Reflective Metallic Matrix Color Filter Substrate for OLED Contrast

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional black matrices in OLED display devices absorb light, reducing brightness and contrast ratios, and are made of heavy metals that pollute the environment, making manufacturing processes costly and burdensome.

Innovation Solution

A color filter substrate with a reflective metallic matrix surrounding pixel units, formed from materials like copper and silver, and including a protection layer and light diffusers to enhance light output and contrast ratios, while being environmentally friendlier.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional black matrix is used to improve contrast ratio, then the contrast ratio is improved, but the light output is reduced and heavy metal pollution occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrast ratioVSAvoidlight output

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a black matrix that absorbs light to improve contrast ratio, the patent inverts the approach by using a reflective metallic matrix that reflects light. This reflective matrix redirects light that would otherwise be lost into the pixel units, thereby improving both contrast ratio and light output simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful light absorption effect of conventional black matrices into a beneficial light reflection effect. By using reflective metallic materials with high reflectance, the structure that previously caused light loss is transformed into a light-enhancing component, improving overall display performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If a conventional black matrix is used to improve contrast ratio, then the contrast ratio is improved, but environmental pollution and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrast ratioVSAvoidenvironmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive and environmentally harmful heavy metal materials with cheaper, environmentally friendly reflective metallic materials. This substitution maintains the contrast ratio improvement function while eliminating pollution and reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from heavy metal absorptive materials to reflective metallic materials with high reflectance. This parameter change achieves the same contrast ratio improvement function without the harmful environmental side effects of heavy metal pollution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If a reflective metallic matrix is used to improve light output, then the light output is improved, but the aperture ratio may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight outputVSAvoidaperture ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses the aperture ratio concern by using a three-dimensional reflective metallic matrix structure with pyramid-shaped elements. This vertical dimensionality allows the reflective surfaces to redirect light without occupying excessive horizontal space, thereby maintaining high aperture ratio while improving light output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The reflective metallic matrix is segmented into multiple pyramid-shaped elements distributed across the substrate. This segmentation allows light reflection to occur at multiple discrete points without creating large continuous opaque areas, thus preserving the aperture ratio while achieving improved light output through distributed reflection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Improves light output and contrast ratios of OLED display panels, reduces environmental pollution, and simplifies manufacturing processes by using a cleaner and more economical approach.

Implementation Method 1

a reflective metallic matrix comprising a plurality of reflective metallic matrix elements surrounding each pixel unit. Each reflective metallic matrix element includes a reflective surface facing each adjacent pixel unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The light diffusers may be transparent. The light diffusers may be light scattering particles with diameters of about 20 nm to 80 nm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS9960377B2Color filter substrate and fabrication method thereof, OLED structure, related display panel, and related display device

Publication Date: 2018.05.01 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a color filter substrate used in an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) or liquid crystal (LC) display structure for improving a contrast ratio and light output. The color filter substrate includes a substrate; a color filter layer comprising a plurality of pixel units; and a reflective metallic matrix comprising a plurality of reflective metallic matrix elements surrounding each pixel unit.