OLED Display Edge Lens Units for Light Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current OLED displays face challenges in achieving high light efficiency and wide viewing angles due to limitations in light emission and reflection, particularly at the edges and sides, which affect image quality and visibility.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of edge lens units and light diffusion lens units formed from organic materials with specific refractive indices, positioned between color filters and light block units, along with a bonding area filled with air or a low refractive index material, enhances light extraction and reduces external light reflection, improving light efficiency and viewing angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional OLED display structures are used, then the display can operate at low voltage and maintain thin profile, but light efficiency and viewing angles are limited due to light reflection and emission constraints at edges and sides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light management function by introducing separate edge lens units and light diffusion lens units as distinct structural components. The edge lens units are positioned at the edges of the color filter layer to extract light from the OLED, while light diffusion lens units are positioned at the center to diffuse light in multiple directions. This segmentation allows independent optimization of light extraction and diffusion functions, improving overall light efficiency without requiring complete structural redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lens units as intermediary optical elements between the OLED and the external environment. These lens units act as mediators that manipulate light paths through refraction and diffusion, enabling improved light extraction and viewing angles without directly modifying the OLED structure itself. The intermediary lens units bridge the gap between the OLED's light emission characteristics and the desired display performance.
2Ease of operation
If edge lens units and light diffusion lens units are added to improve light extraction and viewing angles, then light efficiency and side visibility are enhanced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the edge lens units and light diffusion lens units into a single integrated color filter layer structure. Both types of lens units are formed as part of the same layer, using compatible materials and manufacturing processes. This merging approach allows the combined optical functions to be achieved while minimizing the increase in structural complexity, as the lens units share the same structural platform and can be manufactured together in a unified process.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens units are designed to perform multiple optical functions simultaneously. The edge lens units provide both light extraction from the OLED and light diffusion to improve viewing angles. The light diffusion lens units provide both light diffusion for wide viewing angles and light extraction enhancement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity while achieving improved ease of operation and viewing angles.
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 significantly enhances light efficiency and side visibility, allowing for improved image quality and wider viewing angles by effectively refracting and diffusing light, thereby addressing the limitations of existing OLED displays.
Implementation Method 1
edge lens units formed on a lower surface of the color filter layer and formed between a lower surface of each of the color filter and a lower surface of each of the light block unit
Implementation Method 2
light diffusion lens unit formed on a lower surface of the color filter layer and formed on each of the color filters and convex in a light emission direction
Data Source
AI summary
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display is disclosed. In one aspect, the OLED display includes a substrate, a plurality of sub-pixels over the substrate, wherein each of the plurality of sub-pixels includes an OLED layer comprising an OLED, wherein the OLED comprises a first electrode, a second electrode facing the first electrode, and an emitting layer therebetween, an encapsulation layer over the OLED layer and comprising at least one inorganic layer and at least one organic layer, a refractive layer comprising a first refractive index layer that is located over the encapsulation layer and has a recess and a second refractive index layer that is located over the first refractive index layer, wherein the second refractive index is greater than the first refractive index, and wherein an upper surface of the refractive layer is flat.