Display device

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention comprises a display area in which red, green, and blue subpixels are arranged, and a touch sensing layer having a conductive pattern comprising a plurality of touch electrodes arranged along the row direction and column direction in the display area and a plurality of trace lines electrically connected to the plurality of touch electrodes and extended along the column direction in the display area. Here, the conductive pattern comprises a structure in which a touch pattern unit block, comprising a portion of the plurality of trace lines and at least a portion of one of the plurality of touch electrodes, is repeated along the row direction, wherein the touch pattern unit block may have a size corresponding to an integer multiple of the size of a pixel unit block, which is the minimum repeating unit of the red, green, and blue subpixels.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a display device. Background Technology

[0002] Display devices are being designed to be portable while incorporating various functions. One such function is touch input. The display device can recognize the position of an input tool, such as a user's finger or a stylus pen, that is in contact with the surface. The problem to be solved

[0003] As described above, the display device may be equipped with electrodes for a touch function, and after the touch electrodes are formed, an inspection to check for defects may be performed. The inspection for defects can be carried out by using a camera to capture an image of a predetermined size and comparing the captured image; however, when capturing the image, components placed beneath the touch electrodes may cause light interference, making it difficult to detect defects using the captured image. The present invention aims to solve various problems, including the aforementioned issues, and discloses a display device that facilitates defect inspection and improves display quality. However, these problems are exemplary and do not limit the scope of the present invention. means of solving the problem

[0004] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a display device comprising: a display area in which red, green, and blue subpixels are arranged; and a touch sensing layer having a conductive pattern including a plurality of touch electrodes arranged along a row direction and a column direction in the display area, and a plurality of trace lines electrically connected to the plurality of touch electrodes and extended along the column direction in the display area; wherein the conductive pattern of the touch sensing layer comprises a structure in which a touch pattern unit block, comprising a portion of the plurality of trace lines and at least a portion of one of the plurality of touch electrodes, is repeated along the row direction, and the touch pattern unit block has a size corresponding to an integer multiple of the size of a pixel unit block, which is the minimum repeating unit of the red, green, and blue subpixels.

[0005] The above display area may further include a plurality of spacers spaced apart from each other.

[0006] At least one of the plurality of spacers can overlap with at least one of the plurality of trace lines.

[0007] Each of the above plurality of touch electrodes may have a polygonal shape.

[0008] Each of the above plurality of touch electrodes includes a zigzag-shaped edge, and the touch pattern unit block may include parts of two adjacent touch electrodes.

[0009] Among the plurality of trace lines, the i-th trace line is electrically connected to the i-th touch electrode among the plurality of touch electrodes through a bridge line, and at least one trace line located between the i-th trace line and the i-th touch electrode may include mutually separated portions with the bridge line in between.

[0010] It may further include dummy meter electrodes disposed adjacent to each of the plurality of touch electrodes mentioned above.

[0011] The width of each of the above dummy meter electrodes may be smaller than the width of the above pixel unit block.

[0012] The above touch pattern unit block includes pixel unit blocks of K rows and L columns (where K and L are natural numbers), and a portion of the plurality of trace lines may correspond to pixel unit blocks corresponding to any one of the L columns of the pixel unit blocks.

[0013] A portion of the above plurality of trace lines includes a plurality of mutually spaced first metal lines, and each of the plurality of first metal lines can be aligned between subpixels existing in pixel unit blocks corresponding to any one of the columns.

[0014] At least a portion of any one of the above touch electrodes may include a plurality of second metal lines connected to each other, corresponding to a pixel unit block of row a and column b, which is a portion of the pixel unit blocks of row K and column L (where a is a natural number smaller than K, and b is a natural number smaller than L).

[0015] Another embodiment of the present invention discloses a display device comprising: a display area in which red, green, and blue subpixels are arranged; a plurality of spacers arranged in the display area; a plurality of touch electrodes arranged along a row direction and a column direction in the display area; a conductive pattern layer having a conductive pattern including a plurality of trace lines electrically connected to the plurality of touch electrodes and extended along the column direction in the display area; a first insulating layer below the conductive pattern layer; and a second insulating layer above the conductive pattern layer; wherein the conductive pattern of the conductive pattern layer comprises a structure in which a touch pattern unit block, including a portion of the plurality of trace lines and at least a portion of one of the plurality of touch electrodes, is repeated along the row direction, and the touch pattern unit block has a size corresponding to an integer multiple of the size of a pixel unit block, which is the minimum repeating unit of the red, green, and blue subpixels.

[0016] At least one of the plurality of spacers can overlap with at least one of the plurality of trace lines.

[0017] Each of the above plurality of touch electrodes may have a polygonal shape.

[0018] Each of the above plurality of touch electrodes includes a zigzag-shaped edge, and the touch pattern unit block may include parts of two adjacent touch electrodes.

[0019] Among the plurality of trace lines, the i-th trace line is electrically connected to the i-th touch electrode among the plurality of touch electrodes through a bridge line, and at least one trace line located between the i-th trace line and the i-th touch electrode may include mutually separated portions with the bridge line in between.

[0020] It further includes dummy meter electrodes disposed adjacent to each of the plurality of touch electrodes, and the touch pattern unit block may include at least a portion of any one of the dummy meter electrodes.

[0021] The width of any one of the above dummy meter electrodes may be smaller than the width of the above pixel unit block.

[0022] The above touch pattern unit block includes pixel unit blocks of K rows and L columns (where K and L are natural numbers), and a portion of the plurality of trace lines may include a plurality of mutually spaced first metal lines corresponding to pixel unit blocks in any one of the L columns of the pixel unit blocks.

[0023] Each of the above plurality of first metal lines can be aligned between subpixels existing in pixel unit blocks corresponding to any one of the above columns.

