OLED Power Supply Short Protection Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Organic light-emitting display apparatuses are prone to fires due to shorts between power voltages, which can cause excessive current flow and damage, as existing technologies lack effective short-circuit protection mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a driver integrated circuit with a short protection unit that detects shorts in the power voltages and outputs an enable off signal to shut down power supply to the organic light-emitting panel, using a signal generating unit, short-detecting unit, and signal controlling unit to manage power distribution and comparison with reference voltages to prevent excessive current flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If power voltages are supplied to the organic light-emitting panel without short protection, then the display can operate normally, but the risk of fire increases due to possible shorts between power voltages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire safetyVSAvoidcircuit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The short detection circuit performs preliminary detection of power voltage shorts before the organic light-emitting panel operates. The detection circuit monitors the power voltages ELVDD and ELVSS in advance, and when a short is detected, it immediately stops power supply through the enable off signal, preventing fire hazards before they can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A dedicated short detection circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the power supply and the organic light-emitting panel. This circuit includes voltage distribution units, comparing units, and signal controlling units that mediate the power supply process by continuously monitoring for shorts and controlling the enable signal to stop power supply when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If short detection is performed continuously, then fire safety is improved, but power consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort circuit protectionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The short detection circuit operates continuously throughout the operation of the organic light-emitting panel. The voltage distribution units and comparing units continuously monitor the power voltages ELVDD and ELVSS without interruption, ensuring that any short circuit condition is detected immediately regardless of the operational state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The short detection circuit is designed to be self-regulating through the enable signal mechanism. When no short is detected, the circuit consumes minimal power by operating in a standby monitoring mode. When a short is detected, the circuit automatically activates the signal controlling unit to stop power supply, and the system can be reset by simply restarting the enable signal without requiring external intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution effectively reduces the risk of fires by shutting down power supply when a short is detected, preventing abnormal screen displays and potential damage, and allowing for safe operation and reset of the driver integrated circuit.

Implementation Method 1

a comparing unit for comparing the detected voltage with a reference voltage and detecting a short

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage comparison: Ohm's Law

Data Source

PatentEP2416307A1Organic light-emitting display apparatus and method of providing power therein
Publication Date: 2012.02.08 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP2416307A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2416307A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2416307A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An organic light-emitting display apparatus and method of providing power in the organic light-emitting display apparatus. The organic light-emitting display apparatus including an organic light-emitting panel (500), a power supplying unit (100) for supplying a first power voltage (ELVDD) and a second power voltage (ELVSS) to the organic light-emitting panel (500), and a driver integrated circuit (200) comprising a short protection unit (300), wherein the short protection unit (300) detects a short based on at least one of the first power voltage (ELVDD) and the second power voltage (ELVSS) and outputs an enable off signal (EL_OFF) that blocks the first power voltage (ELVDD) and the second power voltage (ELVSS) from being supplied to the power supplying unit (100).