Organic light emitting display apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides an organic light-emitting display device capable of reducing the area of ​​dead space, comprising: a substrate having a first display area, a second display area outside the first display area, and a third display area outside the second display area; a first thin-film transistor disposed in the first display area of ​​the substrate; a second thin-film transistor and a third thin-film transistor disposed in the second display area of ​​the substrate; a first pixel electrode disposed in the first display area of ​​the substrate and electrically connected to the first thin-film transistor; a second pixel electrode disposed in the second display area of ​​the substrate and electrically connected to the second thin-film transistor; and a third pixel electrode disposed in the third display area of ​​the substrate and electrically connected to the third thin-film transistor.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an organic light-emitting display device, and more specifically, to an organic light-emitting display device capable of reducing the area of ​​dead space. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, a display device includes a plurality of pixels, and each of the plurality of pixels includes a display element and a pixel circuit for controlling the display element. The pixel circuit includes a thin film transistor (TFT) and a storage capacitor, etc. In addition, the display device also has circuits for applying electrical signals to the display element on the periphery of the substrate. The problem to be solved

[0003] However, these conventional display devices had a problem in that the area of ​​dead space was large due to circuits located at the periphery of the substrate.

[0004] The present invention aims to solve various problems, including the aforementioned issues, by providing an organic light-emitting display device capable of reducing the area of ​​dead space. However, these problems are exemplary and do not limit the scope of the present invention. means of solving the problem

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, an organic light-emitting display device is provided, comprising: a substrate having a first display area, a second display area outside the first display area, and a third display area outside the second display area; a first thin-film transistor disposed in the first display area of ​​the substrate; a second thin-film transistor and a third thin-film transistor disposed in the second display area of ​​the substrate; a first pixel electrode disposed in the first display area of ​​the substrate and electrically connected to the first thin-film transistor; a second pixel electrode disposed in the second display area of ​​the substrate and electrically connected to the second thin-film transistor; and a third pixel electrode disposed in the third display area of ​​the substrate and electrically connected to the third thin-film transistor.

[0006] The third pixel electrode can be extended to the second display area and electrically connected to the third thin-film transistor.

[0007] The device further comprises a driver circuit portion disposed in the third display area, and the third pixel electrode may be located above the driver circuit portion.

[0008] A shielding layer interposed between the above driver circuit and the above third pixel electrode may be further provided.

[0009] A static voltage can be applied to the shielding layer.

[0010] The apparatus further comprises a common electrode located above the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode, and an electrode power supply line electrically connected to the common electrode, wherein the electrode power supply line may be electrically connected to the shielding layer.

[0011] The apparatus further comprises a common electrode located above the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode, and an electrode power supply line electrically connected to the common electrode, wherein the shielding layer may be part of the electrode power supply line.

[0012] A plurality of first pixel electrodes are provided in the first display area and a plurality of second pixel electrodes are provided in the second display area, and the number of first pixel electrodes per unit area in the first display area may be greater than the number of second pixel electrodes per unit area in the second display area.

[0013] A plurality of the third pixel electrodes are provided in the third display area, and the number of the second pixel electrodes per unit area in the second display area may be equal to the number of the third pixel electrodes per unit area in the third display area.

[0014] The area of ​​the second pixel electrode may be larger than the area of ​​the first pixel electrode.

[0015] The area of ​​the third pixel electrode may be larger than the area of ​​the first pixel electrode.

[0016] A pixel defining film may be further provided, covering the first pixel electrode to the third pixel electrode, and having a first opening that exposes the central portion of the first pixel electrode, a second opening that exposes the central portion of the second pixel electrode, and a third opening that exposes the central portion of the third pixel electrode.

[0017] The area of ​​the second opening may be larger than the area of ​​the first opening.

[0018] The area of ​​the third opening mentioned above may be larger than the area of ​​the first opening mentioned above.

[0019] The area of ​​the third opening mentioned above may be equal to the area of ​​the second opening mentioned above.

[0020] A plurality of the second pixel electrodes are provided in the second display area, and the second pixel electrodes can be uniformly arranged in the second display area.

[0021] A plurality of the third pixel electrodes are provided in the third display area, and the third pixel electrodes can be uniformly arranged in the third display area.

[0022] The second display area may surround the first display area, and the third display area may surround the second display area.

[0023] The third display area is provided with a plurality of third pixel electrodes, and the second display area includes a second-1 display area located on one side of the first display area and a second-2 display area located on the other side of the first display area in the direction opposite to the direction of the second-1 display area centered on the first display area, and the third display area includes a third-1 display area located in the direction opposite to the direction of the first display area centered on the second-1 display area and a third-2 display area located in the direction opposite to the direction of the first display area centered on the second-2 display area, and further comprises a first driver circuit section disposed in the third-1 display area and a second driver circuit section disposed in the third-2 display area, wherein some of the third pixel electrodes are located above the first driver circuit section and the remainder of the third pixel electrodes are above the second driver circuit section It can be located.

