OLED Touch Electrode Layout Without a Separate Touch Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing OLED display devices face challenges in integrating a touch panel function due to the electromagnetic shield provided by the cathode, complicating manufacturing processes and increasing thickness and cost.
Innovation Solution
A display device structure where touch electrodes are integrated within the OLED layer, with a moisture impermeable film and optical substrate, allowing for direct electrical connection to a touch signal controlling circuit through external extraction electrodes, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate touch panel board is bonded to the display device to add touch panel function, then touch functionality is achieved, but the thickness and weight of the device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the touch panel electrodes with the OLED cathode structure by integrating transparent conductive oxide layers (such as ITO or IZO) that serve dual functions: as the cathode for OLED light emission and as the touch sensor electrodes. This integration eliminates the need for a separate touch panel board, thereby reducing device weight and thickness while maintaining both display and touch functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate touch panel board is bonded to the display device to add touch panel function, then touch functionality is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the OLED cathode and touch panel electrodes into a single integrated structure using transparent conductive oxide layers. This merging reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while achieving both display and touch panel functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent conductive oxide layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the cathode for OLED light emission, provides the conductive elements for touch sensing, and maintains optical transparency. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate touch panel board is bonded to the display device to add touch panel function, then touch functionality is achieved, but the device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the touch panel electrodes with the OLED cathode structure by integrating transparent conductive oxide layers that serve dual functions. This integration eliminates the need for a separate touch panel board, thereby reducing device thickness while maintaining both display and touch functionality.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the cathode serves as an electromagnetic shield in OLED display devices, then electromagnetic interference is reduced, but it becomes difficult to provide touch panel function inside the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces transparent conductive oxide materials (such as ITO or IZO) as an intermediary that maintains the electromagnetic shielding function of the cathode while enabling touch panel functionality. These materials provide the necessary electrical conductivity for both OLED operation and touch sensing, acting as a mediator that reconciles the conflicting requirements of electromagnetic shielding and touch panel integration.
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 integration reduces the thickness and weight of the display device while maintaining effective touch functionality, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a light-emitting display layer including a light-emitting display region formed of OLEDs
Implementation Method 2
a moisture impermeable film provided to be laminated on the light-emitting display layer to prevent infiltration of moisture into the light-emitting display layer
Implementation Method 3
a contact position of a finger or a pen on the surface of the panel is sensed based on change in capacity between the electrode and the finger or the like
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a lateral-electric-field liquid crystal display device includes a light-emitting display layer including OLEDs and a driving circuit controlling light emission of the OLEDs, a moisture impermeable film provided to be laminated on the light-emitting display layer to prevent infiltration of moisture into the light-emitting display layer, an optical substrate provided separately from the moisture impermeable film and subjecting light from the light-emitting display region to optical processing, a first touch electrode group serving as one electrode group of touch electrodes and provided on a back surface of the optical substrate, and an extraction electrode group formed to be laminated on the moisture impermeable film, the extraction electrode group and the optical substrate have an overlapping part in plan view, and electrodes of the first touch electrode group being electrically connected to electrodes of the extraction electrode group in the overlapping part.