Display device

Abstract

A display device is disclosed. The display device includes a substrate having a display area and a non-display area at least partially surrounding the display area; a plurality of pixels arranged in the display area of the substrate; a plurality of first protrusions arranged in the non-display area of the substrate extending along an edge of the substrate; and a second protrusion arranged between the plurality of first protrusions and the display area on the substrate, the second protrusion including a plurality of cavities arranged in a plurality of columns to restrict flow of excess organic material during manufacturing, wherein the cavities can be arranged in adjacent columns that are staggered from each other in a direction transverse to the columns.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0183048, filed on December 28, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. Technical Field

[0003] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally relate to display devices, and more particularly, to a display device including a dam member for reducing overflow of organic materials used to fabricate layers or components in the display device. Background Art

[0004] Among display devices, organic light-emitting display devices use multiple organic light-emitting elements that emit light through the recombination of electrons and holes to display images. Compared with liquid crystal display devices, organic light-emitting display devices do not require a separate light source and have various advantages, such as excellent brightness, excellent viewing angle, fast response time, and low power consumption.

[0005] To manufacture an organic light-emitting display device, multiple pixels, including organic light-emitting elements, are formed on a substrate. A thin-film encapsulation layer is then applied to the substrate to cover the pixels. The thin-film encapsulation layer includes an inorganic insulating layer and an organic insulating layer. A liquid organic material is applied to the substrate and cured to form the organic insulating layer. If an excess of liquid organic material is applied to the substrate, it overflows.

[0006] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for understanding the background of the present inventive concept and therefore it may contain information that does not constitute prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Display devices and methods for manufacturing display devices constructed in accordance with the principles and exemplary embodiments of the present invention reduce or prevent overflow of organic materials used to make layers or components in the display device. Preventing excess organic material from flowing into other portions of the display device and / or overflowing the substrate increases the reliability and / or operational performance of the display device and can avoid the need for additional processing steps to remove the excess organic material.

[0008] Additional features of the present inventive concept will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present inventive concept.

[0009] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a display device includes: a substrate having a display area and a non-display area at least partially surrounding the display area; a plurality of pixels arranged in the display area of ​​the substrate; a plurality of first protrusions arranged in the non-display area of ​​the substrate and extending along an edge of the substrate; and a second protrusion arranged on the substrate between the plurality of first protrusions and the display area, the second protrusions including a plurality of cavities arranged in a plurality of columns to limit the flow of excess organic material during manufacturing, wherein the cavities can be arranged in adjacent columns that are staggered with each other in a direction transverse to the columns.

[0010] The second protrusion may include a dummy dam member disposed on the substrate as a single layer.

[0011] The second protrusion may include an organic material.

[0012] The second protrusion has a width greater than a width of each of the plurality of first protrusions.

[0013] The first protrusion may include a dam member, and the second protrusion may include a dummy dam member, the dam member of the first protrusion including: a first dam member having a height higher than that of the dummy dam member; and a second dam member having a height higher than that of the first dam member, wherein the second dam member may be arranged adjacent to an edge of the substrate, and wherein the first dam member may be arranged between the dummy dam member and the second dam member.

[0014] The first bank member may include: a first bank insulating layer disposed on the substrate; a second bank insulating layer disposed on the first bank insulating layer; and a third bank insulating layer disposed on the second bank insulating layer.

[0015] The second dam member may include: a fourth bank insulating layer disposed on the substrate; a fifth bank insulating layer disposed on the fourth bank insulating layer; a sixth bank insulating layer disposed on the fifth bank insulating layer; and a seventh bank insulating layer disposed on the sixth bank insulating layer.

[0016] Each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh bank insulating layers may include an organic material.

[0017] The cavity may include a hole, and the second protrusion may include a body portion in which the hole is defined, the body portion at least partially surrounding the display area; and a plurality of protrusion portions extending from a side of the body portion facing the display area.

[0018] The plurality of protrusions are staggered in a transverse direction relative to the cavities arranged in a column adjacent to the plurality of protrusions.

[0019] Each of the plurality of protrusions has at least one of a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, and a semicircular shape.

[0020] Adjacent protrusions have different sizes from each other.

[0021] The display device may further include: an insulating layer arranged in the display area of ​​the substrate and extending to the non-display area to be adjacent to the second protrusion; and a thin film encapsulation layer covering a plurality of pixels, wherein the plurality of pixels may include: a plurality of transistors arranged on the substrate; and a plurality of light emitting elements connected to the plurality of transistors, wherein the insulating layer may be arranged on the plurality of transistors, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements may be arranged on the insulating layer and connected to the plurality of transistors through a plurality of contact holes defined through the insulating layer, and wherein the thin film encapsulation layer may be arranged on the plurality of light emitting elements.

[0022] The thin film encapsulation layer may include: a first encapsulation layer, arranged on the substrate to cover the multiple light-emitting elements in the display area and the insulating layer, the second protrusion and the multiple first protrusions in the non-display area; a second encapsulation layer, arranged on the first encapsulation layer in the display area and extending to the non-display area, the second encapsulation layer being arranged on a portion of the insulating layer adjacent to the boundary of the insulating layer in the non-display area; and a third encapsulation layer, arranged on the first encapsulation layer to cover the second encapsulation layer.

[0023] Each of the first and third encapsulation layers may include an inorganic material, and the second encapsulation layer may include an organic material, and the cavity is configured to receive excess organic material from the second encapsulation layer.

[0024] The second bump is arranged between a boundary of the insulating layer and the plurality of first bumps.

[0025] The second bump is arranged on the insulating layer and between a boundary of the insulating layer and a boundary of the second encapsulation layer.

[0026] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. They illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the inventive concept.

[0028] Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating a display device constructed according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1Equivalent circuit diagram of a representative pixel is shown.

[0030] Figure 3 It is an icon Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the pixel shown;

[0031] Figure 4 It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view is taken along line II'.

[0032] Figure 5 It is an icon Figure 4 A plan view of a portion of a fictitious dam member is shown.

[0033] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 The cross-sectional view is taken along line II-II'.

[0034] Figure 7 、 Figure 8 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 are plan views illustrating various exemplary embodiments of dummy dam members that may be used in a display device constructed according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device constructed according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device constructed according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 13 It shows Figure 12 A plan view of a portion of a fictitious dam member is shown.

[0038] Figure 14 、 Figure 15 and Figure 16 are plan views illustrating various exemplary embodiments of dummy dam members that may be used in a display device constructed according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device constructed according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device constructed according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 19 It is an icon Figure 18 A perspective view of a first dam member and a second dam member is shown.

[0042] Figure 20 It is an icon Figure 19 a plan view of the first and second dam members shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various exemplary embodiments or implementations of the present invention. As used herein, "embodiment" and "implementation" are interchangeable terms as non-limiting examples of apparatuses or methods that employ one or more inventive concepts disclosed herein. It will be apparent, however, that various exemplary embodiments can be practiced without these specific details, or in an implementation not specifically described herein. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the various exemplary embodiments. Additionally, various exemplary embodiments can be different from one another but not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, a specific shape, configuration, and / or characteristic of an exemplary embodiment can be used in another exemplary embodiment or implemented in another exemplary embodiment without departing from the inventive concepts.