[0024] Other aspects, features, and advantages other than those described above will become clear from the specific details, claims, and drawings for implementing the invention below. Effects of the invention

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention as described above, an organic light-emitting display device capable of reducing the area of ​​dead space can be realized. Of course, the scope of the present invention is not limited by this effect. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0026] FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating a part of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cross section taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a part of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a part of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically illustrating a part of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically illustrating a part of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically illustrating a part of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically illustrating a part of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a part of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically illustrating a part of a display device according to another 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, when various components such as layers, films, regions, and plates are described as being "on" another component, this includes not only cases where they are "directly on" another component, but also cases where other components are interposed between them. Furthermore, for convenience of explanation, the size of components in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced. For example, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are depicted arbitrarily for convenience of explanation, and therefore the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is illustrated.

[0030] 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.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating a part of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] The display device according to the present embodiment may be implemented as an electronic device such as a smartphone, mobile phone, navigation device, game console, TV, vehicle head unit, notebook computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, PMP (Personal Media Player), PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), etc. Additionally, the electronic device may be a flexible device.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the display device according to the present embodiment has a first display area (DA1), a second display area (DA2), and a third display area (DA3). It can be understood that the display device has a first display area (DA1), a second display area (DA2), and a third display area (DA3) such that the substrate (100, see FIG. 2) included in the display device has such a first display area (DA1), a second display area (DA2), and a third display area (DA3). The second display area (DA2) is located outside the first display area (DA1), and the third display area (DA3) is located outside the second display area (DA2).

[0034] In FIG. 1, the display device is depicted as having a roughly rectangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the display surface or from a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the substrate (100), but the present invention is not limited thereto. The display device is not limited to having a rectangular shape in a plan view (on the xy plane) as shown in FIG. 1, but may have various shapes such as a circle. Additionally, the substrate (100) may have a bending area as needed and may be bent in the bending area.

[0035] The substrate (100) may include glass or metal. Additionally, the substrate (100) may include various materials having flexible or bendable properties, such as polyethersulfone, polyacrylate, polyetherimide, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, polyimide, polycarbonate, or polymer resins such as cellulose acetate propionate.

[0036] Of course, the substrate (100) may have various modifications, such as having a multilayer structure including two layers containing such a polymer resin and a barrier layer containing an inorganic material interposed between the layers. In this case, the barrier layer may include silicon oxide, silicon nitride and / or silicon oxynitride, etc.

[0037] Display elements may be located in each of the first display area (DA1), the second display area (DA2), and the third display area (DA3). For example, the display element may be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and may emit red, green, blue, or white light. On the substrate (100), thin-film transistors and capacitors that control the degree of light emission of such organic light-emitting diodes are disposed.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. In the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, the size of each component has been exaggerated and / or reduced for convenience. The same applies to the cross-sectional views described later.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, a first thin-film transistor (TFT1) is disposed in a first display area (DA1), and a second thin-film transistor (TFT2) and a third thin-film transistor (TFT3) are disposed in a second display area (DA2). These first thin-film transistors (TFT1) to third thin-film transistors (TFT3) include a semiconductor layer.

[0040] A semiconductor layer can be formed on a substrate (100). Of course, a buffer layer (110) is formed on the substrate (100), and a semiconductor layer can be formed on the buffer layer (110).

[0041] The buffer layer (110) can reduce or block the penetration of foreign matter, moisture, or external air from the bottom of the substrate (100) and can provide a flat surface on the substrate (100). The buffer layer (110) may include an inorganic material such as an oxide or a nitride, an organic material, or an organic-inorganic composite, and may have a single-layer or multi-layer structure of inorganic and organic materials. As an example, the buffer layer (110) may have a structure in which a first buffer layer and a second buffer layer are stacked, and the first buffer layer and the second buffer layer may include different materials. For example, the first buffer layer may include silicon nitride, and the second buffer layer may include silicon oxide.

[0042] Thus, when the first buffer layer contains silicon nitride, hydrogen can be included during the formation of the silicon nitride. Through this, the carrier mobility of the semiconductor layer formed on the buffer layer is improved, thereby enhancing the electrical characteristics of the thin-film transistor. Additionally, the semiconductor layer may contain silicon material; in this case, the interfacial bonding characteristics between the semiconductor layer containing silicon and the second buffer layer containing silicon oxide are improved, thereby enhancing the electrical characteristics of the thin-film transistor.

[0043] The semiconductor layer may include low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS). Polysilicon materials have high electron mobility (100 cm² / Vs or higher), resulting in low power consumption and excellent reliability. As another example, the semiconductor layer may include amorphous silicon (a-Si) and / or oxide semiconductors. Alternatively, among a plurality of thin-film transistors, some semiconductor layers may include low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS), and other semiconductor layers may include amorphous silicon (a-Si) and / or oxide semiconductors.

[0044] A gate insulating film (130) is located on the semiconductor layer, and gate electrodes including a first thin-film transistor (TFT1) to a third thin-film transistor (TFT3) and various wirings (not shown) may be located on the gate insulating film (130). The gate insulating film (130) may include silicon oxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium oxide (TiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), hafnium oxide (HfO2), or zinc oxide (ZnO2).

[0045] The conductive layers located on the gate insulating film (130), including the gate electrodes included in the first thin-film transistor (TFT1) to the third thin-film transistor (TFT3), may include a conductive material including molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), etc., and may have a multilayer structure or a single layer structure including the above materials. For example, the gate electrodes included in the first thin-film transistor (TFT1) to the third thin-film transistor (TFT3) may have a multilayer structure of Mo / Al or a multilayer structure of Mo / Al / Mo.

