent light emitting elements, enhancing the quality of the displayed image by reflecting diffused light and maintaining the protection of the organic layer from water.

Implementation Method 1

the protection layer is provided with an isolating portion that is arranged over and overlapped with the second portion and has a refractive index different from that of the protection layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

the light is reflected by the interfaces between the color filters and the partitions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10593909B2Display device including lower electrodes isolated by an insulator portion and method of manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 CANON KK

AI summary

A display device is provided. The device comprises light emitting elements and a protection layer. The light emitting elements include lower electrodes isolated by an insulator portion, an organic layer including a light emitting layer arranged on the lower electrodes, and an upper electrode covering the organic layer. The insulator portion includes a first portion arranged on the lower electrodes, and a second portion arranged between the lower electrodes. The protection layer covers the upper electrode, and is provided with an isolating portion that is arranged over the second portion and has a refractive index different from the protection layer. A height of an upper surface of a portion of the upper electrode arranged under the isolating portion is lower than a height of an upper surface of a portion of the upper electrode arranged over the first portion.