Input Sensor Layout for OLED Display Light Shielding Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices face challenges in integrating input sensors with display panels while maintaining optimal display quality and efficiency, particularly in terms of structural design and material thickness variations.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a display panel incorporating a light emitting element and a thin-film encapsulation layer, where the input sensor is positioned to maintain specific distance and thickness relationships with the light emitting elements, and includes a sensing electrode with defined line elements and insulation layers to enhance interaction and protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the input sensor is integrated on the display panel with uniform thickness layers, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the display quality deteriorates due to light shielding effects from line elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoiddisplay quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the thickness of the organic layer and thin-film encapsulation layer in different regions. Specifically, the organic layer has a first thickness in a first region and a second thickness in a second region, where the thickness ratio is between 1:2 and 1:5. This localized thickness variation compensates for the light shielding effect of line elements in specific areas, improving display quality without complicating the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If the organic layer and thin-film encapsulation layer have uniform thickness, then the structural design is simpler, but the light emitting element protection is insufficient due to varying distances from line elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural design complexityVSAvoidlight emitting element protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by designing the organic layer and thin-film encapsulation layer with region-specific thicknesses. The organic layer thickness varies between a first region (closer to line elements) and a second region (farther from line elements), with the thickness ratio controlled between 1:2 and 1:5. This localized variation provides enhanced protection to light emitting elements in regions where they are closer to line elements, improving reliability without significantly increasing structural design complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the thickness of insulation layers is increased to protect the sensing electrode, then the sensor protection is improved, but the distance relationship with light emitting elements is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing electrode protectionVSAvoiddistance relationship precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the thickness of the organic layer and thin-film encapsulation layer in different regions rather than uniformly increasing all insulation layer thicknesses. The organic layer has a first thickness in a first region and a second thickness in a second region, with the thickness ratio between 1:2 and 1:5. This localized approach provides enhanced protection where needed while maintaining the precise distance relationship between the sensing electrode and light emitting elements in other regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4660765A1Display device including an input sensor and electronic device including the same
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4660765A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4660765A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4660765A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device includes a display panel which includes an organic layer, a light emitting element disposed on the organic layer, and a thin-film encapsulation layer which seals the light emitting element, and an input sensor disposed on the display panel. The input sensor includes a sensing electrode including a line element which defines an opening area corresponding to the light emitting element. The light emitting element includes a first light emitting element which provides a first light emitting area having a first surface area, and a second light emitting element which provides a second light emitting area having a second surface area that is greater than the first surface area. A first distance between the first light emitting element and the input sensor is less than a second distance between the second light emitting element and the input sensor in a thickness direction of the display device.