Electroluminescent Display Bank Layer Height Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electroluminescent display devices face challenges in achieving uniform light emitting layer thickness, leading to non-uniform image quality, increased power consumption, and reduced lifetime due to issues with the solution process, such as dewet and overflow phenomena, which complicate the production of large-size, high-definition displays.

Innovation Solution

The electroluminescent display device employs a solution process with varying concentrations and bank layer heights to control light emitting layer thickness, incorporating a hole auxiliary layer and electron auxiliary layer, and using different bank layer heights and opening depths to prevent non-uniformity, allowing for precise thickness control and uniform emission across pixel regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a solution process is used to form the light emitting layer, then large-size and high-definition displays can be produced, but non-uniform thickness and image quality occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay sizeVSAvoidlight emitting layer thickness uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by forming bank layers with different heights in different pixel regions. Specifically, the first bank layer has a first height in the first pixel region, the second bank layer has a second height in the second pixel region, and the third bank layer has a third height in the third pixel region, where the heights are in a 1:2:3 ratio. This local differentiation of bank layer heights enables precise control of light emitting layer thickness in each region, achieving uniform thickness across the entire display while maintaining large size and high definition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If the light emitting layer thickness is non-uniform, then production is easier, but color purity and light extraction efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emitting layer formationVSAvoidcolor purity and light extraction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the bank layer heights across different pixel regions to achieve the desired light emitting layer thickness distribution. The bank layer heights are set in a specific 1:2:3 ratio to compensate for the natural tendency of solution-based deposition to create non-uniform thickness. This parameter adjustment ensures that the light emitting layer achieves uniform thickness, thereby maintaining high color purity and light extraction efficiency while preserving the ease of solution-based manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If bank layer heights are varied to control thickness, then thickness uniformity improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emitting layer thickness uniformityVSAvoidbank layer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the display into multiple pixel regions (first, second, and third pixel regions) and forming separate bank layers (first, second, and third bank layers) with different heights in each region. This segmentation approach allows independent control of bank layer height in each pixel region, achieving precise thickness uniformity across the entire display. The segmented structure, while appearing complex, follows a systematic 1:2:3 height ratio that simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 approach enables the production of large-size, high-definition electroluminescent displays with improved color purity, light extraction efficiency, and reduced power consumption, while maintaining uniform image quality and extending the device's lifetime by ensuring consistent light emitting layer thickness across different pixel regions.

Implementation Method 1

electroluminescent display devices emit light due to the radiative recombination of an exciton after forming the exciton from an electron and a hole by injecting charges into a light emitting layer between a cathode for injecting electrons and an anode for injecting holes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

by selectively amplifying a wavelength using the micro-cavity effect in which light emitting from the light emitting layer 80 causes interference between the two electrodes 62 and 92 to thereby emit a narrow color spectrum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Data Source

PatentEP3276690B1Electroluminescent display device
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 LG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3276690B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP3276690B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3
  • EP3276690B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An electroluminescent display device includes a substrate (110, 210) on which first and second pixel regions (P1, P2) are defined; a passivation layer (150, 250) over the substrate (110, 210); a first electrode (162, 262) in each of the first and second pixel regions (P1, P2) on the passivation layer (150, 250); a bank layer (170, 270) exposing the first electrode (162, 262); a light emitting layer (180, 280) on the first electrode (162, 262) exposed by the bank layer (170, 270); and a second electrode (192, 292) on the light emitting layer (170, 270), wherein the bank layer (170, 270) includes first and second openings (172a, 272a; 174a, 274a) exposing the first electrodes (162, 262) corresponding to the first and second pixel regions (P1, P2), respectively, and wherein a depth (d2) of the second opening (174a, 274a) is larger than a depth (d1) of the first opening (172a, 272a).