AC powered oled device

• US 20020190661A1
• Filed: 07/31/2002
• Published: 12/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Duggal, Anil Raj, Michael, Joseph Darryl
• Application Number:
  US10/208,543
• Publication Number:
  US 20020190661A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/169.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2221/68359 used as a support during manufacture of interconnect decals or build up layers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/805 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/131 Interconnections, e.g. wiring lines or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/221 Static displays, e.g. displaying permanent logos
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/35 comprising red-green-blue [RGB] subpixels
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/38 comprising colour filters or colour changing media [CCM]
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/86 Series electrical configurations of multiple OLEDs
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 71/841 Applying alternating current [AC] during manufacturing or treatment

Abstract

AC powered light emitting device comprises a plurality of organic light emitting diode (OLED) modules. The OLED modules are arranged into a series group where the individual OLED modules are electrically connected in series. The device is configured to be coupled to an AC power supply. A display is also provided. The display includes a plurality of OLED modules arranged to depict a shape selected from the group consisting of at least one letter, at least one number, at least one image, and a combination thereof.

Claims

1. A light emitting device, comprising:

a plurality of organic light emitting diode (OLED) modules electrically connected in series; and

an alternating current (AC) power source electrically connected to and providing an AC voltage to the plurality of OLED modules.

2. A light emitting device, comprising:

a substrate; and

a plurality of organic light emitting diode (OLED) series groups provide on the substrate, each OLED series group comprising a plurality of OLED modules, the OLED modules of each OLED series group electrically connected in series, wherein the OLED modules are configured to emit light upon application of an AC voltage.

3. The light emitting device of claim 2, further comprising:

at least one first conducting line provided on the substrate, the at least one first conducting line electrically connected to a first end of each OLED series group; and

a second conducting line provided on the substrate, the second conducting line electrically connected to a second end of each OLED series group opposite the first end.

4. The light emitting device of claim 3, further comprising:

a converting circuit that the converts an applied AC voltage with a sinusoidal waveform to a converted voltage waveform, and applies the converted voltage waveform to the at least one first and the second conducting lines.

5. The light emitting device of claim 4, wherein the converting circuit comprises back-to-back zener diodes, and the converted voltage waveform is a clipped sine wave.

6. The light emitting device of claim 4, wherein the converted voltage waveform has a first time period during which the voltage is positive and a second time period during which the voltage is negative, and the first time period is approximately equal to the second time period.

7. The light emitting device of claim 4, wherein the converting circuit comprises an oscillator that provides a driving frequency of the converted voltage waveform, where the driving frequency is different than a frequency of the sinusoidal waveform.

8. The light emitting device of claim 7, wherein the converted voltage waveform is a square pulse waveform.

9. The light emitting device of claim 7, wherein the converted voltage waveform has a frequency greater than about 10 kHz.

10. The light emitting device of claim 3, further comprising:

an alternating current (AC) power source, electrically connected to and providing an AC voltage to the first and second conducting lines.

11. The light emitting device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of OLED series groups are arranged in rows of OLED modules.

12. The light emitting device of claim 3, wherein each OLED module comprises a respective anode and cathode, the OLED modules of each OLED series group serially connected anode to cathode.

13. The light emitting device of claim 12, further comprising:

a plurality of circuit elements, each circuit element electrically connected in parallel with a respective OLED module.

14. The light emitting device of claim 13, wherein each of the circuit elements is selected from the group consisting of a resistor, a diode, a varistor, and combinations thereof.

15. The light emitting device of claim 13, wherein each of the circuit elements provides for fault tolerance of a respective OLED module.

16. The light emitting device of claim 12, further comprising:

a plurality of circuit elements, each circuit element electrically connected in parallel with a respective more than one OLED module.

17. The light emitting device of claim 12, further comprising:

a plurality of circuit elements, each circuit element electrically connected in series with a respective OLED module.

18. The light emitting device of claim 17, wherein each of the circuit elements modifies the voltage across a respective OLED module.

19. The light emitting device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of OLED series groups are arranged as part of a sign.

20. The light emitting device of claim 3, wherein the series groups are arranged such that the first ends of the series groups have alternating polarity with respect to each other.

21. The light emitting device of claim 11, wherein the series groups are arranged such that the first ends of the series groups have alternating polarity with respect to each other.

22. The light emitting device of claim 3, wherein each OLED module comprises:

a first electrode;

at least one light emitting layer over the first electrode;

a second transparent electrode over the at least one light emitting layer.

23. The light emitting device of claim 22, wherein the second electrode comprises indium tin oxide.

24. The light emitting device of claim 10, wherein the AC power source provides a voltage with a sinusoidal waveform.

25. The light emitting device of claim 10, wherein the AC power source provides a voltage with a square pulse waveform.

26. The light emitting device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of OLED modules further comprises at least first and second OLED modules, each comprising a respective first electrode disposed on a respective portion of the substrate, wherein the first OLED module comprises:

the first electrode being disposed on a first portion of the substrate,

a light emitting layer being disposed on a second portion of the substrate and a portion of the electrode of the first OLED module, and

a second electrode being disposed over a third portion of the substrate, being disposed on a portion of the light emitting layer, and being disposed on a portion of the first electrode of the second OLED module;

wherein the second OLED module is disposed adjacent to the first OLED module.

