OLED Touch Electrode Layout for Spacer-Safe Defect Inspection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organic light emitting display devices face challenges in defect inspection of touch electrodes, particularly due to interference from spacers that can cause distorted images and hinder accurate defect detection.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a touch electrode unit with first and second touch electrodes arranged in specific directions, overlapping with spacers that are arranged in a repetitive pattern, allowing for accurate defect inspection by minimizing interference and ensuring consistent spacer arrangements across touch pattern unit blocks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If spacers are disposed in the pixel separating area to maintain device structure, then structural stability is improved, but image distortion occurs during defect inspection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddefect inspection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pixel separating area is divided into multiple regions with different spacer arrangements. First spacers are disposed at first positions while second spacers are disposed at second positions, creating segmented zones that serve different functions: some areas maintain structural stability while others are optimized for defect inspection by minimizing image distortion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different spacer configurations are applied to different locations within the pixel separating area. The first spacers at first positions provide structural support, while the second spacers at second positions are arranged to reduce interference during inspection, giving each local region the quality needed for its specific function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If touch electrodes are arranged in crossing directions to enable location detection, then touch functionality is improved, but interference from spacers causes distorted images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch functionalityVSAvoidimage accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The touch electrode arrangement is segmented into first touch electrodes in a first direction and second touch electrodes in a second direction. The spacer arrangement is also segmented into first and second spacers at different positions, creating zones where touch functionality is optimized in some areas while image accuracy is prioritized in inspection regions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the touch electrode unit have different characteristics: areas with first touch electrodes provide comprehensive touch detection capability, while areas with second touch electrodes and corresponding second spacers are optimized to minimize interference for accurate defect inspection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If spacers are arranged densely to maintain pixel separation, then pixel definition is improved, but interference with touch electrodes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepixel definitionVSAvoidtouch electrode interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer arrangement is segmented into first spacers at first positions and second spacers at second positions. This segmentation allows pixel separation to be maintained at critical interfaces (first spacers) while reducing spacer density in areas where touch electrodes are present (second spacers), thereby minimizing interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different spacer densities are applied locally: first spacers are disposed to ensure proper pixel separation and definition, while second spacers are disposed in a manner that reduces interference with touch electrodes. Each local region has the spacer density appropriate for its function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11849621B2Organic light emitting display device

Publication Date: 2023.12.19 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

An organic light emitting display device includes: a substrate including pixel areas and a pixel separating area; a plurality of pixels; a plurality of spacers in the pixel separating area and spaced apart from each other; and a touch electrode unit disposed over the plurality of pixels and spacers. The touch electrode unit includes first touch electrodes arranged in a first direction and second touch electrodes arranged in a second direction. The touch electrode unit includes a plurality of touch pattern unit blocks repeatedly arranged. Each touch pattern unit block includes portions of each of neighboring first touch electrodes and portions of each of neighboring second touch electrodes. The spacers of each touch pattern unit block corresponds to a plurality of spacer pattern unit blocks repeatedly arranged. Each spacer pattern unit includes at least one spacer and is smaller than the touch pattern unit block.