Transparent Dual-Sided OLED Display with Segmented Emission and Transmissive Areas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Organic light emitting display devices face issues with low transmissivity and image distortion due to light scattering through patterns and narrow gaps between organic light emitting diodes and thin-film transistors, and existing dual-sided displays cannot be made transparent.

Innovation Solution

The design includes separate emission areas with distinct organic light emitting diodes and pixel circuit units, where one area is reflective and the other is transparent, along with transmissive areas to improve light transmission and prevent scattering, allowing for dual emission without image distortion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If transparent thin-film transistors and transparent organic light emitting diodes are used to create a transparent display device, then the device can transmit images, but the patterns and narrow gaps between components cause light scattering and image distortion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage transmission qualityVSAvoidlight scattering
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display device is divided into separate emission areas and transmissive areas. The emission areas contain the organic light emitting diodes and thin-film transistors, while the transmissive areas are designed to allow light passage. This segmentation isolates the light-emitting components from the transmissive regions, preventing light scattering in the transmissive areas and improving overall image transmission quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the gaps between patterns are reduced to a few hundred nanometers to increase pixel density, then more components can be packed, but light scattering increases causing image distortion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepixel densityVSAvoidlight scattering
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the display device are assigned different optical properties. The emission areas are optimized for light emission with appropriate gap sizes, while the transmissive areas are specifically designed with properties that minimize light scattering. This local optimization allows high pixel density in emission regions without compromising light transmission quality in transmissive regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If dual-sided light emitting display device is manufactured by binding two separate devices, then both sides can emit light, but the device cannot be made transparent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedual-sided emissionVSAvoidtransparency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Two display structures are merged into a single integrated device where the first substrate with its emission areas and transmissive areas is combined with a second substrate. The transmissive areas of the first substrate allow light to pass through to the second substrate, enabling dual-sided emission while maintaining transparency. This merged structure eliminates the need to bind separate devices, preserving transparency while achieving dual-sided light emission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration enhances transmissivity and prevents image distortion by eliminating light scattering, enabling the creation of transparent dual-sided organic light emitting display devices.

Implementation Method 1

The first organic light emitting diode may include a first pixel electrode configured to reflect light.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The second organic light emitting diode may include a second pixel electrode configured to transmit light therethrough.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission:

Implementation Method 3

a transmissive area adjacent to the first and second emission areas and not overlapping with the first and second emission areas, the transmissive area configured to transmit external light therethrough.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission:

Implementation Method 4

an organic light emitting display device includes: a first emission area including a first organic light emitting diode; a second emission area arranged adjacent to the first emission area and not overlapping with the first emission area, the second emission area including a second organic light emitting diode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP2618378B1Organic light emitting display device
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP2618378B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2618378B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2618378B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An organic light emitting display device including: a first emission area including a first organic light emitting diode; a second emission area arranged adjacent to the first emission area and not overlapping with the first emission area, the second emission area including a second organic light emitting diode; a pixel circuit unit electrically connected to the first organic light emitting diode and the second organic light emitting diode; and a transmissive area adjacent to the first and second emission areas and not overlapping with the first and second emission areas, the transmissive area configured to transmit external light therethrough.