[0044] Unless otherwise specified, exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures should be understood to provide illustrative features of different details of some ways in which inventive concepts can be implemented in practice. Thus, unless otherwise specified, features, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions, and / or aspects of various embodiments (hereinafter, collectively or individually referred to as "elements") can be otherwise combined, separated, interchanged, and / or rearranged without departing from the inventive concepts.

[0045] The use of cross-hatching and / or shading in the drawings is generally provided to illustrate the boundaries, edges, and / or surfaces of elements of the drawings. Unless specified, the presence or absence of cross-hatching and / or shading is not intended to indicate or imply any preference or requirement for particular material, material properties, dimensions, proportions, configurations, and / or other characteristics of the elements of the drawings. In addition, in the drawings, the size and relative sizes of elements can be exaggerated for clarity and / or descriptive purposes. Unless otherwise described, exemplary embodiments can be implemented differently without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, two or more consecutive described processes can be performed at substantially the same time, or in an order opposite to that described. In addition, the same reference numbers represent the same elements.

[0046] When an element such as a layer is referred to as being "located on another element or layer," "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, the element may be directly located on, directly connected to or coupled to, or there may be intermediate elements or layers. However, when an element or layer is referred to as being "directly located on," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intermediate elements or layers. For this purpose, the term "connected" may refer to a physical connection, an electrical connection and / or a fluid connection with or without intermediate elements. In addition, the D1 axis, the D2 axis and the D3 axis are not limited to the three axes of a rectangular coordinate system (such as the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis), but may be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the D1 axis, the D2 axis and the D3 axis may be perpendicular to each other, or may represent different directions that are not perpendicular to each other. For the purposes of this disclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z” may be interpreted as only X, only Y, only Z, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as, for example, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0047] Although the terms "first," "second," etc. may be used herein to describe various types of elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, the first element described below can be referred to as the second element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0048] For descriptive purposes, spatially relative terms such as "below," "beneath," "under," "down," "above," "up," "above," "higher," "side" (e.g., as in "sidewall"), etc., may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element to another element as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device when in use, in operation, and / or in manufacture other than the orientation depicted in the accompanying drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings were turned over, elements described as being "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would be "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both above and below orientations. Moreover, the device can be oriented in other directions (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and therefore the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0049] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit. As used herein, the singular forms "a" and "the" are intended to also include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, the terms "comprise" and / or "include", when used in this specification, specify the presence of the features, integral bodies, steps, operations, elements, components and / or their groups, but do not exclude the presence or increase of one or more other features, integral bodies, steps, operations, elements, components and / or their groups. It should also be noted that, as used herein, the terms "substantially", "approximately" and other similar terms are used as approximate terms and are not used as terms of degree, and are therefore used to consider the inherent deviations in the values ​​measured, calculated and / or provided that will be recognized by those skilled in the art.

[0050] Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations and / or exploded illustrations, which are schematic illustrations of idealized exemplary embodiments and / or intermediate structures. Thus, variations between the illustrated shapes are to be expected as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Thus, the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are not necessarily to be construed as limited to the specific illustrated shapes of regions, but are to include deviations in shape resulting from, for example, manufacturing. In this manner, the regions illustrated in the accompanying drawings may be schematic in nature, and the shapes of these regions may not reflect the actual shapes of regions of the device and, therefore, are not necessarily intended to be limiting.

[0051] As is customary in the art, some exemplary embodiments are described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings from the perspective of functional blocks, units and / or modules. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that these blocks, units and / or modules are physically implemented by electronic (or optical) circuits (e.g., logic circuits, discrete components, microprocessors, hard-wired circuits, memory elements, wiring connections, etc., which can be formed using semiconductor-based manufacturing techniques or other manufacturing techniques). In the case where blocks, units and / or modules are implemented by microprocessors or other similar hardware, they can be programmed and controlled using software (e.g., microcode) to perform the various functions discussed herein, and can optionally be driven by firmware and / or software. It is also contemplated that each block, unit and / or module can be implemented by dedicated hardware, or implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware that performs some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuits) that performs other functions. In addition, each block, unit and / or module in some exemplary embodiments can be physically divided into two or more interactive and discrete blocks, units and / or modules without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the blocks, units and / or modules of some exemplary embodiments may be physically combined into more complex blocks, units and / or modules without departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

[0052] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Terms (such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries) should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined as such herein.

[0053] The principles of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0054] Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating a display device 100 constructed according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] refer to Figure 1 The display device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a display panel 110, a scan driver 120, a data driver 130, an emission driver 140, and a plurality of first and second protrusions. The first and second protrusions may be in the form of dam members DM1 and DM2, respectively, and a dummy dam member DDM. The display panel 110 may be an organic light-emitting display panel, but the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby. For example, various display panels such as a liquid crystal display panel, an electrowetting display panel, and an electrophoretic display panel may be used as the display panel 110.

[0056] The display panel 110 may be a flexible display panel. For example, the display panel 110 may include a substrate formed of a flexible plastic material and a plurality of electronic components arranged on the substrate. The display panel 110 may have a rectangular shape having short sides parallel to a first direction DR1 and long sides parallel to a second direction DR2 intersecting the first direction DR1.

[0057] The display panel 110 may have a flat surface (or plane) parallel to the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. The flat surface of the display panel 110 may include a display area DA and a non-display area NDA surrounding the display area DA. The display area DA corresponds to an area where an image is displayed, and the non-display area NDA corresponds to an area where no image is displayed.

[0058] The display panel 110 may include a plurality of pixels PX, a plurality of scan lines SL1 to SLm, a plurality of data lines DL1 to DLn, and a plurality of emission lines EL1 to ELm. Each of "m" and "n" is a natural number. For ease of explanation, Figure 1One pixel PX is shown, but the display panel 110 substantially includes a plurality of pixels PX arranged thereon. The plurality of pixels PX may be arranged in a matrix form in the display area DA and may be connected to scan lines SL1 to SLm, data lines DL1 to DLn, and emission lines EL1 to ELm.

[0059] The scan driver 120, the data driver 130, and the emission driver 140 may be arranged in the non-display area NDA. The scan driver 120 may be arranged in the non-display area NDA adjacent to one side of the display panel 110, the side corresponding to one of the long sides of the display panel 110. The emission driver 140 may be arranged in the non-display area NDA adjacent to the other side of the display panel 110, the other side of the display panel 110 being opposite to the one side of the display panel 110. The data driver 130 may be implemented in the form of an integrated circuit and may be arranged in the non-display area NDA adjacent to one of the short sides of the display panel 110.

[0060] The scan lines SL1 to SLm may extend in a first direction DR1 and may be connected to the scan driver 120. The scan lines SL1 to SLm may receive a plurality of scan signals from the scan driver 120. The data lines DL1 to DLn may extend in a second direction DR2 and may be connected to the data driver 130. The data lines DL1 to DLn may receive a plurality of data voltages from the data driver 130. The emission lines EL1 to ELm may extend in the first direction DR1 and may be connected to the emission driver 140. The emission lines EL1 to ELm may receive a plurality of emission signals from the emission driver 140.

