Mirror Device Light-Transmissive Substrate Organic EL Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mirror devices with integrated light-emitting functions face issues such as reduced mirror area due to external light sources, non-uniform illumination, and increased thickness, which hinder effective light application and reflection.
Innovation Solution
A mirror device with a light-transmissive substrate supporting organic electroluminescent elements on its back surface, featuring a light-transmissive electrode and reflection electrode with metal mirror surface portions on the front surface, allowing for efficient light emission and reflection while maintaining a slim profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source such as the organic EL element is disposed on a frame around the mirror, then the mirror device has a light-emitting function, but the area of the mirror decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light-emitting function and mirror function into a single integrated structure. The organic EL element is disposed on the back surface of the light-transmissive substrate, while metal mirror surface portions are formed on the front surface, allowing both illumination and reflection to occur through the same component without requiring separate frame-mounted light sources that would reduce mirror area.
2Illumination intensity
If an illumination portion such as a lamp is directly provided in front of both sides of a mirror surface, then the light-emitting function is achieved, but it is difficult to emit light uniformly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by forming multiple metal mirror surface portions with different areas and positions on the front surface of the light-transmissive substrate. These portions are strategically distributed to achieve uniform light emission across the mirror surface. The organic EL element on the back surface provides uniform illumination, and the metal portions reflect light in controlled patterns to ensure even distribution.
3Illumination intensity
If a light-emitting portion is added and disposed simply in front of and behind the mirror, then the light-emitting function is achieved, but the thickness of the whole mirror device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the nesting principle by integrating the light-emitting structure within the mirror substrate itself. The organic EL element is disposed on the back surface of the light-transmissive substrate, and the metal mirror surface portions are formed on the front surface, effectively nesting both functions within the same thin substrate structure. This eliminates the need for separate front and back light-emitting portions that would increase overall thickness.
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 solution enables uniform light emission and reflection without increasing the device thickness, providing a compact and effective light-reflecting mirror with improved light extraction efficiency and adjustable color mixing.
Implementation Method 1
An organic electroluminescent element is a light-emitting element that is configured by layering an anode, an organic layer containing a light-emitting layer, and a cathode in this order on a transparent glass substrate, and expresses electroluminescence (hereinafter referred to as EL) by injection of current in the organic layer through the anode and the cathode.
Implementation Method 2
the mirror device has a plurality of metal mirror surface portions that each have an area smaller than the area of the light-transmissive electrode and are distributed and disposed on the front surface of the light-transmissive substrate so as to be opposite to the light-emitting layer
Data Source
AI summary
A mirror device has a light-transmissive substrate and at least one organic EL element supported on the back surface of the light-transmissive substrate, and emits light from the front surface of the light-transmissive substrate. The organic EL element has an organic layer containing a light-emitting layer layered between a light-transmissive electrode and a reflection electrode that are opposite to each other. The light-transmissive electrode is formed on the light-transmissive substrate. The mirror device has a plurality of metal mirror surface portions that each have an area smaller than the area of the light-transmissive electrode and are distributed and disposed on the front surface of the light-transmissive substrate so as to be opposite to the light-emitting layer.