27. The light emitting device of claim 26, wherein the second electrode is disposed on the third portion of the substrate.

28. The light emitting device of claim 26, wherein the first portion of the substrate of the first OLED module is disposed adjacent to the second portion of the substrate;

wherein the second portion of the substrate is disposed adjacent to the third portion of the substrate;

wherein the third portion of the substrate is disposed adjacent to the first portion of the substrate of the second OLED module.

29. The light emitting device of claim 26, wherein the light emitting layer is comprised of multiple light emitting layers.

30. The light emitting device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of OLED modules further comprises at least first and second OLED modules, each comprising a respective first electrode disposed on a respective portion of the substrate, wherein the first OLED module comprises:

the first electrode of the first OLED module being disposed on a first portion of the substrate,

an interconnect being disposed on a portion of the first electrode of the first OLED module and a fourth portion of the substrate,

a light emitting layer being disposed on a second portion of the substrate, a portion of the first electrode, and a portion of the interconnect, and

a second electrode being disposed over a third portion of the substrate, being disposed on a portion of the light emitting layer, and being disposed on a portion of the first electrode of the second OLED module;

wherein the second OLED module is disposed adjacent to the first OLED module.

31. The light emitting device of claim 30, wherein the second electrode is disposed on the third portion of the substrate.

32. The light emitting device of claim 30, wherein the first portion of the substrate of the first OLED module is disposed adjacent to the second portion of the substrate;

wherein the second portion of the substrate is disposed adjacent to the third portion of the substrate;

wherein the third portion of the substrate is disposed adjacent to the fourth portion of the substrate;

wherein the fourth portion of the substrate is disposed adjacent to the first portion of the substrate of the second OLED module.

33. The light emitting device of claim 30, wherein the light emitting layer is comprised of multiple light emitting layers.

35. The method of operating the light emitting device of claim 34, wherein the AC square pulse waveform voltage has a first time period during which the voltage is positive and a second time period during which the voltage is negative, and the first time period is approximately equal to the second time period.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the first conducting material comprises a conducting material that is transparent to light emitted by the light emitting device.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the first conducting material comprises indium tin oxide.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein forming the first conducting material comprises further comprising:

forming a first conducting interconnect material.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein patterning the first conducting material comprises:

patterning the first conducting interconnect material to form respective interconnects electrically connected to the respective first electrodes.

43. The method of claim 38, wherein patterning the second conducting material forms respective second electrodes electrically connected to respective interconnects.

44. The method of claim 38, wherein forming the first conducting material comprises sputtering at least part of the first conducting material.

45. The method of claim 38, wherein patterning the first conducting material comprises etching the first conducting material.

46. The method of claim 38, wherein forming and patterning the first conducting material comprises:

selectively depositing the first conducting material.

47. The method of claim 38, wherein the first conducting material is a single material.

48. The method of claim 38, wherein forming the first conducting interconnect material comprises:

sputtering the first conducting interconnect material.

49. The method of claim 38, wherein forming and patterning the light emitting material comprises:

evaporating the light emitting material through a shadow mask.

50. The method of claim 38, wherein forming and patterning the light emitting material comprises:

depositing the light emitting material over the substrate; and

etching the light emitting material to form the light emitting layer.

51. The method of claim 38, wherein forming and patterning the light emitting material comprises:

selectively depositing the light emitting material over the substrate to form the light emitting layer.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein selectively depositing the light emitting material over the substrate to form the light emitting layer utilizes an ink jet printing process.

53. The method of claim 38, wherein forming and patterning the second conducting material comprises:

evaporating the second conducting material through a shadow mask.

54. The method of claim 38, wherein forming and patterning the second conducting material comprises:

depositing the second conducting material over the substrate; and

etching the deposited second conducting material.

34. A method of operating a light emitting device, comprising:

providing an AC square pulse waveform voltage to an at least one first conducting line and an at least one second conducting line, wherein the light emitting device comprises;

a plurality of organic light emitting diode modules electrically connected in series;

an alternating current power source electrically connected to the plurality of OLED modules;

a substrate;

a plurality of organic light emitting diode (OLED) series groups provided on the substrate, each OLED series group comprising a plurality of OLED modules, the OLED modules of each OLED series group electrically connected in series, the OLED modules being configured to emit light upon application of the AC square pulse waveform,

the at least one first conducting line provided on the substrate, the at least one first conducting line electrically connected to a first end of each OLED series group; and

the at least one second conducting line provided on the substrate, the second conducting line electrically connected to a second end of each OLED series group opposite the first end.

