OLED Cathode Electrode Cross-Section Design for Contact Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

OLED displays face high contact resistance between the common electrode and the common voltage line, which affects the efficiency and performance of the display.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a common electrode with a first portion facing the anode electrodes and a second portion receiving the voltage, having a different cross-section, and a conductive line that contacts the second portion of the cathode electrode, reducing contact resistance by ensuring the upper electrode contacts the conductive line while the lower electrode does not, thereby minimizing contact resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a common electrode is used to supply voltage to multiple pixels, then the device complexity is reduced, but the contact resistance between the common electrode and common voltage line increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidcontact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The common electrode is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion that faces the anode electrodes and a second portion that receives the predetermined voltage. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally, with the second portion specifically designed for low-resistance electrical contact with the common voltage line, thereby reducing overall contact resistance while maintaining the simplified common electrode structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dimensional distinction by creating a second portion of the common electrode with a different cross-section than the first portion. This dimensional change enables the electrode to have both a large surface area for facing the anode electrodes and a specific contact geometry for receiving voltage, effectively addressing both the complexity reduction and contact resistance issues through spatial differentiation.

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

2Manufacturing precision

If the cross-section of the common electrode is uniform, then the manufacturing precision is easier to maintain, but the contact resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing precisionVSAvoidcontact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The common electrode is designed with non-uniform cross-section, where the first portion has one cross-sectional dimension and the second portion has a different cross-section. This local quality variation allows the electrode to have optimized contact properties at the voltage receiving region while maintaining appropriate dimensions in other regions, achieving low contact resistance without compromising overall manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric design by making the cross-section of the second portion different from the first portion. This asymmetry is strategically applied to the common electrode structure to improve electrical contact characteristics at the voltage interface, demonstrating how controlled asymmetry can resolve the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and electrical performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS7414362B2Display panel
Publication Date: 2008.08.19 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • US7414362B2 patent drawing
  • US7414362B2 patent drawing
  • US7414362B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A display panel for an organic light emitting display including a plurality of anode electrodes and a cathode electrode that is supplied with a predetermined voltage and includes a first portion facing the anode electrodes and a second portion receiving the predetermined voltage and having a different cross section than the first portion. A plurality of light emitting members is arranged between the anode electrodes and the cathode electrode, and a conductive line transmits the predetermined voltage and contacts the second portion of the cathode electrode.