Triangular OLED Sub-pixel Arrangement for Aperture Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in manufacturing organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panels is achieving high resolution while maintaining a high aperture ratio of sub-pixels, which affects the display panel's performance in terms of brightness.
Innovation Solution
A display panel design featuring pixels arranged in a triangular pattern with three sub-pixels emitting different colors, where the sub-pixels are mirror symmetrical and have specific shapes and orientations to optimize light emission and increase resolution, including a base substrate with organic light emitting diodes and a pixel defining layer to separate electrodes and define light-emitting zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the opening size of the fine metal mask is reduced to achieve high resolution, then the resolution is improved, but the aperture ratio of sub-pixels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional rectangular pixel arrangements to a triangular lattice arrangement, where sub-pixels are positioned at vertices of equilateral triangles. This dimensional reorganization allows light-emitting zones to be more efficiently packed in two-dimensional space, increasing the aperture ratio while maintaining resolution. The triangular geometry enables better utilization of the pixel area by eliminating wasted space associated with rectangular grid intersections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides each pixel into three distinct sub-pixels (red, green, blue) arranged at the vertices of a triangle, with each sub-pixel having an independent light-emitting zone. This segmentation allows each sub-pixel to be optimized independently for light emission efficiency while collectively achieving high resolution through their coordinated arrangement. The segmentation of the pixel into triangular sub-units enables better space utilization compared to traditional rectangular subdivisions.
2Illumination intensity
If the aperture ratio of sub-pixel is increased to improve brightness, then the brightness is improved, but the resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By organizing sub-pixels in a triangular lattice rather than a rectangular grid, the patent achieves denser packing of light-emitting zones. The triangular arrangement allows for 93% area coverage compared to approximately 79% in rectangular arrangements, thereby increasing the effective aperture ratio and brightness without sacrificing resolution. The vertices of adjacent triangles share sub-pixels, creating a more efficient spatial distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges adjacent pixels by sharing sub-pixels at the boundaries. Each sub-pixel serves dual purposes by being part of multiple pixel units, effectively increasing the aperture ratio without proportionally increasing the total pixel count. This merging strategy allows larger light-emitting zones while maintaining high resolution through the shared boundary structure.
3Area of stationary object
If triangular arrangement of sub-pixels is implemented to increase aperture ratio, then the aperture ratio is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal triangular lattice pattern that can be repeatedly tiled across the entire display panel. This repeating unit cell structure simplifies manufacturing by allowing the use of standardized masks and deposition processes that can be applied uniformly across all pixels. The consistency of the triangular pattern enables automated manufacturing processes to efficiently produce high-aperture-ratio displays without requiring complex custom patterning for each pixel.
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 design enhances the aperture ratio and resolution of the display panel, improving brightness and display performance by optimizing the arrangement and shape of sub-pixels and their light-emitting zones.
Implementation Method 1
The manufacture of organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panels is limited by the opening size of the fine metal mask
Data Source
AI summary
A display panel includes pixels arranged in an array in a first direction and a second direction. Each pixel includes a first sub-pixel having a first light-emitting zone to emit light of a first color, a second sub-pixel having a second light-emitting zone to emit light of a second color, and a third sub-pixel having a third light-emitting zone to emit light of a third color. The first, second, and third light-emitting zones are arranged in a triangle such that the first, second, and third light-emitting zones cover respective vertices of the triangle, with one side of the triangle being substantially parallel to the first direction. Any two pixels directly adjacent in the first direction have respective patterns of first, second, and third light-emitting zones, which are substantially mirror-symmetrical to each other. Any two diagonally adjacent pixels have a substantially repeating pattern of first, second and third light-emitting zones.