Display device

Abstract

A display device is provided. The display device includes: a display panel; a first force sensor and a second force sensor, which are arranged below the display panel; and a first vibration generator and a second vibration generator, which are arranged below the display panel. When a force is applied to the first force sensor, the first vibration generator vibrates, and when a force is applied to the second force sensor, the second vibration generator vibrates. The vibration of the first vibration generator is different from the vibration of the second vibration generator.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0095822, filed on August 17, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. Technical Field

[0002] Exemplary embodiments of the invention generally relate to a display device. Background Art

[0003] Electronic devices that provide images to users, such as smartphones, tablet PCs, digital cameras, notebook computers, navigation systems, and smart TVs, include display devices for displaying images. The display device includes a display panel that generates and displays images and various input devices.

[0004] Recently, touch panels that recognize touch inputs have been widely used in display devices, mainly in smart phones and tablet PCs. Due to the convenience of the touch method, touch panels are replacing existing physical input devices such as keyboards. Further development of touch panels has led to attempts to achieve various inputs by installing force sensors in display devices. In addition, in order to achieve tactile functions, vibration generators are being applied to display devices, and studies are being conducted to achieve tactile functions by connecting vibration generators to touch panels or force sensors.

[0005] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for understanding the background of the inventive concept and therefore it may contain information that does not constitute the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0006] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a display device that generates different vibrations according to the location of a force applied by a user.

[0007] Additional features of the inventive concepts 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 inventive concepts.

[0008] An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a display device, the display device comprising: a display panel; a first force sensor and a second force sensor, disposed below the display panel; and a first vibration generator and a second vibration generator, disposed below the display panel. When a force is applied to the first force sensor, the first vibration generator vibrates, and when a force is applied to the second force sensor, the second vibration generator vibrates. The vibration of the first vibration generator may be different from the vibration of the second vibration generator.

[0009] The first vibration generator may be disposed adjacent to the first force sensor, and the second vibration generator may be disposed adjacent to the second force sensor.

[0010] The first force sensor may be disposed outside the first vibration generator, and the second force sensor may be disposed outside the second vibration generator.

[0011] Each of the first force sensor and the second force sensor may include a plurality of force sensing units.

[0012] The first vibration generator may vibrate differently when force is applied to any one of the force sensing units of the first force sensor and when force is applied to another one of the force sensing units of the first force sensor.

[0013] The first vibration generator may be disposed adjacent to any one of the force sensing units of the first force sensor, and the display device further includes a third vibration generator disposed adjacent to another one of the force sensing units of the first force sensor.

[0014] The first vibration generator may vibrate when force is applied to any one of the force sensing units of the first force sensor, and the third vibration generator may vibrate when force is applied to another of the force sensing units of the first force sensor. The vibration of the first vibration generator may be different from the vibration of the third vibration generator.

[0015] The second vibration generator may be disposed adjacent to any one of the force sensing units of the second force sensor, and the display device further includes a fourth vibration generator disposed adjacent to another one of the force sensing units of the second force sensor.

[0016] When force is applied to any one of the force sensing units of the second force sensor, the second vibration generator may vibrate, and when force is applied to another of the force sensing units of the second force sensor, the fourth vibration generator may vibrate. The vibration of the second vibration generator may be different from the vibration of the fourth vibration generator.

[0017] The display device may further include: a lower cover disposed under the display panel; and a fifth vibration generator disposed on an upper surface of the lower cover.

[0018] Any one of the force sensing units may have a first area, and another one of the force sensing units may have a second area. The second area may be larger than the first area.

[0019] When force is applied to any one of the force sensing units of the first force sensor, the first vibration generator may vibrate, and when force is applied to another of the force sensing units of the first force sensor, the fifth vibration generator may vibrate. The vibration of the first vibration generator may be different from the vibration of the fifth vibration generator.

[0020] The maximum vibration displacement of the first vibration generator may be different from the maximum vibration displacement of the second vibration generator.

[0021] The duration of the vibration of the first vibration generator may be different from the duration of the vibration of the second vibration generator.

[0022] The waveform of the vibration of the first vibration generator may be different from the waveform of the vibration of the second vibration generator.

[0023] A period of vibration of the first vibration generator may be different from a period of vibration of the second vibration generator.

[0024] Another exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a display device, the display device comprising: a display panel; a first force sensor and a second force sensor, disposed below the display panel; and a first vibration generator, disposed below the display panel. When force is applied to the first force sensor and the second force sensor, the first vibration generator vibrates. When force is applied to the first force sensor and when force is applied to the second force sensor, the first vibration generator vibrates differently.

