Organic Light Emitting Diode Pixel Arrangement for Metal Mask Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-resolution organic electroluminescent display devices face challenges in maintaining mechanical stability and preventing color mixing due to deformation of metal mask plates, leading to low yield rates and increased production costs.

Innovation Solution

A new pixel arrangement is introduced, where pixel unit groups are arranged with sub-pixels of different colors in a regular staggered pattern, with specific distance relationships between sub-pixels and contact holes, enhancing the mechanical stability of the metal mask plate and allowing for smaller sub-pixel sizes, thus improving resolution and reducing production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the width of metal strip between adjacent openings is reduced to increase display resolution, then the resolution is improved, but the metal strip becomes easily deformed by external influence causing color mixing and low yield rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay resolutionVSAvoidmechanical stability of metal mask plate
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the pixel array into multiple pixel unit groups, where each group contains first and second pixel unit subgroups arranged in different directions. This segmentation allows the metal mask plate to have corresponding openings arranged in a pattern that distributes mechanical stress, preventing deformation while maintaining narrow metal strip widths for high resolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric arrangement of pixel units within pixel unit groups, where first pixel unit subgroups and second pixel unit subgroups are oriented differently. This asymmetric pattern creates a metal mask plate opening structure that enhances mechanical stability by distributing stress asymmetrically, preventing the metal strips from deforming under external influence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If metal lapping bridges are added to connect adjacent metal strips to improve mechanical stability, then the stability is improved, but the sub pixel size is reduced affecting the opening rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stability of metal mask plateVSAvoidsub pixel size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding metal lapping bridges that would reduce sub pixel area, the patent segments the pixel array into pixel unit groups with subgroups arranged in different directions. This segmentation achieves mechanical stability through the overall pattern rather than adding supporting structures that would encroach on sub pixel space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent arranges pixel units in both first and second directions within pixel unit groups, creating a two-dimensional pattern that provides mechanical stability without requiring additional metal structures. This dimensional arrangement achieves stability while preserving sub pixel area for light emission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If the distance between sub pixels and metal lapping bridges is increased to avoid masking effect, then the color accuracy is improved, but the sub pixel size is reduced affecting the opening rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor accuracyVSAvoidsub pixel size
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the pixel array into pixel unit groups with differently oriented subgroups, eliminating the need for metal lapping bridges. This segmentation maintains color accuracy through proper spatial separation of sub pixels while preserving maximum sub pixel area for light emission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The new pixel arrangement enhances the mechanical stability of the metal mask plate, allowing for the production of high-resolution organic electroluminescent display devices with improved yield rates and reduced production costs by maintaining the integrity of sub-pixel sizes and color accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

the pixels are organic electroluminescent structures typically formed at corresponding pixel positions in an array substrate with organic material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3214650B1Organic light emitting diode display device, driving method and display apparatus thereof
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3214650B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3214650B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3214650B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The embodiments of the present invention provide an organic electroluminescent display device, a driving method thereof and a display device. Due to the regular staggered arrangement of sub pixels with the same color on the basal substrate, during the manufacture of a metal mask plate, the distance between adjacent openings corresponding to the sub pixels with the same color in the metal mask plate can be relatively large, improving the strength of the metal mask plate; this is beneficial for manufacturing small-sized sub pixels, thereby further improving the resolution of the organic electroluminescent display device.