[0061] The scan driver 120 may generate scan signals, and the scan signals may be applied to the plurality of pixels PX via the scan lines SL1 to SLm. The scan signals may be sequentially applied to the plurality of pixels PX. The data driver 130 may generate data voltages, and the data voltages may be applied to the plurality of pixels PX via the data lines DL1 to DLn. The emission driver 140 may generate emission signals, and the emission signals may be applied to the plurality of pixels PX via the emission lines EL1 to ELm.

[0062] The display device 100 may include a timing controller for controlling the operations of the scan driver 120, the data driver 130, and the emission driver 140. The timing controller may generate a scan control signal, a data control signal, and an emission control signal in response to a control signal provided from an external source. In addition, the timing controller may receive an image signal from an external source and may convert the data format of the image signal into a data format suitable for the interface between the data driver 130 and the timing controller. The timing controller may provide the image signal with the converted data format to the data driver 130.

[0063] The scan driver 120 may generate a scan signal in response to a scan control signal, and the emission driver 140 may generate an emission signal in response to an emission control signal. The data driver 130 may receive an image signal having a converted data format and may generate a data voltage corresponding to the image signal in response to a data control signal.

[0064] The plurality of pixels PX may receive a data voltage in response to a scan signal. The plurality of pixels PX may emit light having a brightness corresponding to the data voltage in response to an emission signal, and as a result, an image may be displayed. The light emission time of the plurality of pixels PX may be controlled by the emission signal.

[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, the scan driver 120, the data driver 130, the emission driver 140 and / or one or more components thereof may be implemented by one or more general and / or special components, for example, one or more discrete circuits, digital signal processing chips, integrated circuits, application-specific integrated circuits, microprocessors, processors, programmable arrays, field programmable arrays, instruction set processors, etc.

[0066] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the features, functions, processes, etc. described herein may be implemented by software, hardware (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processing (DSP) chip, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.), firmware, or a combination thereof. In this manner, the scan driver 120, the data driver 130, the emission driver 140, and / or one or more components thereof may include or otherwise be associated with one or more memories, the memories including codes (e.g., instructions) configured to cause the scan driver 120, the data driver 130, the emission driver 140, and / or one or more components thereof to perform one or more of the features, functions, processes, etc. described herein.

[0067] Memory can be any medium that participates in providing code for execution to one or more software, hardware, and / or firmware components. Such memory can be implemented in any suitable form, including but not limited to non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical disks or magnetic disks. Volatile media include dynamic memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wires, and optical fibers. Transmission media can also take the form of sound waves, light waves, or electromagnetic waves. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tape, any other magnetic media, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), rewritable compact disc (CD-RW), digital video disc (DVD), rewritable DVD (DVD-RW), any other optical media, punch cards, paper tape, optical masks, any other physical media with a pattern of holes or other optically recognizable marks, random access memory (RAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cassette, carrier wave, or any other medium from which information can be read by, for example, a controller / processor.

[0068] The dam members DM1 and DM2 may be arranged in the non-display area NDA to partially or completely surround the display area DA. Specifically, the dam members DM1 and DM2 may extend along the edge of the display panel 110 to surround the scan driver 120, the data driver 130, and the emission driver 140. A dummy dam member DDM may be arranged between the dam members DM1 and DM2 and the display area DA. As a representative example, two dam members DM1 and DM2 are described, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and the number of dam members DM1 and DM2 should not be limited to two.

[0069] The dam members DM1 and DM2 may include a first dam member DM1 adjacent to the dummy dam member DDM and a second dam member DM2 adjacent to an edge of the display panel 110. The first dam member DM1 may be disposed between the dummy dam member DDM and the second dam member DM2. The first and second dam members DM1 and DM2 and the dummy dam member DDM will be described in more detail below.

[0070] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 An equivalent circuit diagram of a representative pixel PX is shown.

[0071] Figure 2 Only one representative pixel PX is illustrated; however, a plurality of pixels PX arranged in the display panel 110 may have the same Figure 2 The configuration of the pixels PX shown is basically the same configuration.

[0072] refer to Figure 2 Pixel PX can be connected to a corresponding scan line SLi among scan lines SL1 to SLm, a corresponding data line DLj among data lines DL1 to DLn, and a corresponding emission line ELi among emission lines EL1 to ELm. "i" is a natural number equal to or less than "m," and "j" is a natural number equal to or less than "n." Pixel PX may include a light-emitting element OLED, a driving transistor T1, a capacitor Cst, a switching transistor T2, and an emission control transistor T3. The light-emitting element OLED may be, but is not limited to, an organic light-emitting diode.

[0073] A source terminal of the driving transistor T1 may be applied with the first voltage ELVDD, and a drain terminal of the driving transistor T1 may be connected to a source terminal of the emission control transistor T3 .A gate terminal of the driving transistor T1 may be connected to a drain terminal of the switching transistor T2 .

[0074] The gate terminal of the switching transistor T2 can be connected to the scan line SLi, and the source terminal of the switching transistor T2 can be connected to the data line DLj. The first electrode of the capacitor Cst can be connected to the source terminal of the driving transistor T1, and the second electrode of the capacitor Cst can be connected to the gate terminal of the driving transistor T1.

[0075] The gate terminal of the emission control transistor T3 can be connected to the emission line ELi, and the drain terminal of the emission control transistor T3 can be connected to the anode electrode of the light emitting element OLED. The cathode electrode of the light emitting element OLED can be applied with the second voltage ELVSS. The second voltage ELVSS can have a level lower than that of the first voltage ELVDD.

[0076] The switching transistor T2 may be turned on in response to a scan signal SCAN provided via the scan line SLi. The turned-on switching transistor T2 may provide a data voltage DATA provided via the data line DLj to the gate terminal of the driving transistor T1. The capacitive element Cst may be charged with the data voltage DATA applied to the gate terminal of the driving transistor T1 and may maintain the charged data voltage DATA after the switching transistor T2 is turned off.

[0077] The gate terminal of the emission control transistor T3 can receive the emission signal EM through the emission line ELi, and the emission control transistor T3 can be turned on in response to the emission signal EM. The turned-on emission control transistor T3 can provide the driving current I flowing through the driving transistor T1 to the light emitting element OLED. oled The pixel PX can emit light when the emission signal EM is applied to the emission control transistor T3. The intensity of the light emitted from the light emitting element OLED can be adjusted according to the driving current I oled changes with the amount.

[0078] In an exemplary embodiment, the transistors T1, T2, and T3 of the pixel PX are PMOS transistors, but the exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto or thereby. That is, the transistors T1, T2, and T3 of the pixel PX may be NMOS transistors.

[0079] Figure 3 It is an icon Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a pixel PX is shown.

[0080] refer to Figure 3 , the pixel PX may include a light emitting element OLED and a transistor TR connected to the light emitting element OLED. The transistor TR may be Figure 2 The emission control transistor T3 is shown. The transistor TR and the light emitting element OLED may be arranged on a substrate SUB, and the substrate SUB may include a transparent flexible substrate made of a flexible plastic material. For example, the substrate SUB may include polyimide (PI).

