OLED Touch Panel Baffles for In-Cell Self-Capacitance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complex and costly manufacturing processes of Multi-Layer-On-Cell touch structures in OLED displays, particularly in flexible AMOLEDs, hinder the widespread adoption due to high production costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method for manufacturing an OLED touch display panel involving the formation of baffles on a TFT back plate to create self-capacitance electrodes, which are insulated and shaped to match touch regions, allowing for a simpler In-Cell touch structure without the need for a multi-layer thin film touch structure on an outer encapsulation cover plate, and utilizing spacers to support the encapsulation cover plate for improved flatness and bendability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a Multi-Layer-On-Cell touch structure is used on an encapsulation cover plate, then touch functionality is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the touch electrode formation process from the encapsulation cover plate and integrates it into the OLED substrate manufacturing process. The self-capacitance electrodes are formed directly on the OLED substrate during the same manufacturing process, eliminating the need for separate multi-layer touch structures on the encapsulation cover plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the OLED substrate manufacturing process with the touch electrode formation process. The cathode layer of the OLED is simultaneously formed as the self-capacitance electrode of the touch display, combining two functions into a single integrated structure that simplifies manufacturing.
2Ease of manufacture
If a Multi-Layer-On-Cell touch structure is implemented, then touch control functionality is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cathode layer serves dual functions: as the electron injection electrode for the OLED and as the self-capacitance electrode for the touch display functionality. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate touch electrode layers and reduces material costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The OLED cathode layer automatically serves as the touch electrode without requiring additional materials or processes. The same manufacturing steps that create the OLED cathode also create the functional touch electrode, making the system self-sufficient.
3Manufacturing precision
If spacers are added to support the encapsulation cover plate, then surface flatness is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spacers are formed during the same patterning process as the touch electrodes, before the encapsulation cover plate is applied. This preliminary formation of spacers ensures proper spacing and flatness is established early in the manufacturing process, preventing defects rather than correcting them later.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacers act as intermediary elements between the OLED substrate and the encapsulation cover plate, providing mechanical support and maintaining proper spacing. These spacers are formed from the same photoresist material as the touch electrodes, integrating their formation into the existing process.
Data Source
AI summary
An OLED touch display panel, a method for manufacturing an OLED touch display panel and a touch display device are disclosed. The method comprises: forming a plurality of baffles by a patterning process on a TFT back plate, wherein each of the baffles defines a touch region; and forming a cathode layer on the TFT back plate on which the baffles have been formed. The cathode layer is partitioned by the baffles into a plurality of self-capacitance electrodes insulated from each other. Each of the self-capacitance electrodes is located within one of the touch regions and matches the touch region in shape.