Input Sensing Layer Layout for Low-Reflectance OLED Displays

Solution Overview

Problem

The conductor of the input sensor on the display panel affects the emission efficiency and external light reflectance of display devices, necessitating an improvement in optical characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a plurality of emission areas and non-emission areas, a light blocking layer disposed on the display panel and an input sensing layer disposed between the display panel and the light blocking layer, including a first sensor conductive layer, a second sensor conductive layer, a sensor insulating layer, and partition walls that surround the emission areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conductor is added to the display panel for input sensing, then input sensing function is enabled, but emission efficiency and external light reflectance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput sensing functionVSAvoidemission efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The input sensing layer is divided into multiple conductive layers (first sensor conductive layer and second sensor conductive layer) separated by an insulating layer. This segmentation reduces the overall impact on light emission by distributing the conductive elements across multiple planes, thereby maintaining input sensing functionality while minimizing interference with light emission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An insulating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the first and second sensor conductive layers. This insulating layer acts as a mediator that electrically isolates the conductive layers from each other and from the light emitting elements, reducing electrical interference and improving both emission efficiency and external light reflectance while preserving the input sensing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a conductor is added to the display panel for input sensing, then input sensing function is enabled, but external light reflectance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput sensing functionVSAvoidexternal light reflectance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The input sensing layer is divided into multiple conductive layers (first sensor conductive layer and second sensor conductive layer) separated by an insulating layer. This segmentation reduces the overall impact on light emission by distributing the conductive elements across multiple planes, thereby maintaining input sensing functionality while minimizing interference with light emission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An insulating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the first and second sensor conductive layers. This insulating layer acts as a mediator that electrically isolates the conductive layers from each other and from the light emitting elements, reducing electrical interference and improving both emission efficiency and external light reflectance while preserving the input sensing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20260003454A1Display device and electronic device

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes a display panel including emission and non-emission areas, the display panel including light emitting elements on the emission areas and an encapsulation layer covering the light emitting elements, a light blocking layer on the display panel and having light blocking openings above the emission areas, and an input sensing layer between the display panel and the light blocking layer. The input sensing layer includes a first sensor conductive layer on the encapsulation layer, a second sensor conductive layer on the first sensor conductive layer, a sensor insulating layer between the encapsulation layer and the second sensor conductive layer, and partition walls connected to the second sensor conductive layer and passing through at least a portion of the sensor insulating layer. Each of the partition walls includes a first surface facing one of the emission areas and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface.