Wettability Adjustment Layer for Flexible OLED Touch Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing touch electrodes for flexible organic light emitting display panels often damage the thin film encapsulation layer and light emitting element film, and fail to achieve a thinner and lighter design due to the use of photoetching and wet etching processes that can harm the light emitting layer and film materials.
Innovation Solution
The integration of metal mesh touch electrodes within a thin film encapsulation layer with a wettability adjustment layer, which includes pattern zones and hollow zones, allows for the prevention of damage during the manufacturing process and maintains the panel's thickness and reliability by controlling wetting angles to prevent corrosion and exposure to moisture and oxygen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If photoetching and wet etching processes are used to manufacture touch electrodes, then the touch electrode can be formed on the thin film encapsulation layer, but the light emitting layer and film materials are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
A wettability adjustment layer is introduced as an intermediary between the touch electrode and the thin film encapsulation layer. This layer has specific wettability characteristics that enable the touch electrode material to selectively wet and bond to it without requiring harsh photoetching or wet etching processes that would damage the underlying light emitting layer and film materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The wettability parameters of the interface between touch electrode and encapsulation layer are modified by introducing the wettability adjustment layer. This layer has controlled surface energy characteristics that facilitate electrode formation through alternative manufacturing processes, avoiding the need for damaging chemical etching while ensuring proper adhesion and pattern formation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a touch film assembly is attached on the display panel, then the touch sensing function is realized, but the panel thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch electrode is merged with the thin film encapsulation layer structure by forming it directly on the wettability adjustment layer that is part of the encapsulation system. This integration eliminates the need for a separate touch film assembly, thereby maintaining the panel's thinness while achieving the touch sensing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch electrode structure is nested within the encapsulation layer architecture. The wettability adjustment layer and touch electrode are positioned within or on top of the encapsulation structure, allowing the touch function to be embedded within the existing thin film layers rather than adding a separate external assembly.
3Length of stationary object
If the touch electrode is integrated in the protective film, polarizer or glass cover plate, then the flexible display product is thinned, but the manufacturing requirements become relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The wettability adjustment layer is formed on the thin film encapsulation layer before the touch electrode is deposited. This preliminary action prepares the surface with appropriate wettability characteristics, enabling subsequent touch electrode formation to proceed with simpler, less demanding manufacturing processes compared to integrating the electrode directly into protective films, polarizers, or glass cover plates.
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 solution effectively prevents damage to the encapsulation and light emitting layers, enhances the reliability and stability of the organic light emitting display panel, and maintains the panel's thickness and light efficiency by integrating touch electrodes within the encapsulation layer, ensuring improved operational performance and anti-folding resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a wetting angle between material of the touch electrodes and the wettability adjustment pattern zones is α, a wetting angle between the material of the touch electrodes and an inorganic layer or an organic layer is β
Data Source
AI summary
An organic light emitting display panel and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The organic light emitting display panel includes: an organic light emitting element array substrate; a thin film encapsulation layer covering the organic light emitting element array substrate and including at least one inorganic layer and at least one organic layer; a wettability adjustment layer disposed on an organic layer or inorganic layer of the thin film encapsulation layer and including a plurality of wettability adjustment pattern zones and a plurality of hollow zones, and touch electrodes made of metal. The touch electrodes are in a meshed shape and disposed in the hollow zones. A wetting angle between material of the touch electrodes and the wettability adjustment pattern zones is greater than a wetting angle between the material of the touch electrodes and the organic layer or the inorganic layer.