Touch Unit Organic Layer Patterning Without Stripping

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the manufacturing process of organic light-emitting display devices, the organic layer between conductive layers of the touch unit is often damaged by strippers, leading to deteriorated performance of the touch unit.

Innovation Solution

A display device structure is implemented with a touch unit that includes a first inorganic insulating layer, conductive layers, and organic layers with different refractive indices, where the second organic layer acts as a photosensitive material to pattern the conductive layers, reducing the need for separate stripping processes and enhancing manufacturing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a separate stripping process is used to remove photosensitive material after patterning conductive layers, then the conductive layers can be precisely patterned, but the organic layer between conductive layers is damaged by the stripper

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatterning precision of conductive layersVSAvoidintegrity of organic layer

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the photosensitive material layer with the organic layer into a single integrated layer. This allows the organic layer to serve dual functions: as the insulating/protective organic material and as the photosensitive material for patterning. By combining these functions into one layer, the need for a separate stripping process is eliminated, thereby preventing damage to the organic layer while maintaining patterning precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The organic layer is designed to be self-sufficient by incorporating photosensitive properties directly into it. This enables the organic layer to participate in the patterning process itself without requiring external photosensitive material layers that would need to be stripped. The organic layer essentially serves itself by being both the structural/functional organic component and the photosensitive element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate layers (organic layer and photosensitive material layer) are used for touch unit structure, then each layer can be optimized independently, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex with additional stripping steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent optimization of layersVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the organic layer and photosensitive material layer into a single integrated layer, reducing the number of manufacturing steps. This eliminates the need for separate deposition, patterning, and stripping processes for a dedicated photosensitive layer, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the functional benefits of having both organic and photosensitive properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The organic layer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the necessary organic insulation/protective function and also serves as the photosensitive material for patterning operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized layers, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining design flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach prevents damage to the organic layer, improves touch sensitivity, and simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for separate stripping operations, resulting in a more reliable and efficient production method.

Implementation Method 1

a second organic layer on the second conductive layer so as to cover a lateral surface and a top surface of the second conductive layer and including a photosensitive material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotosensitive material absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11502139B2Display device and method of manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes: a substrate including a display area and a non-display area; and a touch unit on the substrate, wherein the touch unit includes: a first inorganic insulating layer in the display area; a first conductive layer on the first inorganic insulating layer; a first organic layer on the first conductive layer; a second conductive layer on the first organic layer and electrically connected to the first conductive layer through a first contact hole in the first organic layer; and a second organic layer on the second conductive layer so as to cover a lateral surface and a top surface of the second conductive layer and including a photosensitive material.