Display device and electronic device including the same

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a display device comprises: a lower substrate including a first region and a second region surrounding the first region; an upper substrate; and a display layer including a plurality of display elements interposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate and disposed in the second region, wherein the refractive index of the lower substrate may be 1.6 or higher. Various other embodiments are possible.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a display device and an electronic device including the same. Background Technology

[0002] Display devices are widely utilized in various fields. Electronic devices including such display devices can provide multiple functions in combination by being equipped with various types of components, such as camera modules.

[0003] For example, in order to provide the function of a component by integrating it with a display device, an electronic device may have an area corresponding to the component within the display area of ​​the display device. The problem to be solved

[0004] As the display area on a display device gradually expands, specific areas required for the functional implementation of a camera or sensor mounted on the display device (e.g., hole area or blank area) may be formed by being located inside the display area and surrounded by pixels, unlike in the past when they were placed on top of the non-display area, which is the bezel area. For example, pixels or wiring may not be placed in the blank area to implement the functional implementation of the camera or sensor. Accordingly, pixels for outputting image data may not be placed in the area adjacent to the blank area. Due to the dense arrangement structure of wiring for applying driving signals to pixels placed in the area adjacent to the blank area, a dead space (DS) (e.g., black area) may be excessively formed, which may impair the aesthetic appeal.

[0005] Various embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a display device that maximizes the display occupancy area of ​​a display device and an electronic device including the same. means of solving the problem

[0006] According to various embodiments of the present invention, a display device comprises: a lower substrate including a first region and a second region surrounding the first region; an upper substrate; and a display layer including a plurality of display elements interposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate and disposed in the second region, wherein the refractive index of the lower substrate may be 1.6 or higher.

[0007] The above lower substrate may be formed of a compound comprising at least one of TiO2 or BaO.

[0008] The refractive index of the upper substrate may be 1.6 or higher.

[0009] The lower substrate may include a concave surface corresponding to the first region.

[0010] According to various embodiments of the present invention, a display device comprises: a lower substrate including a first region and a second region surrounding the first region; an upper substrate overlapping the lower substrate; and a display layer including a plurality of display elements interposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate and disposed in the second region, wherein adjacent first and second display elements among the plurality of display elements are spaced apart from each other with the first region in between, and the lower substrate may include at least one of TiO2 or BaO.

[0011] The lower substrate may be formed from a compound comprising at least one of TiO2 or BaO; and at least one of SiO2, MgO, CaO, or ZnO.

[0012] The upper substrate may include at least one of TiO2 or BaO.

[0013] The upper substrate further includes a window covering the upper substrate, and the lower substrate may have a refractive index greater than that of the window.

[0014] Between the window and the upper substrate, the apparatus further includes an adhesive member that bonds the window and the upper substrate, and the refractive index of the lower substrate may be greater than the refractive index of the adhesive member.

[0015] Between the window and the upper substrate, the apparatus further includes an adhesive member for bonding the window and the upper substrate, and the refractive index of the adhesive member and the upper substrate may be greater than the refractive index of the window.

[0016] The device further comprises a touch circuit layer disposed on the upper substrate; and an optical functional layer disposed on the touch circuit layer, wherein at least one of the touch circuit layer or the optical functional layer comprises a hole corresponding to the first region, and the width of the hole may be greater than the width of the first region.

[0017] The lower substrate may include a concave surface corresponding to the first region.

[0018] At least one of the lower substrate or the upper substrate may have a refractive index of 1.6 or higher.

[0019] According to various embodiments of the present invention, an electronic device comprises: a housing including a first surface and a second surface facing in a direction opposite to the first surface; a display device disposed between the first surface and the second surface and exposed through at least a portion of the first surface; and a component disposed between the display device and the second surface, wherein the display device comprises a lower substrate having a refractive index of 1.6 or higher, a first region and a second region surrounding the first region; an upper substrate overlapping the lower substrate; and a display layer interposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate and comprising a plurality of display elements disposed in the second region, wherein adjacent first and second display elements among the plurality of display elements are spaced apart from each other with the first region in between, and the component may be disposed corresponding to the first region.

[0020] The above lower substrate may be formed of a compound comprising at least one of TiO2 or BaO.

[0021] The upper substrate and the lower substrate may be formed from a compound comprising at least one of TiO2 or BaO; and at least one of SiO2, MgO, CaO, or ZnO.

[0022] The device further comprises a touch circuit layer disposed between the first surface and the upper substrate; and an optical functional layer disposed between the first surface and the touch circuit layer, wherein at least one of the touch circuit layer or the optical functional layer includes a hole corresponding to the first region, and the width of the hole may be greater than the width of the first region.

[0023] The device further includes an adhesive member interposed between the housing and the display device, wherein the adhesive member may have a refractive index of 1.6 or higher.

[0024] The lower substrate may include a concave surface corresponding to the first region.

[0025] The above component may be a camera module including a wide-angle lens. Effects of the invention

[0026] According to various embodiments of the present invention, a display device with a maximized display area can be provided. Additionally, an electronic device with a slimmer form factor can be provided. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2a is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4a is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4b is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel circuit (PC) included in a display device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5a to 5c are cross-sectional views of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6a is a schematic plan view illustrating a touch circuit layer according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional view of a touch circuit layer according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] In the following examples, terms such as first, second, etc. are used not in a limiting sense, but for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

[0031] In the following examples, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] In the following embodiments, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis are not limited to three axes in an orthogonal coordinate system and can be interpreted in a broader sense that includes them. For example, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis may be orthogonal to each other, but they may also refer to different directions that are not orthogonal to each other.

