Checkerboard OLED Sub-pixel Arrangement for Transparency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transparent OLED display devices face challenges in preventing color mixture between sub-pixels and achieving high transparency and resolution, as the spacing and arrangement of emission parts in sub-pixels are not optimized, leading to inefficiencies in color reproduction and optical efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The OLED display device employs a checkerboard pattern arrangement of emission parts and a bank layer surrounding the emission and transparent parts, with signal lines overlapping the bank layer to minimize path length and prevent color mixture, while maintaining or increasing the area of the transparent part for enhanced transparency and resolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If emission parts of adjacent sub-pixels are spaced apart by a sufficient distance to prevent color mixture, then color reproduction quality is improved, but the transparent area is reduced and resolution is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor mixture preventionVSAvoidtransparent area
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a linear horizontal arrangement of sub-pixels to a two-dimensional checkerboard pattern, where sub-pixels are distributed across both horizontal and vertical dimensions. This dimensional expansion allows emission parts to be spaced diagonally rather than horizontally, preventing color mixture while maximizing transparent area within the pixel region.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The pixel region is segmented into multiple sub-pixels (red, green, blue, and transparent sub-pixels) arranged in a checkerboard pattern. Each sub-pixel is further segmented into an emission part and a transparent part, allowing independent optimization of color emission and transparency functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by stationary object

If signal lines are routed between adjacent sub-pixels to minimize path length, then electrical resistance is reduced, but color mixture between sub-pixels may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical resistanceVSAvoidcolor mixture prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bank layer serves as an intermediary structure between adjacent sub-pixels. Signal lines are routed to overlap the bank layer rather than passing directly between emission parts, allowing electrical connection while using the bank layer as a physical barrier to prevent color mixture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If the area of transparent part is increased to improve transparency, then optical efficiency is improved, but the emission area of sub-pixels is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetransparencyVSAvoidemission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces asymmetric sub-pixel types with different area ratios between emission and transparent parts. Transparent sub-pixels have larger transparent areas for high transparency regions, while color sub-pixels have optimized emission areas. This asymmetric design allows the overall display to achieve high transparency without sacrificing the emission efficiency of color sub-pixels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 effectively prevents color mixture, improves transparency, and enhances optical efficiency by optimizing the arrangement and spacing of sub-pixels, resulting in a high-resolution and efficient OLED display device.

Implementation Method 1

an organic emitting layer that emits light in response to application of a drive current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP2840611B1Organic light emitting diode display device
Publication Date: 2017.02.22 LG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP2840611B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2840611B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2840611B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An organic light emitting diode display device includes a plurality of pixels (PX) each including a plurality of sub-pixels (SPX3, SPX4, SPX5), the plurality of sub-pixels in each pixel arranged along a first direction; and a signal line providing a signal to each of the plurality of sub-pixels, wherein each of the plurality of sub-pixels includes an emission part (EA) and a transparent part (TA) arranged along a second direction being perpendicular to the first direction, and the emission part is connected to the signal line to receive the signal, and wherein the emission parts in adjacent sub-pixels along the first direction are arranged in a checkerboard pattern.