[0081] The buffer layer BFL may be disposed on the substrate SUB and may include an inorganic material. The semiconductor layer SM of the transistor TR may be disposed on the buffer layer BFL. The semiconductor layer SM may include an inorganic semiconductor such as amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon, or may include an organic semiconductor. Alternatively, the semiconductor layer SM may include an oxide semiconductor. Although Figure 3 Not shown in the figure, the semiconductor layer SM may include a source region, a drain region, and a channel region between the source region and the drain region.

[0082] A first insulating layer INS1 may be disposed on the buffer layer BFL to cover the semiconductor layer SM. The first insulating layer INS1 may include an inorganic material. The gate electrode GE of the transistor TR may be disposed on the first insulating layer INS1 to overlap with the semiconductor layer SM. The gate electrode GE may be disposed to overlap with the channel region of the semiconductor layer SM.

[0083] The second insulating layer INS2 may be disposed on the first insulating layer INS1 to cover the gate electrode GE. The second insulating layer INS2 may be referred to as an interlayer insulating layer. The second insulating layer INS2 may include an organic material and / or an inorganic material.

[0084] The source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE of the transistor TR may be separated from each other and may be arranged on the second insulating layer INS2. The source electrode SE may be connected to the source region of the semiconductor layer SM through a first contact hole CH1 defined through the first insulating layer INS1 and the second insulating layer INS2. The drain electrode DE may be connected to the drain region of the semiconductor layer SM through a second contact hole CH2 defined through the first insulating layer INS1 and the second insulating layer INS2.

[0085] The third insulating layer INS3 may be disposed on the second insulating layer INS2 to cover the source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE of the transistor TR. The third insulating layer INS3 may be referred to as a planarization layer for providing a flat upper surface. The third insulating layer INS3 may include an organic material.

[0086] The first electrode E1 of the light-emitting element OLED may be disposed on the third insulating layer INS3. The first electrode E1 may be connected to the drain electrode DE of the transistor TR via a third contact hole CH3 defined through the third insulating layer INS3. The first electrode E1 may be referred to as a pixel electrode or an anode electrode. The first electrode E1 may include a transparent electrode or a reflective electrode.

[0087] A pixel defining layer (PDL) may be disposed on the first electrode E1 and the third insulating layer INS3 to expose a predetermined portion of the first electrode E1. An opening portion OP may be defined by the pixel defining layer PDL to expose a predetermined portion of the first electrode E1. The region in which the opening portion OP is defined may be referred to as a pixel area PA. The periphery of the pixel area PA may be referred to as a non-pixel area NPA.

[0088] The organic light-emitting layer OEL may be disposed on the first electrode E1 in the opening portion OP. The organic light-emitting layer OEL may include an organic material capable of generating light having one of red, green, and blue colors. Therefore, the organic light-emitting layer OEL may generate one of red, green, and blue light, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby. That is, the organic light-emitting layer OEL may generate white light by combining organic materials that generate red, green, and blue light, respectively.

[0089] The organic light emitting layer OEL may include a low molecular weight organic material or a high molecular weight organic material. Figure 3 Although not shown, the organic light-emitting layer OEL may be formed of a multilayer structure including a hole injection layer (HIL), a hole transport layer (HTL), an emission layer (EML), an electron transport layer (ETL), and an electron injection layer (EIL). The hole injection layer may be disposed on the first electrode E1. The hole transport layer, the emission layer, the electron transport layer, and the electron injection layer may be sequentially stacked on the hole injection layer.

[0090] The second electrode E2 of the light emitting element OLED may be arranged on the pixel defining layer PDL and the organic light emitting layer OEL. The second electrode E2 may be referred to as a common electrode or a cathode electrode. The second electrode E2 may include a transparent electrode or a reflective electrode.

[0091] When the display panel 110 is a front-emission organic light-emitting display panel, the first electrode E1 may be a reflective electrode, and the second electrode E2 may be a transparent electrode. When the display panel 110 is a rear-emission organic light-emitting display panel, the first electrode E1 may be a transparent electrode, and the second electrode E2 may be a reflective electrode.

[0092] The light emitting element OLED may be arranged in the pixel area PA and may include a first electrode E1, an organic light emitting layer OEL, and a second electrode E2 in the pixel area PA. The first electrode E1 may be an anode electrode configured to inject holes, and the second electrode E2 may be a cathode electrode configured to inject electrons.

[0093] A thin film encapsulation layer TFE may be disposed on the light-emitting element OLED to cover the pixel PX. The thin film encapsulation layer TFE may be disposed on the second electrode E2. The thin film encapsulation layer TFE may include a first encapsulation layer EN1 disposed on the light-emitting element OLED, a second encapsulation layer EN2 disposed on the first encapsulation layer EN1, and a third encapsulation layer EN3 disposed on the second encapsulation layer EN2. Each of the first encapsulation layer EN1 and the third encapsulation layer EN3 may include an inorganic material, and the second encapsulation layer EN2 may include an organic material. The second encapsulation layer EN2 may have a thickness greater than that of each of the first encapsulation layer EN1 and the third encapsulation layer EN3.

[0094] A first voltage ELVDD may be applied to the first electrode E1 through the transistor TR, and a second voltage ELVSS may be applied to the second electrode E2. Holes and electrons injected into the organic light-emitting layer OEL may recombine to generate excitons (electron-hole pairs), and the excitons may transition from an excited state to a ground state to emit light from the light-emitting element OLED. The light-emitting element OLED may emit one of red, green, and blue light having an intensity depending on the driving current, and thus may display image information.

[0095] Figure 4 It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view is taken along line II'. Figure 5 It is an icon Figure 4 A plan view of a portion of a dummy dam member DDM is shown. Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 The cross-sectional view is taken along line II-II'.

[0096] refer to Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6The substrate SUB may include a display area DA and a non-display area NDA, and the display area DA of the substrate SUB may include a pixel area PA and a non-pixel area NPA. Pixels PX may be arranged in the display area DA of the substrate SUB. First and second dam members DM1 and DM2 and a dummy dam member DDM may be arranged in the non-display area NDA of the substrate SUB.

[0097] The scan driver 120 may include a plurality of transistors, and the transistors of the scan driver 120 may be arranged on the substrate SUB. Figure 4 One transistor TS of the scan driver 120 is shown as an exemplary embodiment. Figure 4 In the cross-sectional view of FIG, a portion where the scan driver 120 is arranged is illustrated in a relatively reduced size.

[0098] The buffer layer BFL and the first insulating layer INS1 may be disposed in the display area DA and the non-display area NDA of the substrate SUB. The second insulating layer INS2 may be disposed in the display area DA of the substrate SUB. The second insulating layer INS2 may extend to a portion of the non-display area NDA adjacent to the dummy dam member DDM, and the second insulating layer INS2 may be disposed adjacent to the dummy dam member DDM.