36. A method of operating a light emitting device, comprising:

providing an AC square pulse waveform voltage to an at least one first conducting lines and an at least one second conducting lines;

wherein the light emitting device comprises;

a plurality of organic light emitting diode (OLED) modules electrically connected in series;

an alternating current (AC) power source electrically connected to the plurality of OLED modules;

a substrate;

a plurality of organic light emitting diode (OLED) series groups provided on the substrate, each OLED series group comprising a plurality of OLED modules, the OLED modules of each OLED series group electrically connected in series, the OLED modules being configured to emit light upon application of the AC square pulse waveform;

a plurality of circuit elements, each circuit element electrically connected in parallel with a respective one of the OLED modules, wherein each of the circuit elements is selected from the group consisting of a resistor, a diode, and a varistor;

the at least one first conducting line provided on the substrate, the at least one first conducting line electrically connected to a first end of each OLED series group; and

the at least one second conducting line provided on the substrate, the at least one second conducting line electrically connected to a second end of each OLED series group opposite the first end;

wherein each OLED module comprises a respective anode and cathode, the OLED modules of each OLED series group serially connected anode to cathode.

37. A method of making a light emitting device comprising:

providing a substrate;

forming a plurality of organic light emitting diode (OLED) series groups on the substrate, each OLED series group comprising a plurality of OLED modules, the OLED modules of each OLED series group electrically connected in series, wherein the OLED modules are configured to emit light upon application of an AC voltage.

38. A method of making a light emitting device comprising:

providing a substrate;

forming a first conducting material over the substrate;

forming a light emitting material over at least part of the first conducting material;

forming a second conducting material over at least part of the light emitting material; and

patterning the first conducting material, the light emitting material, and second conducting material to form a plurality of organic light emitting diode (OLED) modules, each OLED module having a first electrode formed from the patterned first conducting material, a light emitting layer formed from the light emitting material, and a second electrode formed from the patterned second conducting material, the first electrode and second electrodes of respective OLED modules being connected to electrically connect the OLED modules in series.

55. A method of making a display comprising:

arranging a plurality of organic light emitting diode (OLED) modules to depict a shape selected from the group consisting of at least one letter, at least one number, at least one image, and combinations thereof.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein each OLED module is disposed in a shape selected from the group consisting of at least one letter, at least one number, at least one image, and combinations thereof.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein the plurality of OLED modules is grouped into a plurality of series groups, the OLED modules of each series group electrically connected in series.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein each series group has the shape consisting of the group of the letter, the number, the image, and combinations thereof.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein plurality of OLED modules are electrically connected in parallel.

60. A method of making a display comprising:

providing a substrate; and

arranging a plurality of organic light emitting diode (OLED) modules to depict a shape selected from the group consisting of at least one letter, at least one number, at least one image, and combinations thereof.

61. A method of making a light emitting device, wherein the light emitting device comprises a plurality of OLED modules, wherein the plurality of OLED modules further comprises at least first OLED module and a second OLED module, the method comprising;

disposing a respective first electrode of each OLED module on a respective portion of a substrate;

wherein forming the first OLED module comprises;

disposing the first electrode of the first OLED module on a first portion of the substrate;

disposing a light emitting layer on a second portion of the substrate and a portion of the first electrode of the first OLED module, and disposing a second electrode over a third portion of the substrate, a portion of the light emitting layer, and a portion of the first electrode of the second OLED module;

wherein the second OLED module is disposed adjacent to the first OLED module.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the second electrode is disposed on the third portion of the substrate.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein the first portion of the substrate of the first OLED module is disposed adjacent to the second portion of the substrate;

wherein the second portion of the substrate is disposed adjacent to the third portion of the substrate;

wherein the third portion of the substrate is disposed adjacent to the first portion of the substrate of the second OLED module.

64. The method of claim 61, wherein the light emitting layer is comprised of multiple light emitting layers.

65. A method of making a light emitting device, wherein the light emitting device comprises a plurality of OLED modules, wherein the plurality of OLED modules further comprises at least a first OLED module and a second OLED module, the method comprising;

disposing a respective first electrode of each OLED module on a respective portion of a substrate;

wherein forming the first OLED module comprises;

disposing the first electrode of the first OLED module on a first portion of the substrate;

disposing an interconnect on a portion of the first electrode of the first OLED module and a fourth portion of the substrate;

disposing a light emitting layer on a second portion of the substrate, a portion of the first electrode, and a portion of the interconnect, and disposing a second electrode over a third portion of the substrate, a portion of the light emitting layer, and a portion of the first electrode of the second OLED module;

wherein the second OLED module is disposed adjacent to the first OLED module.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the second electrode is disposed on the third portion of the substrate.

67. The method of claim 65, wherein the first portion of the substrate of the first OLED module is disposed adjacent to the second portion of the substrate;

wherein the second portion of the substrate is disposed adjacent to the third portion of the substrate;

wherein the third portion of the substrate is disposed adjacent to the fourth portion of the substrate;

wherein the fourth portion of the substrate is disposed adjacent to the first portion of the substrate of the second OLED module.

68. The method of claim 65, wherein the light emitting layer is comprised of multiple light emitting layers.