[0024] Other aspects, features, and advantages other than those described above will become clear from the following drawings, claims, and detailed description of the invention. Effects of the invention

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, since the inspection of the conductivity pattern of the input sensing layer can be easily performed, a display device with excellent touch input detection quality can be provided. Of course, the scope of the present invention is not limited by this effect. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of Figure 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the substrate, display layer, encapsulation layer, and touch sensing layer of FIG. 2. FIGS. 4a and FIGS. 4b are plan views showing subpixels arranged in a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a conductive pattern layer of a touch sensing layer of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a plan view of the VI area of ​​Figure 5 extracted and enlarged. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the touch pattern unit block of the conductive pattern layer of FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a conductive pattern layer of a touch sensing layer of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view showing one of the touch repetition pattern blocks provided in the conductive pattern of an input sensing layer according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view showing one of the touch repetition pattern blocks provided in the conductive pattern of an input sensing layer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing a conductive pattern layer of a touch sensing layer of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a touch pattern unit block of the conductive pattern layer of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view showing one of the touch repetition pattern blocks provided in the conductive pattern of an input sensing layer according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is an enlarged plan view showing one of the touch repetition pattern blocks provided in the conductive pattern of an input sensing layer according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0027] The present invention is capable of various modifications and may have various embodiments; specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. The effects and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but can be implemented in various forms.

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. When describing with reference to the drawings, identical or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0029] In the following embodiments, terms such as first, second, etc. are used not in a limiting sense, but for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

[0030] In the following examples, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0031] In the following embodiments, terms such as "include" or "have" mean that the features or components described in the specification are present, and do not preclude the possibility that one or more other features or components may be added.

[0032] In the following embodiments, when a part such as a film, region, or component is described as being on or above another part, it includes not only cases where it is directly on top of another part, but also cases where another film, region, or component is interposed in between.

[0033] In the drawings, the size of components may be exaggerated or reduced for convenience of explanation. For example, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are depicted arbitrarily for convenience of explanation, so the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is illustrated.

[0034] Where an embodiment can be implemented differently, a specific process sequence may be performed differently from the order described. For example, two processes described consecutively may be performed substantially simultaneously or proceed in the reverse order of the description.

[0035] In the following embodiments, when a membrane, region, component, etc. is described as being connected, it includes not only cases where the membrane, region, or component is directly connected, but also cases where other membranes, regions, or components are interposed between them to form an indirect connection. For example, when a membrane, region, component, etc. is described as being electrically connected in this specification, it includes not only cases where the membrane, region, or component, etc. are directly electrically connected, but also cases where other membranes, regions, or components are interposed between them to form an indirect electrical connection.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 1, the display device includes a display area (DA) and a non-display area (NDA). Subpixels equipped with display elements, such as light-emitting diodes, are arranged in the display area (DA) to provide a predetermined image. The non-display area (NDA) is an area that does not provide an image and may surround the display area (DA). In the non-display area (NDA), a scan driver and a data driver that provide electrical signals to be applied to the subpixels of the display area (DA), and power lines that provide power such as a driving voltage and a common voltage are arranged.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the display device includes a display layer (200) that forms a display area (DA) on a substrate (100). The substrate (100) may be formed of various materials, such as glass, metal, or plastic materials such as PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (Polyethylene naphthalate), or polyimide. The display layer (200) includes subpixels each equipped with a light-emitting diode and can provide a predetermined image.

[0039] The encapsulation layer (300) can cover the display layer (200). The encapsulation layer (300) can protect the display layer (200) from external moisture or oxygen, and a touch sensing layer (400) can be placed on the encapsulation layer (300).

[0040] The touch sensing layer (400) may include a plurality of conductive touch electrodes. For example, the touch sensing layer (400) may be a capacitive type. The touch sensing layer (400) may be used to output the coordinates of the location where the object approaches or contacts by utilizing the change in capacitance that occurs when an object, such as a user's hand, approaches or contacts the surface of the touch sensing layer (400).

[0041] The optical functional layer (500) may be disposed on the touch sensing layer (400). The optical functional layer (500) may include an anti-reflection functional layer. The anti-reflection functional layer may include a phase retarder and a polarizer, or may include a black matrix and a color filter.

[0042] The cover window (700) may be placed on the optical functional layer (500) with the adhesive layer (600) in between. The adhesive layer (600) may include an optical clear adhesive (OCA).

[0043] The cover window (700) may include a flexible window. For example, the cover window (60) may include a plastic window such as polyimide or an ultra-thin glass window.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the substrate, display layer, encapsulation layer, and touch sensing layer of FIG. 2.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 3, a display layer (200) is disposed on a substrate (100), and the display layer (200) may include light-emitting diodes (250R, 250B, 250G) provided for each subpixel. The light-emitting diodes (250R, 250B, 250G) are electrically connected to a thin-film transistor (TFT) and a storage capacitor (Cst).

[0046] A thin-film transistor (TFT) may include a semiconductor layer (120), a gate electrode (140) that overlaps with a portion of the semiconductor layer (channel region), and a source electrode (160) and a drain electrode (162) connected to the semiconductor layer (120). The semiconductor layer (120) may be formed by including an inorganic semiconductor such as silicon, an organic semiconductor, or an oxide semiconductor material. The semiconductor layer (120) has a source region, a drain region, and a channel region between them.

[0047] The gate electrode (140) can be superimposed on the channel region of the semiconductor layer (120). The gate electrode (140) may include a single layer or a multilayer structure made of one or more materials selected from aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), and copper (Cu).

[0048] A buffer layer (110) that prevents the penetration of impurities may be interposed between the semiconductor layer (120) and the substrate (100). A gate insulating layer (130) may be interposed between the semiconductor layer (120) and the gate electrode (140), and an interlayer insulating layer (150) is disposed on the gate electrode (140). The buffer layer (110), the gate insulating layer (130), and / or the interlayer insulating layer (150) may include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or silicon oxynitride, and may include a single layer or a multilayer structure containing the aforementioned material.

[0049] The source electrode (160) and the drain electrode (162) may be located on the interlayer insulating layer (150) and may be connected to the source region and the drain region of the semiconductor layer (120), respectively. The source electrode (160) and the drain electrode (162) may include one or more of aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), and copper (Cu), and may include a single layer or a multilayer structure.

[0050] A storage capacitor (Cst) may include a lower electrode (142) and an upper electrode (164). The lower electrode (142) may include the same material as the gate electrode (140) described above, and the upper electrode (164) may include the same material as the source electrode (160) or the drain electrode (162), but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0051] A thin-film transistor (TFT) and a storage capacitor (Cst) can be covered with a planarizing insulating layer (170). The planarizing insulating layer (170) may include an organic insulating material. The organic insulating material may include general-purpose polymers (PMMA, PS), polymer derivatives having a phenolic group, acrylic polymers, imide polymers, aryl ether polymers, amide polymers, fluorine polymers, p-xylene polymers, vinyl alcohol polymers, and blends thereof. In some embodiments, the planarizing insulating layer (170) may include both an inorganic insulating material and an organic insulating material.

