OLED Pixel Electrode Contact Structure for Afterimage-Resistant Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display panels face challenges in maintaining reliable electrical connections between light emitting elements and circuits, which affect the longevity and performance of multimedia electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a specific structural design with a drive element layer, including a pixel driver, light emitting elements, and a connecting electrode system that ensures stable contact points and electrical connections through multiple layers and protruding side surfaces, along with a separator and capping pattern to enhance contact reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional single-point contact structure is used between the light emitting element and connecting electrode, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the contact reliability is poor and degradation occurs easily
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting electrode is divided into multiple contact points (first contact area and second contact area) instead of a single contact point. This segmentation distributes the electrical connection across multiple locations, improving reliability by ensuring that if one contact point degrades, others can maintain the electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact structure transitions from a single-point (0D) or line (1D) contact to a two-dimensional contact area. The connecting electrode makes contact with the second electrode across multiple areas including adjacent to the separator and adjacent to the connecting line, creating a surface contact rather than point contact, which significantly improves contact reliability.
2Reliability
If the second electrode contacts the connecting electrode at only one location, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the electrical connection is unstable and prone to degradation
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the connecting electrode are designed with different contact characteristics. The first contact area adjacent to the separator and the second contact area adjacent to the connecting line provide different local contact qualities, optimizing electrical connection stability in each region while managing degradation differently across the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-point contact structure is designed in advance to compensate for future degradation. By creating multiple contact paths before degradation occurs, the structure provides redundancy that cushions against the effects of degradation over time, maintaining electrical connection stability even as materials age.
3Reliability
If the connecting line is designed with simple geometry, then the manufacturing is easier, but the contact area with the second electrode is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting line is designed with protruding side surfaces that create curved or extended contact regions. This curvature increases the surface area available for contact with the second electrode compared to a flat or simple linear geometry, improving electrical connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a drive element layer including a pixel driver, a light emitting element including a first electrode, an intermediate layer disposed on the first electrode and including at least an emissive layer, and a second electrode disposed on the intermediate layer, a pixel defining layer having an opening defined therein which exposes at least a portion of the first electrode, a connecting electrode disposed on the pixel defining layer and electrically connected with the pixel driver and the second electrode, a connecting line disposed between the pixel driver and the pixel defining layer and electrically connected with the pixel driver and the connecting electrode, and a separator disposed on the pixel defining layer. The second electrode is contacting the connecting electrode in each of a first contact area adjacent to the separator and a second contact area adjacent to a side surface of the connecting line.