[0046] An interlayer insulating layer (150) is positioned on the conductive layers located on the gate insulating film (130), including the gate electrodes included in the first thin-film transistor (TFT1) to the third thin-film transistor (TFT3). The interlayer insulating layer (150) may include silicon oxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium oxide (TiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), hafnium oxide (HfO2), or zinc oxide (ZnO2), etc. Of course, if necessary, an inorganic insulating layer covering the conductive layers located on the gate insulating film (130), including the gate electrodes included in the first thin-film transistor (TFT1) to the third thin-film transistor (TFT3), may be included, and the interlayer insulating layer (150) may be positioned on this inorganic insulating layer. In this case, a conductive layer may also be interposed between the inorganic insulating layer and the interlayer insulating layer (150), and this conductive layer may have a multilayer structure of, for example, Mo / Al or Mo / Al / Mo.

[0047] Data lines, power supply voltage lines, etc. may be arranged on the interlayer insulation layer (150). As shown in FIG. 2, source electrodes and drain electrodes of the first thin-film transistor (TFT1) to the third thin-film transistor (TFT3) may also be located on the interlayer insulation layer (150). For reference, a connecting metal or part of a wiring is located on the interlayer insulation layer (150), and such connecting metal or part of the wiring may be considered as the source electrodes and drain electrodes of the first thin-film transistor (TFT1) to the third thin-film transistor (TFT3). These conductive layers located on the interlayer insulation layer (150) may include a conductive material including molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), etc., and may have a multilayer structure or a single layer structure including the above materials. For example, the source electrodes and drain electrodes of the first thin-film transistor (TFT1) to the third thin-film transistor (TFT3) may have a multilayer structure of Ti / Al / Ti.

[0048] The conductive layers located on the interlayer insulating layer (150) are covered with a protective layer (160). The protective layer (160) may include general-purpose polymers such as BCB (Benzocyclobutene), polyimide, HMDSO (Hexamethyldisiloxane), Polymethylmethacrylate (PXMMA), or Polystyrene (PS), polymer derivatives having a phenolic group, acrylic polymers, imide polymers, aryl ether polymers, amide polymers, fluorine polymers, p-xylene polymers, vinyl alcohol polymers, or blends thereof. Of course, the protective layer (160) may be formed from inorganic materials, in which case the protective layer (160) may include silicon oxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium oxide (TiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), hafnium oxide (HfO2), or zinc oxide (ZnO2), etc.

[0049] A conductive layer may be positioned on the protective layer (160) as needed. In FIG. 2, such a conductive layer has been omitted for convenience. The conductive layer on the protective layer (160) may be a bridge connecting the conductive layers located below the protective layer (160) to each other, or a bridge connecting the conductive layer located below the protective layer (160) to the conductive layer located above. Such a bridge may include a conductive material including molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), etc., and may have a multilayer structure or a single layer structure including the above materials. For example, the bridge on the protective layer (160) may have a multilayer structure of Ti / Al / Ti.

[0050] A flattening layer (170) is located on such a bridge, and an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) may be located on the flattening layer (170). That is, a first pixel electrode (311), a second pixel electrode (312), and a third pixel electrode (313) may be located on the flattening layer (170). The flattening layer (170) may have a flat upper surface so that the first pixel electrode (311), the second pixel electrode (312), and the third pixel electrode (313) can be formed flatly. The flattening layer (170) may include an organic material and may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. The flattening layer (170) may include benzocyclobutene, polyimide, hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), general-purpose polymers such as polystyrene, polymer derivatives having phenolic groups, acrylic polymers, imide polymers, aryl ether polymers, amide polymers, fluorine polymers, p-xylene polymers, vinyl alcohol polymers, or blends thereof. The flattening layer (170) may also include inorganic materials. The flattening layer (170) may include silicon oxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium oxide (TiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), hafnium oxide (HfO2), or zinc oxide (ZnO2), etc. If the flattening layer (170) includes inorganic materials, chemical flattening polishing may be performed depending on the case. Meanwhile, the flattening layer (170) may include both organic and inorganic materials.

[0051] An organic light-emitting diode within the first display area (DA1) may be provided with a first pixel electrode (311), a common electrode (330), and a first intermediate layer (320 or 321) located between them and including a light-emitting layer. An organic light-emitting diode within the second display area (DA2) located outside the first display area (DA1) may be provided with a second pixel electrode (312), a common electrode (330), and a second intermediate layer (322) located between them and including a light-emitting layer. An organic light-emitting diode within the third display area (DA3) located outside the second display area (DA2) may be provided with a third pixel electrode (313), a common electrode (330), and a third intermediate layer (323) located between them and including a light-emitting layer. That is, the common electrode (330) may be integral in the first display area (DA1) to the third display area (DA3).

[0052] Each of the first pixel electrode (311) to the third pixel electrode (313) may have a reflective film comprising Ag, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd, Au, Ni, Nd, Ir, Cr, and compounds thereof, and a transparent or translucent electrode layer formed on the reflective film. The transparent or translucent 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, each of the first pixel electrode (311) to the third pixel electrode (313) may have a stacked structure of ITO / Ag / ITO.

