Addressable Emissive Displays via Printed Layer Stacking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electroluminescent displays are limited by their inability to provide scalable, dynamically addressable, and durable solutions for displaying changing information, as they require complex manufacturing processes, are not suitable for large form factors, and have durability issues under varying environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

The development of an addressable emissive display comprising multiple layers printed or coated on a substrate, using conductive and emissive materials, allowing for pixel addressability and scalability, with a flat form factor, and enhanced durability through encapsulation and topological leveling, enabling the display of dynamic information without the need for semiconductor fabrication techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional electroluminescent displays are used, then emissive display functionality is achieved, but scalability and dynamic addressability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescalability and dynamic addressabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display is divided into addressable pixel elements arranged in matrices, with each pixel independently controllable through row and column addressing schemes. This segmentation enables dynamic display of changing information while maintaining manufacturability through modular construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electroluminescent display structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides emissive display capability, pixel addressability for dynamic information, and scalability across different sizes. The same basic pixel structure can be replicated to create displays of various resolutions and dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If electroluminescent displays are made for large form factors, then display area is increased, but durability under environmental conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoiddurability under environmental conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electroluminescent display utilizes thin-film structures and flexible substrate materials that can be conformally deposited over large areas. This thin-film approach maintains structural integrity and environmental durability while enabling large display areas, as the flexible nature accommodates thermal expansion and environmental stress without cracking or delamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Manufacturing precision

If semiconductor fabrication techniques are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepixel addressing precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex semiconductor fabrication processes with more accessible manufacturing techniques such as screen printing, inkjet printing, or other deposition methods for applying conductive and electroluminescent materials. This substitution maintains sufficient manufacturing precision for pixel addressing while dramatically reducing manufacturing complexity and cost, making the technology accessible to more manufacturers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 scalable, durable, and cost-effective display technology capable of displaying dynamic information across various sizes and environments, with a thin and flat form factor, using conventional printing processes and inexpensive materials, overcoming the limitations of existing electroluminescent displays.

Implementation Method 1

electroluminescent displays are limited by their inability to provide scalable, dynamically addressable, and durable solutions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS7719187B2Static and addressable emissive displays

Publication Date: 2010.05.18 NTHDEGREE TECHNOLOGIES WORLDWIDE INC

AI summary

The various embodiments of the invention provide an addressable or a static emissive display comprising a plurality of layers, including a first substrate layer, wherein each succeeding layer is formed by printing or coating the layer over preceding layers. Exemplary substrates include paper, plastic, rubber, fabric, glass, ceramic, or any other insulator or semiconductor. In an exemplary embodiment, the display includes a first conductive layer attached to the substrate and forming a first plurality of conductors; various dielectric layers; an emissive layer; a second, transmissive conductive layer forming a second plurality of conductors; a third conductive layer included in the second plurality of conductors and having a comparatively lower impedance; and optional color and masking layers. Pixels are defined by the corresponding display regions between the first and second plurality of conductors. Various embodiments are addressable, have a substantially flat form factor with a thickness of 1-3 mm, and are also scalable virtually limitlessly, from the size of a mobile telephone display to that of a billboard.