Patent ID: 12190799

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Several exemplary embodiments according to the present invention are described hereinafter in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing to allow one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention without undue experimentation. The present invention can be embodied in several different forms, and is not limited to the exemplary embodiments that are described herein.

In order to clarify the description of embodiments of the present invention, parts that are not related to the invention may be omitted. In addition, the same elements or equivalents are referred to with the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

Further, since sizes and thicknesses of constituent members shown in the accompanying drawing may be arbitrarily given for better understanding and ease of description, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated sizes and thicknesses.

In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements.

Nevertheless, even though each of the pixels are drawn as stereotypical polygonal shapes in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to this shape. That is, the shapes of the pixels may be modified to avoid interference with the other components of the OLED (e.g., wirings) within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

A pixel arrangement structure (or pixel arrangement) of an OLED display according to a first exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.1.FIG.1is a view schematically showing a portion of pixels forming an OLED display.

As shown inFIG.1, the pixel arrangement structure of the OLED display includes a plurality of first pixels100, a plurality of second pixels200, and a plurality of third pixels300. Here, the pixel refers to a minimum unit for displaying an image (for example, the minimum addressable unit of the display).

Further, among the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300, power lines for driving each of the pixels, such as a gate line, a data line, a driving power line, and the like, may be located. In addition, an insulation layer, such as a pixel defining layer, for defining each of the pixels may be disposed. Finally, an OLED including an anode, an organic emission layer, and a cathode to correspond to each of the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300may be disposed. These configurations are technologies known in the art and further description thereof is omitted for ease of description. A shape of each of the pixels may be defined by the power lines, the pixel defining layer, the anode, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

In the pixel arrangement ofFIG.1, each of the first pixels100has a smaller area than neighboring second pixels200and third pixels300, and has a quadrilateral (i.e., four-sided) shape among polygon shapes. For example, in the pixel arrangement ofFIG.1, each of the first pixels100has the same quadrilateral shape (e.g., a square or rhombus). The first pixels100are spaced apart from each other and arranged in rows, such as along a first virtual straight line VL1. The first pixels100emit green light, and may include an organic emission layer for emitting green light.

The second pixels200are arranged diagonally with respect to the first pixels100, such as at first vertices P1along one diagonal of a virtual square VS having one of the first pixels100as a center point (or center) of the virtual square VS. In a similar fashion, the third pixels300are arranged diagonally with respect to the first pixels100, such as at second vertices P2along the other diagonal of the virtual square VS.

In the virtual square VS, each of the second pixels200is separated from the first pixel100, and is centered at one of the first vertices P1of the virtual square VS. Each of the second pixels200has a larger area than the neighboring first pixel100and has an octagonal (i.e., eight-sided) shape. InFIG.1, the second pixels200each have the same octagonal shape. In addition, the second pixels200are arranged diagonally and separated from each other by the first pixels100. The second pixels200emit blue light, and may include an organic emission layer for emitting blue light.

In a similar fashion, in the virtual square VS, each of the third pixels300is separated from the first pixel100and the second pixels200, and is centered at one of the second vertices P2neighboring the first vertices P1of the virtual square VS. Each of the third pixels300has a larger area than the neighboring first pixel100and the same area as each of the second pixels200. Further, the third pixels have an octagonal shape (e.g., similar to or the same as the second pixels200). InFIG.1, the third pixels300each have the same octagonal shape. In addition, the third pixels300are arranged diagonally and separated from each other by the first pixels100. The third pixels300emit red light, and may include an organic emission layer for emitting red light.

The third pixels300and the second pixels200are spaced apart from each other and alternately arranged in rows, such as along a second virtual straight line VL2. In a similar fashion, the third pixels300and the second pixels200are spaced apart from each other and alternately arranged in columns. Accordingly, in the virtual square VS, two of the second pixels200having their corresponding centers positioned at the first vertices P1and two of the third pixels300having their corresponding centers positioned at the second vertices P2to enclose a corresponding one of the first pixels100(e.g., in the virtual square VS).

As described above, the center of each of the second pixels200is positioned at one of the first vertices P1of the virtual square VS. In addition, the center of the corresponding first pixel100is the center of the virtual square VS. Further, the center of each of the third pixels300is positioned at one of the second vertices P2. Moreover, the second pixels200and the third pixels300each have the same area.