[0053] A pixel defining film (180) may be disposed on the flattening layer (170), and the pixel defining film (180) may serve to define the light-emitting region of the pixel by having openings that expose the central portion of each of the first pixel electrode (311) to the third pixel electrode (313). Additionally, the pixel defining film (180) may serve to prevent arcs from occurring at the edges of the first pixel electrode (311) to the third pixel electrode (313) by increasing the distance between each edge of the first pixel electrode (311) to the third pixel electrode (313) and the common electrode (330) above them. The pixel defining film (180) may be formed by a method such as spin coating using an organic insulating material such as polyimide, polyamide, acrylic resin, benzocyclobutene, HMDSO (hexamethyldisiloxane), and phenolic resin.

[0054] The first intermediate layer (320 or 321), the second intermediate layer (322), and the third intermediate layer (323) 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. Among the layers included in the first intermediate layer (320 or 321), the second intermediate layer (322) and the third intermediate layer (323), layers such as a hole transport layer, a hole injection layer, an electron transport layer, or an electron injection layer may be formed integrally across the first pixel electrode (311) to the third pixel electrode (313). Of course, the hole transport layer, the hole injection layer, the electron transport layer, or the electron injection layer may also be patterned in an island shape to correspond to each of the first pixel electrode (311) to the third pixel electrode (313).

[0055] The common electrode (330) may be a transparent electrode or a reflective electrode. In some embodiments, the common electrode (330) may be a transparent or translucent electrode and may include a metal thin film with a low work function comprising Li, Ca, LiF / Ca, LiF / Al, Al, Ag, Mg, and compounds thereof. In addition, in addition to the metal thin film, it may further include a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) film such as ITO, IZO, ZnO, or In2O3. This common electrode (330) may be formed integrally across the first pixel electrode (311) to the third pixel electrode (313).

[0056] A sealing layer (not shown) comprising a first inorganic sealing layer, a second inorganic sealing layer, and an organic sealing layer interposed between them may be positioned on the common electrode (330). The first inorganic sealing layer and the second inorganic sealing layer may include silicon oxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium oxide (TiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), hafnium oxide (HfO2), or zinc oxide (ZnO2). The organic sealing layer may include polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, polyimide, polyethylene sulfonate, polyoxymethylene, polyarylate, hexamethyldisiloxane, acrylic resin (e.g., polymethyl methacrylate, polyacrylic acid, etc.), or any combination thereof.

[0057] The first pixel electrode (311) is placed in the first display area (DA1) and is electrically connected to the first thin-film transistor (TFT1) located in the first display area (DA1). That is, the first pixel electrode (311) is electrically connected to the first thin-film transistor (TFT1) through a contact hole formed in the protective layer (160) and the planarization layer (170). Of course, depending on the case, the first pixel electrode (311) may be electrically connected to a bridge located between the protective layer (160) and the planarization layer (170) through a contact hole formed in the planarization layer (170), and this bridge may be electrically connected to the first thin-film transistor (TFT1) through a contact hole formed in the protective layer (160). This is the same for other pixel electrodes.

[0058] The second pixel electrode (312) is placed in the second display area (DA2) located outside the first display area (DA1) and is electrically connected to the second thin-film transistor (TFT2) also located in the second display area (DA2). The third pixel electrode (313) is placed in the third display area (DA3) located outside the second display area (DA2). However, the third pixel electrode (313) is electrically connected to the third thin-film transistor (TFT3) located in the second display area (DA2) rather than the third display area (DA3).

[0059] In the case of an organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment, the area of ​​dead space, which is an area where display elements are not placed, can be drastically reduced.

[0060] Driver circuits or power supply wiring may be placed near the edge of the substrate (100). Conventional display devices had a problem in that display elements were not placed where such driver circuits or power supply wiring were placed, resulting in a large dead space area.

[0061] However, in the case of the display device according to the present embodiment, the area of ​​dead space can be drastically reduced. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the third pixel electrode (313) located in the third display area (DA3) is electrically connected to the third thin-film transistor (TFT3) located in the second display area (DA2) rather than the third display area (DA3). Accordingly, a driver circuit or power supply wiring is located below the third pixel electrode (313), thereby effectively preventing the dead space from increasing due to the driver circuit or power supply wiring.

[0062] FIG. 2 illustrates that a driver circuit (DC) is located below the third pixel electrode (313). That is, in the plan view, the third pixel electrode (313) can overlap with the driver circuit (DC). The driver circuit (DC) can generate a scanning signal applied to the gate electrode of a switching thin-film transistor electrically connected to the pixel electrodes within the display area, for example. FIG. 2 illustrates that the driver circuit (DC) is equipped with a single thin-film transistor for convenience, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the driver circuit (DC) may be equipped with a plurality of thin-film transistors and may also include other electronic elements such as capacitors.

