OLED Electrode Contact Portion Segmentation for Heat Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The contact portions in OLED displays experience damage due to increased resistance, leading to heat generation and potential burnout when signal lines or electrodes of different types come into contact.
Innovation Solution
A display device design featuring a non-display area with an electrode contact portion where the second electrode and low potential voltage line are connected through a connection pattern, utilizing a passivation layer with passivation holes and an overcoat layer with overcoat holes, where the perimeter and area of the passivation holes are greater than those of the overcoat holes, to reduce resistance and prevent heat buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If signal lines or electrodes of different types are connected through a contact portion, then electrical connection is achieved, but resistance increases causing heat generation and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The contact portion is divided into multiple separate contact holes (first contact holes and second contact holes) instead of a single large contact area. This segmentation increases the total contact perimeter and distributes the current flow across multiple paths, reducing resistance and heat generation at any single point while maintaining electrical connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different structural characteristics to different regions of the contact portion. The first contact holes have specific depth and diameter ratios optimized for certain electrical properties, while the second contact holes provide additional contact paths. This local optimization of contact structure quality reduces overall resistance without requiring a uniform increase in all contact dimensions
2Reliability
If the contact area is increased to reduce resistance, then electrical conductivity improves, but the device area and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing contact area in the planar dimension, the patent extends the contact structure into the vertical dimension by creating contact holes through multiple layers (pixel electrode layer, encapsulation layers). This dimensional transition allows increased effective contact perimeter without proportionally increasing the planar footprint, reducing resistance while controlling device area
Solution Approach 2:
The contact structure employs nested layers where first contact holes penetrate through the pixel electrode layer, and second contact holes are formed through encapsulation layers surrounding or adjacent to the first contact holes. This nested arrangement maximizes contact perimeter within a compact volume, improving electrical connection without linearly increasing structural complexity
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 reduces the resistance and current density of the electrode contact portion, preventing heat generation and burnout, thereby enhancing the reliability and longevity of the OLED display.
Implementation Method 1
when the signal lines or the electrodes of different types are in contact with one another, a temperature increases depending on a resistance of a contact portion
Implementation Method 2
the second electrode and a low potential voltage line are connected to each other through at least one connection pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A display device for preventing a damage of an electrode contact portion is disclosed. The display device includes a display area, on which an organic light emitting diode including a first electrode, an organic layer, and a second electrode is positioned, and a non-display area positioned outside the display area. The non-display area includes an electrode contact portion in which the second electrode and a low potential voltage line are connected to each other through at least one connection pattern. The electrode contact portion includes a passivation layer including a plurality of passivation holes exposing the at least one connection pattern, and an overcoat layer including an overcoat hole exposing the passivation layer.