Hexagonal Sub-Pixel Sharing for High-Resolution Display Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing OLED display devices face challenges in achieving high-resolution displays with traditional RGB pixel arrangements due to limitations in sub-pixel structure and fabrication techniques.
Innovation Solution
A display panel design featuring pixel units with a first and second sub-pixel, and two third sub-pixels within a virtual polygon, such as a hexagon, where sub-pixels share adjacent positions and distances are optimized to allow for color borrowing, reducing spacing and increasing opening area, and using a mask assembly with multiple metal masks for precise evaporation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional RGB pixel arrangement is used, then device structure is simple, but display resolution is low
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel structure is segmented into multiple sub-pixels (first sub-pixel, second sub-pixel, and two third sub-pixels) arranged in a virtual polygon configuration. This segmentation allows each sub-pixel to serve specific functions in color borrowing, enabling high-resolution display from lower physical resolution by strategically positioning and sharing sub-pixels across adjacent pixel units
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual polygon dimension (hexagonal arrangement) to organize sub-pixels, adding a geometric dimension to the traditional linear RGB arrangement. This virtual polygon structure enables complex spatial relationships and color borrowing paths that are not achievable with conventional one-dimensional pixel rows, thereby achieving higher effective resolution
2Manufacturing precision
If sub-pixel spacing is reduced to increase resolution, then display resolution improves, but drive current increases
Solution Approach 1:
Adjacent pixel units share common sub-pixels (first and second sub-pixels are shared between column-adjacent pixels, third sub-pixels are shared between row-adjacent pixels). This merging reduces the total number of independent sub-pixels required, decreasing overall drive current while maintaining high effective resolution through the sharing mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
Different sub-pixels are assigned specific color emission characteristics (first sub-pixel: red, second sub-pixel: blue, third sub-pixels: green) and specific functional roles in the color borrowing scheme. This local differentiation optimizes the distribution of drive current across sub-pixels with different efficiency characteristics, reducing total energy consumption
3Manufacturing precision
If more sub-pixels are added to increase resolution, then display quality improves, but fabrication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each sub-pixel type (first, second, third) serves multiple functions: direct light emission, color borrowing source, and color borrowing target. The same sub-pixel structure is reused across different pixel units with different sharing relationships, reducing the variety of unique components that must be fabricated and simplifying the manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual polygon sub-pixel arrangement is replicated across the display panel in a regular pattern. Once the complex hexagonal configuration is established, it can be copied systematically across the entire panel, reducing fabrication complexity compared to designing unique high-resolution pixel structures for each location
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 design achieves a high-resolution display effect from low-resolution physical resolution by optimizing sub-pixel distribution and sharing, enhancing display quality and reducing drive current, thereby prolonging device life.
Implementation Method 1
an organic material is generally passed through a high-precision metal mask by using an evaporation film formation technology
Data Source
AI summary
A display panel (10), comprising a plurality of pixel units (12) arranged in an array, each pixel unit (12) comprising one first sub-pixel (122), one second sub-pixel (124) and two third sub-pixels (126) located in a virtual hexagon; the first sub-pixel (122) is adjacent to the second sub-pixel (124), and the two third sub-pixels (126) are both adjacent to the first sub-pixel (122) and the second sub-pixel (124); and pixel units (12) adjacent in the column extension direction share the first sub-pixel (122) and the second sub-pixel (124), and pixel units (12) adjacent in a row extension direction share one third sub-pixel (126). The present application further discloses a mask assembly and a display device.