Series-Connected OLED Units on Base Rod for Low Current Driving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organic light emitting devices require high current injection to achieve desired brightness, especially when designed as large unit cells around a support rod, making them inefficient for low voltage driving and high brightness applications.

Innovation Solution

An organic light emitting device with multiple units connected in series on a base rod, where each unit consists of a first electrode, an organic layer, and a second electrode formed along the circumference, allowing for efficient low current, high voltage operation by connecting all units to a single power supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the first electrode and the second electrode are formed as a large unit cell around the support rod, then the device structure is simplified, but the quantity of current injected per unit area becomes excessively large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode structureVSAvoidcurrent injection quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the large unit cell structure into multiple smaller OLED units arranged along the support rod. Each unit has its own first electrode, organic layer, and second electrode, creating segmented functional regions that reduce the current injection quantity per unit area while maintaining the overall device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a planar electrode configuration to a three-dimensional cylindrical arrangement where electrodes are formed around the support rod in multiple units. This dimensional change allows for increased surface area and distributed current injection, reducing the current density while maintaining total light output

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Use of energy by moving object

If multiple OLED units are connected in series on a base rod, then the current injection quantity is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent injection quantityVSAvoiddevice assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal base rod structure that serves multiple functions: mechanical support for all OLED units, electrical connection pathway for series configuration, and alignment reference for manufacturing. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall manufacturing process despite the increased number of components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple OLED units with their respective electrodes, organic layers, and connection structures into an integrated assembly along the base rod. The series connection configuration merges the electrical pathways, allowing current to flow sequentially through all units while reducing the total current injection quantity required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration enables high brightness emission while maintaining the required current level, improving manufacturing efficiency and suitability for high-brightness applications by simplifying the manufacturing process and increasing the deposition area.

Implementation Method 1

electric energy is converted into light energy by using an organic substance. When voltage is applied between two electrodes, holes are injected into the organic layer at the anode and electrons are injected into the organic layer at the cathode. When the injected holes and electrons meet each other, an exciton is formed. The exciton falls down to a bottom state to emit light.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP2030482B1Organic light emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2012.07.11 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP2030482B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2030482B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2030482B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

Disclosed is an organic light emitting device and a method of manufacturing the same. The organic light emitting device includes a base rod, and a plurality of organic light emitting units. Each of the plurality of organic light emitting units includes a first electrode formed on the base rod, an organic layer formed on the first electrode, and a second electrode formed on the organic layer. The plurality of organic light emitting units are formed in longitudinal direction of the base rod and come into continuous contact with each other. The first electrode of each of the organic light emitting units comes into contact with the second electrode of each of the organic light emitting units adjoining said first electrode of each of the organic light emitting units.