Flexible Display Touch Sensor Embedded in Encapsulation Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible display devices with integrated touch sensors face challenges in manufacturing complexity, increased thickness, reduced optical characteristics, and durability issues due to moisture penetration and corrosion of connecting electronics when bent.
Innovation Solution
A flexible display device design that integrates a touch sensor within the encapsulation layer, using alternately stacked inorganic and organic films, with touch electrodes formed in separate layers and connected via insulated connection parts, eliminating the need for a separate touch panel and enhancing moisture resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate touch panel is integrated into the flexible display device, then touch functionality is achieved, but the device thickness increases and optical characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor electrodes are integrated within the encapsulation layer structure itself, merging the touch sensing function with the protective encapsulation layers. This eliminates the need for a separate touch panel, thereby reducing overall device thickness while maintaining touch functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch sensor electrodes are nested within the encapsulation layer structure, specifically positioned between the inorganic and organic films. This nesting approach allows the touch sensing function to be embedded within the existing protective layers, reducing the need for additional external components and minimizing thickness increase.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate touch panel is integrated into the flexible display device, then touch functionality is achieved, but optical characteristics such as transparency and light efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the touch sensor electrodes with the encapsulation layer materials, the design eliminates additional interface layers and materials that would otherwise impede light transmission. The use of transparent conductive materials for the electrodes further preserves optical characteristics while enabling touch functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulation layers serving as touch sensor substrates are designed as thin, transparent films that maintain excellent light transmission properties. These thin-film structures provide both protective encapsulation and touch sensing functions without significantly compromising optical characteristics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible display device is bent, then flexibility and portability are improved, but moisture penetration and corrosion of connecting electronics occur
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulation layers are merged with the touch sensor structure, creating a unified protective barrier that seals the connecting electronics and conductive materials. This integrated encapsulation prevents moisture penetration even when the device is bent, maintaining reliability while preserving flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulation structure uses composite materials including inorganic films (such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride) and organic films (such as polyimide or acrylic), which provide superior moisture barrier properties. This multi-material composite approach enhances protection against moisture and corrosion while maintaining device flexibility.
4Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for touch sensor and encapsulation, then functional performance is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor electrodes and encapsulation layers are merged into a single integrated structure, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly processes for these components. This integration significantly simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces production steps, and lowers associated costs while maintaining functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulation layers serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide protective encapsulation against moisture and oxygen, serve as the substrate for touch sensor electrodes, and act as part of the touch sensing structure itself. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall manufacturing process.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible display device including a touch sensor, including a flexible substrate, a light emission layer formed over the flexible substrate, and an encapsulation layer formed over the light emission layer and comprising a plurality of encapsulating thin films and a touch detecting layer configured to detect a touch input. The encapsulating thin films include at least one inorganic film and at least one organic film and the touch detecting layer is interposed between a selected one of the at least one inorganic film and a selected one of the at least one organic film that are adjacent to each other.