As a non-limiting example, the distance (e.g., a shortest distance) between one of the first pixels100and an adjacent one of the second pixels200is a first length L1, the distance between one of the first pixels100and an adjacent one of the third pixels300is the same first length L1, and the distance between one of the second pixels200and an adjacent one of the third pixels300is the same first length L1, as shown inFIG.1. In addition, the distance (e.g., a shortest distance) between the neighboring first pixels100is a second length L2that is longer than the first length L1. It should be noted that L1, L2, L3, . . . may be used throughout to represent shortest distances between corresponding pixels.

Therefore, the gap of the first length L1is formed between adjacent pairs of the first pixels100and the second pixels200, between adjacent pairs of the first pixels100and the third pixels300, and between adjacent pairs of the second pixels200and the third pixels300. In addition, the gap of the second length L2that is longer than the first length L1is formed between the neighboring ones of the first pixels100. This results in improved deposition reliability when using a fine metal mask to form the green, blue, and red organic emission layers respectively included in the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300.

In addition, by enclosing each of the first pixels100by a pair of the second pixels200and a pair of the third pixels300, the aperture ratio of the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300may be improved. Accordingly, a manufacturing time and manufacturing cost of the entire OLED display may be reduced and the display quality of the image of the OLED display may be improved.

As described above, in the pixel arrangement structure of the OLED display ofFIG.1, the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300have polygonal shapes (e.g., the first pixels have a quadrilateral shape and the second pixels200and the third pixels300have an octagonal shape). In addition, it is worth considering that the deposition process of the organic emission layer is one of the unique manufacturing characteristics of the OLED display. Accordingly, to improve the deposition reliability of the organic emission layer in the deposition process using the fine metal mask and to improve the aperture ratio of the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300, the center of each of the first pixels100is positioned at the center of a virtual square VS formed by a first pair of diagonal vertices P1and a second pair of diagonal vertices P2. In the virtual square VS, the centers of a pair of the second pixels200are positioned at the first vertices P1, and the centers of a pair of the third pixels300are positioned at the second vertices P2.

In addition, in the pixel arrangement structure of the OLED display ofFIG.1, the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300respectively emit green, blue, and red light. However, in pixel arrangement structures of other OLED displays, the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300may emit light of different colors. For example, at least one of the second pixels200or the third pixels may emit white light.

Next, a pixel arrangement structure of an OLED display according to a second exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.2. Parts that are different from the exemplary embodiment ofFIG.1will be described, while the description of parts that are equivalent to the first exemplary embodiment may be omitted. For better comprehension and ease of description, constituent elements of the second exemplary embodiment that are the same as or similar to those of the first embodiment ofFIG.1will have the same reference numerals.

As shown inFIG.2, the pixel arrangement structure of the OLED display includes a plurality of first pixels100, a plurality of second pixels200, and a plurality of third pixels300. The plurality of first pixels100have the same quadrilateral shape (e.g., a parallelogram). In addition, the second pixels200have a larger area than the third pixels300. The second pixels200and the third pixels300may have polygonal shapes, such as octagonal or hexagonal (i.e., six-sided).

In a similar fashion to that ofFIG.1, the centers of a pair of the second pixels200are positioned at first vertices P1along one diagonal of a virtual square VS having a center coinciding with a center of one of the first pixels100. In addition, the centers of a pair of the third pixels300are positioned at second vertices P2along another diagonal of the virtual square VS. However, inFIG.2, the second pixels200have a larger area than the third pixels300.

As a non-limiting example, the distance between adjacent ones of the second pixels200and the third pixels300is a third length L3, while the distance between each of the first pixels100and adjacent ones of the second pixels200or the third pixels300have a same fourth length L4. In addition, the distance between neighboring ones of the first pixels100is a fifth length L5that is longer than the third length L3and the fourth length L4.

Accordingly, the gap of the fourth length L4is formed between adjacent pairs of the first pixels100and the second pixels200, and between adjacent pairs of the first pixels100and the third pixels300. In addition, the gap of the third length L3is formed between adjacent pairs of the second pixels200and the third pixels300. Further, the gap of the fifth length L5that is longer than the third length L3and the fourth length L4is formed between the neighboring ones of the first pixels100. This results in improved deposition reliability in the deposition process using the fine metal mask to form the green, blue, and red organic emission layers respectively included in the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300.

In addition, by enclosing each of the first pixels100by a pair of the second pixels200and a pair of the third pixels300, the aperture ratio of the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300may be improved. Accordingly, the manufacturing time and the manufacturing cost of the OLED display may be reduced and the display quality of the image of the OLED display may be improved.

Further, in the pixel arrangement structure of the OLED display ofFIG.2, the second pixels200that emit blue have the shortest life span among the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300. Accordingly, the second pixels200have a larger area than the third pixels300, thereby suppressing the deterioration of the life span of the OLED display. That is, the pixel arrangement structure of the OLED display ofFIG.2provides improved life span.

