LED Assembly with Transistor Drain Cathode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional LED assemblies require a separate n-type LED electrode, which complicates the manufacturing process and increases costs due to the need for additional fabrication steps and materials.

Innovation Solution

The LED assembly integrates a transistor with a drain region acting as the n-type LED electrode, eliminating the need for a separate cathode terminal, thereby simplifying the structure and manufacturing process by using the transistor's drain region as the cathode terminal of the LED, and utilizing a III-V compound semiconductor for the LED layers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate n-type LED electrode is used, then the LED structure is complete and functional, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveLED functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the transistor's drain electrode with the LED's cathode terminal, merging two separate components into one integrated structure. This eliminates the need for a separate n-type LED electrode while maintaining both the transistor's switching function and the LED's light emission function, thereby simplifying manufacturing without compromising functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drain electrode of the transistor is designed to serve dual purposes: as the control terminal for the transistor and as the cathode terminal for the LED. This multi-functional design allows a single component to fulfill multiple roles in the device, reducing the total number of components and manufacturing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate n-type LED electrode is used, then the LED structure is complete, but additional fabrication steps and materials are required

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveLED structure completenessVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the formation of the transistor's drain electrode with the formation of the LED's cathode terminal into a single fabrication process step. This integration eliminates additional fabrication steps and material deposition processes, making manufacturing easier while ensuring the LED structure remains complete and functional

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transistor's drain electrode structure serves its own function as the LED's cathode terminal, eliminating the need for separate cathode terminal fabrication. The existing drain electrode structure is utilized for dual purposes, reducing manufacturing complexity without requiring additional materials or process steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11322542B2Light-emitting diode (LED) assembly and method of manufacturing an LED cell of the same
Publication Date: 2022.05.03 HARVATEK CORPORATION
  • US11322542B2 patent drawing
  • US11322542B2 patent drawing
  • US11322542B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A light-emitting diode (LED) assembly comprises a plurality of LED cells and a driving circuit. Each of the LED cells includes an LED and a transistor. The LED includes first and second LED layers and an LED electrode. The first LED layer includes a III-V compound semiconductor. The second LED layer is over the first LED layer. The LED electrode is over the second LED layer. The first LED layer is free of an LED electrode. The transistor includes a drain region connected to the first LED layer. The driving circuit is configured to drive the LED cells.