[0063] Meanwhile, as the third pixel electrode (313) exists above the driver circuit (DC), the driver circuit (DC) may be affected by the electrical signal applied to the third pixel electrode (313). Therefore, to prevent the driver circuit (DC) from being affected by the electrical signal applied to the third pixel electrode (313), the display device may further be provided with a shielding layer (SL), as shown in FIG. 3, which is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a part of the display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The shielding layer (SL) is interposed between the driver circuit (DC) and the third pixel electrode (313) to prevent the driver circuit (DC) from being affected by the electrical signal applied to the third pixel electrode (313).

[0064] This shielding layer (SL) may be interposed between the protection layer (160) and the flattening layer (170). In this case, the shielding layer (SL) may be formed from the same material as other conductive layers, such as bridges interposed between the protection layer (160) and the flattening layer (170). The shielding layer (SL) may overlap with the driver circuit (DC).

[0065] In order to ensure that the shielding layer (SL) effectively prevents the driver circuit (DC) from being affected by the electrical signal applied to the third pixel electrode (313), a constant voltage may be applied to the shielding layer (SL). For example, the shielding layer (SL) may be grounded. Alternatively, the shielding layer (SL) may be electrically connected to an electrode power supply line. As described above, the common electrode (330) overlaps with the first pixel electrode (311) to the third pixel electrode (313), and a constant voltage is applied to this common electrode (330). The wiring that applies such a voltage to the common electrode (330) is an electrode power supply line electrically connected to the common electrode (330), and the shielding layer (SL) may be electrically connected to such an electrode power supply line.

[0066] In some cases, as shown in FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a part of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention, the shielding layer (SL) may be part of an electrode power supply line. The electrode power supply line is electrically connected to a common electrode (330) outside the display area, and such an electrode power supply line may extend into the third display area (DA3) to become a shielding layer (SL) interposed between the driver circuit part (DC) and the third pixel electrode (313). For reference, the common electrode (330) may be in direct contact with the electrode power supply line, but as shown in FIG. 4, when forming the first pixel electrode (311), the common electrode (330) may be in contact with a connecting electrode (301) formed simultaneously with the same material, and this connecting electrode (301) may be in contact with the electrode power supply line so that the common electrode (330) is electrically connected to the electrode power supply line. In this case, the connecting electrode (301) is connected to the electrode power supply line through a contact hole formed in the flattening layer (170).

[0067] Meanwhile, the display device may have a plurality of first pixel electrodes (311) in a first display area (DA1), a plurality of second pixel electrodes (312) in a second display area (DA2), and a plurality of third pixel electrodes (313) in a third display area (DA3). As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the third pixel electrode (313) located in the third display area (DA3) is electrically connected to a third thin-film transistor (TFT3) located in the second display area (DA2) rather than the third display area (DA3). To this end, the third pixel electrode (313) may be extended (in the -x direction) into the second display area (DA2) and electrically connected to the third thin-film transistor (TFT3).

[0068] As such, since the third pixel electrode (313) extends (in the -x direction) into the second display area (DA2), space is required for such an extension to be located within the second display area (DA2). Furthermore, since the third thin-film transistor (TFT3) controlling the third pixel electrode (313) is located within the second display area (DA2), space is required for such a third thin-film transistor (TFT3) to be located within the second display area (DA2). Therefore, there is inevitably a limit to the number of second thin-film transistors (TFT2) located within the second display area (DA2). Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5, which is a plan view schematically illustrating a part of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention, the number of second pixel electrodes (312) per unit area within the second display area (DA2) may be less than the number of first pixel electrodes (311) per unit area within the first display area (DA1).

[0069] And, since the third pixel electrode (313) extends (in the -x direction) into the second display area (DA2), space is required for such an extension to be located within the third display area (DA3), and furthermore, since the third thin-film transistor (TFT3) controlling the third pixel electrode (313) is located within the second display area (DA2), there is inevitably a limit to the number of third thin-film transistors (TFT3) that can be located within the second display area (DA2). Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5, the number of third pixel electrodes (313) per unit area within the third display area (DA3) may be less than the number of first pixel electrodes (311) per unit area within the first display area (DA1).

[0070] Meanwhile, it is desirable to maintain the same or similar resolution in the second display area (DA2) and the third display area (DA3). This is because the less the resolution changes within the display area, the higher the quality of the image can be displayed. Therefore, the number of second pixel electrodes (312) per unit area in the second display area (DA2) can be made equal to the number of third pixel electrodes (313) per unit area in the third display area (DA3).

[0071] In FIG. 5, a set of red second pixel electrodes (312R), green second pixel electrodes (312G), blue second pixel electrodes (312B), and green second pixel electrodes (312G) in the second display area (DA2) is shown being positioned repeatedly along one direction (parallel to the y-axis) so that there is space between the sets. In the third display area (DA3), a set of red third pixel electrodes (313R), green third pixel electrodes (313G), blue third pixel electrodes (313B), and green third pixel electrodes (313G) is also shown being positioned repeatedly along one direction (parallel to the y-axis) so that there is space between the sets. In this case, the first pixel electrodes for red (311R) and the first pixel electrodes for blue (311B) are alternately positioned along one direction (parallel to the y-axis) in the first display area (DA1), but in the second display area (DA2), the second pixel electrodes for red (312R) are arranged along one direction (parallel to the y-axis), and in the third display area (DA3), the third pixel electrodes for red (313R) are arranged along one direction (parallel to the y-axis).

