Emission-Area Trench Layout for Color Separation in Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices face issues with color mixing between adjacent emission areas providing different colors and disconnection of cathode electrodes on adjacent emission areas providing the same color, which degrade image quality in head-mounted displays.

Innovation Solution

The display device incorporates a substrate with trenches having different widths between emission areas of different and same colors, preventing color mixing and electrode disconnection by using a pixel defining film and a light emitting stack with a second electrode, where the trenches include a first sub-trench with a greater width between emission areas of different colors and a second sub-trench with a lesser width between emission areas of the same color.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If uniform width trenches are used between all adjacent emission areas, then manufacturing is simplified, but color mixing between adjacent emission areas of different colors occurs and electrode disconnection occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrench width uniformityVSAvoidcolor separation and electrode connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different trench widths at different locations: first sub-trenches with greater width are disposed between adjacent emission areas providing light of different colors to prevent color mixing, while second sub-trenches with lesser width are disposed between adjacent emission areas providing light of the same color to prevent electrode disconnection. This local differentiation of trench dimensions resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If greater trench width is used between all adjacent emission areas, then color mixing is prevented, but electrode disconnection between adjacent emission areas of the same color occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor mixing preventionVSAvoidelectrode connection continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent differentiates trench width based on the color relationship between adjacent emission areas. First sub-trenches with greater width are used between emission areas of different colors to prevent color mixing, while second sub-trenches with lesser width are used between emission areas of the same color to maintain electrode connection. This localized adaptation of trench dimensions simultaneously prevents color mixing and maintains electrode integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If lesser trench width is used between all adjacent emission areas, then electrode disconnection is prevented, but color mixing between adjacent emission areas of different colors occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode connection continuityVSAvoidcolor mixing prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a differentiated trench width strategy where first sub-trenches with greater width are positioned between emission areas of different colors to prevent color mixing, while second sub-trenches with lesser width are positioned between emission areas of the same color to prevent electrode disconnection. This spatial variation in trench dimensions resolves the contradiction between preventing color mixing and maintaining electrode connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Object-affected harmful factors

If different width trenches are used between adjacent emission areas of different colors, then color mixing is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor mixing preventionVSAvoidtrench structure variation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces local quality variation by implementing different trench widths only where necessary - specifically, greater width first sub-trenches between emission areas of different colors to prevent color mixing, while maintaining lesser width second sub-trenches between emission areas of the same color. This targeted differentiation prevents color mixing while minimizing overall device complexity by applying structural variation only where functionally required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250359436A1Display device

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device is provided in which color mixing between adjacent emission areas that provide light of different respective colors may be prevented and disconnection of a cathode electrode on adjacent emission areas that provide light of the same color may be prevented and an electronic device including the display device. The display device includes: a substrate; a plurality of first electrodes disposed on the substrate; a pixel defining film disposed on the plurality of first electrodes and defining a plurality of emission areas respectively overlapping the plurality of first electrodes, wherein the pixel defining film is disposed on a plurality of trenches adjacent to the plurality of emission areas; a light emitting stack disposed on the plurality of first electrodes and overlapping the plurality of emission areas; and a second electrode disposed on the light emitting stack. The plurality of trenches each include a first sub-trench and a second sub-trench that have different respective widths.