OLED Upper Electrode Switching for Integrated Touch Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The addition of an external touch sensor to OLED display devices increases thickness, manufacturing cost, and the number of manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
The upper electrode in the OLED display device functions as both a light-emitting electrode and a touch sensor electrode, eliminating the need for an external touch sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an external touch sensor is added to provide touch detection function, then touch detection capability is improved, but device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the touch sensor electrode and display electrode into a single integrated electrode structure. The same electrode serves dual purposes: as an electrode for the display element and as a sensor electrode for touch detection, thereby eliminating the need for separate external touch sensor layers and reducing overall device thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. It acts as both a functional electrode for light emission in the OLED display and as a sensor electrode for capacitive touch detection, making the system more versatile without adding additional components that would increase thickness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an external touch sensor is added to provide touch detection function, then touch detection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the touch sensor electrode and display electrode into one integrated structure, which reduces the number of manufacturing steps and materials required. This integration simplifies the production process and lowers manufacturing costs compared to adding a separate external touch sensor layer.
Solution Approach 2:
By designing the electrode to serve dual purposes (display function and touch sensing function), the patent eliminates the need for additional touch sensor materials and manufacturing processes, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining touch detection capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an external touch sensor is added to provide touch detection function, then touch detection capability is improved, but number of manufacturing processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the touch sensor electrode and display electrode into a single structure, which reduces the number of separate manufacturing processes. Instead of fabricating and assembling separate touch sensor layers and display layers, the integrated electrode is formed in a unified manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional electrode design allows a single manufacturing process to produce both the display electrode and touch sensor electrode, eliminating the need for additional fabrication steps that would be required if separate external touch sensors were added.
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
Reduces the thickness, manufacturing cost, and number of manufacturing processes by integrating the touch detection function into the existing electrode structure.
Implementation Method 1
display devices in which an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) is applied as a display element
Implementation Method 2
an organic layer including a light-emitting layer disposed between the lower electrode and the upper electrode
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a display device includes a base, a display unit containing pixels, a power supply circuit, a touch controller and a switching circuit disposed between the display unit, the power supply circuit and the touch controller. The pixels each includes a pixel circuit and a display element including a lower electrode connected to the pixel circuit, an upper electrode disposed to oppose the lower electrode and an organic layer including a light-emitting layer disposed between the lower electrode and the upper electrode. The upper electrode is connected to the switching circuit, and the switching circuit selectively switches between connecting the upper electrode to the power supply circuit and connecting the upper electrode to the touch controller.