Through-Hole Polarizing Plate for OLED Brightness and Antireflection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polarizing plates for self-luminous display devices, such as organic EL and inorganic EL, suffer from reduced brightness due to light absorption, and existing methods to reduce absorption lead to insufficient antireflection effects or dissolution issues with polarizer layers.

Innovation Solution

A polarizing plate with through-holes in the alignment film and polarizer layer, featuring a thickness of 5 μm or less, an opening ratio of 50% or less, and through-holes with an average diameter of 10 μm to 3 mm and a density of 3 to 2,500/in², combined with a water-insoluble dichroic coloring agent, to enhance light utilization efficiency and antireflection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a polarizer and λ/4 plate are used as an antireflection film, then external light reflection is prevented and contrast is improved, but light emitted by the light emitting element is absorbed and brightness is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal light reflectionVSAvoidbrightness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The polarizer layer is segmented into multiple regions with different polarization degrees: a first region with polarization degree of 80% or more (for antireflection), a second region with polarization degree of 70% or more but less than 80% (transition zone), and a third region with polarization degree of less than 70% (for light emission). This segmentation allows different portions of the polarizer to serve different functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the polarizer layer are assigned different polarization characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The first region maintains high polarization for effective antireflection, while the third region has reduced polarization to minimize light absorption, optimizing local performance for each functional requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Use of energy by moving object

If the unexposed portion is removed using a solvent with high solubility to completely remove it, then the degree of polarization of the polarizer layer is lowered to improve light utilization, but a part of the exposed portion could also be dissolved and the antireflection effect is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight utilization efficiencyVSAvoidantireflection effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent controls the polarization degree parameter across different regions of the polarizer layer by adjusting exposure conditions and solvent treatment parameters. The second region serves as a buffer zone with intermediate polarization properties, allowing gradual transition without compromising the antireflection effect in the first region while still improving light utilization in the third region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If a coated type polarizer layer is used with exposure via mask and solvent removal to form region A with low polarization, then light utilization efficiency is improved, but dichroic coloring agent with low solubility remains and the degree of polarization cannot be sufficiently lowered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight utilization efficiencyVSAvoiddegree of polarization control

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates distinct local regions with different polarization degrees by controlling the exposure and solvent removal process. The second region with intermediate polarization acts as a transition zone that facilitates complete removal of dichroic coloring agent while maintaining sufficient polarization in the first region for antireflection and low polarization in the third region for light emission.

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

The solution achieves both improved light utilization efficiency and antireflection effects by allowing light emission from the display elements to pass through the through-holes while reducing external light reflection, maintaining high contrast.

Implementation Method 1

a polarizer layer including a dichroic coloring agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDichroic absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

an alignment film

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface alignment: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS12600100B2Polarizing plate, circularly polarizing plate, and method for producing polarizing plate

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

An object is to provide a polarizing plate, a circularly polarizing plate, and a method for producing a polarizing plate, each of which can accomplish both of the antireflection effect for external light and an improvement in the utilization efficiency of light emitted by a light emitting element, in a case of being used in a self-luminous display device using an inorganic EL element, an organic EL element, or the like. The polarizing plate is a polarizing plate having an alignment film and a polarizer layer including a dichroic coloring agent, in which the polarizing plate has a plurality of through-holes that penetrate the alignment film and the polarizer layer, and the light transmittance in a portion where the alignment film and the polarizer layer are present is 80% or less.