Single-Layer Touch Sensor on OLED Encapsulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and increased manufacturing costs of integrating a touchscreen into organic light-emitting display devices due to the separate attachment process of touchscreens onto display panels.

Innovation Solution

An organic light-emitting display device with a touch sensor integrated into a single-layer structure on the encapsulation unit, where first and second bridges and touch electrodes are formed of the same material and disposed on the uppermost layer, simplifying the structure and eliminating the need for a separate adhesion process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a touchscreen is separately manufactured and attached to the display panel using adhesive, then the touch sensor can be integrated into the display device, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of touch sensorVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the touch sensor layer with the encapsulation layer by forming both the touch electrode pattern and the encapsulation structure in a single manufacturing process. The touch electrode pattern is formed on the encapsulation layer during the same fabrication steps, eliminating the need for separate touchscreen manufacturing and attachment processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The encapsulation layer serves dual functions: it provides protective encapsulation for the organic light-emitting element and simultaneously serves as the substrate for the touch sensor. This multi-functional design allows the same layer to fulfill both protection and touch sensing roles, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a touchscreen is separately manufactured and attached to the display panel using adhesive, then the touch sensor can be integrated into the display device, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of touch sensorVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the manufacturing of the touch sensor and the encapsulation structure into a single integrated process. By forming the touch electrode pattern and encapsulation layer simultaneously using the same materials and fabrication steps, the patent eliminates additional material costs and processing expenses associated with separate manufacturing and assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent eliminates the need for separate adhesive materials and additional assembly processes by integrating the touch sensor directly into the encapsulation structure. This discards the unnecessary intermediate components and steps, directly reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If multiple layers are used for touch sensor and encapsulation, then functional requirements are met, but structural complexity increases and structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional requirementsVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The encapsulation layer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical protection, moisture barrier, and serves as the substrate for the touch electrode pattern. This multi-functional approach maintains all necessary functional requirements while reducing the total number of layers and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the encapsulation function and touch sensor function into a single integrated layer structure. The touch electrode pattern is formed directly on the encapsulation layer, merging two previously separate functional layers into one unified structure that maintains both protective and sensing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If multiple separate components are attached together, then functional requirements are met, but manufacturing process becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional requirementsVSAvoidmanufacturing process efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the fabrication of the encapsulation structure and touch sensor into a single continuous manufacturing process. Both structures are formed in the same fabrication sequence using the same equipment and materials, eliminating the need for separate assembly operations and significantly improving manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11903291B2Organic light-emitting display device having touch sensor

Publication Date: 2024.02.13 LG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

An organic light-emitting display device having a touch sensor is discussed. The organic light-emitting display device includes a touch sensor formed in a single-layer structure and disposed on an encapsulation unit disposed on a light-emitting element. First and second bridges and first and second touch electrodes included in the touch sensor having a single-layer structure are formed of the same material as each other in the same plane, e.g., on the uppermost layer of the encapsulation unit, thereby simplifying the structure thereof and reducing costs.