[0025] The first force sensor may be disposed on one side of the display panel, the second force sensor may be disposed on the other side of the display panel, and the first vibration generator may be disposed between the first force sensor and the second force sensor.

[0026] Each of the first force sensor and the second force sensor may include a plurality of force sensing units, and the first vibration generator may vibrate differently when force is applied to any one of the force sensing units of the first force sensor and when force is applied to another one of the force sensing units of the first force sensor.

[0027] The display device may further include a second vibration generator disposed below the display panel and between the first force sensor and the second force sensor. The first vibration generator may vibrate when force is applied to any one of the force sensing units of the first force sensor, and the second vibration generator may vibrate when force is applied to another of the force sensing units of the first force sensor. The vibration of the first vibration generator may be different from the vibration of the second vibration generator.

[0028] 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

[0029] The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the inventive concept, wherein the accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.

[0030] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0031] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0032] Figure 3 is a bottom view of a display panel attached to a cover window according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0033] Figure 4 is a plan view of a middle frame according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0034] Figure 5 is a bottom view of a middle frame and a main circuit board according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0035] Figure 6 is a plan view of a first force sensor and a first protrusion according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0036] Figure 7 is a plan view of a second force sensor and a second protrusion according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0037] Figure 8 It is shown in detail Figure 7 A plan view of area A.

[0038] Fig. 9 It is shown Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of an example of III-III'.

[0039] Fig.10 is a plan view of the first vibration generator.

[0040] Fig.11 It is shown Fig.10 A cross-sectional view of an example of IV-IV'.

[0041] Fig.12 An example of vibration of the first vibration generator is shown.

[0042] Fig.13 It is shown Figure 3 and Figure 4 Examples of cross-sectional views of I-I' and II-II'.

[0043] Fig.14A and Fig. 14B A display device using a force sensor as a physical button and locally generating vibration by connecting a vibration generator to the force sensor or a touch sensing device according to an exemplary embodiment is illustrated.

[0044] Fig.15A , Fig. 15B , Fig. 15C , Fig.15D , Fig.15E , Fig.15F , Figure 15G, Fig.15H , Fig.15I , Fig.15J and Figure 15K Various vibrations of the vibration generator are shown.

[0045] Fig.16 is a bottom view of a display panel illustrating a vibration generator according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0046] Fig.17 is a bottom view of a display panel illustrating a vibration generator according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0047] Fig.18 is a bottom view of a display panel illustrating a vibration generator according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0048] Fig.19 is a bottom view of a display panel illustrating a vibration generator according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0049] Fig. 20 It is shown Fig.19 A cross-sectional view of an example of V-V'.

[0050] Fig.21 is a bottom view of a display panel illustrating a vibration generator according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0051] Fig. 22 is a bottom view of a display panel illustrating a vibration generator according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0052] Fig.23 is a flowchart illustrating a process of executing an application of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] In the following description, for the purpose of explanation, many specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the invention. "Embodiment" as used herein is a non-limiting example of a device or method using one or more inventive concepts disclosed herein. However, it is apparent that various exemplary embodiments can be practiced without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In other cases, in order to avoid making various exemplary embodiments unnecessarily obscure, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form. In addition, various exemplary embodiments may be different, but need not be exclusive. For example, without departing from the inventive concept, the specific shape, configuration and features of the exemplary embodiment may be used or implemented in another exemplary embodiment.

[0054] Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated exemplary embodiments will be understood as providing exemplary features of various details of some ways in which the inventive concept can actually be implemented. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the features, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions and / or aspects, etc. (hereinafter, individually or collectively referred to as "elements") of the various embodiments may be further combined, separated, interchanged and / or rearranged without departing from the inventive concept.

[0055] The use of cross hatching and / or shading is usually provided in the drawings to make the boundaries between adjacent elements clear. Thus, unless otherwise specified, the presence and absence of cross hatching or shading do not express or indicate any preference or requirement for the specific material, material properties, size, ratio, commonality between the elements shown and / or any other characteristics, attributes, properties, etc. of the elements. In addition, in the drawings, the size and relative size of the elements may be exaggerated for clarity and / or descriptive purposes. When the exemplary embodiments may be implemented differently, the specific process sequence may be performed in a different order than described. For example, two processes described in succession may be performed substantially simultaneously or in an order opposite to the described order. In addition, the same reference numerals represent the same elements.