[0072] However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, which is a plan view schematically illustrating a part of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention, a set including a subset of a second pixel electrode (312B) for blue, a second pixel electrode (312G) for green, a second pixel electrode (312R) for red, and a second pixel electrode (312G) for green, and a subset of a second pixel electrode (312R) for red, a second pixel electrode (312G) for green, a second pixel electrode (312B) for blue, and a second pixel electrode (312G) for green may be repeatedly positioned along one direction (parallel to the y-axis) such that there is space between the sets. Accordingly, just as in the first display area (DA1), in the second display area (DA2), the second pixel electrode (312R) for red and the second pixel electrode (312B) for blue can be positioned alternately along one direction (parallel to the y-axis).

[0073] Likewise, in the third display area (DA3), a set including a subset of the third pixel electrode for blue (313B), the third pixel electrode for green (313G), the third pixel electrode for red (313R), and the third pixel electrode for green (313G), and a subset of the third pixel electrode for red (313R), the third pixel electrode for green (313G), the third pixel electrode for blue (313B), and the third pixel electrode for green (313G) can be repeatedly positioned along one direction (parallel to the y-axis) such that there is space between the sets. Accordingly, just as in the first display area (DA1), the third pixel electrode for red (313R) and the third pixel electrode for blue (313B) can be alternately positioned along one direction (parallel to the y-axis) in the third display area (DA3).

[0074] FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically illustrating a part of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the case of the display device according to the present embodiment, just as the first pixel electrodes (311R, 311G, 311B) are uniformly arranged within the first display area (DA1), the second pixel electrodes (312R, 312G, 312B) are uniformly arranged in the second display area (DA2), and the third pixel electrodes (313R, 313G, 313B) are uniformly arranged in the third display area (DA3). Accordingly, high-quality images can be displayed not only in the first display area (DA1), but also in the second display area (DA2) and the third display area (DA3). For reference, as shown in FIG. 6, the third pixel electrodes (313R, 313G, 313B) extend into the second display area (DA2). For convenience of illustration, the extensions of such third pixel electrodes (313R, 313G, 313B) are not shown in FIG. 7. This is also the case in the plan views illustrating the embodiments described later.

[0075] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 7, the number of second pixel electrodes (312) per unit area in the second display area (DA2) is less than the number of first pixel electrodes (311) per unit area in the first display area (DA1), and the number of third pixel electrodes (313) per unit area in the third display area (DA3) is less than the number of first pixel electrodes (311) per unit area in the first display area (DA1). As a result, in order to ensure that light of the same or similar brightness as in the first display area (DA1) is emitted in the second display area (DA2) and the third display area (DA3), the amount of light emitted from each pixel in the second display area (DA2) and the third display area (DA3) must be greater than the amount of light emitted from each pixel in the first display area (DA1). Accordingly, a problem may arise in which the pixels of the second display area (DA2) and the third display area (DA3) degrade relatively faster than the pixels of the first display area (DA1).

[0076] FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically illustrating a part of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention for solving these problems. As shown in FIG. 8, in the case of the display device according to the present embodiment, the area of ​​each of the second pixel electrodes (312R, 312G, 312B) located in the second display area (DA2) is larger than the area of ​​each of the first pixel electrodes (311R, 311G, 311B) located in the first display area (DA1). Similarly, the area of ​​each of the third pixel electrodes (313R, 313G, 313B) located in the third display area (DA3) is larger than the area of ​​each of the first pixel electrodes (311R, 311G, 311B) located in the first display area (DA1).

[0077] Through this, the amount of light emitted from each pixel of the second display area (DA2) and the third display area (DA3) is greater than the amount of light emitted from each pixel of the first display area (DA1), while preventing the pixels of the second display area (DA2) and the third display area (DA3) from degrading relatively faster than the pixels of the first display area (DA1).

[0078] For reference, in a set of pixels including a pixel emitting red light, a pixel emitting blue light, and a pixel emitting green light, the area of ​​the pixel electrode in the pixel emitting red light, the area of ​​the pixel electrode in the pixel emitting green light, and the area of ​​the pixel electrode in the pixel emitting blue light may be different. Accordingly, with reference to FIG. 8, the comparison of the area of ​​the first pixel electrode in the first display area (DA1) and the area of ​​the second pixel electrode in the second display area (DA2) described above may be a comparison of areas between pixels emitting light of the same wavelength. The same applies to the comparison of the area of ​​the first pixel electrode in the first display area (DA1) and the area of ​​the third pixel electrode in the third display area (DA3).

[0079] As such, while making the area of ​​each of the second pixel electrodes (312R, 312G, 312B) located in the second display area (DA2) larger than the area of ​​each of the first pixel electrodes (311R, 311G, 311B) located in the first display area (DA1), it is also necessary to consider the area of ​​the openings of the pixel defining film (180), as shown in FIG. 9, which is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a part of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. This is because the degradation of the organic light-emitting diode means that the intermediate layer including the light-emitting layer of the organic light-emitting diode is degraded. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the area of ​​the intermediate layer including the light-emitting layer.