[0099] The third insulating layer INS3 disposed in the display area DA of the substrate SUB may extend to a portion of the non-display area NDA adjacent to the dummy dam member DDM. The third insulating layer INS3 may be disposed adjacent to the dummy dam member DDM and may be disposed on the second insulating layer INS2 in this portion of the non-display area NDA. The third insulating layer INS3 may be disposed over the transistors TR and TS to cover the transistor TR in the display area DA and the transistor TS in the non-display area NDA. The light-emitting element OLED may be disposed on the third insulating layer INS3. The second electrode E2 of the light-emitting element OLED may extend to the non-display area NDA and may be disposed on the third insulating layer INS3 in the non-display area NDA.

[0100] The first dam member DM1 and the second dam member DM2 may be arranged in the non-display area NDA of the substrate SUB and may extend along the edge of the substrate SUB. The dummy dam member DDM may be arranged on the substrate SUB between the first dam member DM1 and the second dam member DM2 and the display area DA. Figure 5As shown, the cavity can be in the form of a recess, opening, hole or other type of discontinuity in the surface of the dummy dam member that can receive or guide the organic material flowing from another layer during manufacturing, as described in more detail herein. For ease of description, the cavity in the illustrated embodiment is shown as a hole H that can pass through the dummy dam member DDM. The holes H can be arranged in multiple columns. The holes H arranged in the hth column among these columns can be arranged alternately with the holes H arranged in the (h+1)th column (adjacent columns) among these columns. In this way, the holes H arranged in the hth column are staggered with the holes H arranged in the (h+1)th column so as to be non-parallel to the holes H arranged in the (h+1)th column in the lateral (row) direction, where "h" is a natural number.

[0101] The dummy dam member DDM may be disposed as a single layer on the substrate SUB. The dummy dam member DDM may include an organic material. For example, a photoresist including the organic material may be disposed on the substrate SUB to form the dummy dam member DDM, and then a predetermined portion of the photoresist may be removed to define the hole H.

[0102] The first dam member DM1 may have a height greater than that of the dummy dam member DDM, and the second dam member DM2 may have a height greater than that of the first dam member DM1. The space between the first dam member DM1 and the second dam member DM2 may be defined as a groove. The second dam member DM2 may be arranged adjacent to an edge of the substrate SUB, and the first dam member DM1 may be arranged between the dummy dam member DDM and the second dam member DM2. The height of each of the first dam member DM1, the second dam member DM2, and the dummy dam member DDM may be defined by the distance between the bottom surface and the top surface of each of the first dam member DM1, the second dam member DM2, and the dummy dam member DDM.

[0103] The dummy dam member DDM may have a width greater than that of each of the first and second dam members DM1 and DM2. The width of each of the first and second dam members DM1 and DM2 and the dummy dam member DDM may be defined by the distance between one side and the other side of each of the first and second dam members DM1 and DM2 and the dummy dam member DDM. The dummy dam member DDM may have a thickness in a range of approximately 2 micrometers (μm) to approximately 5 micrometers (μm). The dummy dam member DDM may have a width greater than or equal to approximately 10 micrometers (μm). Of course, other dimensions may be used depending on the specific application.

[0104] The first dam member DM1 may include a first dam insulation layer DM1_1 disposed on the substrate SUB, a second dam insulation layer DM1_2 disposed on the first dam insulation layer DM1_1, and a third dam insulation layer DM1_3 disposed on the second dam insulation layer DM1_2. The second dam member DM2 may include a fourth dam insulation layer DM2_1 disposed on the substrate SUB, a fifth dam insulation layer DM2_2 disposed on the fourth dam insulation layer DM2_1, a sixth dam insulation layer DM2_3 disposed on the fifth dam insulation layer DM2_2, and a seventh dam insulation layer DM2_4 disposed on the sixth dam insulation layer DM2_3.

[0105] The first bank insulation layer DM1_1, the second bank insulation layer DM1_2, the third bank insulation layer DM1_3, the fourth bank insulation layer DM2_1, the fifth bank insulation layer DM2_2, the sixth bank insulation layer DM2_3, and the seventh bank insulation layer DM2_4 may include an organic material. The first bank insulation layer DM1_1, the second bank insulation layer DM1_2, the third bank insulation layer DM1_3, the fourth bank insulation layer DM2_1, the fifth bank insulation layer DM2_2, and the sixth bank insulation layer DM2_3 may include the same material as at least one of the second insulation layer INS2, the third insulation layer INS3, and the pixel defining layer PDL. The seventh bank insulation layer DM2_4 may include an organic material different from the second insulation layer INS2, the third insulation layer INS3, and the pixel defining layer PDL. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited to or by this arrangement. That is, the seventh bank insulation layer DM2_4 may include the same organic material as at least one of the second insulation layer INS2, the third insulation layer INS3, and the pixel defining layer PDL.

[0106] The first encapsulation layer EN1 may be disposed on the substrate SUB to cover the light emitting element OLED, the third insulating layer INS3, the dummy dam member DDM, and the first and second dam members DM1 and DM2. When the first encapsulation layer EN1 is disposed on the dummy dam member DDM, since the first encapsulation layer EN1 is disposed at a position below the portion in which the hole H of the dummy dam member DDM is defined, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown, a groove G may be defined in the first encapsulation layer EN1 .

[0107] The second encapsulation layer EN2 may be arranged on the first encapsulation layer EN1 in the display area DA and may extend to the non-display area NDA. The second encapsulation layer EN2 may be arranged on a predetermined portion of the third insulating layer INS3 adjacent to a boundary of the third insulating layer INS3 in the non-display area NDA. The third encapsulation layer EN3 may be arranged on the first encapsulation layer EN1 to cover the second encapsulation layer EN2. A dummy dam member DDM may be arranged between the boundary of the second insulating layer INS2 and the third insulating layer INS3 and the first dam member DM1. The height of the dummy dam member DDM may be lower than the height of the upper surface of the second insulating layer INS2.

[0108] When the thin film encapsulation layer TFE of the display device 100 is manufactured, a liquid organic material may be provided on the first encapsulation layer EN1 to form the second encapsulation layer EN2. If an excessive amount of liquid organic material is provided on the first encapsulation layer EN1, the organic material may overflow the substrate SUB and cause reliability problems and / or require an additional processing step for removing the excess material.

[0109] According to the principles and exemplary embodiments of the present invention, when the liquid organic material is provided in excess, the excess organic material can be accommodated or contained in the hole H of the dummy dam member DDM. In essence, the excess organic material can be accommodated or contained in the groove G of the first encapsulation layer EN1 defined by the hole H. In addition, the excess organic material can be accommodated or contained in the groove between the first dam member DM1 and the second dam member DM2, thereby reducing or preventing irregularities or defects in other components or layers in the display device and / or avoiding an additional processing step for removing the excess material.

[0110] refer to Figure 5 , the first organic material OR1 flowing between the rows of holes H arranged in the first column may be accommodated or contained in the holes H arranged in the second column (or middle column), and the second organic material OR2 flowing toward the holes H arranged in the first column may be accommodated or contained in the holes H arranged in the first column. When the holes H arranged in the second column are arranged in the same row as the holes H arranged in the first column and the holes H arranged in the third column, the first organic material OR1 flowing between the rows of holes H may not be accommodated or contained in the holes H and pass between the rows of holes H. Therefore, the staggered arrangement of the holes H is advantageous.