[0056] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on" another element or layer, "connected to" or "bonded to" another element or layer, the element or layer may be directly on, directly connected to or directly bonded to the other element or layer, or there may be an intermediate element or intermediate layer. However, when an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on" another element or layer, "directly connected to" or "directly bonded to" another element or layer, there is no intermediate element or intermediate layer. For this reason, the term "connection" may refer to physical connection, electrical connection and / or 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), and 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 purpose 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 any combination of only X, only Y, only Z, or two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as 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.

[0057] 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 element. Therefore, the first element discussed below may be named as the second element without departing from the disclosed teachings.

[0058] For descriptive purposes, spatially relative terms such as "under," "below," "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 (other) element as shown in the accompanying drawings. Spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use, operation, and / or manufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the accompanying drawings. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is turned over, an element described as "under" or "beneath" other elements or features will subsequently be positioned as "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "under" can include both above and below orientations. In addition, the device can be positioned otherwise (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), so the spatially relative descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly.

[0059] The terms used here are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to be limited. As used here, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "one", "one (kind / person)" and "said (the)" are also intended to include plural forms. In addition, when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" and their variations are used in this specification, it is explained that there are stated features, integral bodies, steps, operations, elements, components and / or their groups, but it is not excluded that there are or add one or more other features, integral bodies, steps, operations, elements, components and / or their groups. It should also be noted that, as used here, the terms "substantially", "approximately" and other similar terms are used as approximate terms rather than as terms of degree, so that they are used to explain the inherent deviations of measured values, calculated values ​​and / or provided values ​​that will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0060] Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional views and / or exploded illustrations as schematic diagrams of idealized exemplary embodiments and / or intermediate structures. As such, variations in the shapes of the illustrations, such as those caused by manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances, are expected. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein should not necessarily be interpreted as being limited to the shapes of the specifically illustrated regions, but will include deviations in shape caused by, for example, manufacturing. In this way, the regions shown in the drawings may be schematic in nature, and the shapes of these regions may not reflect the actual shapes of the regions of the device, and as such, no limitation is necessarily intended.

[0061] As is customary in the art, some exemplary embodiments are described and shown in the accompanying drawings with functional blocks, units and / or modules. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that these blocks, units and / or modules are physically implemented by electronic (or optical) circuits, discrete components, microprocessors, hard-wired circuits, memory elements, wiring connections, etc., such as logic circuits, 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 they can be optionally driven by firmware and / or software. It is also contemplated that each block, unit and / or module can be implemented by dedicated hardware, or as a combination of dedicated hardware that performs certain functions and processors (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and related circuits) that perform other functions. In addition, without departing from the scope of the inventive concept, each block, unit and / or module of some exemplary embodiments can be physically separated into two or more interactive and discrete blocks, units and / or modules. 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.

[0062] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms (such as those defined in general 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 ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined as such herein.

[0063] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept. Therefore, as long as the modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the inventive concept is intended to cover the modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments.

[0064] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a display device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 3 is a bottom view of the display panel 300 attached to the cover window 100 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0065] Reference Figures 1 to 3According to an exemplary embodiment, a display device 10 includes a cover window 100, a touch sensing device 200, a touch circuit board 210, a touch driving unit 220, a display panel 300, a display circuit board 310, a display driving unit 320, a waterproof member 400, a first force sensor 510, a second force sensor 520, a middle frame 600, a main circuit board 700, a vibration generator 800 and a lower cover 900.

[0066] The vibration generator 800 may include a first vibration generator 810 and a second vibration generator 820. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. , the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 may be attached to the lower surface of the lower panel member 390, as shown in FIG. Fig.13 As shown in , the lower panel member 390 may be disposed under the display panel 300 .

[0067] In this specification, the terms "above", "top" and "upper surface" refer to the direction along which the cover window 100 is set relative to the display panel 300 (i.e., the Z-axis direction), and the terms "below", "bottom" and "lower surface" refer to the direction along which the intermediate frame 600 is set relative to the display panel 300 (i.e., the direction opposite to the Z-axis direction). In addition, "left", "right", "upper" and "lower" refer to directions when the display panel 300 is viewed in a plane. For example, "left" refers to the direction opposite to the X-axis direction, "right" refers to the X-axis direction, "upper" refers to the Y-axis direction, and "lower" refers to the direction opposite to the Y-axis direction.

[0068] The display device 10 may be rectangular in plan view. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in , the display device 10 may have a rectangular planar shape having a short side in a first direction (X-axis direction) and a long side in a second direction (Y-axis direction). Each corner where the short side extending in the first direction (X-axis direction) meets the long side extending in the second direction (Y-axis direction) may be a circle with a predetermined curvature or may be a right angle. The planar shape of the display device 10 is not limited to a rectangular shape, but may also be another polygonal shape, a circular shape, or an elliptical shape.

