Integrated Touch Sensor on Encapsulation Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing process of touchscreens integrated with display devices is complex and costly due to the separate attachment of touchscreens to display panels, which increases production complexity and expenses.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a touch sensor integrated onto the encapsulation unit, where touch sensing and driving lines intersect with a touch insulation layer, eliminating the need for a separate attachment process and simplifying the manufacturing process by forming touch electrodes directly on the encapsulation unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a touchscreen is separately manufactured and attached to the front surface of the display panel via adhesive, then the touchscreen functionality is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the touchscreen electrode layer directly into the display device's encapsulation structure. The touch sensor electrode is formed on the same substrate as the display panel, and the encapsulation layer serves dual purposes: protecting the OLED and providing the structural base for the touchscreen electrode. This merging eliminates the need for separate touchscreen manufacturing and attachment processes, directly resolving the contradiction between maintaining touchscreen functionality and reducing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulation layer is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the protective enclosure for the OLED, provides mechanical support, and serves as the substrate for the touchscreen electrode layer. By making the encapsulation layer multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate components and attachment processes, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining all required functionalities
2Reliability
If a touchscreen is separately manufactured and attached to the front surface of the display panel via adhesive, then the touchscreen functionality is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase due to additional attachment processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the touchscreen electrode formation process with the existing display panel manufacturing process. The touch sensor electrode is deposited and patterned on the encapsulation layer using the same vacuum deposition and photolithography equipment already present in the display manufacturing line. This merging of processes eliminates the need for separate touchscreen manufacturing facilities and attachment equipment, directly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining touchscreen functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The touchscreen electrode layer is formed during the encapsulation process itself, before the display device is completed. By incorporating the touch electrode formation into the encapsulation stage, the patent performs the touchscreen integration action in advance, eliminating the need for subsequent attachment processes and associated costs
3Device complexity
If touch insulation layer intersects with touch sensing line or touch driving line, then the structure is simplified, but electrical insulation must be maintained at intersection points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a touch insulation layer as an intermediary material between the touch sensing line and touch driving line at their intersection points. This insulation layer, formed by depositing an additional layer of insulation material and selectively removing it, acts as a mediator that maintains electrical isolation between the conductive lines while allowing the overall structure to remain simple and integrated
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a display device that enables reduction in thickness and weight and a method of manufacturing the same. The display device having a touch sensor (Cm) includes a touch sensing line (154) and a touch driving line (152), which are formed on an encapsulation unit (140) and intersect each other with a touch insulation layer (156) interposed therebetween. The touch insulation layer (156) intersects with any one of the touch sensing line (154) and the touch driving line (152), which may result in the simplified structure. In addition, touch electrodes (152e, 154e) are disposed on the encapsulation unit (140), which may make a separate attachment process be unnecessary, resulting in a simplified manufacturing process and reduced costs.