Oxide Thin Film Transistor Solar Cell for Display Transparency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display devices face challenges in achieving high optical conversion efficiency and transmissivity when using solar cells, as P-N junction diodes have low optical transmissivity and dye-sensitized solar cells suffer from low optical conversion efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The integration of oxide thin film transistors in solar cell units within the display device, where each solar cell unit consists of transistors with oxide semiconductor layers, allowing for high transparency and efficient current generation, and the arrangement of these units above or between color filter and encapsulation layers to facilitate light conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If P-N junction diodes are used as solar cells, then they can be used in non-display areas, but they exhibit low optical transmissivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional P-N junction diode materials to oxide semiconductor materials (such as IGZO - indium gallium zinc oxide), which fundamentally alters the optical properties to achieve high transmissivity while maintaining solar cell functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining oxide semiconductor layers with transparent conducting oxide layers (such as ITO - indium tin oxide) and other transparent functional layers to create a solar cell that maintains both electrical functionality and high optical transmissivity
2Illumination intensity
If dye-sensitized solar cell panels are used, then they can be formed of transparent material, but they suffer from low optical conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the active material from dye molecules to oxide semiconductor materials, which have superior charge carrier generation and transport properties, thereby significantly improving optical conversion efficiency while maintaining transparency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical mechanism of dye-sensitized charge generation with the solid-state electronic mechanism of oxide semiconductors, eliminating the limitations of dye stability and efficiency while maintaining the transparent structure
3Loss of energy
If oxide thin film transistors are integrated in solar cell units, then optical conversion efficiency is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the oxide thin film transistor to serve dual functions: as a switching element for pixel control and as a solar cell element for power generation, thereby reducing overall device complexity despite the advanced materials used
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the transistor structure with the solar cell structure by integrating the oxide semiconductor layer to perform both switching and photovoltaic functions, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall device complexity
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 configuration provides high optical transmissivity and generates a large amount of current, enhancing the display device's power supply and reducing aperture ratio losses, thereby improving overall efficiency and operational time.
Implementation Method 1
the first transistor is configured to convert light into a first current to be outputted to the first output terminal, in response to an off voltage of the scan signal, and wherein the second transistor is configured to convert light into a second current to be outputted to the second output terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a first pixel coupled to a first scan line and a first data line. The first pixel includes a switching transistor including a control terminal connected to the first scan line and an input terminal connected to the first data line, and is turned on by an on-scan signal, a first transistor including a first control terminal connected to the first scan line, a first input terminal connected to the first data line, and a first output terminal connected to the first control terminal; and a second transistor including a second control terminal connected to the first output terminal, a second input terminal receiving a base voltage, and a second output terminal connected to the second control terminal. The first and second transistors respectively convert light into first and second currents outputted respectively to the first and second output terminals in response to an off-scan signal.