[0111] In the illustrated embodiment, since the holes H arranged in the second column are arranged alternately so as to intersect with the holes H arranged in the first column and the holes H arranged in the third column, the first organic material OR1 can be accommodated or contained in the holes H arranged in the second column. In other words, the flow of the first organic material OR1 can be effectively blocked or curbed. Therefore, excess organic material can be effectively accommodated or contained in the holes H in the dummy dam member DDM.

[0112] Accordingly, the display device 100 according to the illustrated embodiment can effectively block excess organic material by defining a hole H through the dummy dam member DDM and first and second dam members DM1 and DM2 disposed adjacent to the edge of the display panel 110 .

[0113] Figure 7 、 Figure 8 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 are plan views illustrating various exemplary embodiments of a dummy dam member that may be used in the display device 100 constructed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0114] The following will refer to Figure 7 、 Figure 8 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 Main description and Figure 4 and Figure 5 The structure of the dummy dam member DDM shown is different from the structures of the dummy dam members DDMP, DDMP1, DDMP2 and DDMP3. Figure 7 、 Figure 8 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 In the figure, the same reference numerals denote Figure 4 and Figure 5 Elements that are identical to the elements in .

[0115] refer to Figure 7 The dummy dam member DDMP may include a body portion BD and a protrusion portion P extending from the body portion BD. The body portion BD may surround the display area DA, the hole H may be defined through the body portion BD, and Figure 7 The hole H shown can be used with Figure 5 The hole H shown is substantially the same. The main body portion BD may have Figure 5 The dummy dam member DDM shown has substantially the same structure. The protrusions P may extend from one side of the body portion BD toward the display area DA, and each of the protrusions P may have a rectangular shape. The protrusions P may be alternately arranged so as to be staggered in the lateral (row) direction relative to the holes H arranged in the columns adjacent to the protrusions P.

[0116] Return Reference Figure 5 , a side of the dummy dam member DDM not including the protruding portion P may have a substantially flat shape. The side of the dummy dam member DDM may face the display area DA. However, referring to Figure 7 When the protrusion P is disposed on the side of the main body portion BD, the surface area of ​​the side of the dummy dam member DDMP facing the display area DA can be increased due to the protrusion P disposed on the side of the dummy dam member DDMP. In this case, the amount of excess organic material contacting the side of the dummy dam member DDMP can be increased, thereby more effectively blocking the excess organic material.

[0117] refer to Figure 8 , the dummy dam member DDMP1 may include a body portion BD and a protrusion portion P_1 extending from one side of the body portion BD, and each of the protrusion portions P_1 may have a triangular shape. Other structures of the dummy dam member DDMP1 are similar to those of FIG. Figure 7 The other structures of the virtual dam members DDMP shown are basically the same.

[0118] refer to Figure 9 , the dummy dam member DDMP2 may include a main body portion BD and a protrusion portion P_2 extending from one side of the main body portion BD, and each of the protrusion portions P_2 may have a semicircular shape. Other structures of the dummy dam member DDMP2 are similar to Figure 7 The other structures of the virtual dam members DDMP shown are basically the same.

[0119] refer to Figure 10 The dummy dam member DDMP3 may include a main body portion BD and a protrusion portion P_3 extending from one side of the main body portion BD, and each of the protrusion portions P_3 may have a rectangular shape. Two protrusion portions P_3 adjacent to each other among the protrusion portions P_3 may extend by different amounts to have different sizes from each other. Other structures of the dummy dam member DDMP3 are similar to Figure 7 The other structures of the virtual dam members DDMP shown are basically the same.

[0120] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device 200 constructed according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] For ease of explanation, Figure 11 Shown with Figure 4 The display device 200 according to the second exemplary embodiment may have a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. Figure 4The cross-sectional configuration of the display device 100 shown is substantially the same cross-sectional configuration except for the arrangement of the dummy dam member DDM'. Therefore, the arrangement of the dummy dam member DDM' of the display device 200 will be mainly described, and the description of other configurations of the display device 200 shown will be omitted to avoid redundancy. In addition, in Figure 4 the description of the display device 100 shown, the same reference numerals denote the same elements as those in Figure 11 . Figure 4

[0122] Referring to Figure 11 , unlike the dummy dam member DDM shown in Figure 4 , the dummy dam member DDM' can be arranged on the third insulating layer INS3 between the boundary of the third insulating layer INS3 and the boundary of the second encapsulating layer EN2. Therefore, the dummy dam member DDM' can be arranged on the second electrode E2 of the non-display area NDA.

[0123] The dummy dam member DDM' can have a size smaller than the size of the dummy dam member DDM shown, but can have substantially the same structure as that of the dummy dam member DDM. For example, a plurality of holes H can also pass through the dummy dam member DDM' substantially the same as the dummy dam member DDM shown. Figure 4 Figure 5 In addition, the dummy dam member DDM' substantially the same as the dummy dam member DDM shown can be defined. In addition, the dummy dam member DDM' substantially the same as the dummy dam member DDM shown can be arranged on the third insulating layer INS3 between the boundary of the third insulating layer INS3 and the boundary of the second encapsulating layer EN2. Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 The dummy dam member DDM' substantially the same as the dummy dam members DDMP, DDMP1, DDMP2, and DDMP3 shown can also include the protruding portions P, P_1, P_2, and P_3 having a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, a semicircular shape, or a rectangular shape of different sizes. The dummy dam member DDM' can have a thickness in a range of about 2 micrometers (μm) to about 5 micrometers (μm). The dummy dam member DDM' can have a width greater than or equal to about 10 micrometers (μm). Of course, other sizes can be used according to a specific application. Figure 10

[0124] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device 300 configured according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present application. Figure 13 is a plan view showing a part of the dummy dam members DDM1 and DDM2 shown in Figure 12

[0125] For convenience of explanation, Figure 12 a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 4 will be shown. The display device 300 according to the third exemplary embodiment can have substantially the same cross-sectional configuration as that of the display device 100 shown in​​​​​​ Figure 4 The configuration of the display device 100 shown is substantially the same as the configuration of the display device 300. Thus, dummy dam members DDM1 and DDM2 will be mainly described, and descriptions of other configurations of the display device 300 shown will be omitted to avoid redundancy. In addition, in the following description, the same reference numerals are used to denote elements that are the same as those in Figure 4 The configuration of the display device 100 shown is substantially the same as the configuration of the display device 300. Thus, dummy dam members DDM1 and DDM2 will be mainly described, and descriptions of other configurations of the display device 300 shown will be omitted to avoid redundancy. In addition, in the following description, the same reference numerals are used to denote elements that are the same as those in Figure 12 The configuration of the display device 100 shown is substantially the same as the configuration of the display device 300. Thus, dummy dam members DDM1 and DDM2 will be mainly described, and descriptions of other configurations of the display device 300 shown will be omitted to avoid redundancy. In addition, in the following description, the same reference numerals are used to denote elements that are the same as those in Figure 4 The configuration of the display device 100 shown is substantially the same as the configuration of the display device 300. Thus, dummy dam members DDM1 and DDM2 will be mainly described, and descriptions of other configurations of the display device 300 shown will be omitted to avoid redundancy. In addition, in the following description, the same reference numerals are used to denote elements that are the same as those in

[0126] Referring to Figure 12 and Figure 13 , the display device 300 can include dummy dam members DDM1 and DDM2, and the dummy dam members DDM1 and DDM2 can be disposed on the substrate SUB between the first dam members DM1 and the display area DA. Each of the dummy dam members DDM1 and DDM2 can have a height lower than that of the first dam members DM1.

