Thin OLED Lighting Module Bezel Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
OLED lighting modules face challenges in maintaining a thin profile while ensuring robustness and thermal protection, as existing bezel designs for OLED panels can add thickness and obstruct light emission, and traditional attachment methods may lead to thermal buckling.
Innovation Solution
An OLED lighting module design featuring a bezel that covers only the opaque liner extending past the OLED substrate edges, allowing the module to remain thin while securely attaching the panel, with a flexible opaque liner for thermal management and a circuit board with flat connectors for electrical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional bezel design is used to attach the OLED panel, then the panel is securely attached, but the module thickness increases and light emission is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the attachment function from the traditional bezel structure and relocates it to the rear side of the OLED panel. The attachment member is positioned at the rear surface, covering only the opaque liner extension area, thereby separating the attachment function from the front-facing bezel structure that obstructs light and increases thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism is moved from the front/dimensional plane (where it would obstruct light) to the rear dimension of the panel. By attaching at the back surface rather than the front, the solution resolves the conflict between secure attachment and thin profile maintenance.
2Strength
If the bezel covers the opaque liner extension, then the panel is securely attached, but the sleek appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment function is extracted from the visible front bezel structure and relocated to the rear attachment member. This separates the aesthetic front surface from the functional attachment mechanism, allowing the front to maintain a sleek appearance while the rear provides secure attachment.
3Strength
If rigid attachment methods are used, then the panel is firmly fixed, but thermal buckling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible attachment member made of material such as adhesive tape or flexible polymer. This flexible element provides sufficient attachment strength while accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the OLED panel, preventing thermal buckling that would occur with rigid fixation methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment method transitions from rigid mechanical fixation to flexible adhesive or polymer-based attachment. This parameter change in the attachment mechanism's rigidity allows the panel to expand and contract thermally without developing buckling stresses.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2
AI summary
An OLED lighting module comprising a support (2); an OLED lighting panel (3) with an emissive side with emissive and non-emissive areas (38) and an opposite side which comprises an OLED substrate (31), an OLED light-generating unit and a circuit board (34); an opaque liner with a first section (41) that covers at least part of the non-emitting areas (38) over the OLED substrate and a second section (42) that extend past the edges of the OLED substrate on the emissive side of the OLED panel; and an opaque bezel (6) in contact with the support (20), the opaque bezel (6) covering at least part of the second section (42) of the opaque liner but not the first section (41) of the opaque liner. By covering only that portion of an opaque liner that extends past the edges of the OLED substrate with a bezel and not the OLED substrate itself, the module can be made thin.