OLED Panel Circuit Protection Structures for Short-Circuit Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In OLED panels, short-circuit points can occur due to defects like dust particles or burrs, causing heat accumulation and reducing device reliability, and existing short-circuit prevention methods are inadequate for constant current power supplies, leading to inefficiencies and panel failures.

Innovation Solution

A highly stable OLED panel design featuring a substrate with auxiliary electrodes, insulators, and circuit protection structures that fuse when a short-circuit defect exceeds a predetermined threshold, isolating the defective pixel and preventing heat from affecting normal pixels, along with a second resistance protector for medium/high resistance faults, ensuring real-time protection and improved reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the thickness of the organic layer is increased to reduce short-circuit points, then the reliability is improved, but the driving voltage increases and device efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort-circuit preventionVSAvoiddevice efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the protection function into two segments: a first resistance protector for low resistance faults and a second resistance protector for medium/high resistance faults. This segmentation allows each protector to be optimized for its specific function, with the first protector having lower resistance to handle high current scenarios and the second protector having higher resistance for normal operation, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the resistance parameter of the protectors based on the fault type. The first resistance protector is designed with resistance below 100 ohms for low resistance faults, while the second resistance protector has resistance of 100 ohms or higher for medium/high resistance faults. This parameter differentiation allows the system to maintain low voltage drop during normal operation while providing effective protection when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a short-circuit prevention part is introduced to eliminate short-circuit points, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort-circuit preventionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the short-circuit prevention function with the existing electrode structure by forming the first and second resistance protectors as conductive layers that are integrated into the device architecture. The first resistance protector is formed between the anode and organic layer, while the second resistance protector is formed between the cathode and organic layer, combining protection functionality with the device's structural elements rather than adding separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The resistance protectors serve multiple functions: they provide low resistance pathways for short-circuit prevention, act as conductive interconnects between electrodes and organic layers, and provide structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated protection components, thereby minimizing device complexity while maintaining high reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design effectively isolates short-circuit defects, minimizing heat damage and maintaining panel reliability by fusing at specific current thresholds, and providing protection against various types of faults, enhancing the overall performance and longevity of the OLED panel.

Implementation Method 1

When a current passing through a pixel with short-circuit defect in any one of the plurality of OLED circuit assemblies is greater than a predetermined fusing threshold value of the circuit protection structure, the circuit protection structure corresponding to the pixel with short-circuit defect is adapted to fuse

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3709366B1Highly stable organic electroluminescent lighting screen
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 GUAN YEOLIGHT TECH CO LTD
  • EP3709366B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3709366B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3709366B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Disclosed is a highly stable organic light-emitting panel comprising a substrate and a plurality of pixelated OLED circuit assemblies, wherein the substrate is further provided with an auxiliary electrode and a plurality of circuit protection structures, each of the plurality of circuit protection structures is electrically connected to a corresponding pixelated first electrode in each OLED circuit assemblies, and the plurality of circuit protection structures are respectively electrically connected to the auxiliary electrode, the insulator covers the auxiliary electrode, the plurality of circuit protection structures and an area between the plurality of circuit protection structures and the plurality of OLED circuit assemblies; and when a current passing through a pixel with short-circuit defect in any one of the plurality of OLED circuit assemblies is greater than a predetermined fusing threshold value of the circuit protection structure, the circuit protection structure corresponding to the pixel with short-circuit defect is adapted to fuse, thereby isolating the OLED circuit assembly corresponding to the pixel with short-circuit defect from normal working pixel. The present invention can isolate OLED circuit assemblies having defects, thereby providing real time protection to OLED panel against defects and thus improving the reliability of the panel.