[0038] In this specification, "A and / or B" indicates the case where it is A, B, or both A and B.

[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device (1) according to one embodiment may include a housing (60) and a display device (10) disposed inside the housing (60).

[0041] The housing (60) may include a first surface, a second surface facing in the opposite direction to the first surface, and a side surface surrounding the space between the first surface and the second surface. A display device (10) may be placed in the space between the first surface and the second surface of the housing (60).

[0042] The display device (10) can be visible from the outside through at least one side of the housing (60). For example, the display device (10) can be exposed to the outside through at least a portion of the first side of the housing (60). To this end, the first side of the housing (60) may include an optically transparent window. For example, the display device (10) may be covered by a window that is part of the housing (60).

[0043] The display device (10) may include a first region (OA) and a second region (DA) surrounding the first region (OA). The second region (DA) may include a region that provides a predetermined image using light emitted from display elements.

[0044] The first region (OA) may correspond to the area where the component described later in FIG. 2a is placed. For example, the first region (OA) may be an area corresponding to a hole formed in at least one component included in the display device (10). The first region (OA) may be a transmission area through which light emitted from the component is transmitted.

[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates that the first area (OA) is positioned on one side (upper left) of the electronic device (1), which is substantially rectangular in shape, but is not limited thereto. For example, the shape of the electronic device (1) and the display device (10) may be circular, elliptical, or polygonal, and the first area (OA) may also be positioned in various locations and in various numbers and shapes.

[0046] In the following description, the display device (10) included in the electronic device (1) is described as an example of an organic light-emitting display device, but the display device (10) according to various embodiments of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as other embodiments, the display device (10) may include an inorganic light-emitting display and a quantum dot light-emitting display.

[0047] FIGS. 2a and 2b are schematic cross-sectional views of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention. For example, FIGS. 2a and 2b may correspond to a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting FIG. 1 in the direction II'.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the electronic device (1) may include a display device (10), a component (20), an adhesive member (55), and a housing.

[0049] The housing may include a first surface (60A) facing in a first direction (e.g., +z-axis direction) and a second surface (60B) facing in a direction opposite to the first direction (e.g., -z-axis direction). The housing may include a substantially transparent window on at least one surface. For example, the first surface (60A) of the housing covering the display device (10) may include a window.

[0050] The display device (10) may be placed in the space between the first surface (60A) and the second surface (60B) of the housing. The component (20) may be placed between the display device (10) and the second surface (60B) of the housing. For example, the component (20) may be placed at a position corresponding to the first area (OA) of the display device (10).

[0051] The component (20) may include an electronic element that uses light. For example, the component (20) may include a device that uses light of various wavelength bands, such as visible light, infrared light, and ultraviolet light. For example, the component (20) may include a camera module that acquires image information using light from the outside. According to one embodiment, the component (20) may include a camera module that includes a wide-angle lens with a field of view range of 60˚ to 80˚.

[0052] The adhesive member (55) may include any one of an optical clear adhesive (OCA), an optical clear resin (OCR), or an optical clear film (OCF). In FIGS. 2a and 2b, the adhesive member (55) is shown positioned between the optical functional layer (50) and the first surface (60A) of the housing, but is not limited thereto. For example, the adhesive member (55) may be positioned at least between components (e.g., a display device (10), a touch circuit layer (40), and / or an optical functional layer (50)) positioned inside the housing of the electronic device (1). For example, the adhesive member (55) may be further positioned between any one of the components and the one surface of the housing (the first surface (60A) or the second surface (60B)) so that they are bonded to each other.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (1) may further include a touch circuit layer (40) and / or an optical function layer (50) interposed between a first surface (60A) and a second surface (60B) of the housing.

[0054] The touch circuit layer (40) can acquire coordinate information based on an external input (e.g., a touch event). For example, the touch circuit layer (40) can detect external input using a mutual capping method or / and a self capping method. The touch circuit layer (40) may be formed directly on the display device (10) as a whole with the display device (10), or may be formed on a separate substrate from the display device (10) and then combined with the display device (10) through an adhesive member.

[0055] The optical functional layer (50) may include an anti-reflection layer. The anti-reflection layer may reduce the reflectivity of light incident from the outside toward the display device (10) through the first surface (60A) of the housing. According to one embodiment, the anti-reflection layer may include a phase retarder and a polarizer. In another embodiment, the optical functional layer (50) may include a lens layer. The lens layer may include a layer having a concave or convex lens shape or a plurality of layers with different refractive indices to improve the light emission efficiency of light emitted from the display device (10) or to minimize color deviation.

[0056] FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate a structure in which a touch circuit layer (40) is interposed between an optical functional layer (50) and a display device (10), but the arrangement order of the touch circuit layer (40) and the optical functional layer (50) is not limited thereto. For example, as another embodiment, the touch circuit layer (40) may be placed on the optical functional layer (50), and the optical functional layer (50) may be placed below the display device (10). For example, the touch circuit layer (40) and / or the optical functional layer (50) may be a component of the display device (10), or as another example, a component separate from the display device (10).

[0057] The first region (OA) may have a relatively higher transmittance than other regions so that light output from the component (20) is emitted to the outside or light from the outside is incident on the component (20).

[0058] For example, the touch circuit layer (40) and / or the optical function layer (50) may include a hole corresponding to the first region (OA). For example, the touch circuit layer (40) may include a first hole (40H), and the optical function layer (50) may include a second hole (50H). The first hole (40H) and the second hole (50H) may overlap each other.

