OLED Solar Cell Integration for Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional organic light emitting display (OLED) devices rely on external power sources, which limits portability, usability, and power consumption efficiency, and internal power sources in peripheral regions restrict device thickness and weight reduction.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating solar cells and p-n junctions between or among organic light emitting elements in the display region, converting incident or emitted light into electric energy to power the OLED device, reducing reliance on external power sources and enhancing power efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If solar cells are integrated within the display region among organic light emitting elements, then power consumption is reduced and external power source replacement is eliminated, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines solar cells with organic light emitting elements within the same display region, where solar cells are positioned among the light emitting elements to form an integrated structure. This merging allows the device to generate and consume energy within the same functional area, eliminating the need for separate external power sources while reducing overall device complexity through spatial integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The display region serves multiple functions: it displays visual information through organic light emitting elements and simultaneously generates electrical energy through solar cells. This multi-functionality allows the same spatial region to fulfill both display and power generation roles, reducing the need for additional dedicated power source components.
2Reliability
If internal power sources are placed in peripheral regions, then device can operate without external power sources, but device thickness and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from placing power sources in the peripheral region (two-dimensional placement) to integrating them within the display region (utilizing the third dimension of the existing structure). By embedding solar cells among the organic light emitting elements in the display region, the power generation function is achieved without adding to the device's footprint or weight, as the same spatial volume serves dual purposes.
3Productivity
If p-n junctions are used to convert light to electric energy, then power efficiency is improved, but manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes p-n junctions that convert light parameters (optical energy) into electrical energy parameters through the photovoltaic effect. This parameter transformation occurs within the existing display structure, where the p-n junctions are integrated among the organic light emitting elements, enabling efficient energy conversion without requiring separate manufacturing processes for power generation components.
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 integration of solar cells and p-n junctions within the OLED device enables continuous operation without external power replacement, lowering power consumption, improving portability, and reducing device thickness and weight by utilizing internal power sources.
Implementation Method 1
A p-n junction between the first solar cell pattern and the second solar cell pattern may convert at least one of light incident from an outside and light emitted from the organic light emitting elements into electric energy
Data Source
AI summary
An organic light emitting display device includes a first substrate having a display region and a peripheral region adjacent to the display region, a plurality of display structures in the display region, the display structures including a plurality of switching elements and a plurality of organic light emitting elements, a plurality of solar cells adjacent to the organic light emitting elements in the display region, and a second substrate opposed to the first substrate.