[0052] Light-emitting diodes (250R, 250B, 250G) may be disposed on the flattened insulating layer (170). Each light-emitting diode (250R, 250B, 250G) may be electrically connected to a thin-film transistor (TFT) through a contact hole defined in the flattened insulating layer (170). FIG. 3 illustrates, in one embodiment, that the light-emitting diodes (250R, 250B, 250G) are organic light-emitting diodes.

[0053] The light-emitting diodes (250R, 250B, 250G) can emit light of different colors. The red light-emitting diode (250R) includes a first electrode (210), an organic light-emitting layer (220R) that emits red light, and a second electrode (230), and corresponds to a first subpixel (red subpixel) that emits red light. The blue light-emitting diode (250B) includes a first electrode (210), an organic light-emitting layer (220B) that emits blue light, and a second electrode (230), and corresponds to a second subpixel (blue subpixel) that emits blue light. The green light-emitting diode (250G) includes a first electrode (210), an organic light-emitting layer (220G) that emits green light, and a second electrode (230), and corresponds to a third subpixel (green subpixel) that emits green light.

[0054] The first electrode (210) may be a reflective electrode. The first electrode (210) may be a reflective film made of silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), or compounds thereof. In another embodiment, the first electrode (210) may further form a film formed of indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide (In2O3), etc., on the aforementioned reflective film. For example, the first electrode (210) may include a three-layer structure of ITO / Ag / ITO.

[0055] The upper insulating layer (180) may define a light-emitting region and / or subpixel of a light-emitting diode (250R, 250B, 250G) by having an opening (180OP) that exposes the central part of the first electrode (210). The width of the opening (180OP) may correspond to the width of the light-emitting region and / or the width of the subpixel.

[0056] The upper insulating layer (or bank layer, 180) can prevent arcs from occurring at the edge of the first electrode (210) by increasing the distance between the edge of the first electrode (210) and the second electrode (230). The upper insulating layer (180) may be formed of a transparent organic insulating material such as polyimide (PI) or HMDSO (hexamethyldisiloxane). Alternatively, the upper insulating layer (180) may include a colored organic insulating material such as black.

[0057] A spacer (191) may be placed on an upper insulating layer (180). For example, the spacer (191) may be placed directly on top of the upper insulating layer (180). The spacer (191) supports the mask used in the deposition process of the organic light-emitting layer (220R, 220B, 220G) described later, thereby preventing or minimizing problems such as defects in the organic light-emitting layer (220R, 220B, 220G) caused by sagging of the mask. The spacer (191) may be formed from an organic insulating material such as polyimide (PI) or HMDSO (hexamethyldisiloxane), and may contain the same material as the upper insulating layer (180). The spacer (191) and the upper insulating layer (180) may be formed together in the same mask process, for example, in a process using a halftone mask. In another embodiment, the spacer (191) comprises a different material from the upper insulating layer (180) and can be formed in a different process.

[0058] The red organic light-emitting layer (220R) may include a fluorescent or phosphorescent material that emits red visible light, the blue organic light-emitting layer (220B) may include a fluorescent or phosphorescent material that emits blue visible light, and the green organic light-emitting layer (220G) may include a fluorescent or phosphorescent material that emits green visible light.

[0059] The second electrode (230) may be a (semi)transparent electrode. The second electrode (230) may be a layer made of Ag, Mg, Al, Yb, Ca, Li, Au, or a compound thereof, or a layer formed of a (semi)transparent material such as ITO, IZO, ZnO, or In2O3. In one embodiment, the second electrode (230) may include a metal thin film containing Ag and Mg.

[0060] The second electrode (230) may be made of a conductive material with a low work function. For example, the second electrode (230) may include a (semi)transparent layer comprising silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), or alloys thereof. Alternatively, the second electrode (230) may further include a layer such as ITO, IZO, ZnO, or In2O3 on the (semi)transparent layer comprising the aforementioned materials. In one embodiment, the second electrode (230) may include silver (Ag) and magnesium (Mg). The second electrode (230) may be formed to cover the entire display area (DA, FIG. 1). The second electrode (230) can cover a plurality of first electrodes (210) as a common layer.

[0061] FIG. 3 illustrates a structure in which red, blue, and green organic light-emitting layers (220R, 220B, 220G) are interposed between a first electrode (210) and a second electrode (230) and are in direct contact with them, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As another embodiment, a first functional layer may be disposed below the red, blue, and green organic light-emitting layers (220R, 220B, 220G), and a second functional layer may be disposed above them. The first functional layer may be disposed between the first electrode (210) and the organic light-emitting layers (220R, 220B, 220G) and may include a hole transport layer and / or a hole injection layer. The second functional layer may be disposed between the organic light-emitting layers (220R, 220B, 220G) and the second electrode (230) and may include an electron injection layer and / or an electron transport layer. Each of the first functional layer and / or the second functional layer can be integrally formed to cover the entire display area (DA, FIG. 1), such as the second electrode (230).

[0062] FIG. 3 illustrates that the light-emitting diode (250R, 250B, 250G) includes an organic light-emitting layer (220R, 220B, 220G), but the present invention is not limited thereto. The light-emitting diode may be an inorganic light-emitting diode comprising inorganic materials. The inorganic light-emitting diode may include a PN diode comprising inorganic semiconductor-based materials. When a forward voltage is applied to a PN junction diode, holes and electrons are injected, and the energy generated by the recombination of the holes and electrons is converted into light energy to emit light of a predetermined color. The aforementioned inorganic light-emitting diode may have a width of several to several hundred micrometers or several to several hundred nanometers. In some embodiments, the light-emitting diode may include a quantum dot light-emitting diode. In this way, the light-emitting layer of the light-emitting diode (250R, 250B, 250G) can be varied in many ways, such as including organic material, inorganic material, quantum dots, organic material and quantum dots, or inorganic material and quantum dots.

[0063] The bag layer (300) may include at least one inorganic layer and at least one organic layer. For example, the bag layer (300) may include a first inorganic bag layer (310), a second inorganic bag layer (330), and an organic bag layer (320) between them.