[0127] The dummy dam members DDM1 and DDM2 can include a first dummy dam member DDM1 disposed adjacent to a boundary of the second and third insulating layers INS2 and INS3, and a second dummy dam member DDM2 disposed between the first dummy dam member DDM1 and the dam members DM1 and DM2. The first and second dummy dam members DDM1 and DDM2 can be disposed between the boundary of the second and third insulating layers INS2 and INS3 and the first dam members DM1. The first and second dummy dam members DDM1 and DDM2 can include sidewall portions SW1 and SW2 extending to partially or completely surround the display area DA, and protruding portions P1 and P2 extending from one side of the sidewall portions SW1 and SW2.

[0128] The first dummy dam member DDM1 can include a first sidewall portion SW1 and a plurality of first protruding portions P1 extending from one side of the first sidewall portion SW1 toward the display area DA. The second dummy dam member DDM2 can include a second sidewall portion SW2 and a plurality of second protruding portions P2 extending from one side of the second sidewall portion SW2 toward the display area DA. The first protruding portions P1 can be alternately arranged so as to be interleaved with the second protruding portions P2, and each of the first and second protruding portions P1 and P2 can have a rectangular shape.

[0129] Each of the first dummy dam member DDM1 and the second dummy dam member DDM2 can have a thickness in a range of about 2 micrometers (μm) to about 5 micrometers (μm). Each of the first dummy dam member DDM1 and the second dummy dam member DDM2 can have a width greater than or equal to about 10 micrometers (μm). Of course, other dimensions can be used depending on the particular application. The thickness of each of the first dummy dam member DDM1 and the second dummy dam member DDM2 can be defined by a distance between a bottom surface and an upper surface of each of the first dummy dam member DDM1 and the second dummy dam member DDM2. The width of each of the first dummy dam member DDM1 and the second dummy dam member DDM2 can be defined by a distance between one side surface and another side surface of each of the first dummy dam member DDM1 and the second dummy dam member DDM2.

[0130] The excess organic material can be first blocked by the first dummy dam member DDM1 and the second dummy dam member DDM2, and second blocked by the first dam member DM1 and the second dam member DM2. Since the first dummy dam member DDM1 and the second dummy dam member DDM2 include the first protruding portion P1 and the second protruding portion P2, the surface area of one side of each of the first dummy dam member DDM1 and the second dummy dam member DDM2 facing the display area DA can be increased, and as a result, the excess organic material can be more effectively blocked. In addition, since the first protruding portion P1 and the second protruding portion P2 are alternately arranged with each other, the flow of the organic material can be more effectively suppressed than when the first protruding portion P1 and the second protruding portion P2 are arranged in a straight line relation parallel to each other.

[0131] Accordingly, the display device 300 according to the illustrated embodiment can effectively block the excess organic material by using the first dam member DM1 and the second dam member DM2 and the first dummy dam member DDM1 and the second dummy dam member DDM2.

[0132] Figure 14 、 Figure 15 and Figure 16 are plan views illustrating various exemplary embodiments of dummy dam members that can be used in the display device 300 constructed according to exemplary embodiments of the present application.

[0133] Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments of the dummy dam members will be described mainly with reference to Figure 14 、 Figure 15 and Figure 16 Figure 13 ​The structures of the first dummy dam member DDM1 and the second dummy dam member DDM2 are different from the structures of the first dummy dam members DDM1_1, DDM1_2 and DDM1_3 and the second dummy dam members DDM2_1, DDM2_2 and DDM2_3. Figure 14 、 Figure 15 and Figure 16 In the figure, the same reference numerals denote Figure 13 Elements that are identical to the elements in .

[0134] refer to Figure 14 The first dummy dam member DDM1_1 may include a first sidewall portion SW1 and a first protrusion portion P1_1 extending from one side of the first sidewall portion SW1. The second dummy dam member DDM2_1 may include a second sidewall portion SW2 and a second protrusion portion P2_1 extending from one side of the second sidewall portion SW2. The first protrusion portion P1_1 and the second protrusion portion P2_1 may have a triangular shape.

[0135] refer to Figure 15 The first dummy dam member DDM1_2 may include a first sidewall portion SW1 and a first protrusion P1_2 extending from one side of the first sidewall portion SW1. The second dummy dam member DDM2_2 may include a second sidewall portion SW2 and a second protrusion P2_2 extending from one side of the second sidewall portion SW2. The first protrusion P1_2 and the second protrusion P2_2 may have a semicircular shape.

[0136] refer to Figure 16 The first dummy dam member DDM1_3 may include a first sidewall portion SW1 and a first protrusion P1_3 extending from one side of the first sidewall portion SW1. The second dummy dam member DDM2_3 may include a second sidewall portion SW2 and a second protrusion P2_3 extending from one side of the second sidewall portion SW2. The first protrusion P1_3 and the second protrusion P2_3 may have rectangular shapes. Adjacent first protrusions P1_3 among the first protrusions P1_3 may have different sizes. Adjacent second protrusions P2_3 among the second protrusions P2_3 may have different sizes.

[0137] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device 400 constructed according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0138] For ease of explanation, Figure 17 Shown with Figure 4 The display device 400 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment may have the same configuration as that shown in FIG. Figure 12 The configuration of the display device 300 shown in FIG. 4 is substantially the same configuration. Therefore, the arrangement of the dummy dam members DDM1′ and DDM2′ of the display device 400 will be mainly described, and the arrangement of the dummy dam members DDM1′ and DDM2′ will be described in detail. Figure 12 The description of other configurations of the display device 400 which is substantially the same as the display device 300 shown will be omitted to avoid redundancy. Figure 17 In the figure, the same reference numerals denote Figure 4 Elements that are identical to the elements in .

[0139] refer to Figure 17 ,and Figure 12 Unlike the illustrated dummy dam members DDM1 and DDM2 , the dummy dam members DDM1 ′ and DDM2 ′ may be disposed on the third insulating layer INS3 between a boundary of the third insulating layer INS3 and a boundary of the second encapsulation layer EN2 .

