OLED-Integrated Touch Sensor with Mesh Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch sensors for OLED display devices face challenges in reducing noise interference from electromagnetic fields, improving flexibility, and enhancing image visibility while maintaining efficient fabrication processes.
Innovation Solution
An OLED-integrated touch sensor is designed with a touch electrode structure that includes a driving electrode and a receiving electrode formed on opposite surfaces of a base layer, combined with an OLED device to block electromagnetic noise, and features a mesh structure with a double or triple-layered metal and metal oxide layer configuration to reduce reflectivity and enhance transmittance and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional touch sensor structure is used, then the fabrication process is simpler, but noise interference from electromagnetic fields increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the touch sensor electrodes directly with the OLED device structure, integrating the driving electrode and receiving electrode into the OLED fabrication process. This merging reduces electromagnetic noise by eliminating separate touch sensor components while maintaining touch functionality through the OLED's inherent electrode structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The OLED device serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display element and the touch sensor. The same electrode structure used for OLED operation also functions as the driving and receiving electrodes for touch sensing, reducing overall device complexity and electromagnetic interference from additional components.
2Reliability
If a solid metal electrode structure is used, then electrical conductivity is improved, but flexibility and bending property deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film electrode structures instead of solid metal blocks, allowing the touch sensor to be formed as flexible layers on the OLED substrate. This enables the device to maintain electrical conductivity while achieving the flexibility and bending properties required for flexible display applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch electrode structure uses composite material layers including transparent conductive oxides and organic conductive materials deposited on flexible substrates. This composite approach provides both the necessary electrical conductivity and the mechanical flexibility for bendable devices.
3Reliability
If a dense electrode structure is used, then electrical conductivity is improved, but light transmittance and image visibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mesh-patterned electrode structures with controlled porosity, where the electrode lines are arranged in a grid pattern with significant spacing between them. This porous-like structure maintains electrical conductivity through the conductive paths while allowing sufficient light transmission through the gaps, improving image visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs transparent conductive oxide materials that are optically transparent in the visible spectrum, allowing the electrodes to conduct electricity while being invisible or minimally visible to the human eye, thus maintaining high light transmittance and image quality.
Data Source
AI summary
An OLED-integrated touch sensor includes an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device, and a touch electrode on a surface of the OLED device. The touch electrode includes a driving electrode formed on one surface of a base layer and a receiving electrode formed on an opposing surface of the base layer relative to the one surface. The touch electrode is combined with the OLED device such that the driving electrode faces the surface of the OLED device.