Mirror Display Refractive Index Matching Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mirror display apparatuses with a mirror property suffer from decreased light emitting efficiency and display quality due to air gaps between reflective patterns, which affect the manufacturing process and display quality.
Innovation Solution
A mirror display apparatus is designed with a thin film encapsulation layer, mirror patterns, a protection layer, and a refractive index matching layer, where the refractive index matching layer fills the gaps between mirror patterns, acting as both a planarization and protection layer, and has a refractive index lower than the thin film encapsulation layer but higher than the protection layer, enhancing light emitting efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If air gaps are present between mirror patterns, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but light emitting efficiency and display quality decrease
Solution Approach 1:
A refractive index matching layer is introduced as an intermediary substance between the mirror patterns and the surrounding medium. This layer has a refractive index that is optimized to reduce light scattering and improve light extraction efficiency, thereby resolving the contradiction by maintaining manufacturing simplicity while significantly enhancing light emitting efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The refractive index of the material filling the gaps between mirror patterns is changed from air (low refractive index) to a material with optimized refractive index properties. This parameter change improves the optical coupling between layers and enhances light extraction efficiency without complicating the manufacturing process
2Device complexity
If air gaps are present between mirror patterns, then the structure is simpler, but display quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The refractive index matching layer serves as a mediator that improves optical quality and display performance. By optimizing the refractive index of this intermediate layer, light extraction and display quality are enhanced while adding minimal structural complexity to the overall device
3Loss of energy
If refractive index matching layer is added, then light emitting efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refractive index matching layer is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it optimizes optical coupling for improved light extraction, provides mechanical support between layers, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality justifies the added layer by delivering multiple benefits rather than just improving light emitting efficiency in isolation
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 significantly improves light emitting efficiency and display quality by eliminating air gaps and providing additional protection to the mirror patterns, while also reducing production costs and enabling a slimmer display apparatus design.
Implementation Method 1
a refractive index matching layer interposed between the thin film encapsulation layer and the protection layer, and regions between neighboring ones of the mirror patterns are filled with the refractive index matching layer
Data Source
AI summary
A mirror display apparatus includes a display unit, a thin film encapsulation layer, a plurality of mirror patterns, a protection layer and a refractive index matching layer. The display unit is disposed on a substrate. The thin film encapsulation layer extends continuously on a surface of the display unit. The mirror patterns are arranged on the thin film encapsulation layer. The protection layer is disposed on surfaces of the mirror patterns. The refractive index matching layer is interposed between the thin film encapsulation layer and the protection layer, and the refractive index matching layer fills regions between neighboring ones of the mirror patterns. A refractive index of the refractive index matching layer is less than a refractive index of the thin film encapsulation layer, and the refractive index of the refractive index matching layer is greater than a refractive index of the protection layer.