MicroLED Yellow Sub-Pixels for White-Light Efficiency Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED arrays face challenges in efficiently generating white light, particularly due to lower wall plug efficiency of longer wavelength red microLEDs, which results in reduced overall efficiency and brightness.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a yellow sub-pixel in microLED arrays, allowing for the generation of white light through combinations of blue and yellow sub-pixels, while optionally using red and green sub-pixels, to enhance efficiency and brightness, and employing a processor to manage sub-pixel activation based on brightness or power thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If red sub-pixels are used in microLED arrays to generate white light, then the color gamut is improved, but the wall plug efficiency decreases due to lower efficiency of longer wavelength red microLEDs
Solution Approach 1:
The white light generation is segmented into multiple pathways: (1) blue+yellow sub-pixels for high efficiency white light, (2) red+green+blue sub-pixels for expanded color gamut, and (3) yellow sub-pixel for compensation. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for different priorities in different scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters by adjusting which sub-pixels are activated based on brightness thresholds and power conditions. When power consumption needs to be reduced, the system switches to using only blue and yellow sub-pixels, effectively changing the operational state to prioritize efficiency over color gamut.
2Illumination intensity
If all sub-pixels (red, green, blue, yellow) are activated to generate white light, then the brightness is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic sub-pixel activation where the processor selectively activates specific sub-pixels based on real-time conditions. The yellow sub-pixel is activated to compensate for red/green sub-pixel failures, and the system adapts its operation based on brightness thresholds and power consumption requirements, making the activation state dynamic rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The yellow sub-pixel serves a dual function: it contributes to normal white light generation and automatically compensates for failures in red or green sub-pixels. This self-service capability allows the system to maintain functionality and acceptable performance without external intervention or complex replacement mechanisms.
3Use of energy by moving object
If blue and yellow sub-pixels are used to generate white light, then the wall plug efficiency is improved, but the color gamut is reduced compared to using all four sub-pixels
Solution Approach 1:
The yellow sub-pixel serves multiple functions: (1) generating yellow light for white light synthesis with blue sub-pixels, (2) compensating for red sub-pixel failures, and (3) compensating for green sub-pixel failures. This multi-functionality allows the yellow sub-pixel to maintain color gamut even when operating in high-efficiency mode with only blue and yellow sub-pixels activated.
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 integration of a yellow sub-pixel in microLED arrays improves white light generation efficiency and brightness, achieving higher wall plug efficiency and reducing power consumption, especially when operating on battery power.
Implementation Method 1
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) provide an efficient and relatively smaller source of light compared to conventional light sources
Implementation Method 2
a yellow sub-pixel configured to emit yellow light
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system and method of driving an array of micro light emitter (microLED) pixels are disclosed. Each pixel contains a blue sub-pixel configured to emit blue light, a red sub-pixel configured to emit red light, a green sub-pixel configured to emit green light, and a yellow sub-pixel configured to emit yellow light. A processor selects, for each pixel to produce white light, between driving the blue sub-pixel and yellow sub-pixel to produce the white light and driving the blue sub-pixel, the red sub-pixel, the green sub-pixel, and the yellow sub-pixel to produce the white light.