[0064] The first inorganic sealing layer (310) and the second inorganic sealing layer (330) may include one or more inorganic insulating materials selected from aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, tantalum oxide, hafnium oxide, zinc oxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and silicon oxynitride. The first inorganic sealing layer (310) and the second inorganic sealing layer (330) may be a single layer or a multilayer containing the aforementioned materials. The organic sealing layer (320) may include a polymer-based material. Polymer-based materials may include acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate and polyacrylic acid, epoxy resins, polyimide, and polyethylene. In one embodiment, the organic sealing layer (320) may include an acrylate polymer.

[0065] A touch sensing layer (400) is disposed on an encapsulation layer (300) to generate position information based on touch input. The touch sensing layer (400) may include a touch electrode (or sensing electrode) for generating position information based on touch input. The touch electrode may be formed on a conductive pattern layer (430) interposed between a first insulating layer (410) and a second insulating layer (450). For example, the touch electrode may include a plurality of metal lines (ML, ML') included in the conductive pattern layer (430).

[0066] The first insulating layer (410) may include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and / or silicon oxynitride.

[0067] The conductive pattern layer (430) may include molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), etc., and may be formed as a multilayer or single layer including the above materials. In one embodiment, the conductive pattern layer (430) may include a three-layer structure of Ti / Al / Ti.

[0068] The second insulating layer (450) may be an organic insulating layer or an inorganic insulating layer. If the second insulating layer (450) includes an organic insulating material, the organic insulating material may include acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyimide, polyethylene, etc.

[0069] FIGS. 4a and FIGS. 4b are plan views showing subpixels arranged in a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, red, blue, and green subpixels (R, B, G) can be arranged in a certain order in a display area (DA). In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 4a, blue subpixels (B) can be placed at the vertices of a virtual rectangle (VS), between adjacent vertices, and at the center (C) of the virtual rectangle (VS), respectively.

[0071] Based on a blue subpixel (B) placed at the center (C) of a virtual square (VS), red subpixels (R) and green subpixels (G) can be placed along the first diagonal direction (ob1) and the second diagonal direction (ob2). For example, one red subpixel (R) and one green subpixel (G) can be placed between a blue subpixel (B) placed at the center (C) and a blue subpixel (B) placed at one of the vertices. Thus, four red subpixels (R) and four green subpixels (G) can be placed in the virtual square (VS).

[0072] The red subpixels (R) and green subpixels (G) arranged on both sides along the axis passing through the center (C) of the virtual square (VS) along the y-direction may be symmetric with respect to the aforementioned axis.

[0073] The arrangement of subpixels in the display area (DA) may be identical to pixels arranged repeatedly along the x and y directions within the boundary of the aforementioned virtual rectangle (VS). In other words, the aforementioned virtual rectangle (VS) corresponds to the minimum unit of the arrangement of subpixels (hereinafter referred to as the pixel unit block, PUB). The pixel unit block (PUB) is a virtual unit block having a predetermined area in which blue subpixels (B), red subpixels (R), and green subpixels (G) are arranged, and corresponds to the minimum repeating unit of the arrangement pattern of subpixels arranged in the display area. The display area (DA) may have a structure in which pixel unit blocks (PUB) are repeated in the x and y directions.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 4b as another embodiment, blue subpixels (B) in a pixel unit block (PUB) may be arranged along a first virtual vertical line (1V) and a third virtual vertical line (3V) following the y-direction. The gap between the blue subpixels (B) placed on the first virtual vertical line (1V) may be larger than the gap between the blue subpixels (B) placed on the third virtual vertical line (3V).

[0075] Red subpixels (R) and green subpixels (G) can be arranged along a second virtual vertical line (2V) and a fourth virtual vertical line (4V) following the y-direction. On the second virtual vertical line (2V), the green subpixels (G) and red subpixels (R) can be arranged alternately. Likewise, on the fourth virtual vertical line (4V), the green subpixels (G) and red subpixels (R) can be arranged alternately.

[0076] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a conductive pattern layer of a touch sensing layer of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an enlarged VI area of ​​FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a touch pattern unit block of FIG. 5.

[0077] The conductive pattern layer (430) described with reference to FIG. 3 may have a conductive pattern including touch electrodes (TE) and trace lines as shown in FIG. 5. The touch electrodes (TE) according to an embodiment of the present invention can detect the touch input position using a self-capacitance method. Charging and discharging signals can be applied to the touch electrodes (TE) connected to the corresponding trace lines through the trace lines. When a touch event occurs due to an object such as a finger or a stylus pen, distortion occurs in the charging or discharging signal, and the touch input position can be detected using this.

[0078] Touch electrodes (TE) can be arranged along the x-direction (row direction, first direction) and the y-direction (column direction, second direction). For example, touch electrodes (TE) can be arranged in a matrix form consisting of N rows and M columns. Here, N and M are natural numbers and may be the same or different from each other. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 5 describes the arrangement of touch electrodes (TE) as being arranged in a matrix form consisting of 4 rows and 4 columns, but N and M may be natural numbers ranging from tens to hundreds. The touch electrodes (TE) may have a polygonal shape, and in one embodiment, FIG. 5 illustrates that the touch electrodes (TE) are square.

[0079] Trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) extending along the y-direction may be arranged on one side of the j-th column (Cj, j=1, 2, 3, 4) of touch electrodes (TE). The trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) arranged on one side of the j-th column (Cj) may be arranged adjacent to each other to form a group (TG).

[0080] The conductive pattern of the conductive pattern layer (430) may have a structure in which groups (TG) of trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) and columns (Cj) of touch electrodes (TE) are alternately arranged along the x-direction in the display area (DA). The number of trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) placed in each group (TG) may be equal to the number of touch electrodes (TE) placed in the j-th column (Cj) and may be equal to the number of rows (N) of touch electrodes (TE). The trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) of each group (TG) may extend toward a touch pad (TPD) placed in the non-display area (NDA).

[0081] Trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) placed on one side of column j (Cj) can each be electrically connected to touch electrodes (TE) arranged in column j (Cj). In column j (Cj), a touch electrode (TE) placed in row i (Ri, i=1, 2, 3, 4) can be electrically connected to the i-th trace line (TLi) through a bridge line (BL). In column j (Cj), a touch electrode (TE) placed in row 1 (R1) can be electrically connected to the first trace line (TL1) through a bridge line (BL), and a touch electrode (TE) placed in row 2 (R2) can be electrically connected to the second trace line (TL2) through a bridge line (BL). Likewise, the touch electrode (TE) of the third row (R3) and the j-th column (Cj) can be electrically connected to the third trace line (TL3) of the group (TG) adjacent to the j-th column (Cj), and the touch electrode (TE) of the fourth row (R4) and the j-th column (Cj) can be electrically connected to the fourth trace line (TL4) of the group (TG) adjacent to the j-th column (Cj).

