Organic Lighting Mirror Structure for Flexible Transparent Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor-based light-emitting diodes are expensive, particularly for large-area applications, and lack flexibility and transparency to visible light, making them unsuitable for cost-effective, versatile lighting solutions such as public space displays or furniture illumination.
Innovation Solution
A luminous means comprising a substrate with electrodes and an organic layer stack between them, where the organic layer stack includes materials for generating light, and is designed to be transmissive to visible light, allowing for flexible and cost-effective applications in various settings, including public spaces and furniture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If semiconductor-based light-emitting diodes are used, then reliable light emission is achieved, but cost increases significantly especially for large-area applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from semiconductor to organic compounds, enabling large-area fabrication through solution processing and vacuum deposition techniques that are cost-effective and scalable, while maintaining reliable light emission through proper molecular design and device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs inexpensive organic materials that can be processed using low-cost manufacturing techniques such as spin-coating, spray deposition, and vacuum evaporation, replacing expensive semiconductor materials with readily available organic compounds that achieve comparable performance at fraction of the cost
2Power
If semiconductor-based light-emitting diodes are used, then sufficient luminous output is achieved, but flexibility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin-film organic layers deposited on flexible substrates, enabling the light-emitting device to be bent, folded, or conformally shaped while maintaining luminous output through the inherent flexibility of organic materials and thin-film construction that semiconductor LEDs cannot achieve
3Power
If semiconductor-based light-emitting diodes are used, then efficient light generation is achieved, but transparency to visible light is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite organic layer structures with different functional properties - some layers are designed to be transparent to specific wavelengths while others generate light efficiently, creating a multi-layer organic stack that simultaneously achieves transparency and luminescence through material composition rather than semiconductor physics
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 provides a cost-effective, flexible, and transmissive lighting solution suitable for diverse applications, including public spaces, furniture, and motor vehicles, offering variable color impressions and efficient illumination.
Implementation Method 1
an organic layer stack within an active region of the substrate between the first and the second electrode, wherein the organic layer stack comprises at least one organic layer which is suitable for generating light
Data Source
AI summary
A luminous means comprising a substrate having a first main surface, to which a first electrode is applied, a second electrode, an organic layer stack within an active region of the substrate between the first and the second electrode, wherein the organic layer stack comprises at least one organic layer which is suitable for generating light, and at least one reflective element, which is formed along a main plane of the luminous means, wherein the luminous means has two operating states, such that the luminous means is an illumination source in a first operating state and the luminous means is a mirror in a second operating state.