Electroluminescent Device Non-Conductive Protective Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electroluminescent devices face challenges in achieving homogeneous voltage distribution and are prone to shorts due to the high resistance of thin electrodes and sensitivity of organic layers, especially when connecting conducting posts to the counter electrode.
Innovation Solution
An electroluminescent device with a non-conductive protective means, such as anhydrous and water-free glue, fully covering the area below the contact means on the substrate electrode to prevent direct contact between the counter electrode and the substrate electrode, ensuring no short occurs even if the contact means damage the counter electrode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conducting posts are applied to the counter electrode to eliminate high resistance, then voltage distribution is improved, but the risk of shorts increases due to damage to sensitive organic layers
Solution Approach 1:
A non-conductive protective means is introduced as an intermediary layer between the substrate electrode and the contact means. This protective means prevents direct contact between the contact means and the substrate electrode, thereby eliminating the harmful short circuit effect while allowing the conducting posts to maintain improved voltage distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The non-conductive protective means is applied to the substrate electrode before the conducting posts are connected to the counter electrode. This preliminary protective action ensures that even if damage occurs to the organic layers during connection, the substrate electrode remains protected from shorts
2Length of moving object
If electrode thickness is reduced to maintain thin device structure, then device compactness is improved, but resistance increases making voltage distribution difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device structure is segmented into distinct functional layers: thin electrodes for compactness, sensitive organic layers for electroluminescence, and a non-conductive protective means for electrical isolation. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the others
Solution Approach 2:
The non-conductive protective means acts as an intermediary that enables the use of thin electrodes by providing the necessary electrical isolation, allowing voltage distribution to be improved through conducting posts without requiring thicker electrodes
3Length of moving object
If organic layers are made thinner to reduce device thickness, then device compactness is improved, but sensitivity to damage increases leading to more shorts
Solution Approach 1:
The non-conductive protective means provides beforehand cushioning by creating a protective barrier on the substrate electrode before any damage can occur to the thin organic layers. This ensures that even if the organic layers are damaged during connection, the substrate electrode is protected from direct contact
Solution Approach 2:
The protective means serves as an intermediary protection layer that decouples the vulnerability of thin organic layers from the substrate electrode, allowing thin layers to be used for compactness while the intermediary protects against short susceptibility
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 allows for easy connection to an electrical source without risking shorts, as the protective means isolates the substrate electrode from potential damage, maintaining the integrity of the organic electroluminescent layer and counter electrode, and enhances light scattering for improved performance.
Implementation Method 1
the non-conductive glue... comprises at least one scattering means for scattering light generated by the organic electroluminescent layer
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electroluminescent device (10) comprising a substrate and on top of the substrate a substrate electrode, a counter electrode and an electroluminescent layer stack with at least one organic electroluminescent layer (50) arranged between the substrate electrode (20) and the counter electrode (30), and an encapsulation means (90) encapsulating at least the electroluminescent layer stack, the electroluminescent device (10) comprises at least one contact means (60), for electrically contacting the counter electrode (30) to an electrical source. The invention discloses that at least one protective means (70) is arranged on the substrate electrode (20), wherein the protective means (70) is electrically non-conductive and is at least fully covering the area below the contact means (60).