Hexagonal Sub-Pixel Array for Inkjet Printing Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current array substrates and display panels using inkjet printing face issues with uniform light emission and pixel aperture ratio due to poor spreadability of ink droplets and low luminous efficiency and lifetime of blue sub-pixels, often resulting in color shift.
Innovation Solution
The array substrate features a pixel structure with regular hexagonal sub-pixels and an arrangement of RB1B2G or RB1GB2, where the sub-pixels are connected in a honeycomb pattern, and two columns of blue sub-pixels are alternately used to enhance ink droplet spreadability and balance the short lifetime of blue sub-pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sub-pixels are designed as ellipse shapes to improve inkjet printing spreadability, then ink droplet spreadability is improved, but pixel aperture ratio is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved hexagonal sub-pixel shapes with rounded corners instead of sharp angles, enabling ink droplets to spread uniformly along the curved boundaries while maintaining a larger effective light-emitting area compared to elliptical designs. The curvature facilitates capillary action and ink flow distribution without excessive material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D rectangular or elliptical sub-pixel layouts to a 3D-inspired hexagonal honeycomb arrangement, where sub-pixels are organized in staggered rows and columns. This dimensional reorganization increases packing density and aperture ratio while providing multiple pathways for ink droplet distribution across the pixel array.
2Illumination intensity
If blue sub-pixels are used to provide blue color emission, then color display capability is achieved, but luminous lifetime is reduced due to low stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a non-uniform sub-pixel arrangement where blue sub-pixels are distributed alternately with red and green sub-pixels in a honeycomb pattern (e.g., RGB-RGB or RBG-RBG sequences). This local variation in color sub-pixel placement ensures that no single blue sub-pixel is continuously over-driven, allowing individual blue sub-pixels to rest and recover, thereby extending their operational lifetime while maintaining overall blue color emission.
3Ease of manufacture
If inkjet printing process is used to reduce manufacturing cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but uniformity of light emission is poor due to poor ink spreadability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes asymmetric hexagonal sub-pixel geometries with specifically optimized side lengths and angles that create favorable capillary channels for ink flow. The hexagonal shape with alternating wide and narrow sections guides ink droplets to spread uniformly across each sub-pixel area, preventing pooling or incomplete coverage that would cause light emission non-uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes physical parameters of the hexagonal sub-pixels including side length ratios, internal angle variations, and boundary curvature radii to match the rheological properties of OLED ink materials. By adjusting these geometric parameters, the inkjet printing process achieves precise ink placement and uniform film formation, resulting in consistent light emission across all pixels while maintaining low manufacturing costs.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an array substrate and a display panel. The array substrate includes a pixel structure. The pixel structure includes a plurality of pixel units. Each of the plurality of pixel units includes a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, and a third sub-pixel connected in pairs and arranged in a honeycomb pattern, which facilitates spread of printed ink droplets and increases uniformity of light emission of sub-pixels. Each of the plurality of pixel units adopts an arrangement of RB1B2G or RB1GB2. Two columns of blue sub-pixels are alternately used to balance a problem of short lifetime of blue sub-pixel.