Display Device With Integrated Sensor Electrode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices with integrated touch sensors face challenges in increasing light emission efficiency and require additional attachment processes, which can increase costs and affect visibility due to visible sensor electrodes.

Innovation Solution

A display device design incorporating a substrate with a display element portion, a color conversion portion, and a sensor electrode that includes a conductive layer arranged in a mesh pattern, overlapping banks, and a light recycling mechanism to enhance light emission efficiency while integrating touch sensor functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a touch sensor is provided from outside and attached to the display device, then touch sensor functionality is achieved, but process cost increases and visibility worsens due to additional attachment processes and visible sensor electrodes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensor functionalityVSAvoidprocess cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor electrode is integrated into the existing conductive layers of the display device structure. The first conductive layer is configured to serve both as an electrode for the display element and as a sensor electrode for touch input detection, eliminating the need for separate touch sensor attachment processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The first conductive layer performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an electrode for the display element portion and as a sensor electrode for touch sensing. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated touch sensor components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a touch sensor is provided from outside and attached to the display device, then touch sensor functionality is achieved, but visibility worsens due to visible sensor electrodes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensor functionalityVSAvoidvisibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor electrode is merged with the display element's conductive layers, making it invisible or minimally visible. The first conductive layer serves dual purposes as both display electrode and touch sensor, eliminating separate visible sensor components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Use of energy by moving object

If light emission efficiency is increased through additional structures, then light emission efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight emission efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first conductive layer is positioned to overlap with the banks in plan view, creating a light recycling mechanism that redirects light without requiring additional separate structures. This integrated approach improves light emission efficiency while avoiding increased device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The overlapping first conductive layer and banks form a self-contained light recycling system within the existing structure. The configuration enables light to be redirected and reused without requiring external or additional components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11482576B2Display device

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device may include a substrate, a display element portion on a surface of the substrate, the display element portion including a plurality of display pixels, a color conversion portion on the display element portion, the color conversion portion including a plurality of banks and a wavelength conversion pattern between the plurality of banks, and a sensor electrode configured to obtain information of a touch input. The sensor electrode may include a first conductive layer arranged on at least a part of a surface of the plurality of banks.