[0082] Trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) and touch electrodes (TE) can be electrically connected by a bridge line (BL). The bridge line (BL) is formed on the same layer as the touch electrodes (TE) and trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) and may contain the same material. For example, the bridge lines (BL), touch electrodes (TE), and trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) may be placed on the first insulating layer (410, FIG. 3) described with reference to FIG. 3 described above, and may be covered by a second insulating layer (430, FIG. 3). The bridge lines (BL), touch electrodes (TE), and trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) may contain molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), etc. In one embodiment, the bridge lines (BL), touch electrodes (TE) and trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) may include a three-layer structure of Ti / Al / Ti.

[0083] The bridge line (BL) may be extended along a direction that intersects the trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4), such as the x-direction. Some of the trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) may include portions spaced apart from each other with respect to the bridge line (BL).

[0084] Among the trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) placed on one side of the j-th column (Cj), the i-th trace line (TLi, i=1, 2, 3, 4) can be electrically connected to the touch electrode (TE) placed in the i-th row (Ri) and the j-th column (Cj) through a bridge line (BL). At this time, other trace lines between the i-th trace line (TLi) and the touch electrode (TE) (e.g., the i+1 to n-th trace lines) may include portions spaced apart from each other along the y-direction centered on the bridge line (BL) connected to the i-th trace line (TLi).

[0085] In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 6, the first trace line (TL1) can be electrically connected to the touch electrode (TE) of the first row (R1) and the j-th column (Cj) through a bridge line (BL). As previously described, since the first trace line (TL1), the bridge line (BL), and the touch electrode (TE) are formed on the same layer, the bridge line (BL) connected to the first trace line (TL1) must be electrically insulated from other trace lines. To this end, the trace lines between the first trace line (TL1) and the touch electrode (TE), such as the second to fourth trace lines (TL2, TL3, TL4), may include a plurality of separated portions. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the second to fourth trace lines (TL2, TL3, TL4) may each include a main part (or first part, TL2-m, TL3-m, TL4-m) and a dummy part (or second part, TL2-d, TL3-d, TL4-d), and the main part (TL2-m, TL3-m, TL4-m) may be electrically connected to a touchpad (TPD) as shown in FIG. 5.

[0086] The conductive pattern of the display area (DA) described with reference to FIG. 5 may include touch pattern unit blocks (TUBq, q=1, 2, 3, 4) arranged repeatedly along the i-th row (Ri) as shown in FIG. 7. The touch pattern unit block (TUBq) is a virtual unit block having a predetermined size (area) that includes at least a part of the touch electrode (TE) and a part of the trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4), and may correspond to the minimum repeating unit along the x-direction, which is the row direction.

[0087] The conductive pattern of the conductive pattern layer (430) includes a structure in which touch pattern unit blocks (TUBq, q=1, 2, 3, 4) are repeatedly arranged along the x-direction. For example, the conductive pattern may include a structure in which first touch pattern unit blocks (TUB1) are repeatedly arranged along the x-direction, a structure in which second touch pattern unit blocks (TUB2) are repeatedly arranged along the x-direction, a structure in which third touch pattern unit blocks (TUB3) are repeatedly arranged along the x-direction, and a structure in which fourth touch pattern unit blocks (TUB4) are repeatedly arranged along the x-direction.

[0088] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the position of the bridge line (BL) connecting the touch electrode (TE) and the trace line included in any one of the adjacent first touch pattern unit blocks (TUB1) may be the same as the position of the bridge line (BL) connecting the touch electrode (TE) and the trace line included in another of the adjacent first touch pattern unit blocks (TUB1). For example, the position, length, and connection point, etc., of the bridge line (BL) included in any one of the first touch pattern unit blocks (TUB1) may be the same as the position, length, and connection point, etc., of the bridge line (BL) included in the first touch pattern unit block (TUB1) of the other adjacent first touch pattern unit block (TUB1). A touch electrode (TE) included in one first touch pattern unit block (TUB1) and a touch electrode (TE) included in another first touch pattern unit block (TUB1) are arranged in the same row, but are electrically connected to the first trace lines (TL1) of different groups (TG).

[0089] A touch pattern unit block (TUBq) may correspond to the minimum unit of image capture for defect inspection of a conductive pattern. Defects in a conductive pattern located in a display area (DA) can be detected by capturing images corresponding to a touch pattern unit block (TUBi) by area and comparing the images, wherein the minimum unit of image capture for defect inspection may correspond to a touch pattern unit block (TUBi).

[0090] A touch pattern unit block (TUBq) does not have the same structure as other touch pattern unit blocks arranged along the y-direction. For example, any one of the first to fourth touch pattern unit blocks (TUB1, TUB2, TUB3, TUB4) may have a structure different from the others. For example, the connection point, length, and shape of the bridge line (BL) of the first touch pattern unit block (TUB1) may differ from the connection point, length, and shape of the bridge line (BL) of each of the second to fourth touch pattern unit blocks (TUB2, TUB3, TUB4). Therefore, the aforementioned defect inspection can be performed along the x-direction, but it is difficult to perform it along the y-direction.

[0091] FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a conductive pattern layer of a touch sensing layer of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 8, the conductive pattern of the conductive pattern layer (430) may have a structure in which the first to fourth touch pattern unit blocks (TUB1, TUB2, TUB3, TUB4) are repeatedly arranged along the x-direction, as previously explained with reference to FIG. 5 to 7. However, the conductive pattern layer (430) of FIG. 8 differs in that the touch pattern unit blocks (TUBq, q=1,2,3,4) further include a dummy meter electrode (DTE). Since other features are as previously explained, the following description will focus on the differences.

[0093] A touch pattern unit block (TUBq, q=1,2,3,4) may include a portion of trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4), a bridge line (BL), at least a portion of a touch electrode (TE), and a dummy meter electrode (DTE). Each dummy meter electrode (DTE) is separated and spaced apart from the touch electrode (TE) and may be positioned on opposite sides of the trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) with the touch electrode (TE) in between.

