OLED Display Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Layer External Light Reflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

OLED displays face issues with external light reflection, which deteriorates black color expression and contrast, and existing solutions to suppress reflection result in significant light loss from the organic emission layer.

Innovation Solution

The use of a polarizing plate, retardation plate, cholesteric liquid crystal layer, translucent metal layer, and polarizing plate configuration to selectively transmit and reflect circularly polarized light, minimizing external light reflection while maximizing light emission from the organic layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a polarizing plate and retardation plate are disposed to suppress reflection of external light, then external light reflection is reduced, but a large amount of light generated from the organic emission layer is also lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal light reflectionVSAvoidlight loss from organic emission layer
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the display structure by introducing a cholesteric liquid crystal layer with specific helical structure and pitch, which selectively reflects circularly polarized light of one handedness while transmitting the other, thereby differentiating between external light suppression and internal light emission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite structure combining multiple functional layers including polarizing plate, retardation plate, cholesteric liquid crystal layer, and translucent metal layer, where each layer contributes specific optical properties that collectively achieve both external light reflection suppression and internal light emission preservation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If a polarizing plate and retardation plate are disposed to suppress reflection of external light, then black color expression and contrast are improved, but light loss from the organic emission layer increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblack color expression and contrastVSAvoidlight loss from organic emission layer
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the optical parameters by using a cholesteric liquid crystal layer with controlled helical pitch and chirality, enabling selective reflection of circularly polarized light to enhance black color expression and contrast while preserving light emission through the opposite circular polarization state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite optical system integrating polarizing plate, retardation plate, cholesteric liquid crystal layer, and translucent metal layer, where the synergistic interaction of these materials achieves superior black color expression and contrast without significant light loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 suppresses external light reflection, improves black color expression and contrast, reduces light loss, and enhances overall display characteristics while maintaining low power consumption and extending the lifespan of the OLED display.

Implementation Method 1

a cholesteric liquid crystal layer, a translucent metal layer, and a polarizing plate which are substantially disposed on the organic light emitting element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCholesteric liquid crystal selective reflection: Cholesteric Liquid Crystal

Implementation Method 2

selectively transmit and reflect circularly polarized light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCircular polarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 3

a polarizing plate which are substantially disposed on the organic light emitting element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 4

a translucent metal layer, and a polarizing plate which are substantially disposed on the organic light emitting element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2148381B1Organic light emitting diode display
Publication Date: 2015.01.14 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP2148381B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2148381B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2148381B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the OLED device includes 1) an organic light emitting element configured to emit light, 2) a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) layer (584) formed over the organic light emitting element and configured to selectively transmit or reflect circularly polarized light and 3) a translucent metal layer (583) formed on the CLC layer and configured to partially transmit and partially reflect incoming light. According to at least one embodiment, the OLED can suppress reflection of external light while minimizing loss of light generated from the organic emission layer.