Shared Substrate Electrochromic Display for Thin Personalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices with integrated electrochromic features face challenges in reducing overall thickness while maintaining personalized display capabilities, leading to increased thickness and manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A display device design where the electrochromic device and display panel share a common first base substrate and first transparent electrode on the light exiting side, reducing redundant components and simplifying the manufacturing process, and utilizing a driving method that applies voltage signals to switch between transparent and colored states without power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the electrochromic device is integrated with the display panel, then personalized display capabilities are enabled, but the overall thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonalized display capabilitiesVSAvoidoverall thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the electrochromic device with the display panel by sharing the same base substrate and transparent electrode. The electrochromic layer is formed on the same substrate as the display panel, eliminating the need for separate substrates and reducing overall thickness while enabling personalized display capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared base substrate and transparent electrode serve dual functions: they support both the display panel and the electrochromic device. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall thickness while maintaining personalized display capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If separate substrates are used for the electrochromic device and display panel, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the manufacturing processes by forming the electrochromic device and display panel on the same base substrate. This eliminates the need for separate substrate preparation and assembly steps, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining manufacturing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared base substrate serves as a universal platform for both the display panel and electrochromic device, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This reduces manufacturing costs and complexity while preserving ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If voltage signals are applied to maintain electrochromic color state, then personalized display features are achieved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonalized display featuresVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrochromic device maintains its color state without continuous power input. Once a voltage signal is applied to change the color state, the electrochromic layer retains this state, eliminating the need for continuous power consumption to maintain personalized display features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous power application, the system uses periodic voltage signals to switch between transparent and colored states. Power is only consumed during state transitions, not during maintenance of the color state, thereby reducing overall power consumption while achieving personalized display features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 reduces the overall thickness and manufacturing costs of the display device while enabling personalized display features without power consumption during color or pattern maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

Electrochromism refers to a phenomenon that under an action of an external electric field, optical properties of an electrochromic material experiences a stable and reversible color change.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Data Source

PatentUS10175548B2Display device, manufacturing method thereof, driving method thereof, and display apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.01.08 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

A display device, a manufacturing method thereof, a driving method thereof and a display apparatus. The display device includes: a display panel; and an electrochromic device located on a light exiting side of the display panel. The electrochromic device and the display panel share a first base substrate and a first transparent electrode in the display panel that are close to the light exiting side of the display panel.