[0094] FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view showing one of the touch repetition pattern blocks provided in the conductive pattern of an input sensing layer according to an embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 9 is described with reference to the third touch pattern unit block (TUB3) of FIG. 5.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 9, the touch pattern unit block may have a size corresponding to an integer multiple of the pixel unit block (PUB). In other words, the touch pattern unit block may include K rows and L columns of pixel unit blocks (PUBs). Here, K is a natural number representing the number of rows of pixel unit blocks included in the touch pattern unit block, and L is a natural number representing the number of columns of pixel unit blocks included in the touch pattern unit block. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 9 illustrates that the third touch pattern unit block (TUB3) includes 3 x 4 pixel unit blocks (PUBs), but the present invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, K and L may be natural numbers corresponding to tens to hundreds.

[0096] As a comparative example of the present invention, if the touch pattern unit block, such as the third touch pattern unit block (TUB3), does not have a size corresponding to an integer multiple of the pixel unit block (PUB), the arrangement of subpixels differs for each touch pattern unit block, and thus distortion may occur in the image taken for defect inspection of the conductive pattern as described above. However, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the touch pattern unit block has a size corresponding to an integer multiple of the pixel unit block (PUB), so the arrangement of subpixels of each touch pattern unit block is identical, and thus the precision of defect inspection can be improved.

[0097] A touch pattern unit block may include a portion of trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4). In this regard, FIG. 9 illustrates that a portion of trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) exists within the boundary of a third touch pattern unit block (TUB3). A portion of trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) may be located in some pixel unit blocks (PUBs) of KXL. In this regard, FIG. 9 illustrates that a portion of trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) is located in an area corresponding to the pixel unit blocks (PUBs) of the first column.

[0098] Trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) may each include a metal line (ML, hereinafter referred to as the first metal line) extended along the y-direction while being spaced apart from each other. Each of the first metal lines (ML) may be aligned between subpixels (B, G, R).

[0099] Each of the first metal lines (ML) shown in FIG. 9 may correspond to the first to fourth trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4). The first metal lines (ML) corresponding to the first to fourth trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) may be extended along the y-direction with a zigzag configuration as shown in FIG. 9. In other words, each of the first to fourth trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) may be extended along the y-direction with a zigzag configuration.

[0100] The first metal lines (ML) corresponding to the first to fourth trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) are not located within the boundary of any one touch pattern unit block (e.g., TUB3), but can be continuously extended along the y-direction toward adjacent touch pattern unit blocks (e.g., TUB1, TUB2, TUB4), and the specific structure is as described above with reference to FIG. 5.

[0101] While the first metal lines (ML) are each extended along the y-direction while being electrically and structurally separated from one another, the metal line (ML', hereinafter referred to as the second metal line) corresponding to the touch electrode (TE) is extended along the y-direction but is electrically and structurally connected to form the touch electrode (TE). Since the second metal lines (ML') are connected to each other in region "A", the second metal lines (ML') corresponding to the touch electrode (TE) can be electrically integrated.

[0102] A touch electrode (TE) can be electrically connected to a trace line through a bridge line (BL). In this regard, FIG. 9 illustrates that the bridge line (BL) includes bridge metal lines (BL1, BL2).

[0103] Bridge metal lines (BL1, BL2) can connect the third trace line (TL3) and the second metal line (ML') corresponding to the touch electrode (TE), and can be formed integrally with them. As previously explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the trace line between the third trace line (TL3) and the touch electrode (TE), such as the fourth trace line (TL4), may include a main part (TL4-m) and a dummy part (TL4-d) spaced apart from each other with respect to the bridge line (BL).

[0104] Spacers (191) are placed in the display area (DA). The spacers (191) can be placed at a specific location within the boundary of a touch pattern unit block, for example, a third touch pattern unit block (TUB3) as shown in FIG. 9.

[0105] At least one spacer (191) may overlap with a trace line. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the spacer (191) may overlap with two first metal lines (ML) corresponding to the second and third trace lines (TL2, TL3). Another spacer (191) may overlap with at least one of the second metal lines (ML') forming the touch electrode (TE).

[0106] The number of metal lines extended along the y-direction in a touch pattern unit block, such as first and second metal lines (ML, ML'), may correspond to the product of "the number of metal lines passing through one pixel unit block (PUB)" and the aforementioned L. In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 9, there are 4 metal lines (ML or ML') passing through one pixel unit block (PUB), and since 3 x 4 pixel unit blocks (PUB) are arranged within the third touch pattern unit block (TUB3), the number of metal lines extended along the y-direction in the third touch pattern unit block (TUB3) may be 16.

[0107] FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view showing one of the touch repetition pattern blocks provided in the conductive pattern of an input sensing layer according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is described as an enlarged view of the third touch pattern unit block (TUB3) for convenience of explanation.

[0108] FIG. 10 is the same as described above with reference to FIG. 9, except that the touch pattern unit block, e.g., the third touch pattern unit block (TUB3), includes a dermis electrode (DTE), and the following description focuses on the differences.

[0109] The dummy meter electrode (DTE) may include at least one metal line (hereinafter referred to as a dummy metal line, DML), and in one embodiment, FIG. 10 illustrates two dummy metal lines (DML). The dummy metal lines (DML) of the dummy meter electrode (DTE) are not electrically and structurally connected to the second metal line (ML') of the touch electrode (TE). For example, the dummy metal lines (DML) of the dummy meter electrode (DTE) may be spaced apart from the second metal line (ML') of the touch electrode (TE).

[0110] The width of the dummy meter electrode (DTE) (e.g., width along the x-direction, W1) may be smaller than the width of the pixel unit block (PUB) (e.g., width along the x-direction, W2). In some embodiments, the number of dummy metal lines (DML) of the dummy meter electrode (DTE) may be smaller than the number of metal lines (ML or ML') passing through the pixel unit block (PUB). In this regard, FIG. 9 illustrates that there are four metal lines (ML or ML') passing through the pixel unit block (PUB) and the dummy meter electrode (DTE) includes two dummy metal lines (DML).

[0111] FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing a conductive pattern layer of a touch sensing layer of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a touch pattern unit block of the conductive pattern layer shown in FIG. 11.

[0112] Although FIGS. 5 to 10 illustrate that the touch electrode (TE) has a rectangular shape including straight edges and the touch pattern unit block (TUBq, q=1,2,3,4) includes a single touch electrode (TE), the present invention is not limited thereto. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the touch electrode (TE) may have a polygonal shape with zigzag edges, and the touch pattern unit block (TUBq') may include parts of two adjacent touch electrodes (TE). Since other features, excluding the aforementioned features, are as described above with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, the following description will focus on the differences.