Next, a pixel arrangement structure of an OLED display according to a third exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.3. Parts that are different from the above exemplary embodiments will be described, while the description of parts that are equivalent to the above exemplary embodiments may be omitted. For better comprehension and ease of description, constituent elements of the third exemplary embodiment that are the same as or similar to the above exemplary embodiments will have the same reference numerals.

As shown inFIG.3, the pixel arrangement structure of the OLED display includes a plurality of first pixels100, a plurality of second pixels200, and a plurality of third pixels300. Among the plurality of first pixels100, the neighboring first pixels100have a quadrilateral shape (e.g., parallelogram) and are symmetrical to each other. In addition, the second pixels200have a larger area than the third pixels300. The second pixels200and the third pixels may have polygonal shapes (e.g., hexagonal or octagonal).

In a similar fashion to that ofFIGS.1-2, the centers of a pair of the second pixels200are positioned at first vertices P1along one diagonal of a virtual square VS having a center coinciding with a center of one of the first pixels100. In addition, the centers of a pair of the third pixels300are positioned at second vertices P2along another diagonal of the virtual square VS. However, inFIG.3, the neighboring first pixels100have a quadrilateral shape and are symmetrical to each other, while the second pixels200have a larger area than the third pixels300. This results in improved deposition reliability in the deposition process using the fine metal mask to form the green, blue, and red organic emission layers respectively included in the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300.

In addition, by placing each of the first pixels100between a pair of the second pixels200and between a pair of the third pixels300, the aperture ratio of the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300may be improved. Accordingly, the manufacturing time and the manufacturing cost of the OLED display may be reduced and the display quality of the image of the OLED display may be improved.

Further, in the pixel arrangement structure of the OLED display ofFIG.3, the second pixels200that emit blue have the shortest life span among the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300. Accordingly, the second pixels200have a larger area than the third pixels300, thereby suppressing the deterioration of the life span of the OLED display. That is, the pixel arrangement structure of the OLED display provides improved life span.

Next, a pixel arrangement structure of an OLED display according to a fourth exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.4. Parts that are different from the above exemplary embodiments will be described, while the description of parts that are equivalent to the above exemplary embodiments may be omitted. For better comprehension and ease of description, constituent elements of the fourth exemplary embodiment that are the same as or similar to the above exemplary embodiments will have the same reference numerals.

As shown inFIG.4, the pixel arrangement structure of the OLED display includes a plurality of first pixels100, a plurality of second pixels200, and a plurality of third pixels300. Among the plurality of first pixels100, the neighboring first pixels100have a quadrilateral shape (e.g., parallelogram) and are symmetrical to each other. In addition, the third pixels300have a larger area than the second pixels200. The second pixels200and the third pixels may have polygonal shapes (e.g., hexagonal or octagonal).

In a similar fashion to that ofFIGS.1-3, the centers of a pair of the second pixels200are positioned at the first vertices P1along one diagonal of a virtual square VS having a center coinciding with a center of one of the first pixels100. In addition, the centers of a pair of the third pixels300are positioned at second vertices P2along another diagonal of the virtual square VS. However, inFIG.4, the neighboring first pixels100have a quadrilateral shape and are symmetrical to each other, while the third pixels300have a larger area than the second pixels200. This results in improved deposition reliability in the deposition process using the fine metal mask to form the green, blue, and red organic emission layers respectively included in the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300.

In addition, by enclosing each of the first pixels100by a pair of the second pixels200and a pair of the third pixels300, the aperture ratio of the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300may be improved. Accordingly, the manufacturing time and the manufacturing cost of the OLED display may be reduced and the display quality of the image of the OLED display may be improved.

Next, a pixel arrangement structure of an OLED display according to a fifth exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.5. Parts that are different from the above exemplary embodiments will be described, while the description of parts that are equivalent to the above exemplary embodiments may be omitted. For better comprehension and ease of description, constituent elements of the fifth exemplary embodiment that are the same as or similar to the above exemplary embodiments will have the same reference numerals.

As shown inFIG.5, the pixel arrangement structure of the OLED display includes a plurality of first pixels100, a plurality of second pixels200, and a plurality of third pixels300. Among the plurality of first pixels100, the neighboring first pixels100have a octagonal shape and are symmetrical to each other. In addition, the second pixels200have a larger area than the third pixels300. The second pixels200and the third pixels300may have quadrilateral shapes (e.g., rhombus).