[0059] According to various embodiments, the width of a hole included in a specific component positioned at the top (e.g., in the +z-axis direction) of the electronic device (1) may be larger than the width of a hole included in another component positioned relatively at the bottom.

[0060] For example, the width of the first region (OA) of the display device (10) may be greater than the width (W0) of the component (20). For example, if the component (20) is a camera module including a wide-angle lens, the width of the first region (OA) may be greater than the width of the wide-angle lens of the component (20). Additionally, the width (W40) of the first hole (40H) included in the touch circuit layer (40) and / or the width (W50) of the second hole (50H) included in the optical function layer (50) may each be greater than the width (W0) of the component (20).

[0061] An electronic device (1) according to one embodiment may further include a shielding member (65) formed on a first surface (60A) of a housing as shown in FIG. 2a.

[0062] The shielding member (65) is configured to prevent circuits or components placed around the first area (OA) from being visible from the outside, and may include a black matrix, black pigment, metallic material, etc. The shielding member (65) may be formed in a part of the housing. For example, the shielding member (65) may be located on the lower surface where the first surface (60A) of the housing faces the display device (10). The shielding member (65) is positioned to cover the first area (OA) in correspondence with the first area (OA), and may include a third hole (65H) in the center of the first area (OA) so that light incident on the component (20) through the first area (OA) can pass through. The width (W65) of the third hole (65H) may be larger than the width (WO) of the component (20). For example, the width (W65) of the third hole (65H) of the shielding member (65) may be smaller than the width of the first area (OA), the width (W40) of the first hole (40H) of the touch circuit layer (40), or the width (W50) of the second hole (50H) of the optical function layer (50).

[0063] An electronic device (1) according to another embodiment may not include a shielding member (65) corresponding to the first region (OA), as shown in FIG. 2b.

[0064] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention. For example, FIG. 3 may be an enlarged view of a display device (10) in an electronic device (1) along the line I-I' of FIG. 1.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 3, the display device (10) may include a lower substrate (100), an upper substrate (200) facing the lower substrate (100), and a display layer (300) interposed between them.

[0066] A sealant (540) covering the side of the display layer (300) can be placed between the lower substrate (100) and the upper substrate (200).

[0067] The lower substrate (100) and the upper substrate (200) may include at least one of SiO2, MgO, CaO, or ZnO. For example, the lower substrate (100) and the upper substrate (200) may include glass with SiO2 as the main component. However, they are not necessarily limited thereto, and the lower substrate (100) and the upper substrate (200) may include a polymer resin. For example, the upper substrate (100) and the lower substrate (300) may have a multilayer structure including a layer containing a polymer resin and an inorganic layer.

[0068] The display layer (300) may include a plurality of pixels. The display layer (300) may include a display element layer (300A) comprising display elements disposed for each pixel, and a pixel circuit layer (300B) comprising a pixel circuit and an insulating layer disposed for each pixel. For example, each display element may include an organic light-emitting diode (OLED). Each display element may be located in a second region (DA).

[0069] The display layer (300) may include a through hole (300H) corresponding to a first region (OA). For example, light incident toward a component (20) placed below the lower substrate (100) corresponding to the first region (OA) may pass through the through hole (300H). The first region (OA) may be defined by the through hole (300H). For example, in a display device (10), the first region (OA) may correspond to the region where the through hole (300H) of the display layer (300) is formed.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 3, the lower substrate (100) and the upper substrate (200) may not have a separate through hole corresponding to the first region (OA).

[0071] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the lower substrate (100) may have a refractive index of 1.6 or higher. For example, the refractive index of the lower substrate (100) may be 1.6 or higher and 2.0 or lower.

[0072] For example, light incident on a component (20) passing through a display device (10) in which the refractive index of the lower substrate (100) is 1.6 or higher can be refracted at a relatively larger angle than light incident on a component (20) passing through a display device (10) in which the refractive index of the lower substrate (100) is less than 1.6. Accordingly, a display device (10) in which the lower substrate (100) has a refractive index of 1.6 or higher can form a first region (OA) with a relatively smaller width compared to a display device (10) in which the lower substrate (100) has a refractive index of less than 1.6, without degrading the performance of the component (20) (e.g., a camera module including a wide-angle lens) (e.g., without damaging the image obtained through the camera module). Accordingly, a display device (10) in which the ratio of the first region (OA) to the second region (DA) is reduced can be provided.

[0073] For example, if the lower substrate (100) of the display device (10) has a thickness of 250 μm and the component (20) placed below the display device (10) is a camera module including a wide-angle lens having a field of view of 77˚, the display device (10) having a lower substrate (100) with a refractive index of 1.7 may have a first region (OA) that is about 31.32 μm narrower in width than the display device (10) having a lower substrate (100) with a refractive index of 1.5.

[0074] A lower substrate (100) satisfying the above-described conditions may be formed from a compound comprising at least one of SiO2, MgO, CaO, or ZnO; and at least one of TiO2 or BaO. For example, an upper substrate (200) may comprise at least one of SiO2, MgO, CaO, or ZnO. In one embodiment, if the lower substrate (100) comprises at least one of TiO2 or BaO more than the upper substrate (200), the refractive index of the lower substrate (100) may be greater than that of the upper substrate (200).

[0075] For example, the refractive index of the lower substrate (100) may be greater than the refractive index of the first surface (60A) (e.g., window) of the housing included in the electronic device (e.g., electronic device (1) of FIG. 1) and the refractive index of the adhesive member (55).

