Display Apparatus Reducing Dead Space via 3D Touch Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing display apparatuses have a significant dead space in the non-display area due to the arrangement of touch connection and contact lines, which increases the area where images are not displayed.
Innovation Solution
The display apparatus incorporates a thin-film encapsulation layer with a first inorganic encapsulation layer and a second inorganic encapsulation layer of different lengths, along with a touch electrode and insulating layers, where the touch connection line extends through a contact hole in the insulating layer to connect with the touch contact line, minimizing the dead space by optimizing the positioning and thickness of these layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If touch connection line and touch contact line are arranged in the non-display area, then touch functionality is achieved, but dead space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked structure by forming the touch contact line above the pixel electrode through multiple encapsulation layers and contact holes, allowing touch functionality without occupying lateral non-display area
Solution Approach 2:
The touch contact line is nested within the pixel structure by routing it through contact holes in the encapsulation layers that are formed over the pixel electrode, effectively hiding the touch connection within the vertical profile of the pixel rather than occupying separate lateral space
2Area of stationary object
If thin-film encapsulation layer with different length inorganic layers is used, then dead space is minimized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulation structure is segmented into multiple functional layers with different horizontal extents: the first inorganic encapsulation layer extends beyond the pixel electrode to provide sidewall protection, while the second inorganic encapsulation layer has a different length to optimize the transition region, allowing each layer to serve its specific protective function
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the encapsulation structure have different properties - the first inorganic encapsulation layer provides extended sidewall coverage where moisture ingress is most likely, while the second inorganic encapsulation layer has reduced extent to minimize dead space, optimizing protection where needed while reducing complexity elsewhere
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes a thin-film encapsulation layer covering pixel on a substrate and including a first inorganic encapsulation layer, an organic encapsulation layer, and a second inorganic encapsulation layer having a different length from that of the first inorganic encapsulation layer, a touch electrode located on the thin-film encapsulation layer, a touch contact line spaced apart from the thin-film encapsulation layer and located outside the thin-film encapsulation layer, an insulating layer located on the touch contact line, a touch contact hole formed in the insulating layer and spaced apart from the thin-film encapsulation layer, and a touch connection line extending from the touch electrode toward the touch contact hole and connected to the touch contact line through the touch contact hole.