Organic Light-Emitting Display Repair via Segmented Upper Electrode

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing repair processes for organic light-emitting display devices are time-consuming and difficult to predict due to the thick upper electrode, which also complicates the removal of particles connected to the lower electrode, affecting optical characteristics.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of an optical compensation layer with a refractive index between the upper and passivation layers, which is thinner than the lower electrode, and includes metal oxides, allows for a thinner upper electrode while maintaining optical characteristics, enabling efficient removal of the upper electrode connected to the lower electrode due to particles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the upper electrode is made thick to maintain optical characteristics, then the optical characteristics are improved, but the repair process time increases and the removal of particle-connected portions becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical characteristicsVSAvoidrepair process time
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The upper electrode is divided into two separate layers: a first upper electrode layer (thickness 50-200 nm) and a second upper electrode layer (thickness 50-200 nm). This segmentation allows the repair process to remove only the thinner first upper electrode layer connected to particles, rather than removing a thick single layer, thereby reducing repair time while maintaining optical characteristics through the combined thickness of both layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Illumination intensity

If the upper electrode is made thick to maintain optical characteristics, then the optical characteristics are improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical characteristicsVSAvoidremoval of particle-connected portion
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The upper electrode is segmented into a first upper electrode layer and a second upper electrode layer. The first layer is positioned closer to the organic light-emitting layer and has controlled thickness (50-200 nm) to facilitate easy removal during repair processes when particles are present, while the second layer provides the remaining optical function. This segmentation makes particle-connected portions easier to remove without affecting overall optical characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different thicknesses are assigned to different parts of the upper electrode structure. The first upper electrode layer has a thinner thickness (50-200 nm) specifically at regions where particle contamination may occur, making local removal easier, while the overall electrode structure maintains sufficient total thickness for optical performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of time

If the upper electrode is made thin to reduce repair process time, then the repair process time is reduced, but the optical characteristics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepair process timeVSAvoidoptical characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The upper electrode is divided into two layers, each with thickness of 50-200 nm. The first layer can be quickly removed during repair processes, reducing repair time, while the second layer remains to maintain optical characteristics. The combined optical effect of both layers ensures that the display device maintains its optical performance even when the first layer is thin or removed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Illumination intensity

If the upper electrode thickness is increased to maintain optical characteristics, then the optical characteristics are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical characteristicsVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The upper electrode is segmented into two layers (first and second upper electrode layers), each with simple thickness specifications of 50-200 nm. This segmentation actually simplifies the overall device structure by enabling easier repair processes and providing design flexibility, rather than requiring a single thick complex layer. The manufacturing process remains straightforward with sequential deposition of the two layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3316336B1Organic light-emitting display device having a repair area and method of manufacturing
Publication Date: 2022.06.01 LG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3316336B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3316336B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3316336B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided is an organic light-emitting display device which enables a fast and secure repair process without changing optical characteristics. The organic light-emitting display device includes a lower electrode (310), an organic emitting layer (320), an upper electrode (330) and an optical compensation layer (400) which are sequentially stacked. The upper electrode is thinner than the lower electrode. An opening is formed by particles (P) in the organic emitting layer and the upper electrode. The opening caused by the particles is extended between the lower electrode and the organic emitting layer.