Organic EL Panel Vertex Power Layout for Uniform Luminance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing organic EL panels face challenges with high material consumption, increased production costs, and reduced reliability due to the need for multiple conductive layers and insulating layers, as well as uneven luminance caused by electrode resistance variations and moisture permeation issues.
Innovation Solution
A rectangular organic EL panel design where power is supplied from one vertex through a right-angled L-shaped circuit board, using a negative potential at one vertex and positive potentials at the ends, with a sealing film covering the light-emitting region except at the vertex, and a first electrode conduction path surrounding the periphery to connect pads, reducing material usage and enhancing sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple conductive layers and insulating layers are formed on the organic EL element, then the structure provides heat equalizing effect and eliminates wiring members, but the number of man-hours required to form the organic EL element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the insulating layer from the structure, forming conductive layers directly on the organic EL element without requiring intermediate insulating layers. This reduces the number of formation steps and man-hours while maintaining the heat equalizing effect through the conductive layers themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple layers by forming conductive layers that simultaneously provide electrical connection and heat equalizing effects, eliminating the need for separate insulating layers and reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
2Reliability
If materials of the conductive layer and insulating layer are formed all over the light-emitting region, then the structure provides comprehensive coverage, but the organic EL element consumes a large amount of material and becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by forming conductive layers only in specific regions where electrical connection is needed, rather than covering the entire light-emitting region. This localized approach reduces material consumption while maintaining necessary structural coverage and electrical functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the conductive layer formation into distinct regions - forming conductive layers at electrode pads and connection points rather than uniformly across the entire device. This segmentation reduces overall material usage while ensuring adequate coverage at critical locations.
3Ease of manufacture
If a transparent anode with high sheet resistance is used, then the organic EL element can be formed with standard materials, but the potential difference on the anode side increases and in-plane variations in luminance become larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using different materials for the anode and cathode - the cathode is formed with low-resistance metal films while the anode uses transparent conductive materials. This asymmetric material selection compensates for the inherently higher resistance of transparent conductors, reducing potential differences and improving luminance uniformity across the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sheet resistance parameter of the cathode by using metal films with inherently lower resistance than transparent conductive oxides. This parameter change in the cathode compensates for the high resistance of the transparent anode, reducing overall potential differences and improving luminance uniformity.
4Productivity
If power is supplied from one vertex through a circuit board, then the production efficiency increases and structure is simplified, but the sealing performance may be compromised due to moisture permeation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sealing film as an intermediary layer between the circuit board and the organic EL element. This sealing film prevents moisture permeation through the vertex connection area while allowing electrical power supply to pass through, thus maintaining both production efficiency and sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the device into distinct functional regions - the vertex area for power supply connection and the light-emitting area for optical output. The sealing film is strategically positioned to seal the connection area without interfering with the light-emitting function, maintaining both productivity and reliability.
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
This design reduces production costs, improves sealing performance, and enhances reliability by minimizing material usage and moisture permeation, while evenly distributing current to reduce luminance unevenness.
Implementation Method 1
An organic EL element is a planar-light-emitting element that utilizes a phenomenon in which light is emitted when an electric field is applied to a substance
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an organic EL panel. A first conductive film, an organic functional film, a second conductive film, and a sealing film are provided on a substrate. The first conductive film includes a first main body, a first electrode pad, and a second electrode pad. The second conductive film includes a second main body, and a second electrode pad region extending from the second main body toward the first vertex. The second electrode pad region extends to a stretched region exposed from the sealing film which covers a light-emitting region. A first electrode conduction path surrounds at least half of the light-emitting region and connects the electrode pads. A circuit board is fixed near the first vertex. A first electrode wire is configured to adhere to the electrode pads. A second electrode wire is configured to adhere to the second electrode pad region in the stretched region.