Multicolor Light-Emitting Device With Segmented Electrode Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices with multiple emission colors face challenges in manufacturing processes due to overlapping portions of second electrodes, leading to increased resistance, optical characteristic deterioration, and luminance unevenness.

Innovation Solution

A light emitting device with a connection portion between sub-pixels, where the second electrode is formed in each sub-pixel and the connection portion, and a method involving patterning an organic layer and etching to remove excess material, facilitating a more efficient manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If second electrodes are formed in each sub-pixel with multiple emission colors, then the light emitting device can display multiple colors, but overlapping portions occur causing increased resistance and optical characteristic deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple emission colorsVSAvoidresistance and optical characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a connection portion that segments the overlapping second electrodes into separate paths. Each sub-pixel's second electrode connects to the common second electrode through dedicated connection portions, preventing electrical overlap and maintaining distinct current paths while enabling multi-color emission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection portion acts as an intermediary structure between individual sub-pixel second electrodes and the common second electrode. This intermediary layer resolves the overlapping issue by providing separate routing paths that prevent direct contact between different color sub-pixels' second electrodes while maintaining electrical connectivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If second electrodes are separated in overlapping portions, then resistance and optical characteristics are maintained, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance and optical characteristicsVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the formation of multiple second electrodes with a single common second electrode formation process. By forming all second electrodes and connection portions in one step using the same mask and deposition process, the manufacturing complexity is reduced while maintaining the electrical separation benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common second electrode serves multiple functions: it acts as the cathode for all sub-pixels, provides a shared electrical connection point, and eliminates the need for separate second electrode formation in overlapping regions. This universal structure simplifies manufacturing while maintaining performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If connection portions connect sub-pixels with different emission colors, then manufacturing is facilitated, but steps and unevenness occur at overlapping portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing processVSAvoidsurface unevenness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connection portions are designed with localized thickness variations that match the underlying sub-pixel structures. By making the connection portions slightly thicker at overlapping regions, the patent compensates for the step differences between sub-pixels, creating a substantially flat surface while maintaining the electrical connection functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250280690A1Light emitting device, electronic device, and method of manufacturing light emitting device

Publication Date: 2025.09.04 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP

AI summary

Provided is a light emitting device that can facilitate a manufacturing process of a light emitting device having a plurality of emission colors and can suppress an increase in resistance of a second electrode, deterioration of optical characteristics, and luminance unevenness. A light emitting device includes: a plurality of sub-pixels that is two-dimensionally arranged and respectively corresponds to a plurality of emission colors; a connection portion that connects the plurality of different sub-pixels; a first electrode; and on an upper side of the first electrode, an organic layer including a light emitting layer, and a second electrode in this order, in which the first electrode and the organic layer are formed in at least each of the plurality of sub-pixels, the second electrode is formed in each of the plurality of sub-pixels and the connection portion, the connection portion is, in a case where a region between the plurality of sub-pixels is defined as an inter-sub-pixel region, formed in a part of the inter-sub-pixel region, and at least a part of the connection portion connects the plurality of sub-pixels having different emission colors.