OLED Touch Display Layer Integration for Thickness Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing organic light emitting display apparatuses face challenges in integrating a touch panel function without increasing thickness and simplifying the manufacturing process, particularly in achieving accurate patterning of touch sensing electrodes and preventing signal disturbances.
Innovation Solution
The organic light emitting display apparatus incorporates a substrate with a first touch sensing electrode layer, a protective layer, a ground layer, an insulating layer, and an organic light emitting device, where the touch sensing electrode layers are formed using optically transparent materials like ITO, IZO, and ZnO, and the ground layer is electrically grounded to prevent signal interference, allowing for a bottom emission-type design that simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touch panel function is integrated into the organic light emitting display apparatus, then the user interface convenience is improved, but the device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the touch sensing electrode layer with the anode layer of the OLED, and the ground layer with the cathode layer, eliminating the need for separate touch panel layers and reducing overall device thickness while maintaining both display and touch sensing functions
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode layers serve dual purposes: the first electrode layer functions as both the anode for light emission and the touch sensing electrode, while the second electrode layer serves as both the cathode and the ground layer, enabling multi-functionality without increasing thickness
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate touch panel is added to provide touch sensing function, then the touch capability is improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing processes for the OLED and touch sensing layers are merged into a single integrated fabrication process, where the same layers are formed to serve both functions, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process compared to assembling separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The same electrode layers and manufacturing steps produce structures that simultaneously fulfill both light emission and touch sensing requirements, reducing the number of separate manufacturing processes needed
3Adaptability or versatility
If touch sensing electrode layers are added to the display structure, then the touch function is improved, but signal interference between image and touch signals occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ground function into a dedicated ground layer that is electrically connected to the cathode, separating the touch sensing signals from the image driving signals and preventing interference between these two signal types
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating layer acts as an intermediary between the touch sensing electrode layer and the ground layer, providing electrical isolation while maintaining proximity for effective shielding, thus preventing signal interference
4Adaptability or versatility
If additional layers are added for touch sensing function, then the touch capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the formation of touch sensing layers with the formation of OLED functional layers, using the same materials and deposition processes for both, thereby eliminating additional manufacturing steps and reducing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode layers are designed to serve multiple functions (anode/cathode and touch sensing), maximizing the utility of each manufactured layer and reducing the total number of layers and manufacturing steps required
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
This configuration enables a touch panel function without thickness increase, simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, and enhances the accuracy of touch sensing by preventing signal disturbances between image and touch signals, while allowing for easier patterning and integration of touch sensing electrodes.
Implementation Method 1
an organic light emitting device on the insulating layer. The organic light emitting device may emit light toward the substrate
Implementation Method 2
The first touch sensing electrode layer may include an optically transparent material. The optically transparent material may include at least one of ITO, IZO, ZnO, and In2O3
Implementation Method 3
Where the touch screen function is provided using an electrostatic capacitor, when a finger, a conductive object, or a high-dielectric object approaches or contacts an electrode for sensing a touch, an electrostatic capacity (capacitor) may be generated between the finger, etc., and the electrode, and a location where the electrostatic capacity changes is thereby sensed
Data Source
AI summary
An organic light emitting display apparatus including a substrate, a first touch sensing electrode layer on the substrate, a first protective layer on the substrate, the first protective layer covering the first touch sensing electrode layer, a ground layer on the first protective layer, the ground layer being electrically grounded, an insulating layer on the ground layer, and an organic light emitting device on the insulating layer.