Flexible OLED Substrate Selective Energizing for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices that use flexible substrates, such as OLEDs, often require energizing the entire light emitting area regardless of its usage, leading to inefficiency and potential device degradation, as they do not allow for selective energization based on the substrate's position relative to a support.
Innovation Solution
A device with a support and a movably coupled substrate, where the energizing component selectively energizes portions of lighting devices based on the substrate's position, allowing only the exposed portions to emit light, thereby reducing power consumption and preventing unnecessary heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the entire light emitting area is energized, then the illumination coverage is maximized, but the power consumption increases and device degradation accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitting area is divided into multiple independently controllable segments or regions. The control system can selectively energize only the exposed portions of the flexible substrate that are not in contact with the support surface, while leaving covered portions unenergized. This segmentation allows the device to provide sufficient illumination coverage for the visible area without wasting energy on covered regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates a flexible substrate that can dynamically change its configuration and contact area with the support surface. The system adapts the energized regions in real-time based on the substrate's position and the user's needs, allowing dynamic optimization between illumination coverage and power consumption depending on whether the device is fully exposed or partially covered.
2Illumination intensity
If the entire light emitting area is energized, then the illumination coverage is maximized, but the heat generation increases causing device degradation
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the light emitting area into exposed and covered regions, the system energizes only the necessary exposed portions. This reduces the total volume of material subjected to electrical excitation and subsequent heat generation, thereby lowering overall heat production and thermal stress on the device while maintaining adequate illumination coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent acknowledges that heat generation is an inevitable byproduct of OLED operation, but converts this potential harm into a benefit by using the heat dissipation characteristics to inform the selective energization strategy. Covered portions that dissipate heat less effectively are kept unenergized, while exposed portions that can effectively dissipate heat are energized, thus utilizing thermal properties to reduce overall device degradation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If selective energizing is implemented, then power consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible substrate itself serves as the segmentation mechanism through its physical contact with the support surface. The contact between the substrate and support creates natural boundaries between energized and non-energized regions, eliminating the need for complex external segmentation hardware. The system leverages the substrate's own mechanical properties to define the active emission zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible substrate performs multiple functions: it serves as the structural base for the OLED layers, as the element that defines the active emission area through its contact configuration with the support, and as the medium that can be dynamically repositioned. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device 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
This approach enhances energy efficiency and extends the device's lifespan by only energizing the necessary light emitting area, reducing power usage and minimizing heat-related degradation.
Implementation Method 1
OLEDs make use of thin organic films that emit light when voltage is applied across the device
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments may provide an extendable light source with a variable light emitting area. A first device is provided that includes a support, a first substrate movably coupled to the support, and a plurality of lighting devices disposed on the first substrate. The plurality of lighting devices includes a first portion of lighting devices and a second portion of lighting devices. The first device also includes an energizing component that is configured to selectively energize the first portion and the second portion of lighting devices based on a position of the first substrate relative to the support.