[0113] A touch electrode (TE) may include a protruding portion and a concave portion along one direction (e.g., the y-direction) by a zigzag edge. The protruding portion of one of two adjacent touch electrodes (TE) along the y-direction may be positioned to correspond to the concave portion of the other touch electrode (TE). In this way, two adjacent touch electrodes (TE) may be arranged to have an interspersed structure.

[0114] The touch electrodes (TE) are arranged in a matrix form consisting of N rows and M columns, and as described above, they may have a structure in which adjacent touch electrodes (TE) interlock along the y-direction. For convenience of explanation, the arrangement of the touch electrodes (TE) in FIG. 10 is described below as being arranged to form 4 rows and 4 columns, but N and M may be natural numbers corresponding to tens to hundreds. When the touch electrodes (TE) have the aforementioned zigzag edges, the touch electrodes (TE) in the first row (R1) and the fourth row (R4) may have a shape and / or size corresponding to half that of the touch electrodes (TE) in the second row (R2) and the third row (R3).

[0115] As previously explained with reference to FIG. 5, trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) extended along the y-direction can be arranged on one side of the j-th row (Cj, j=1, 2, 3, 4) of touch electrodes (TE).

[0116] As illustrated in FIG. 12, any one touch pattern unit block (TUBq', q'=1,2,3) may include a portion of two adjacent touch electrodes (TE). For example, the touch pattern unit block (TUBq', q'=1,2,3) may include a portion of the touch electrode (TE) of the i-th row (Ri) and a portion of the touch electrode (TE) of the i+1-th row (Ri+1). For example, the first touch pattern unit block (TUB1') may include a portion of the touch electrode (TE) of the first row (R1) and a portion of the touch electrode (TE) of the second row (R2). The second touch pattern unit block (TUB2') may include a portion of the touch electrode (TE) of the second row (R2) and a portion of the touch electrode (TE) of the third row (R3). The third touch pattern unit block (TUB3') may include a part of the touch electrode (TE) of the third row (R3) and the touch electrode (TE) of the fourth row (R4).

[0117] As previously explained, the conductive pattern of the conductive pattern layer (430) may include a structure in which touch pattern unit blocks (TUBq', q'=1,2,3) are repeatedly arranged along the x-direction. As shown in FIG. 12, the conductive pattern may have a structure in which first touch pattern unit blocks (TUB1') are repeatedly arranged along the x-direction, a structure in which second touch pattern unit blocks (TUB2') are repeatedly arranged along the x-direction, and a structure in which third touch pattern unit blocks (TUB3') are repeatedly arranged along the x-direction.

[0118] As previously explained, a group (TG) containing trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) electrically connected to the corresponding column is arranged on one side of the j-th column (Cj, j=1, 2, 3, 4) of touch electrodes (TE). Accordingly, the position of the bridge line (BL) connecting the touch electrode (TE) included in any one of the adjacent first touch pattern unit blocks (TUB1') to the trace line may be the same as the position of the bridge line (BL) connecting the touch electrode (TE) included in another of the adjacent first touch pattern unit blocks (TUB1') to the trace line. At this time, as previously explained, the touch electrodes (TE) included in each of the first touch pattern unit blocks (TUB1') are arranged in the same row but are connected to different trace lines.

[0119] FIGS. 13 and 14 are enlarged plan views showing one of the touch repetition pattern blocks provided in the conductive pattern of an input sensing layer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 13 and 14 are described with reference to the second touch pattern unit block (TUB2') of FIG. 12 for convenience of explanation.

[0120] Referring to FIG. 13, a touch pattern unit block, such as a second touch pattern unit block (TUB2'), may have a size corresponding to an integer multiple of a pixel unit block (PUB). For example, a touch pattern unit block (TUBi) may include KXL pixel unit blocks (PUB). Here, K represents the number of rows of pixel unit blocks included in the touch pattern unit block and is a natural number, and L represents the number of columns of pixel unit blocks included in the touch pattern unit block and is a natural number. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 13 illustrates that the second touch pattern unit block (TUB2') includes 3 x 4 pixel unit blocks (PUB), similar to FIG. 9, but the present invention is not limited thereto. K and L may be natural numbers corresponding to tens to hundreds.

[0121] A touch pattern unit block may include a portion of trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4). In this regard, FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate that a portion of trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) exists within the boundary of a second touch pattern unit block (TUB2'). A portion of trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) may be located in some pixel unit blocks (PUBs) of KXL. In this regard, FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate that a portion of trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) is located in an area corresponding to the pixel unit blocks (PUBs) of the first column.

[0122] Each of the trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) may include a first metal line (ML) extended along the y-direction while spaced apart from one another. Each of the first metal lines (ML) may correspond to the first to fourth trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4) and may be extended along the y-direction while having a zigzag shape, as previously described.

[0123] While the first metal lines (ML) are each extended along the y-direction while being electrically and structurally separated from one another, the metal lines (ML', ML") corresponding to the touch electrode (TE) can be electrically and structurally connected.

[0124] Since the second touch pattern unit block (TUB2') includes parts of two separated touch electrodes (TE), the second metal lines (ML') corresponding to one touch electrode (TE) placed in the second touch pattern unit block (TUB2') and the metal lines (ML", hereinafter referred to as the third metal lines) corresponding to the other touch electrode (TE) may be spaced apart from each other. The second metal lines (ML') are connected to each other, and the third metal lines (ML") are also connected to each other, but the second metal lines (ML') and the third metal lines (ML") may be spaced apart and separated from each other.

[0125] Any one of the touch electrodes (TE) of the second touch pattern unit block (TUB2') in FIG. 13 can be connected to the third trace line (TL3) through the bridge line (BL). As previously explained, the trace line existing between the third trace line (TL3) and the corresponding touch electrode (TE), such as the fourth trace line (TL4), may include a main part (TL4-m) and a dummy part (TL4-d) spaced apart from each other with respect to the bridge line (BL).

[0126] FIG. 13 illustrates a touch pattern unit block, such as a second touch pattern unit block (TUB2'), comprising a portion of touch electrodes (TE), a bridge line (BL), and a portion of the first to fourth trace lines (TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4), but the present invention is not limited thereto. The touch pattern unit block may include a dummy meter electrode (DTE). In this regard, FIG. 14 illustrates that the second touch pattern unit block (TUB2') comprises a portion of the dummy meter electrode (DTE).

