OLCD Backlight Grating Layer for Flexible Display Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

The flexibility of Organic Liquid Crystal Display (OLCD) panels is limited by the presence of polarizers and phase difference plates in their backlight structure, which restricts their application due to poor flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A display panel design that includes a light guide plate with a grating layer and a refractive layer, where the grating units are in one-to-one correspondence with pixel electrodes, allowing for the extraction of light and formation of collimated polarized light without the need for polarizers or phase difference plates, thereby enhancing flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polarizers and phase difference plates are used in the backlight structure, then display quality is improved, but flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay qualityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the polarizer and phase difference plate from the backlight structure. By taking out these rigid components, the display panel achieves flexibility while maintaining display quality through the grating layer's light extraction and collimation functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The grating layer performs multiple functions that were previously handled by separate components: it extracts light from the light guide plate, collimates the light, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for polarizers and phase difference plates while maintaining display performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If polarizers and phase difference plates are used in the backlight structure, then display quality is improved, but thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay qualityVSAvoidthickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the light extraction, collimation, and structural support functions into a single grating layer component. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate polarizer and phase difference plate layers, thereby reducing overall panel thickness while maintaining display quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

By extracting and removing the polarizer and phase difference plate from the structure, the patent significantly reduces the thickness of the backlight assembly while preserving essential optical functions through the integrated grating layer design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If polarizers and phase difference plates are used in the backlight structure, then display quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay qualityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The grating layer is designed to perform multiple optical functions simultaneously: light extraction from the light guide plate, collimation of light rays, and structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining display quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the polarizer and phase difference plate from the backlight structure, reducing component count and simplifying the overall device architecture while preserving essential display functions through the integrated grating layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This design improves the flexibility of the OLCD panel by eliminating the need for polarizers and phase difference plates, reducing thickness and enhancing display quality while maintaining consistent display effects during bending.

Implementation Method 1

the grating layer includes a plurality of grating units, the array structure layer includes a plurality of pixel electrodes, and the grating units are in one-to-one correspondence with the pixel electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

a refractive layer covering the grating layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS11460735B2Display panel and preparation method thereof, and display apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 BEIJING BOE TECH DEV CO LTD

AI summary

Provided are a display panel and a preparation method thereof, and a display apparatus. The display panel includes a first substrate and a second substrate which are aligned and combined into a cell, wherein the first substrate includes a backlight structure layer and an array structure layer arranged on a side of the backlight structure layer facing the second substrate, the backlight structure layer includes a light guide plate, a grating layer arranged on a side of the light guide plate facing the array structure layer and a refractive layer covering the grating layer, the grating layer includes a plurality of grating units, the array structure layer includes a plurality of pixel electrodes, and the grating units are in one-to-one correspondence with the pixel electrodes.