[0076] According to another embodiment, the lower substrate (100) and the upper substrate (200) may each have a refractive index of 1.6 or higher. For example, the refractive index of the lower substrate (100) and the refractive index of the upper substrate (200) may each be 1.6 or higher and 2.0 or lower.

[0077] The lower substrate (100) and the upper substrate (200) of the display device (10) can cause light incident on a component (20) (e.g., camera module) passing through the display device (10) to be refracted more efficiently when their respective refractive indices are 1.6 or higher. Accordingly, the size and / or width of the first area (OA) can be reduced without damaging the image captured by the component (20) (e.g., camera module), and the ratio of the first area (OA) to the second area (DA) can be reduced. For example, a display device including a large area second area (e.g., display area) (DA) can be provided.

[0078] For example, in the case where the lower substrate (100) and the upper substrate (200) of the display device (10) each have a thickness of 250 μm and the component (20) placed below the display device (10) is a camera module including a wide-angle lens having a field of view of 77˚, the display device (10) having the lower substrate (100) and the upper substrate (200) with a refractive index of 1.7 may have a first region (OA) with a width of about 62.64 μm smaller than the display device (10) having the lower substrate (100) and the upper substrate (200) with a refractive index of 1.5.

[0079] The lower substrate (100) and the upper substrate (200) may comprise the same material. For example, the lower substrate (100) and the upper substrate (200) may each be formed of a compound comprising at least one of SiO2, MgO, CaO, or ZnO; and at least one of TiO2 or BaO.

[0080] A touch circuit layer (40), an optical functional layer (50), an adhesive member (55), and / or a housing (60) (e.g., a window) may be disposed on a display device (10). For example, in order to make the transmittance of light passing through a first region (OA) in an electronic device (1) greater than the transmittance of light passing through another region, the touch circuit layer (40) and / or the optical functional layer (50) may include holes (40H, 50H). The adhesive member (55) and / or the housing (60A) (e.g., a window) may not include holes corresponding to the first region (OA).

[0081] The adhesive member (55) (e.g., the adhesive member (55) of FIG. 2a) may have substantially the same refractive index as the lower substrate (100) and / or the upper substrate (200). For example, the adhesive member (55) may have a refractive index of 1.6 or higher. For example, the refractive index of the adhesive member (55) may be 1.6 or higher and 2.0 or lower. For example, if the thickness of the adhesive member (55) is 200 μm and the component (20) placed below the display device (10) is a camera module including a wide-angle lens having a field of view of 77˚, the display device (10) having the adhesive member (55) with a refractive index of 1.7 may have a first region (OA) that is about 25.04 μm narrower in width than the display device (10) having the adhesive member (55) with a refractive index of 1.5.

[0082] For example, the lower substrate (100) may have a refractive index value greater than the refractive index of the first surface (60A) of the housing (e.g., window). The refractive index of the upper substrate (200) and / or adhesive member may also be greater than the refractive index of the window. For example, the refractive index of the window may be less than 1.6 (e.g., 1.5 or less), and the refractive index of the lower substrate (100), the upper substrate (200), and / or adhesive member (55) may be 1.6 or greater (e.g., 1.6 or greater and 2.0 or less).

[0083] According to various embodiments of the present invention, an electronic device (1) comprising a lower substrate (100) having a refractive index of 1.6 or higher and / or an upper substrate (200) may have a first region (OA) of relatively small width even when equipped with a component (20) of the same performance.

[0084] FIG. 4a is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 4a, a display device (e.g., the display device (10) of FIG. 2a) may include a lower substrate (100), an upper substrate (200), and a display layer (300) interposed between the lower substrate (100) and the upper substrate (200).

[0086] The display layer (300) may include a plurality of pixels. Each pixel may include a pixel circuit (PC) including a thin-film transistor (TFT) and display elements (e.g., OLEDs) electrically connected to each pixel circuit (PC).

[0087] A thin-film transistor (TFT) may include a semiconductor layer (A) comprising amorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon, or an organic semiconductor material, a gate electrode (G), a source electrode (S), and a drain electrode (D).

[0088] The semiconductor layer (A) may comprise amorphous silicon. In another embodiment, the semiconductor layer (A) may comprise an oxide semiconductor comprising indium (In), gallium (Ga), stanium (Sn), zirconium (Zr), vanadium (V), hafnium (Hf), cadmium (Cd), germanium (Ge), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), and / or zinc (Zn). For example, the semiconductor layer (A) may comprise an oxide semiconductor such as IGZO (Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide), ZTO (Zinc Tin Oxide), and ZIO (Zinc Indium Oxide).

[0089] The gate electrode (G) can be disposed on the semiconductor layer (A) with the gate insulating layer (310) in between. The gate electrode (G) may be composed of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), etc., and may be a single layer or a multilayer. As an example, the gate electrode (G) may be a single layer of Mo.

[0090] The gate insulating layer (310) is silicon oxide (SiO2) or silicon nitride (SiN xIt may include silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium oxide (TiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), hafnium oxide (HfO2), or zinc oxide (ZnO2), etc.

[0091] The source electrode (S) and / or drain electrode (D) may be disposed on the gate electrode (G) with an interlayer insulating layer (320) in between. The source electrode (S) and / or drain electrode (D) may be composed of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), etc., and may be made of a single layer or multiple layers. As an example, the source electrode (S) and / or drain electrode (D) may be made of a multilayer structure of Ti / Al / Ti.

