OLED Inactive Area Structure for Touch Line Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In organic light-emitting display (OLED) devices, the increased number of signal lines and components in smaller, higher-resolution displays creates insufficient space for arranging them, leading to surface irregularities that can disrupt the formation and connectivity of touch lines in inactive areas.
Innovation Solution
An OLED device with a structure that provides an even surface in the inactive area, using a first and second inorganic layer with an organic layer between them, and a plurality of walls with a filling layer to create a flat surface for conductive layers, allowing for the reliable formation of touch lines without disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of signal lines and components is increased to achieve higher resolution and smaller size, then the display performance is improved, but the space for arranging lines becomes insufficient and surface irregularities occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by forming a protruding structure that rises from the substrate surface. This allows the inactive area to be divided into a lower region and an upper region at different heights, enabling touch lines to be routed through the protruding structure without occupying additional lateral space. The conductive layer is formed on the even top surface of the protruding structure, creating a multi-level arrangement that increases space utilization in the vertical direction.
2Area of stationary object
If components are disposed in the inactive area to utilize space, then the space utilization is improved, but abrupt level differences are created causing touch lines to be disconnected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a localized even surface on the top surface of the protruding structure where the conductive layer is formed. This local planarization ensures that touch lines can be continuously formed on this specific region without being disrupted by the level differences caused by other components in the inactive area. The even surface is precisely where needed for conductive layer formation, while other areas can accommodate components at different heights.
3Reliability
If additional structures are added to provide an even surface for conductive layers, then the reliability of touch lines is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the protruding structure with the encapsulation element, where the encapsulation element is disposed on the protruding structure. This merging of functions allows the protruding structure to serve dual purposes: providing mechanical support and creating the necessary even surface for the conductive layer. The encapsulation element covers the protruding structure, integrating the even surface provision into the existing encapsulation process without requiring separate manufacturing steps.
4Area of stationary object
If the inactive area is reduced to improve display area ratio, then the display efficiency is improved, but sufficient space for arranging touch lines is lost
Solution Approach 1:
By forming the protruding structure that extends vertically from the substrate, the patent creates additional routing space in the vertical dimension within the inactive area. This allows touch lines to be arranged on the even top surface of the protruding structure, effectively utilizing the inactive area without requiring lateral expansion. The multi-level arrangement enabled by the protruding structure provides sufficient space for touch line configuration while maintaining a compact inactive area footprint.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is an organic light-emitting display (OLED) device that includes: a substrate (101) having an active area (A/A) and an inactive area (I/A) surrounding the active area (A/A); a first planarization layer (105-1) flattening a surface on circuit elements in the active area (A/A) and inactive area (I/A); an organic light-emitting element (130) on the first planarization layer (105-1); an encapsulation element (120) on the organic light-emitting element (130) and the first planarization layer (105-1), the encapsulation element (120) having a first inorganic layer (121), a second inorganic layer (123) and an organic layer (122) between the first and second inorganic layers (121, 123); and a structure (150) in the inactive area (I/A) and spaced apart from the first planarization layer (105-1). The structure (150) includes a first layer (151) made of a same material as the first planarization layer (105-1); a plurality of walls (154) on the first layer (151) and spaced apart from each other; and a second layer (152) that fills a space between the plurality of walls.