Flexible OLED Panel with Embedded Touch Electrodes in Encapsulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible touch-control display panels face issues with thickness and reliability due to external attachment of touch-control electrodes, which can lead to cracking and failure when bent, and require improved encapsulation to protect against environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
An organic light-emitting display panel with touch-control electrodes integrated into arc-shaped groove structures within a thin film encapsulation layer, comprising inorganic and organic layers, reduces the risk of electrode fracture and corrosion, maintaining panel thickness and enhancing bending performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If touch-control electrodes are externally attached to flexible display panels, then the touch-control function is achieved, but the panel thickness cannot be reduced and reliability deteriorates due to cracking during bending
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the touch-control electrodes with the thin film encapsulation layer by integrating the electrodes directly into the encapsulation structure. The electrodes are formed within the organic and inorganic layers of the encapsulation, eliminating the need for separate external attachment and reducing overall device complexity while improving reliability during bending.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch-control electrodes are nested within the thin film encapsulation layer structure. The electrodes are positioned inside the multi-layer encapsulation system, with the organic layer and inorganic layers providing structural support and protection, allowing the electrodes to be embedded rather than externally attached.
2Length of stationary object
If touch-control electrodes are integrated on the polarizer or cover plate, then panel thickness is reduced, but fabrication requirements become excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The thin film encapsulation layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides environmental protection for the organic light-emitting elements and integrates the touch-control electrodes within its structure. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate electrode attachment processes on polarizers or cover plates, reducing fabrication complexity while maintaining thin profile.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible display panels are bent, then flexibility is demonstrated, but cracks occur on the surface leading to electrode fracture and touch-control failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin film encapsulation structure with multiple organic and inorganic layers that provides both protection and flexibility. The thin film design allows the structure to bend without generating excessive stress, while the multi-layer composition prevents crack propagation, maintaining electrode integrity during flexing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer thin film encapsulation structure provides beforehand cushioning by distributing mechanical stress across multiple layers during bending. The organic and inorganic layers work together to absorb and dissipate stress before it can concentrate and cause cracks in the electrode structures.
Data Source
AI summary
An organic light-emitting display panel and fabrication method thereof are provided. The organic light-emitting display panel includes an organic light-emitting element array substrate, a thin film encapsulation layer covering the organic light-emitting element array substrate, and touch-control electrodes. The thin film encapsulation layer includes at least one inorganic layer and at least one organic layer. First groove structures are configured in at least one organic layer, and sidewalls of the first groove structures are arc-shaped. The touch-control electrodes are disposed in the first groove structures.