[0092] The flattening layer (330) covers the upper surface of the source electrode (S) and / or drain electrode (D) and may have a flat upper surface so that the pixel electrode (350) can be formed flat. The flattening layer (330) may be formed as a single layer or a multilayer film made of organic material. The flattening layer (330) may include general-purpose polymers such as BCB (Benzocyclobutene), polyimide, HMDSO (Hexamethyldisiloxane), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), or polystylene (PS), polymer derivatives having phenolic groups, acrylic polymers, imide polymers, aryl ether polymers, amide polymers, fluorine polymers, p-xylene polymers, vinyl alcohol polymers, and blends thereof. The flattening layer (330) may include inorganic material. The planarization layer (330) is silicon oxide (SiO2) and silicon nitride (SiN xIt may include silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium oxide (TiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), hafnium oxide (HfO2), or zinc oxide (ZnO2), etc. If the flattening layer (330) is provided with an inorganic material, chemical flattening polishing may be performed depending on the case. Meanwhile, the flattening layer (330) may include both organic and inorganic materials.

[0093] The pixel electrode (350) may be a (semi)transparent electrode or a reflective electrode. In some embodiments, the pixel electrode (350) may have a reflective film formed of Ag, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd, Au, Ni, Nd, Ir, Cr, and compounds thereof, and a transparent or semitransparent electrode layer formed on the reflective film. The transparent or semitransparent electrode layer may have at least one selected from the group comprising indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide (In2O3), indium gallium oxide (IGO), and aluminum zinc oxide (AZO). In some embodiments, the pixel electrode (350) may be provided with a stacked structure of ITO / Ag / ITO.

[0094] A pixel defining film (340) may be disposed on the planarization layer (330). The pixel defining film (340) may serve to define the light-emitting region of each pixel by having an opening corresponding to the center of the pixel electrode (350). Additionally, the pixel defining film (340) may serve to prevent arcs from occurring at the edge of the pixel electrode (350) by increasing the distance between the edge of the pixel electrode (350) and the opposing electrode (370) above the pixel electrode (350). The pixel defining film (340) may be formed using an organic insulating material such as polyimide, polyamide, acrylic resin, benzocyclobutene, HMDSO (hexamethyldisiloxane), and phenolic resin, and may be formed by a method such as spin coating.

[0095] The intermediate layer (360) of the display element (e.g., OLED) may include an organic light-emitting layer. The organic light-emitting layer may include an organic material comprising a fluorescent or phosphorescent material that emits red, green, blue, or white light. The organic light-emitting layer may be a low-molecular-weight organic material or a high-molecular-weight organic material, and functional layers such as a hole transport layer (HTL), a hole injection layer (HIL), an electron transport layer (ETL), and an electron injection layer (EIL) may be optionally further disposed below and above the organic light-emitting layer. The intermediate layer (360) may be disposed corresponding to each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (350). However, it is not limited thereto. Various variations are possible, such as the intermediate layer (360) including a layer that is integral across the plurality of pixel electrodes (350).

[0096] The counter electrode (370) may be a transparent electrode or a reflective electrode. In some embodiments, the counter electrode (370) may be a transparent or translucent electrode and may be formed from a metal thin film with a low work function comprising Li, Ca, LiF / Ca, LiF / Al, Al, Ag, Mg, and compounds thereof. Additionally, a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) film such as ITO, IZO, ZnO, or In2O3 may be further disposed on the metal thin film. The counter electrode (370) may be disposed across the second region (DA) and the region other than the second region (DA), and may be disposed on top of the intermediate layer (360) and the pixel defining film (340). The counter electrode (370) may be formed integrally to cover a plurality of display elements (OLEDs) and may include a hole (370H) corresponding to the first region (OA).

[0097] Referring to FIG. 4a, the pixel circuit (PC) and / or display element (OLED) may not be placed in the first region (OA). Neighboring pixel circuits and display elements around the first region (OA) may be spaced apart from each other with the first region (OA) in between, as shown in FIG. 4a.

[0098] For example, the display layer (300) may include a through hole (300H) corresponding to the first region (OA).

[0099] The through hole (300H) can penetrate a plurality of layers provided in the display layer (300). In one embodiment, the through hole (300H) can penetrate a stack of a gate insulating layer (310), an interlayer insulating layer (320), a flattening layer (330), a pixel defining film (340), and a counter electrode (370). For example, the through hole (300H) can be formed by each of the holes in the gate insulating layer (310), the interlayer insulating layer (320), the flattening layer (330), the pixel defining film (340), and the counter electrode (370) that overlap each other.

[0100] For example, the width (W300) of the through hole (300H) can be defined by the width of the hole having the smaller size among the holes of the gate insulating layer (310), the interlayer insulating layer (320), the flattening layer (330), the pixel defining film (340), and the opposing electrode (370). In this regard, FIG. 4a is illustrated as the width of the gate insulating layer (310) defining the through hole (300H), but as another embodiment, the through hole (300H) can be defined by the width of the hole provided in the flattening layer (330) as the flattening layer (330) covers the sides of the layers (310, 320) below it.

[0101] For example, the width of the through hole (300H) may be larger than the width (W0) of the component (20) placed under the lower substrate (100).

[0102] FIG. 4b is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel circuit (PC) included in a display device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] The pixel circuit (PC) may include a driving thin-film transistor (T1), a switching thin-film transistor (T2), and a storage capacitor (Cst). The switching thin-film transistor (T2) is connected to a scan line (SL) and a data line (DL), and transmits a data signal (Dm) input through the data line (DL) to the driving thin-film transistor (T1) according to a scan signal (Sn) input through the scan line (SL).

[0104] The storage capacitor (Cst) is connected to the switching thin-film transistor (T2) and the driving voltage line (PL), and stores a voltage corresponding to the difference between the voltage received from the switching thin-film transistor (T2) and the first power supply voltage (ELVDD, or driving voltage) supplied to the driving voltage line (PL).

