OLED QLED Luminous Module Edge Appearance Homogeneity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting modules with plate-shaped active elements and protruding carrier elements have an impaired appearance due to visible edge regions, which can detract from the uniformity of the active and passive areas, especially when not in use.

Innovation Solution

A screen covers the edge area, and a light decoupling element with a microstructure is used to blend the passive area with the active area, along with a transparent spacer and circularly polarizing film to achieve a uniform appearance, ensuring the module looks homogeneous both in the switched-off and switched-on states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protruding edge region is provided on the carrier element, then the active element can be properly mounted and electrically connected, but the appearance of the lighting module is impaired due to visible passive area components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting reliabilityVSAvoidappearance uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the problematic passive area components (adhesive seams, electrical connections, passivation layers) from view by using a screen that covers the edge region of the carrier element. This allows the functional edge region to remain for mounting and connection while hiding its visually disturbing components, thus resolving the contradiction between mounting reliability and appearance uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a screen as an intermediary element between the viewer and the passive area components. This screen serves as a visual barrier that mediates the appearance by blocking the view of adhesive seams, electrical connections, and passivation layers, while allowing the active element to function normally through the screen's opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the edge area is made visible, then manufacturing and assembly are simplified, but the passive area appears non-homogeneous and detracts from the overall appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidappearance homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the visually disturbing passive area components from the viewer's perspective by covering the edge region with a screen. This allows the manufacturing and assembly to remain simple with visible edge structures, while the screen hides the adhesive seams, electrical connections, and passivation layers that would otherwise appear non-homogeneous.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Shape

If a screen covers the edge area, then appearance uniformity is improved, but light output may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveappearance uniformityVSAvoidlight output efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the screen partially transparent or by providing openings in the screen at positions corresponding to the active element's light emission areas. This allows the screen to cover and hide the passive area components for improved appearance uniformity, while simultaneously allowing light to pass through from the active element, thus maintaining light output efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by covering only the edge region with the screen while leaving the central active area exposed or partially exposed. This partial coverage is sufficient to hide the disturbing passive area components and improve appearance uniformity, while not excessively blocking the light output from the active element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive 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

The solution results in a significantly improved appearance by making the passive area appear homogeneous with the active area, allowing approximately 50% of generated light to exit while maintaining efficiency and uniformity.

Implementation Method 1

a circularly polarizing film arranged above or after the diaphragm, with a quarter-wave retardation layer arranged on the side facing the diaphragm. As a result, light incident from outside, ie 'ambient light' can be circularly polarized before it strikes the reflective surface of the cathode or the active element or the diaphragm. The phase jump during reflection rotates or changes the direction of rotation of the circular polarization and the light reflected in this way is no longer let through to the outside by the polarizing film.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

light incident from outside, ie 'ambient light' can be circularly polarized before it strikes the reflective surface of the cathode or the active element or the diaphragm. The phase jump during reflection rotates or changes the direction of rotation of the circular polarization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarisation: Polarisation

Implementation Method 3

a light decoupling element with a microstructure in the form of a microprism or microlens structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP2737558B1Oled/qled luminous module having a uniform appearance
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2737558B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2737558B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~3
  • EP2737558B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a luminous module comprising a plate-shaped active element (12), and a plate-shaped carrier element (22) having a surface (221) on which the active element (12) is arranged. In this case the carrier element (22) has an edge region (222) projecting with respect to the active element (12). Furthermore, the luminous module comprises a screen (21) covering the edge region (222). Said screen can have the effect that, in a plan view of the luminous module, the projecting edge region (22) is discernable less clearly. In particular, it is possible to bring about the effect that components of the luminous module are apparent or discernable to a lesser extent, or not at all. Moreover, it is also possible to achieve the effect that the appearance of the edge region (222) can be adapted particularly well to that of the active element (12). A particularly homogeneous and thus improved appearance of the luminous module can be achieved as a result.