Organic-light emitting diode

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) lack versatility in emission profiles and durability, failing to provide directional emission and effective environmental sealing, limiting their application in diverse lighting solutions.

Innovation Solution

Development of OLEDs with a structured radiation exit area and encapsulation to achieve directional emission and environmental sealing, enabling diverse applications such as transparent, colored, and flexible lighting solutions with enhanced durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If OLEDs use conventional flat radiation exit areas, then manufacturing is simple, but emission is non-directional and application versatility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication versatilityVSAvoidradiation exit area structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radiation exit area is segmented into multiple structured regions with different orientations and geometries, allowing different emission directions and profiles from different segments, thereby achieving application versatility without requiring multiple separate devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The radiation exit area transitions from a two-dimensional flat surface to a three-dimensional structured surface with varying angles, depths, and geometries, enabling directional control of emission while maintaining a single integrated structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If OLEDs lack encapsulation, then device structure is simple, but durability against environmental influences is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidencapsulation structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A thin-film encapsulation layer is applied over the structured radiation exit area, providing environmental protection while maintaining the directional emission properties and flexibility of the underlying structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The encapsulation structure is nested within or integrated with the structured radiation exit area, where the encapsulation layer conforms to and protects the three-dimensional features without obscuring their functional benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If OLEDs use structured radiation exit areas for directional emission, then emission control is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemission controlVSAvoidradiation exit area fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The structured radiation exit area is formed by modifying physical parameters such as surface geometry, angle, and depth through standard fabrication techniques like photolithography and etching, enabling directional emission control using existing manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Complex mechanical structuring is replaced with photochemical and plasma-based processes, where patterns are defined by photomasks and structures are formed through controlled chemical etching, simplifying the manufacturing of three-dimensional radiation exit areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If OLEDs are sealed against environmental influences, then durability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental sealingVSAvoidsealing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A continuous thin-film encapsulation layer is deposited over the entire device including the structured radiation exit area, providing environmental sealing through a single conformal coating process that adapts to complex geometries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The encapsulation layer serves as an intermediary barrier between the OLED active layers and the environment, providing protection against moisture and oxygen while allowing the structured radiation exit area to maintain its optical functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 allows for OLEDs that emit electromagnetic radiation from infrared to UV, with directional emission profiles and improved durability, enabling a wide range of applications including alarm clocks, shower cubicles, solar protection, and general lighting.

Implementation Method 1

The organic layer sequence comprises at least one radiation-emitting region which generates electromagnetic radiation in the spectral range from infrared radiation to UV radiation during operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

The radiation exit area is structured, so that the electromagnetic radiation has a directional emission profile

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS12158250B2Organic-light emitting diode

Publication Date: 2024.12.03 PICTIVA DISPLAY INT LTD

AI summary

Organic light-emitting diodes as well as luminaires with such organic light-emitting diodes are specified. The luminaires may in particular be the following apparatuses, or the luminaires are part of existing apparatuses: alarm, shower cubicle, shower head, solar protection, rain protection, lamp, bed, signaling light, changing cubicle, vision protection, housing, emergency lighting, mirror, slabs, ceiling lights, radiator cladding, blinds, noise protection, umbrella, warning light.