[0080] As described above, the pixel defining film (180) can serve to define the light-emitting region of a pixel by having openings that expose the central portion of each pixel electrode. In the display device according to the present embodiment, the area (A2) of the second opening of the pixel defining film (180) that exposes the central portion of the second pixel electrode (312) is larger than the area (A1) of the first opening of the pixel defining film (180) that exposes the central portion of the first pixel electrode (311). Accordingly, the area of ​​the second intermediate layer (322) on the second pixel electrode (312) is also larger than the area of ​​the first intermediate layer (320 or 321) on the first pixel electrode (311). Through this, the amount of light emitted from each pixel of the second display area (DA2) is greater than the amount of light emitted from each pixel of the first display area (DA1), while preventing the pixels of the second display area (DA2) from degrading relatively faster than the pixels of the first display area (DA1).

[0081] Likewise, the area (A3) of the third opening of the pixel defining film (180) that exposes the central part of the third pixel electrode (313) is larger than the area (A1) of the first opening of the pixel defining film (180) that exposes the central part of the first pixel electrode (311). Accordingly, the area of ​​the third intermediate layer (323) on the third pixel electrode (313) is also larger than the area of ​​the first intermediate layer (320 or 321) on the first pixel electrode (311). Through this, the amount of light emitted from each pixel of the third display area (DA3) is greater than the amount of light emitted from each pixel of the first display area (DA1), while preventing the pixels of the third display area (DA3) from degrading relatively faster than the pixels of the first display area (DA1).

[0082] In the display device according to the present embodiment, in order to display an image of uniform quality in the second display area (DA2) and the third display area (DA3), the area (A3) of the third opening of the pixel defining film (180) that exposes the central part of the third pixel electrode (313) may be equal to the area (A2) of the second opening of the pixel defining film (180) that exposes the central part of the second pixel electrode (312).

[0083] For reference, in a set of pixels including a pixel emitting red light, a pixel emitting blue light, and a pixel emitting green light, the area of ​​the opening of the pixel defining film (180) in the pixel emitting red light, the area of ​​the opening of the pixel defining film (180) in the pixel emitting green light, and the area of ​​the opening of the pixel defining film (180) in the pixel emitting blue light may be different. Accordingly, the comparison of the area of ​​the first opening (A1) in the first display area (DA1) and the area of ​​the second opening (A2) in the second display area (DA2) described above with reference to FIG. 9 is a comparison of areas in pixels emitting light of the same wavelength. The same applies to the comparison of the area of ​​the first opening (A1) in the first display area (DA1) and the area of ​​the third opening (A3) in the third display area (DA3).

[0084] FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically illustrating a part of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the second display area (DA2) located outside the first display area (DA) may include a second-1 display area (DA2-1) located on one side (+x direction) of the first display area (DA1), and a second-2 display area (DA2-2) located on the other side of the first display area (DA1) in the opposite direction (-x direction) of the second-1 display area (DA2-1) centered on the first display area (DA1). That is, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the second-1 display area (DA2-1), the first display area (DA1), and the second-2 display area (DA2-2) may be sequentially located along one axis direction (-x direction). Likewise, a third display area (DA3) located outside the second display area (DA2) may include a third-1 display area (DA3-1) located in the opposite direction (+x direction) of the first display area (DA1) centered on the second-1 display area (DA2-1) (i.e., located outside the second-1 display area (DA2-1)), and a third-2 display area (DA3-2) located in the opposite direction (-x direction) of the first display area (DA1) centered on the second-2 display area (DA2-2) (i.e., located outside the second-2 display area (DA2-2)). That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the third-1 display area (DA3-1), the second-1 display area (DA2-1), the first display area (DA1), the second-2 display area (DA2-2), and the third-2 display area (DA3-2) can be positioned sequentially along one axis direction (-x direction).

[0086] At this time, the driver circuit section included in the display device may include a first driver circuit section (DC1) and a second driver circuit section (DC2), wherein the first driver circuit section (DC1) may be positioned in the third-1 display area (DA3-1) and the second driver circuit section (DC2) may be positioned in the third-2 display area (DA3-2). At this time, some of the third pixel electrodes may be positioned above the first driver circuit section (DC1) so as to overlap with the first driver circuit section (DC1) in the plan view, and the remainder of the third pixel electrodes may be positioned above the second driver circuit section (DC2) so as to overlap with the second driver circuit section (DC2) in the plan view. As a result, the area of ​​dead space on both sides (+x direction and -x direction) of the first display area (DA1) can be drastically reduced. The first driver circuit (DC1) and the second driver circuit (DC2) can, for example, generate or transmit electrical signals applied to scan lines.

[0087] Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second display area (DA2) may surround the first display area (DA1), and the third display area (DA3) may surround the second display area (DA2). In this case, the second pixel electrodes and the third pixel electrodes may not be arranged only in the parts of the second display area (DA2) (in the -x and +x directions) and the third display area (DA3) centered on the first display area (DA1), but may also be arranged in the parts of the second display area (DA2) (in the -y and +y directions) and the third display area (DA3) centered on the first display area (DA1). Through this, the dead space area of ​​the display device can be drastically reduced. Of course, the third pixel electrodes may also be arranged in the outermost corner portions of the display device.

