Display Panel Touch Electrode Integration for Encapsulation Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in In-cell touch technology is to improve touch accuracy without reducing the encapsulating strength by disposing touch electrodes in the display panel.

Innovation Solution

The touch electrodes are integrated into the encapsulation layer, utilizing a composite material of carbon nanotubes and organic polymers, and connected via touch connection lines that penetrate the encapsulation and pixel defining layers, with the touch driving layer on the substrate, eliminating the need for an external driving circuit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If touch electrodes are disposed in the encapsulation layer, then touch accuracy is improved, but encapsulating strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch accuracyVSAvoidencapsulating strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining carbon nanotubes with organic polymer materials to form the touch electrode layer. This composite structure provides both the electrical conductivity needed for touch sensing and mechanical strength to maintain encapsulation integrity, resolving the contradiction between touch accuracy and encapsulating strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The touch electrode layer is selectively disposed within specific regions of the encapsulation layer, particularly in the organic encapsulation layer, rather than uniformly throughout. This localized placement allows touch functionality in specific areas while preserving the overall encapsulation strength and integrity of the structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Length of moving object

If touch electrodes are integrated into the encapsulation layer, then device thickness is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice thicknessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the touch electrode layer with the encapsulation layer structure, integrating both functions into a single composite layer. This combination eliminates the need for separate touch electrode and encapsulation layers, reducing overall device thickness while the systematic integration approach manages manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The encapsulation layer is segmented into multiple sub-layers (first inorganic layer, organic encapsulation layer, second inorganic layer), with the touch electrode layer integrated into the organic encapsulation layer. This segmentation allows for specialized processing of each layer while maintaining overall structural integrity, managing manufacturing complexity through modular construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Speed

If touch connection lines pass through the encapsulation layer, then touch signal transmission is enabled, but interference with light-emitting elements increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmissionVSAvoidinterference with light-emitting elements

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The touch connection lines are routed through specific regions of the encapsulation layer that are positioned away from the light-emitting elements. This localized routing strategy enables signal transmission while minimizing spatial overlap and electromagnetic interference with the light-emitting elements, reducing harmful interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The encapsulation layer itself acts as an intermediary structure that provides dedicated pathways for touch connection lines. By embedding the connection lines within the encapsulation layer's organic sub-layer, the structure mediates between the need for signal transmission and the need to protect light-emitting elements from interference, providing both functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 touch accuracy while maintaining the encapsulating strength and reducing interference, improving the overall quality of the display panel.

Implementation Method 1

The touch electrode layer is formed of a composite material of a carbon nanotube and an organic polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250291444A1Display panel and display device

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 HKC CORP LTD

AI summary

A display panel includes: a substrate, a light-emitting element layer, a pixel defining layer, an encapsulation layer, a touch electrode layer, a touch driving layer, and a plurality of touch connection lines. The light-emitting element layer is arranged on the substrate, and includes multiple light-emitting elements arranged in an array. The pixel defining layer is arranged on the substrate, and every two adjacent light-emitting elements are separated from each other by the pixel defining layer. The encapsulation layer is arranged on the light-emitting element layer and used to encapsulate the light-emitting element layer. The touch electrode layer is arranged in the encapsulation layer. The touch driving layer is arranged between the substrate and the light-emitting element layer. The multiple touch connection lines are arranged to pass through the encapsulation layer and the pixel defining layer, and are used to connect the touch electrode layer and the touch driving layer.