[0105] The driving thin-film transistor (T1) is connected to the driving voltage line (PL) and the storage capacitor (Cst), and can control the driving current flowing from the driving voltage line (PL) to the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) in correspondence with the voltage value stored in the storage capacitor (Cst). The organic light-emitting diode (OLED) can emit light having a predetermined brightness by the driving current.

[0106] FIG. 4b describes a case where the pixel circuit (PC) includes two thin-film transistors and one storage capacitor, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 8, the pixel circuit (PC) may include seven thin-film transistors and one storage capacitor.

[0107] FIGS. 5a to 5c are cross-sectional views of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 5a, a display device (e.g., the display device (10) of FIG. 2a) may include a lower substrate (100) having a concave surface corresponding to a first area (OA).

[0109] As illustrated in FIG. 5a, the lower substrate (100) may include a concave surface facing the component (20) in a direction toward the component (20) (e.g., the -z-axis direction) on one side facing the component (20) (e.g., the lower surface of the lower substrate (100). For example, the concave surface may have a shape that is partially indented inward toward the lower substrate (100) at a position corresponding to the first region (OA). For example, the thickness of the portion of the lower substrate (100) where the concave surface is located may be smaller than the thickness of the portion of the lower substrate (100) corresponding to the second region (DA).

[0110] For example, the width (W100) of a concave surface included in one side of the lower substrate (100) (e.g., the lower surface of the lower substrate (100)) may be larger than the width (W0) of the component (20) and smaller than the width (W300) of the through hole (300H) included in the display layer (300). For example, the curvature of the concave surface of the lower substrate (100) may be determined based on the camera module included in the component (20).

[0111] According to various embodiments of the present invention, the lower substrate (100) may replace the function of some lenses provided in the component (20) by including a concave surface corresponding to a first region (OA) on one side (e.g., the lower surface of the lower substrate (100)). Accordingly, the electronic device (1) can reduce the number of lenses that need to be provided in the component (20) (e.g., camera module), so that the thickness of the component (20) is reduced, thereby providing an electronic device (1) with reduced thickness in the z-axis direction.

[0112] According to another embodiment, the display device may include a convex surface on one side of the lower substrate (100) as illustrated in FIG. 5b. For example, the lower substrate (100) may include a convex surface on the surface facing the upper substrate (200) (e.g., the upper surface of the lower substrate (100)) in a direction toward the upper substrate (200) (e.g., the z-axis direction). For example, the convex surface of the lower substrate (100) may have a shape that partially protrudes toward the upper substrate (200) at a position corresponding to the first region (OA).

[0113] According to another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5b, the display device may include a concave surface facing the lower substrate (100) on one side (e.g., the lower side of the upper substrate (200)) as shown in FIG. 5b, in a direction facing the lower substrate (100) (e.g., the -z-axis direction). Alternatively, the upper substrate (200) of the display device may include a convex surface facing in the opposite direction (e.g., the z-axis direction) on another side (e.g., the upper side of the upper substrate (200)) as shown in FIG. 5b.

[0114] FIG. 6a is a schematic plan view illustrating a touch circuit layer provided in an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (1) of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2a) according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional view of a touch circuit layer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0115] Referring to FIG. 6a, the touch circuit layer (40) may include a plurality of sensing electrodes (401) located in a first region (DA) and connecting electrodes (402) connecting each of the plurality of sensing electrodes (401).

[0116] Although not illustrated, the outer region of the touch circuit layer (40) (e.g., a non-display area surrounding the first region (DA)) may further include a position detection line that connects a plurality of sensing electrodes (401) to an external driving circuit through a pad portion. The touch circuit layer (40) can acquire coordinate information based on an external input based on the capacitance difference between the plurality of sensing electrodes (401).

[0117] In one embodiment, when the touch circuit layer (40) is provided as a panel separate from the display device (10), the sensing electrodes (401) and connecting electrodes (402) may be formed on a separate transparent substrate and attached to the upper part of the display device (10) through an adhesive member (55). In another embodiment, when the touch circuit layer (40) is not provided as a separate panel but is formed directly on the display device (10), the sensing electrodes (401) and connecting electrodes (402) may be formed directly on the upper substrate (200) of the display device (10).

[0118] A plurality of sensing electrodes (401) may include first sensing electrodes (401a) formed to be connected along a first direction (e.g., +X-axis direction) and second sensing electrodes (401b) formed to be connected along a second direction (e.g., +Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the first direction, which are distributed and disposed between the first sensing electrodes (401a) so as not to overlap with the first sensing electrodes (401a). The first sensing electrodes (401a) and the second sensing electrodes (401b) may be alternately distributed and disposed so as not to overlap each other.

[0119] A plurality of connecting electrodes (402) may include a plurality of first connecting electrodes (402a) that connect the first sensing electrodes (401a) along a first direction, and a plurality of second connecting electrodes (402b) that connect the second sensing electrodes (401b) along a second direction.

[0120] The sensing electrodes (401) and the connecting electrodes (402) may each have a transmittance greater than a predetermined size so that light emitted from the display device (10) positioned below can be transmitted. For example, the sensing electrodes (401) may include a transparent electrode layer formed of a transparent electrode material such as ITO. The connecting electrodes (402) may be formed of a transparent electrode material such as the sensing electrodes (401) or of an opaque low-resistance electrode material, but their thickness or width may be adjusted so as to prevent visualization.

[0121] Referring to FIG. 6b, the touch circuit layer (40) may include a plurality of conductive layers.

