Members of the OLED 3D Research Consortium have demonstrated for the first time the practical use of large-scale three- dimensional organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) in automotive rear lighting design. At the same time, they showed how this new lighting technology will affect the appearance of vehicles in the future.
The goal of the consortium, led by Philips , was to develop and then apply 3D OLED technology in automotive applications throughout the supply chain. Merck , in collaboration with the Technical University of Darmstadt , has developed new interconnectable red OLED materials that allow OLEDs to be produced in multiple layers on shaped glass using liquid chemistry for the first time. The University of Cologne then tested the production possibilities and presented the result on a 3D sample.
The 3D OLED lights used in the rear lights of the Audi TT were manufactured by Philips . The production process, which was previously based on 2D glass substrates, has been modified by a third dimension. It meant not only a breakthrough modification of technologies for the production of glass substrates, but also a new method of coating, encapsulating and contacting OLEDs in a vacuum environment.
Automotive Lighting developed and tested designed 3D concepts for the application, assembly and control of large-area curved OLED elements in taillights. Audi subsequently developed the final form of the lights and integrated them into the rear lighting of the Audi TT .
The impressive design shows the diverse possibilities that OLED technology offers in the automotive industry. With the help of ultra-thin large-area light sources, it will be possible to further push the boundaries of vehicle design to a completely new dimension.
Source: FleishmanHillard
