Flexible OLED Display with Low Refraction Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays suffer from reduced light irradiation to the front when bent, resulting in a dimmer image for the viewer due to light emission in the bent direction.
Innovation Solution
An OLED display with a flexible substrate, a thin film encapsulator, low refraction protrusions of isosceles trapezoid shape, and a high refraction layer, optionally including nanobeads, which refract light to maintain luminance and image quality even when the display is bent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible OLED display is bent, then the display can be folded or curved, but light is emitted in the bent direction causing reduced front illumination and dimmer image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating protrusions with different refractive indices at specific locations on the display surface. The first protrusions have a first refractive index and the second protrusions have a second refractive index, allowing different regions to handle light differently - some areas redirect light while others maintain original emission, solving the contradiction between flexibility and front illumination
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions act as intermediary elements between the flexible substrate and the external environment. These structures with varying refractive indices mediate the light path, redirecting bent-direction light back toward the front while allowing the substrate to remain flexible and bendable
2Illumination intensity
If the display structure is made complex with multiple layers and protrusions, then light control is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes physical parameters (refractive indices) of existing protrusion structures rather than adding entirely new components. By adjusting the refractive index values of the protrusions to fall within specific ranges (1.3-1.7 for first protrusions, 1.4-1.8 for second protrusions), the patent achieves effective light control using the same structural framework, thereby improving light control without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity
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 ensures that light is refracted and irradiated to the front of the display in a bent position, improving image quality and maintaining luminance, thereby addressing the issue of reduced light irradiation.
Implementation Method 1
each of the low refraction protrusions is formed having an isosceles trapezoid shape, and a high refraction layer disposed covering the plurality of low refraction protrusions
Data Source
AI summary
An organic light emitting diode display is provided. The organic light emitting diode display includes a flexible substrate, an organic light emitting diode disposed on the flexible substrate, a thin film encapsulator disposed on the organic light emitting diode, a plurality of low refraction protrusions disposed on at least one of a surface of the flexible substrate and the thin film encapsulator, wherein each of the low refraction protrusions is formed having an isosceles trapezoid shape, and a high refraction layer disposed covering the plurality of low refraction protrusions.