Perovskite Photoelectric Element Layout for Low-Resistance Cell Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in manufacturing photoelectric conversion elements using perovskite compounds is the inefficient patterning of films, which leads to increased electrical resistance and potential short circuits due to residual active layers and cracks in the conductive metal oxide layers during scribing, especially when using flexible substrates.

Innovation Solution

A photoelectric conversion element design with a specific composition and layered structure for the active layer, including a perovskite compound layer and unreacted/partially reacted compound layers, combined with a conductive connection through a conductive portion in a dividing groove, allowing efficient electrical connection without excessive pressure or material residue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a silicon oxide film is formed by a sputtering method to serve as a hole extraction layer, then the hole extraction capability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and process time increase due to requiring vacuum equipment and multiple process steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehole extraction capabilityVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the physical vapor deposition (sputtering) method with a chemical solution-based spin coating method to form the silicon oxide layer. This substitution eliminates the need for vacuum equipment and complex process control, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the hole extraction functionality through subsequent hydrophilic modification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the formation method parameter from physical sputtering to chemical spin coating, and further modifies the surface properties through hydrophilic treatment. This parameter change transforms an complex vacuum-based process into a simple solution-based process that achieves the same functional outcome with reduced complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a silicon oxide film is formed by a sputtering method to serve as a hole extraction layer, then the hole extraction capability is improved, but the production cost increases due to requiring expensive vacuum equipment and facilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehole extraction capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes expensive vacuum-based sputtering equipment with inexpensive solution-based spin coating equipment. This replacement dramatically reduces capital expenditure and operational costs while achieving equivalent or superior hole extraction performance through the combination of spin coating and hydrophilic modification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs inexpensive chemical solutions and simple processing steps that can be performed with basic laboratory equipment. The use of disposable spin coating plates and simple chemical treatments replaces expensive, maintenance-intensive vacuum systems, reducing both initial investment and ongoing operational costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If conventional organic compounds are used as host materials in phosphorescent dopants, then the device structure is simple, but the external quantum efficiency is limited to below 30% due to aggregation-caused quenching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidexternal quantum efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite host-dopant systems where phosphorescent dopants are embedded in carefully selected host matrices. This composite approach prevents aggregation-caused quenching by maintaining optimal dopant-host interactions, achieving external quantum efficiency exceeding 30% while preserving the relatively simple device structure of conventional OLEDs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the local chemical environment around phosphorescent dopants by selecting specific host materials with appropriate properties. This local optimization ensures that dopant molecules remain dispersed and active, preventing aggregation-induced efficiency loss while maintaining overall device structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 approach enhances the electrical connectivity between adjacent cells, reduces manufacturing costs, and prevents short circuits while maintaining high power conversion efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the photocatalytic layer has a hydrophilic interaction with water and oxygen, thereby the photocatalytic layer absorbs the water and oxygen from the atmosphere

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophilic interaction: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a photoelectric conversion element that converts light energy into electrical energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3944351B1Photoelectric conversion element and method for producing photoelectric conversion element
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP3944351B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3944351B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3944351B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A photoelectric conversion device includes: a substrate; a first photoelectric conversion element including a first substrate electrode, a first active layer and a first counter electrode; a second photoelectric conversion element including a second substrate electrode, a second active layer, and a second counter electrode; and a connection connecting the first counter electrode and the second substrate electrode. The second active layer is represented by a composition formula: AαBXχ, where A denotes at least one cation selected from monovalent cations, B denotes at least one cation selected from bivalent cations, and X denotes at least one ion selected from monovalent halogen ions; and the second active layer has a first and a second compound layer, the first compound layer containing a first compound satisfying 0.95 ≤ α, and 2.95 ≤ χ, and the second compound layer containing a second compound satisfying α < 0.95, and χ < 2.95.