[0127] A dummy meter electrode (DTE) may include at least one dummy metal line (DML). The number of dummy metal lines (DML) included in any one dummy meter electrode (DTE) may be smaller than the number of metal lines (ML or ML') passing through a pixel unit block (PUB). In this regard, FIG. 14 illustrates two dummy metal lines (DML).

[0128] The dummy metal line (DML) of the dummy meter electrode (DTE) is not electrically and structurally connected to the second metal line (ML') and the third metal line (ML") of the touch electrode (TE), respectively. For example, the dummy metal line (DML) of the dummy meter electrode (DTE) may be spaced apart from the second metal line (ML') of the touch electrode (TE).

[0129] As such, the present invention has been described with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the drawings, but this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and variations of the embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0130] 100: Substrate 191, 192: Spacer 200: Display panel 300: Encapsulation member 400: Touch electrode part 410; First touch electrode 412; First connecting line 420: Second touch electrode 422: Second connecting line R, G, B: First to third pixels TUBq(q=1, 2, 3, 4): Touch pattern unit block PUB: Pixel unit block

Claims

Claim 1 A touch sensing layer comprising: a display area in which red, green, and blue subpixels are arranged; a plurality of touch electrodes arranged along the row direction and column direction in the display area; and a plurality of trace lines electrically connected to the plurality of touch electrodes and extended along the column direction in the display area; wherein the conductive pattern of the touch sensing layer comprises a structure in which a touch pattern unit block, comprising a portion of the plurality of trace lines and at least a portion of one of the plurality of touch electrodes, is repeated along the row direction, wherein the touch pattern unit block has a size corresponding to an integer multiple of the size of a pixel unit block, which is the minimum repeating unit of the red, green, and blue subpixels, and a first trace line, which is one of the plurality of trace lines, is electrically connected to one of the touch electrodes of the touch pattern unit block through a bridge line, and at least one trace line among the plurality of trace lines located between the first trace line and one of the touch electrodes is a main portion electrically connected to a touch pad; A display device comprising: a dummy portion separated from the main portion by the bridge line. Claim 2 A display device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of spacers spaced apart from each other in the display area. Claim 3 In paragraph 2, a display device wherein at least one of the plurality of spacers overlaps with at least one of the plurality of trace lines. Claim 4 A display device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of touch electrodes has a polygonal shape. Claim 5 A display device according to claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of touch electrodes includes a zigzag-shaped edge, and the touch pattern unit block includes parts of two adjacent touch electrodes. Claim 6 delete Claim 7 A display device according to claim 1, further comprising dummy meter electrodes disposed adjacent to each of the plurality of touch electrodes. Claim 8 A display device according to claim 7, wherein the width of each of the above-mentioned dummy meter electrodes is smaller than the width of the above-mentioned pixel unit block. Claim 9 A display device according to claim 1, wherein the touch pattern unit block comprises pixel unit blocks of K rows and L columns (wherein K and L are natural numbers), and a portion of the plurality of trace lines corresponds to pixel unit blocks corresponding to any one of the L columns of the pixel unit blocks. Claim 10 A display device according to claim 9, wherein a portion of the plurality of trace lines comprises a plurality of mutually spaced first metal lines, and each of the plurality of first metal lines is aligned between subpixels existing in pixel unit blocks corresponding to any one of the columns. Claim 11 A display device according to claim 9, wherein at least a portion of any one of the touch electrodes includes a plurality of second metal lines connected to each other, corresponding to a pixel unit block of row a and column b, which is a portion of the pixel unit blocks of row K and column L (where a is a natural number smaller than K and b is a natural number smaller than L). Claim 12 A display area in which red, green, and blue subpixels are arranged; a plurality of spacers arranged in the display area; an encapsulation layer disposed on the subpixels and the spacers; a conductive pattern layer disposed on the encapsulation layer and having a conductive pattern comprising a plurality of touch electrodes arranged along the row direction and column direction in the display area, and a plurality of trace lines electrically connected to the plurality of touch electrodes and extended along the column direction in the display area; and a first insulating layer below the conductive pattern layer and on the encapsulation layer. A display device comprising: a second insulating layer on the conductive pattern layer; wherein the conductive pattern of the conductive pattern layer comprises a structure in which a touch pattern unit block, comprising a portion of the plurality of trace lines and at least a portion of one of the plurality of touch electrodes, is repeated along the row direction in the display area, and the touch electrodes arranged along the row direction among the plurality of touch electrodes are each electrically connected to different trace lines, and the touch pattern unit block has a size corresponding to an integer multiple of the size of the pixel unit block, which is the minimum repeating unit of the red, green, and blue subpixels, and a first trace line, which is one of the plurality of trace lines, is electrically connected to one of the touch electrodes of the touch pattern unit block through a bridge line, and at least one trace line among the plurality of trace lines located between the first trace line and one of the touch electrodes comprises a main portion electrically connected to a touch pad; and a dummy portion separated from the main portion by the bridge line. Claim 13 In claim 12, a display device wherein at least one of the plurality of spacers overlaps with at least one of the plurality of trace lines. Claim 14 In claim 12, a display device wherein each of the plurality of touch electrodes has a polygonal shape. Claim 15 A display device according to claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of touch electrodes includes a zigzag-shaped edge, and the touch pattern unit block includes parts of two adjacent touch electrodes. Claim 16 delete Claim 17 A display device according to claim 12, further comprising dummy meter electrodes disposed adjacent to each of the plurality of touch electrodes, wherein the touch pattern unit block comprises at least a portion of any one of the dummy meter electrodes. Claim 18 A display device according to claim 17, wherein the width of any one of the above-mentioned dummy meter electrodes is smaller than the width of the above-mentioned pixel unit block. Claim 19 A display device according to claim 12, wherein the touch pattern unit block comprises pixel unit blocks of K rows and L columns (wherein K and L are natural numbers), and a portion of the plurality of trace lines corresponds to pixel unit blocks corresponding to any one of the L columns of the pixel unit blocks and comprises a plurality of mutually spaced first metal lines. Claim 20 A display device according to claim 19, wherein each of the plurality of first metal lines is aligned between subpixels existing in pixel unit blocks corresponding to any one of the columns.

Images