[0122] The touch circuit layer (40) may include a first conductive layer (CML1) and a second conductive layer (CML2) disposed on a display device (e.g., a display device (10)). A first insulating layer (41) may be interposed between the first conductive layer (CML1) and the display device (10), a second insulating layer (43) may be interposed between the first conductive layer (CML1) and the second conductive layer (CML2), and a third insulating layer (45) may be located on the second conductive layer (CML2). In one embodiment, the first insulating layer (41) and the second insulating layer (43) may be inorganic insulating layers such as silicon nitride, and the third insulating layer (45) may be an organic insulating layer. In another embodiment, the first insulating layer (41) may be omitted and the first conductive layer (CML1) may be located directly on the display panel (10). In another embodiment, the first insulating layer (41) and the second insulating layer (43) may be organic insulating layers.

[0123] The first conductive layer (CML1) may include first connecting electrodes (402a). The second conductive layer (CML2) may include first sensing electrodes (401a) and second connecting electrodes (402b in FIG. 6a). Although not shown in FIG. 6b, the second conductive layer (CML2) may further include second sensing electrodes (401b in FIG. 6a).

[0124] The second sensing electrodes (401b) can be connected to each other by second connecting electrodes (402b) formed on the same layer as the second sensing electrodes (401b). The first sensing electrodes (401a) can be connected to each other by first connecting electrodes (402a) formed on a different layer from the first sensing electrodes (401a). The first connecting electrodes (402a) that electrically connect adjacent first sensing electrodes (401a) can be connected to adjacent first sensing electrodes (401a) through a contact hole (CNT) formed in the second insulating layer (43).

[0125] Some of the first sensing electrodes (401a) may be spaced apart from each other with a hole (40H) provided in the touch circuit layer (40). Although not illustrated, the first sensing electrodes (401a) (or second sensing electrodes (401b)) spaced apart from each other with a hole (40H) in between may be electrically connected through a separate connecting wire that bypasses the hole (40H), or may be electrically connected to each other through a connecting wire formed in another layer that connects the first sensing electrodes (401a) (or second sensing electrodes (401b)) to the contact hole.

[0126] FIG. 6b illustrates that the first sensing electrodes (401a) and the first connecting electrodes (402a) are disposed on different layers, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the first sensing electrodes (401a) and the first connecting electrodes (402a) may be disposed on the same layer (e.g., a second conductive layer), and the second sensing electrodes (401b) and the second connecting electrodes (402b) may be disposed on different layers and connected by a contact hole penetrating the second insulating layer (43). Additionally, the above describes that the first and second sensing electrodes (401a, 401b) are included in the second conductive layer (CML2), but the present invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the first sensing electrode (401a) and the second sensing electrode (401b) may be disposed on different layers. For example, either one of the first and second sensing electrodes (401a, 401b) may be formed on the first conductive layer (CML1), and the other may be formed on the second conductive layer (CML2).

[0127] As illustrated in FIG. 6b, the touch circuit layer (40) may include a hole (40H) formed around a first region (OA) of the display device (10). The hole (40H) included in the touch circuit layer (40) may be formed as each of the plurality of insulating layers (41, 43, 45) of the touch circuit layer (40) has a hole.

[0128] Some of the first sensing electrodes (401a) may be spaced apart from each other with a hole (40H) provided in the touch circuit layer (40). Although not illustrated, the first sensing electrodes (401a) (or second sensing electrodes (401b)) spaced apart from each other with a hole (40H) in between may be electrically connected through a separate connecting wire that bypasses the hole (40H), or may be electrically connected to each other through a connecting wire formed in another layer that connects the first sensing electrodes (401a) (or second sensing electrodes (401b)) to the contact hole.

[0129] FIG. 6b illustrates that the first sensing electrodes (401a) and the first connecting electrodes (402a) are disposed on different layers, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the first sensing electrodes (401a) and the first connecting electrodes (402a) may be disposed on the same layer (e.g., a second conductive layer), and the second sensing electrodes (401b) and the second connecting electrodes (402b) may be disposed on different layers and connected by a contact hole penetrating the second insulating layer (43). Additionally, the above describes that the first and second sensing electrodes (401a, 401b) are included in the second conductive layer (CML2), but the present invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the first sensing electrode (401a) and the second sensing electrode (401b) may be disposed on different layers. For example, either one of the first and second sensing electrodes (401a, 401b) may be formed on the first conductive layer (CML1), and the other may be formed on the second conductive layer (CML2).

[0130] The hole (40H) of the touch circuit layer (40) can penetrate the layers included in the touch circuit layer (40). For example, holes formed in each of the plurality of insulating layers (41, 43, 45) of the touch circuit layer (40) may be formed in an overlapping manner, and the width (W40) of the hole (40H) may be defined by the smaller hole among the holes formed in each of the plurality of insulating layers (41, 43, 45). In this regard, FIG. 6b illustrates that the width (W40) of the hole (40H) is defined by the width of the hole in the first insulating layer (41). As another embodiment, the width (W40) of the hole (40H) may be defined by the width of the hole in the second insulating layer (43) or the hole in the third insulating layer (43).

[0131] The width (W40) of the hole (40H) may be larger than the width (W300) of the hole (300H) of the display layer (300) of the display device (10) described above, so that a sufficient path of light incident on a component, such as a camera module, can be secured, and thus distortion or damage to the image captured by the camera module can be prevented.