[0140] The virtual dam members DDM1' and DDM2' may have Figure 12 The dummy dam members DDM1 and DDM2 are shown in a smaller size, but may have the same structure as the dummy dam members DDM1 and DDM2. For example, the dummy dam members DDM1' and DDM2' may include a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, a semicircular shape, or a shape similar to the dummy dam members DDM1 and DDM2. Figure 13 、 Figure 14 、 Figure 15 and Figure 16 The dummy dam members DDM1, DDM2, DDM1_1, DDM2_1, DDM1_2, DDM2_2, DDM1_3, and DDM2_3 are shown as having rectangular protrusions P1, P2, P1_1, P2_1, P1_2, P2_2, P1_3, and P2_3 of different sizes. The first dummy dam member DDM1' and the second dummy dam member DDM2' can have a thickness ranging from about 2 microns (μm) to about 5 microns (μm). The first dummy dam member DDM1' and the second dummy dam member DDM2' can have a width greater than or equal to about 10 microns (μm). Of course, other sizes can be used depending on the specific application.

[0141] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device 500 constructed according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 19 It is an icon Figure 18 A perspective view of a first dam member DM1 ′ and a second dam member DM2 ′ is shown. Figure 20 It is an icon Figure 19 A plan view of the first dam member DM1' and the second dam member DM2' is shown.

[0142] For ease of explanation, Figure 18 Shown with Figure 4 The display device 500 according to the fifth exemplary embodiment may have the same configuration as that of the display device 500 except that the dummy dam member DDM is not included in the display device 500 and the first dam member DM1′ and the second dam member DM2′ are configured. Figure 4 The configuration of the display device 100 shown in FIG. 5 is substantially the same configuration. Therefore, the configuration of the first dam member DM1′ and the second dam member DM2′ of the display device 500 will be mainly described, and the same Figure 4 The description of other configurations of the display device 500 which is substantially the same as the display device 100 shown will be omitted to avoid redundancy. Figure 18 In the figure, the same reference numerals denote Figure 4 Elements that are identical to the elements in .

[0143] refer to Figure 18 、 Figure 19 and Figure 20 , the first dam member DM1 ′ may be disposed between the second dam member DM2 ′ and the display area DA, and the second dam member DM2 ′ may be disposed adjacent to an edge of the substrate SUB.

[0144] The first dam member DM1′ may include a first sidewall portion SW3_1 extending to surround the display area DA and a first protrusion portion P3_1 extending from one side of the first sidewall portion SW3_1 toward the display area DA. The second dam member DM2′ may include a second sidewall portion SW3_2 extending to surround the display area DA and a second protrusion portion P3_2 extending from one side of the second sidewall portion SW3_2 toward the display area DA.

[0145] The stacked structure of the first dam member DM1′ and the second dam member DM2′ may be Figure 4 The stacking structure of the first dam member DM1 and the second dam member DM2 is substantially the same. Therefore, for ease of description, the reference numerals of the configurations of the first dam member DM1' and the second dam member DM2' are shown in FIG. Figure 18 and Figure 19 is omitted.

[0146] like Figure 20 As shown, the first protrusions P3_1 may be arranged alternately so as to be interlaced with the second protrusions P3_2. Figure 20 Only the uppermost structure of each of the first and second dam members DM1' and DM2' is shown. Since the surface area of ​​one side of each of the first and second dam members DM1' and DM2' increases due to the first and second protruding portions P3_1 and P3_2, excess organic material can be more effectively blocked.

[0147] According to the principles and exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a display device may include a dam member adjacent to an edge of a display panel and a dummy dam member including a hole defined in the dummy dam member. When an organic material provided to form a component (such as a second encapsulation layer of a thin film encapsulation layer) is provided in excess on a substrate, the excess organic material can be accommodated or contained in the hole of the dummy dam member and in the grooves between the dam members. Thus, the excess organic material can be effectively blocked or confined without overflowing the substrate or causing defects in other components.

[0148] Although specific exemplary embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from the description. Therefore, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, but rather are limited to the broader scope of the appended claims and various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A display device comprising: a substrate having a display area and a non-display area at least partially surrounding the display area; a plurality of pixels arranged in the display area of ​​the substrate, wherein the plurality of pixels include a plurality of light emitting elements; a plurality of first protrusions arranged in the non-display area of ​​the substrate and extending along an edge of the substrate; a second protrusion disposed on the substrate between the plurality of first protrusions and the display area, the second protrusion including a plurality of cavities arranged in a plurality of columns to restrict flow of excess organic material during manufacturing; as well as a thin film encapsulation layer covering the plurality of pixels, wherein the cavities are arranged in adjacent columns staggered with respect to one another in a direction transverse to the columns, wherein the cavity comprises a hole, and the second protrusion comprises: a body portion in which the aperture is defined, the body portion at least partially surrounding the display area; and a plurality of protruding portions extending from a side of the main body portion facing the display area, wherein the second protrusion has a thickness smaller than that of all the first protrusions, and Wherein, the height of the second protrusion is lower than the heights of all the first protrusions.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The second protrusion includes an organic material.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The second protrusion has a width greater than a width of each of the plurality of first protrusions.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The first protrusion includes a dam member, and the second protrusion includes a dummy dam member, the dam member of the first protrusion including: a first dam member having a height greater than that of the dummy dam member; and a second dam member having a height greater than said height of said first dam member, wherein the second dam member is arranged adjacent to the edge of the substrate, and The first dam member is arranged between the dummy dam member and the second dam member.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein the first dam member comprises: a first bank insulating layer disposed on the substrate; a second bank insulating layer disposed on the first bank insulating layer; as well as A third bank insulating layer is disposed on the second bank insulating layer.

6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein the second dam member comprises: a fourth bank insulating layer disposed on the substrate; a fifth bank insulating layer disposed on the fourth bank insulating layer; a sixth bank insulating layer disposed on the fifth bank insulating layer; as well as A seventh bank insulating layer is disposed on the sixth bank insulating layer.

7. The display device according to claim 6, wherein: Each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh bank insulating layers includes an organic material.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of protrusions are staggered in a lateral direction relative to the cavities arranged in a column adjacent to the plurality of protrusions.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein Each of the plurality of protrusions has at least one of a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, and a semicircular shape.

10. The display device according to claim 1, wherein Adjacent protrusions have different sizes from each other.

11. The display device according to claim 1 , further comprising: an insulating layer disposed in the display area of ​​the substrate and extending to the non-display area to be adjacent to the second protrusion, wherein the plurality of pixels further comprises: a plurality of transistors arranged on the substrate, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements are connected to the plurality of transistors, wherein the insulating layer is arranged on the plurality of transistors, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements are arranged on the insulating layer and connected to the plurality of transistors through a plurality of contact holes defined through the insulating layer, and The thin film encapsulation layer is arranged on the plurality of light emitting elements.

12. The display device according to claim 11, wherein The thin film encapsulation layer comprises: a first encapsulation layer arranged on the substrate to cover the plurality of light emitting elements in the display area and the insulating layer, the second protrusion, and the plurality of first protrusions in the non-display area; a second encapsulation layer disposed on the first encapsulation layer in the display area and extending to the non-display area, the second encapsulation layer being disposed on a portion of the insulating layer adjacent to a boundary of the insulating layer in the non-display area; and The third encapsulation layer is arranged on the first encapsulation layer to cover the second encapsulation layer.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: Each of the first and third encapsulation layers includes an inorganic material, and the second encapsulation layer includes an organic material, and the cavity is configured to receive excess organic material from the second encapsulation layer.

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