In a similar fashion to that ofFIGS.1-3, the centers of a pair of the second pixels200are positioned at the first vertices P1along one diagonal of a virtual square VS having a center coinciding with a center of one of the first pixels100. In addition, the centers of a pair of the third pixels300are positioned at second vertices P2along another diagonal of the virtual square VS. However, inFIG.5, the neighboring first pixels100have a octagonal shape and are symmetrical to each other, while the second pixels200have a larger area than the third pixels300. This results in improved deposition reliability in the deposition process using the fine metal mask to form the green, blue, and red organic emission layers respectively included in the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300.

In addition, by enclosing each of the first pixels100by a pair of the second pixels200and a pair of the third pixels300, the aperture ratio of the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300may be improved. Accordingly, the manufacturing time and the manufacturing cost of the OLED display may be reduced and the display quality of the image of the OLED display may be improved.

Hereinafter, a pixel arrangement structure (or pixel arrangement) of an OLED display according to an exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.6.FIG.6is a view schematically showing a portion of pixels forming an OLED display.

FIG.6shows a pixel arrangement structure of an OLED display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIG.6, the pixel arrangement structure of the OLED display includes a plurality of first pixels100, a plurality of second pixels200, and a plurality of third pixels300.

According to one embodiment, the pixel refers to a minimum unit for displaying an image (for example, the minimum addressable unit of the display).

In one embodiment, among the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300, power lines for driving each of the pixels, such as a gate line, a data line, a driving power line, and the like, are located. In addition, in one embodiment, an insulation layer, such as a pixel defining layer, for defining each of the pixels is disposed. Further, in one embodiment, an OLED including an anode, an organic emission layer, and a cathode to correspond to each of the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300is disposed. These configurations are technologies known in the art and further description thereof is omitted for ease of description. In one embodiment, the shape of each of the pixels is defined by the power lines, the pixel defining layer, the anode, or the like.

In the pixel arrangement ofFIG.6, each of the first pixels100has a smaller area (e.g., is smaller in area) than neighboring second pixels200and third pixels300, and has a polygon shape. InFIG.6, the first pixels100have an octagonal shape among the polygon shapes. In other embodiments, the first pixels100have one or more of various polygon shapes such as a triangle, a rectangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, and the like. For example, the first pixels100that neighbor each other among the plurality of first pixels100have hexagon shapes that are symmetrical to each other. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of first pixels100has the same hexagonal shape.

In one embodiment, the first pixels100are spaced apart from each other and arranged in rows, such as along a first virtual straight line VL1. In one embodiment, the first pixels100emit green light, and include an organic emission layer for emitting green light. In other embodiments, the first pixels100include an organic emission layer that emits light of one or more of various colors such as blue, red, or white color for emitting blue light, red light, or white light.

InFIG.6, the second pixels200are arranged diagonally with respect to the first pixels100, namely at first vertices P1along one diagonal of a virtual square VS having one of the first pixels100as a center point (or center) of the virtual square VS. In a similar fashion, inFIG.6, the third pixels300are arranged diagonally with respect to the first pixels100, namely at second vertices P2along the other diagonal of the virtual square VS.

In the virtual square VS ofFIG.6, each of the second pixels200is separated from the first pixel100, and is centered at one of the first vertices P1of the virtual square VS. Each of the second pixels200has a larger area than the neighboring first pixel100and the neighboring third pixels300, and has a hexagonal shape. In other embodiments, the second pixels200have one or more of various polygonal shapes such as a triangle, a rectangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, and the like.

InFIG.6, the second pixels200each have the same hexagonal shape. In addition, the second pixels200are arranged diagonally and separated from each other by the first pixels100. In one embodiment, the second pixels200emit blue light, and include an organic emission layer for emitting blue light. In other embodiments, the second pixels200include an organic emission layer that emits light of one or more of various colors such as red, green, or white for emitting red light, green light, or white light.

In a similar fashion, in the virtual square VS ofFIG.6, each of the third pixels300is separated from the first pixel100and the second pixels200, and is centered at one of the second vertices P2neighboring the first vertices P1of the virtual square VS. Each of the third pixels300has a larger area than the neighboring first pixel100and a smaller area than the neighboring second pixels200. The third pixels300has a quadrilateral shape among polygon shapes. In other embodiments, the third pixels300have one or more of various polygonal shapes such as a triangle, a rectangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, and the like.

InFIG.6, the third pixels300each have the same quadrilateral shape. In addition, the third pixels300are arranged diagonally and separated from each other by the first pixels100. In one embodiment, the third pixels300emit red light, and include an organic emission layer for emitting red light. In other embodiments, the third pixels300include an organic emission layer that emits light of one or more of various colors such as blue, green, or white for emitting emit blue light, green light, or white light.

