Segmented Electrode Fuse Protection for Optoelectronic Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optoelectronic components such as light-emitting diodes and organic solar cells often experience reduced efficiency and shortened service life due to short circuits caused by particle contamination or 'pin-holes', leading to power loss and reduced functionality.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a first electrode layer with segmented segments, a functional layer, and a power supply with meltable electrical connections that act as fuses, isolating defective segments from the circuit in case of a short circuit, preventing widespread failure and promoting continued operation of intact segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the optoelectronic component uses a continuous electrode layer and power supply connection, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but a short circuit causes large-area component failure
Solution Approach 1:
The first electrode layer is divided into multiple segments arranged in matrix fashion, and the power supply connection is segmented into multiple electrical connections. This segmentation allows a short circuit in one segment to be isolated, preventing failure of the entire component while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular construction.
2Power
If the electrical connections have the same cross-section as the power supply, then the current capacity is maximized, but short circuit protection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connections have a smaller cross-section than the power supply, creating a deliberate bottleneck that serves as a fuse. This local reduction in cross-section provides short circuit protection while the overall power capacity is maintained through the larger power supply cross-section and multiple parallel connections.
3Reliability
If the first electrode layer is divided into multiple segments, then short circuit protection is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The first electrode layer is divided into multiple segments arranged in matrix fashion, and the power supply connection is segmented into multiple electrical connections. This segmentation allows a short circuit in one segment to be isolated, preventing failure of the entire component while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular construction.
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 solution effectively prevents large-area component failures by isolating short-circuit affected segments, maintaining efficiency and extending the service life of optoelectronic components, while allowing for large-area operation and reduced defect spread.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of electrical connections take the form of fuses
Implementation Method 2
When the optoelectronic component is operating normally, current paths may be formed by the power supply, each of the plurality of electrical connections and by the segments of the first electrode layer assigned in each case to the electrical connections
Data Source
AI summary
An optoelectronic component with short circuit protection is provided, comprising a first electrode layer (1) with a plurality of segments (11, 12), which are arranged separately from one another, a functional layer (2) on the first electrode layer (1), which emits electromagnetic radiation when in operation, a second electrode layer (3) on the functional layer (2), a power supply (4) and a plurality of electrical connections (51, 52). In each case at least one of the plurality of electrical connections (51, 52) is arranged between the first power supply (4) and at least one of the plurality of segments (11, 12) of the first electrode layer (1) for electrical contacting of the first electrode layer (1). The power supply (4) has a first cross-section and each of the plurality of electrical connections (51, 52) has a second cross-section. The second cross-section is smaller than the first cross-section, and the electrical connections (51, 52) take the form of fuses.