[0088] As such, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, but this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative 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

[0089] DA1: 1st display area DA2: 2nd display area DA3: Third display area 100: Substrate 110: Buffer layer 130: Gate insulating film 150: Interlayer insulation layer 160: Protective layer 170: Planarization layer 180: Pixel definition layer 301: Connecting electrode 311: First pixel electrode 312: Second pixel electrode 313: Third pixel electrode 320, 321: 1st intermediate layer 322: 2nd intermediate layer 323: Third intermediate layer 330: Common electrode

Claims

Claim 1 A substrate having a first display area, a second display area outside the first display area, and a third display area outside the second display area; a first thin-film transistor disposed in the first display area of ​​the substrate; a second thin-film transistor and a third thin-film transistor disposed in the second display area of ​​the substrate; a driver circuit portion disposed in the third display area of ​​the substrate and capable of generating a scanning signal; a first pixel electrode disposed in the first display area of ​​the substrate and electrically connected to the first thin-film transistor; a second pixel electrode disposed in the second display area of ​​the substrate and electrically connected to the second thin-film transistor; An organic light-emitting display device comprising: a third pixel electrode disposed in the third display area of ​​the substrate and positioned above the driver circuit portion so as to overlap with the driver circuit portion in a planar view, and electrically connected to the third thin-film transistor disposed in the second display area. Claim 2 An organic light-emitting display device according to claim 1, wherein the third pixel electrode extends to the second display area and is electrically connected to the third thin-film transistor. Claim 3 delete Claim 4 An organic light-emitting display device according to claim 1, further comprising a shielding layer interposed between the driver circuit portion and the third pixel electrode. Claim 5 An organic light-emitting display device according to claim 4, wherein a static voltage is applied to the shielding layer. Claim 6 An organic light-emitting display device according to claim 4, further comprising: a common electrode located above the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode; and an electrode power supply line electrically connected to the common electrode; wherein the electrode power supply line is electrically connected to the shielding layer. Claim 7 An organic light-emitting display device according to claim 4, further comprising: a common electrode located above the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode and the third pixel electrode; and an electrode power supply line electrically connected to the common electrode; wherein the shielding layer is part of the electrode power supply line. Claim 8 An organic light-emitting display device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of first pixel electrodes are provided in the first display area and a plurality of second pixel electrodes are provided in the second display area, and the number of first pixel electrodes per unit area in the first display area is greater than the number of second pixel electrodes per unit area in the second display area. Claim 9 An organic light-emitting display device according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of the third pixel electrodes are provided in the third display area, and the number of the second pixel electrodes per unit area in the second display area is the same as the number of the third pixel electrodes per unit area in the third display area. Claim 10 An organic light-emitting display device according to claim 1, wherein the area of ​​the second pixel electrode is larger than the area of ​​the first pixel electrode. Claim 11 An organic light-emitting display device according to claim 1, wherein the area of ​​the third pixel electrode is larger than the area of ​​the first pixel electrode. Claim 12 An organic light-emitting display device according to claim 1, further comprising a pixel defining film covering the first pixel electrode to the third pixel electrode, the pixel defining film having a first opening that exposes the central portion of the first pixel electrode, a second opening that exposes the central portion of the second pixel electrode, and a third opening that exposes the central portion of the third pixel electrode. Claim 13 An organic light-emitting display device according to claim 12, wherein the area of ​​the second opening is larger than the area of ​​the first opening. Claim 14 An organic light-emitting display device according to claim 12, wherein the area of ​​the third opening is larger than the area of ​​the first opening. Claim 15 An organic light-emitting display device according to claim 14, wherein the area of ​​the third opening is the same as the area of ​​the second opening. Claim 16 An organic light-emitting display device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of second pixel electrodes are provided in the second display area, and the second pixel electrodes are uniformly arranged in the second display area. Claim 17 An organic light-emitting display device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of third pixel electrodes are provided in the third display area, and the third pixel electrodes are uniformly arranged in the third display area. Claim 18 An organic light-emitting display device according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 4 through 17, wherein the second display area surrounds the first display area and the third display area surrounds the second display area. Claim 19 In claim 1, the third display area is provided with a plurality of third pixel electrodes, and the second display area includes a second-1 display area located on one side of the first display area and a second-2 display area located on the other side of the first display area, wherein the second-1 display area, the first display area, and the second-2 display area are sequentially located along a single axis direction, and the third display area includes a third-1 display area located outside the second-1 display area and a third-2 display area located outside the second-2 display area, wherein the third-1 display area, the second-1 display area, the first display area, the second-2 display area, and the third-2 display area are sequentially located along the single axis direction, and the driver circuit part comprises a first driver circuit part disposed in the third-1 display area and the An organic light-emitting display device having a second driver circuit portion disposed in a third-second display area, wherein some of the third pixel electrodes are positioned above the first driver circuit portion so as to overlap with the first driver circuit portion in a plan view, and the remainder of the third pixel electrodes are positioned above the second driver circuit portion so as to overlap with the second driver circuit portion in a plan view. Claim 20 An electronic device including the organic light-emitting display device of claim 1. Claim 21 In paragraph 20, the electronic device is an electronic device that is a smartphone, mobile phone, navigation device, game console, TV, vehicle head unit, notebook computer, tablet computer, PMP (Personal Media Player), or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).

Images