[0132] 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

[0133] 1: Electronic device 10: Display device 20: Component OA: Area 1 DA: Area 2 40: Touch circuit layer 50: Optical functional layer 60: Housing 100: Lower substrate 200: Upper substrate 300: Indicator layer

Claims

Claim 1 A display device comprising: a lower substrate including a first region and a second region surrounding the first region; an upper substrate; and a display layer interposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate, comprising a plurality of pixel circuits disposed in the second region and a plurality of display elements each connected to the plurality of pixel circuits and provided as light-emitting diodes; wherein the refractive index of the lower substrate is 1.6 or higher, the lower substrate is continuously provided corresponding to the first region, and at least one of the insulating layers included in the display layer has an opening corresponding to the first region. Claim 2 A display device according to claim 1, wherein the lower substrate is formed of a compound comprising at least one of TiO2 or BaO. Claim 3 A display device according to claim 1, wherein the refractive index of the upper substrate is 1.6 or higher. Claim 4 A display device comprising: a lower substrate including a first region and a second region surrounding the first region; an upper substrate disposed on top of the lower substrate; and a display layer interposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate, comprising a plurality of pixel circuits disposed in the second region and a plurality of display elements each connected to the plurality of pixel circuits and provided as light-emitting diodes; wherein the refractive index of the lower substrate is 1.6 or higher, the lower substrate is continuously provided corresponding to the first region, and the lower surface of the lower substrate includes a concave surface indented toward the upper substrate corresponding to the first region. Claim 5 A display device comprising: a lower substrate including a first region and a second region surrounding the first region; an upper substrate overlapping the lower substrate; and a display layer interposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate, comprising a plurality of pixel circuits disposed in the second region and a plurality of display elements each connected to the plurality of pixel circuits and provided as light-emitting diodes, wherein adjacent first and second display elements among the plurality of display elements are spaced apart from each other with the first region in between, the lower substrate comprises at least one of TiO2 or BaO, the lower substrate is continuously provided corresponding to the first region, and at least one of the insulating layers included in the display layer has an opening corresponding to the first region. Claim 6 A display device according to claim 5, wherein the lower substrate is formed of a compound comprising at least one of TiO2 or BaO; and at least one of SiO2, MgO, CaO, or ZnO. Claim 7 A display device according to claim 5, wherein the upper substrate comprises at least one of TiO2 or BaO. Claim 8 A display device according to claim 5, further comprising a window covering the upper substrate, wherein the lower substrate has a refractive index greater than that of the window. Claim 9 A display device according to claim 8, further comprising an adhesive member for bonding the window and the upper substrate between the window and the upper substrate, wherein the refractive index of the lower substrate is greater than the refractive index of the adhesive member. Claim 10 A display device according to claim 8, further comprising an adhesive member for bonding the window and the upper substrate between the window and the upper substrate, wherein the refractive index of the adhesive member and the upper substrate is greater than the refractive index of the window. Claim 11 A display device according to claim 5, further comprising: a touch circuit layer disposed on the upper substrate; and an optical functional layer disposed on the touch circuit layer, wherein at least one of the touch circuit layer or the optical functional layer comprises a hole corresponding to the first region, and the width of the hole is greater than the width of the first region. Claim 12 A display device comprising: a lower substrate including a first region and a second region surrounding the first region; an upper substrate overlapping the lower substrate; and a display layer interposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate, comprising a plurality of pixel circuits disposed in the second region and a plurality of display elements each connected to the plurality of pixel circuits and provided as light-emitting diodes, wherein adjacent first display elements and second display elements among the plurality of display elements are spaced apart from each other with the first region in between, wherein the lower substrate comprises at least one of TiO2 or BaO, and the lower substrate is continuously provided corresponding to the first region, and the upper surface of the lower substrate includes a surface convex toward the upper substrate corresponding to the first region. Claim 13 A display device according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the lower substrate and the upper substrate has a refractive index of 1.6 or higher. Claim 14 An electronic device comprising: a housing including a first surface and a second surface facing in a direction opposite to the first surface; a display device disposed between the first surface and the second surface and exposed through at least a portion of the first surface; and a component disposed between the display device and the second surface, wherein the display device comprises a lower substrate having a refractive index of 1.6 or higher, a first region corresponding to the component and a second region surrounding the first region; an upper substrate overlapping the lower substrate; and a display layer interposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate, comprising a plurality of pixel circuits disposed in the second region and a plurality of display elements each connected to the plurality of pixel circuits and provided as light-emitting diodes, wherein adjacent first and second display elements among the plurality of display elements are spaced apart from each other with the first region in between, the lower substrate is continuously provided corresponding to the first region, and at least one of the insulating layers included in the display layer has an opening corresponding to the first region. Claim 15 An electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the lower substrate is formed of a compound comprising at least one of TiO2 or BaO. Claim 16 An electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the upper substrate and the lower substrate are formed of a compound comprising at least one of TiO2 or BaO; and at least one of SiO2, MgO, CaO, or ZnO. Claim 17 An electronic device according to claim 14, further comprising: a touch circuit layer disposed between the first surface and the upper substrate; and an optical functional layer disposed between the first surface and the touch circuit layer, wherein at least one of the touch circuit layer or the optical functional layer comprises a hole corresponding to the first region, and the width of the hole is greater than the width of the first region. Claim 18 An electronic device according to claim 14, further comprising an adhesive member interposed between the housing and the display device, wherein the adhesive member has a refractive index of 1.6 or higher. Claim 19 An electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the lower surface of the lower substrate includes a concave surface that is recessed toward the upper substrate in correspondence with the first region. Claim 20 In claim 14, the component is an electronic device that is a camera module including a wide-angle lens.

Images