Touch Insulating Layer Layout to Protect OLED Encapsulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices face challenges in maintaining reliability and efficiency, particularly in the integration of touch insulating layers and encapsulation layers, leading to potential damage and reduced light-emitting areas.

Innovation Solution

A display device design featuring a light-emitting element with a specific structure including a pixel electrode, light-emitting layer, and common electrode, encapsulation layer, and touch insulating layers with undercut shapes and etch stop layers to maintain layer integrity and prevent damage during manufacturing processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If touch insulating layers are integrated with encapsulation layers in conventional display devices, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the encapsulation layer becomes vulnerable to damage and light-emitting areas shrink

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing complexityVSAvoidencapsulation layer integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The touch insulating layer is segmented into multiple portions (first touch insulating layer, second touch insulating layer, third touch insulating layer) with different functions and positions. The first portion is spaced apart from the light-emitting layer to prevent damage, the second portion overlaps the light-emitting layer for touch functionality, and the third portion provides additional insulation. This segmentation allows the touch insulating layer to maintain both manufacturing efficiency and structural reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A second organic layer is introduced as an intermediary between the second touch insulating layer and the light-emitting layer. This intermediate layer prevents direct contact that could cause damage to the encapsulation layer during manufacturing processes, while still allowing the touch electrode to function properly through the insulating structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If touch electrodes are positioned closer to light-emitting layers to improve touch sensitivity, then touch response improves, but the risk of damage to encapsulation layers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensitivityVSAvoiddamage risk to encapsulation layer

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The touch insulating layer is divided into multiple portions positioned at different distances from the light-emitting layer. The second touch insulating layer overlaps the light-emitting layer to maintain touch sensitivity, while the first and third portions are spaced apart to provide protective buffering zones that prevent damage during manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second organic layer serves as an intermediary protective layer between the second touch insulating layer and the light-emitting layer, allowing close positioning for touch sensitivity while preventing direct damage to the encapsulation structure during manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If conventional manufacturing processes are used without etch stop layers, then manufacturing steps are reduced, but pixel shrinkage occurs due to layer damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidpixel area accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Etch stop layers are预先 formed between the touch insulating layers and the encapsulation layer before the main etching processes. These preliminary protective layers prevent unwanted etching of the encapsulation layer during subsequent manufacturing steps, thereby preventing pixel shrinkage while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Etch stop layers are introduced as intermediary protective layers that prevent direct etching of the encapsulation layer during manufacturing processes. These intermediate layers allow the etching process to proceed efficiently while protecting the underlying encapsulation structure from damage that would cause pixel shrinkage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20260020479A1Display device, method for manufacturing the same, and electronic device including the same

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes: a light-emitting element including a pixel electrode, a light-emitting layer, and a common electrode sequentially on a substrate; an encapsulation layer located on the light-emitting element; a first touch insulating layer located on the encapsulation layer; a first touch electrode located on the first touch insulating layer; a second touch insulating layer covering the first touch electrode on the first touch insulating layer, including a first portion overlapping the light-emitting layer in a plan view and a second portion spaced from the first portion with a trench therebetween, and having an undercut shape by the trench; an organic layer located on the second touch insulating layer and defining an opening overlapping the light-emitting layer in the plan view; and a planarization layer disposed on the organic layer.