OLED Electrode Layout With Alternating Pitches to Reduce Diffraction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

High pixel density organic EL display devices face issues with light diffraction due to high layout periodicity of first electrodes, leading to increased intensity of diffracted light.

Innovation Solution

The organic device and mask group employ a unique electrode and through-hole arrangement in alternating patterns with varying pitches to reduce diffracted light intensity, featuring first and third electrodes arrayed at different pitches in alternating directions, and through holes in mask stacks with corresponding arrangements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high pixel density is achieved with high layout periodicity of first electrodes, then display resolution is improved, but light diffraction intensity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay resolutionVSAvoidlight diffraction intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different pitch arrangements to different regions of the electrode array. Specifically, electrodes in different spatial regions are arranged with different pitches (first pitch in one direction, second pitch in another direction), creating local variations in the periodic structure. This breaks the uniform high periodicity that causes strong diffraction, while maintaining high pixel density overall, thus reducing diffracted light intensity without sacrificing display resolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces asymmetric pitch relationships between electrode arrangements in different directions. The first pitch and second pitch are deliberately made different, creating an asymmetric periodic structure rather than a symmetric one. This asymmetry disrupts the regular diffraction patterns that occur with uniform periodicity, thereby reducing the intensity of diffracted light while preserving the high pixel density required for sharp display resolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of manufacture

If uniform pitch arrangement of electrodes is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but diffracted light intensity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode arrangement simplicityVSAvoidlight diffraction intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a uniform pitch throughout the entire electrode array, the patent implements local quality variations by assigning different pitches to different regions and directions. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity through systematic patterning while effectively reducing diffraction by eliminating uniform periodicity across the whole structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-generated harmful factors

If alternating pitch arrangement of first and third electrodes is implemented, then diffracted light intensity is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediffracted light intensityVSAvoidelectrode arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces device complexity by implementing local quality variations in a systematic and regular manner. The alternating pitch arrangement follows a defined pattern where first electrodes and third electrodes are arranged with different pitches in alternating sequences. This structured approach to local variation achieves diffraction reduction without requiring complex or irregular electrode configurations, thus maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses periodic action by establishing regular alternating patterns of electrodes with different pitches. The first and third electrodes are arranged in periodic alternating sequences with defined pitch relationships. This periodic structure provides a predictable and manufacturable solution that reduces diffraction through controlled pitch variation while avoiding the need for complex aperiodic arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 arrangement effectively reduces the intensity of diffracted light, enhancing the display quality and reducing optical interference in high-definition organic devices.

Implementation Method 1

In a case in which layout periodicity of the first electrodes is high, there conceivably is a possibility that diffraction of light will occur, and intensity of diffracted light will increase.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP4291004B1Organic device and mask group
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO LTD
  • EP4291004B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4291004B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4291004B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A first color electrodes and a third color electrodes may be arrayed in an alternating manner following a first direction, and may also be arrayed in an alternating manner following a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. A first color electrodes that are situated in a first display region and a second display region may be arrayed at a first pitch following each of the first direction and the second direction. The first color electrodes and the third color electrodes that are situated in the second display region may be arrayed so as to alternate between a second pitch and a third pitch, following each of the first direction and the second direction. The second pitch may differ from the third pitch.