InFIG.6, each of the second pixels200and the third pixels300has a hexagonal shape and a quadrilateral shape, respectively. In another embodiment, each of the second pixels200and the third pixels300respectively has a quadrilateral shape and a hexagonal shape. That is, in this other embodiment, one of the second pixels200or the third pixels300has a hexagonal shape and the other has a quadrilateral shape.

In one embodiment, the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300respectively emit green light, blue light, and red light. In other embodiments, the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300emit light of the same color. In still other embodiments, the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300emit light of different colors. In some embodiments, the first pixels100emit green light, and one of the second pixels200or the third pixels300emit blue light while the other emit red light.

InFIG.6, third pixels300and the second pixels200are spaced apart from each other and alternately arranged in rows, such as along a second virtual straight line VL2. In a similar fashion, inFIG.6, the third pixels300and the second pixels200are spaced apart from each other and alternately arranged in columns. Accordingly, inFIG.6, in the virtual square VS, two of the second pixels200have their corresponding centers positioned at the first vertices P1and two of the third pixels300have their corresponding centers positioned at the second vertices P2to enclose a corresponding one of the first pixels100in the virtual square VS.

As described and illustrated inFIG.6, the center of each of the second pixels200is positioned at one of the first vertices P1of the virtual square VS. In addition, the center of the corresponding first pixel100is the center of the virtual square VS. Further, the center of each of the third pixels300is positioned at one of the second vertices P2. Therefore, the plurality of second pixels200of which the centers are positioned at the first vertices P1and the plurality of third pixels300of which the centers are positioned at the second vertices P2respectively enclose one of the first pixels100in the virtual square VS.

Further, and as illustrated inFIG.6, the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300have polygon shapes. InFIG.6, the distance between one of the first pixels100and an adjacent one of the second pixels200as well as a distance between one of the first pixels100and an adjacent one of the third pixels300is the same first length L1. In addition, a distance between one of the second pixels200and an adjacent one of the third pixels300is a second length L2that is different from the first length L1. Further, inFIG.6, a distance between neighboring first pixels100is a third length L3that is longer than the first length L1and the second length L2.

For example, in some embodiments, the first length L1is between 15 um (micrometers) and 35 um, the second length L2is between 20 um and 45 um, and the third length L3is between 25 um and 65 um.

Therefore, gaps of the first length L1are formed between adjacent pairs of the first pixels100and the second pixels200, and between adjacent pairs of the first pixels100and the third pixels300. In addition, the gaps of the third length L3that is longer than the first length L1are formed between the neighboring ones of the first pixels100. In one embodiment, this results in improved deposition reliability in the deposition process using the fine metal mask to form the green, blue, and red organic emission layers respectively included in the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300.

In addition, in one embodiment, the plurality of second pixels200and the plurality of third pixels300are arranged to enclose the first pixels100in the virtual squares VS so that an aperture ratio of each of the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300can be improved. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the manufacturing time and the manufacturing cost of the OLED display is reduced and the display quality of the image of the OLED display is improved.

Further, in the pixel arrangement structure of the OLED display ofFIG.6according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second pixels200that emit blue light have the shortest life span among the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300. Accordingly, the second pixels200have a larger area than the first pixels100and the third pixels300, thereby suppressing the deterioration of the life span of the OLED display. That is, in one embodiment, the pixel arrangement structure of the OLED display ofFIG.6provides improved life span.

As described above, in the pixel arrangement structure of the OLED display ofFIG.6according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300have simple polygonal shapes such as an octagon, a hexagon, and a quadrangle. In consideration of the deposition process of the organic emission layer, which in one embodiment is a unique manufacturing feature of the OLED display, a center of one of the first pixels100is positioned at the center of the virtual square VS, a center of one of the second pixels200is positioned at the first vertex P1, and a center of one of the third pixels300is positioned at the second vertex P2to both improve deposition reliability of the organic emission layer in the deposition process using the fine metal mask and improve an aperture of each of the first, second, and third pixels100,200, and300.

That is, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as illustrated inFIG.6, the pixel arrangement structure of the OLED display includes a plurality of first pixels100having an octagonal shape, a plurality of second pixels200having a hexagonal shape, and a plurality of third pixels300having a quadrilateral shape. In one or more embodiments, the shapes and arrangement of the first pixels100, the second pixels200, and the third pixels300improve the deposition reliability of the organic emission layer while also improving the aperture ratio of each of the first pixels100, the second pixels,200, and the third pixels300.

While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME SYMBOLS

first pixel100, second pixels200, third pixels300