[0069] The display device 10 may include a first region DR1 formed to be flat and a second region DR2 extending from the right and left sides of the first region DR1. The first region DR1 may be a flat portion. The second region DR2 may be formed to be flat or curved. The second region DR2 may be a curved portion. The second region DR2 may be located in a plane different from the plane in which the first region DR1 is located. When the second region DR2 is formed to be flat, an angle formed by the first region DR1 and the second region DR2 may be an obtuse angle. When the second region DR2 is formed to be curved, the second region DR2 may have a constant curvature or a varying curvature.

[0070] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment, the second region DR2 extends from each of the right side and the left side of the first region DR1. However, the inventive concept is not limited to this case. That is, the second region DR2 may also extend from only one of the right side and the left side of the first region DR1. Alternatively, the second region DR2 may extend not only from the right side and the left side of the first region DR1, but also from at least any one of the upper side and the lower side of the first region DR1. In the following description, the case where the second region DR2 is disposed at the right edge and the left edge of the display device 10 will be mainly described.

[0071] The cover window 100 may be disposed above the display panel 300 to cover the upper surface of the display panel 300. Therefore, the cover window 100 may be used to protect the upper surface of the display panel 300. Fig.13 As shown in FIG. 1 , the cover window 100 may be attached to the touch sensing device 200 by a first adhesive member 910. The first adhesive member 910 may be an optically clear adhesive film (OCA) or an optically clear resin (OCR).

[0072] The cover window 100 may include a transmissive portion DA100 corresponding to the display panel 300 and a light shielding portion NDA100 corresponding to an area other than the display panel 300. The cover window 100 may be disposed in the first region DR1 and the second region DR2, and the transmissive portion DA100 may be disposed in a portion of the first region DR1 and a portion of each second region DR2. The light shielding portion NDA100 may be formed to be opaque. Alternatively, the light shielding portion NDA100 may be formed as a decorative layer having a pattern shown to a user when an image is not displayed. For example, a company logo such as "SAMSUNG" or various other characters may be patterned in the light shielding portion NDA100.

[0073] A plurality of holes HH for exposing a front camera, a front speaker, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an illuminance sensor, etc. may be formed in the light shielding portion NDA100 of the cover window 100. However, the inventive concept is not limited to this case. For example, some or all of the front camera, the front speaker, the infrared sensor, the ultrasonic sensor, and the illuminance sensor may be embedded in the display panel 300, in which case some or all of the plurality of holes HH may be omitted.

[0074] The cover window 100 may be made of glass, sapphire and / or plastic. The cover window 100 may be rigid or flexible.

[0075] The touch sensing device 200 may be disposed between the cover window 100 and the display panel 300. The touch sensing device 200 may be disposed in the first region DR1 and the second region DR2. Therefore, the user's touch may be sensed not only in the first region DR1 but also in the second region DR2.

[0076] The touch sensing device 200 may be attached to the lower surface of the cover window 100 by the first adhesive member 910. A polarizing film may be additionally provided on the touch sensing device 200 to prevent a reduction in visibility due to reflection of external light. In this case, the polarizing film may be attached to the lower surface of the cover window 100 by the first adhesive member 910.

[0077] The touch sensing device 200 is a device for sensing the touch position of the user, and can be implemented as a capacitive type, such as a self-capacitive type or a mutual-capacitive type. The touch sensing device 200 may include only a touch drive electrode when implemented as a self-capacitive type, and may include a touch drive electrode and a touch sensing electrode when implemented as a mutual-capacitive type. The touch sensing device 200 implemented as a mutual-capacitive type will be mainly described below.

[0078] The touch sensing device 200 may be formed in the form of a panel or a film. Fig.13 As shown in FIG. 1 , the touch sensing device 200 may be attached to the thin film encapsulation layer of the display panel 300 by a second adhesive member 920. The second adhesive member 920 may be an OCA or an OCR.

[0079] Alternatively, the touch sensing device 200 may be integrally formed with the display panel 300. In this case, the touch driving electrodes and the touch sensing electrodes of the touch sensing device 200 may be formed on the thin film encapsulation layer of the display panel 300.

[0080] The touch circuit board 210 may be attached to one side of the touch sensing device 200. Specifically, the touch circuit board 210 may be attached to a pad (also referred to as a "pad" or "solder pad") provided on one side of the touch sensing device 200 using an anisotropic conductive film. In addition, a touch connection unit may be provided at one end of the touch circuit board 210. The touch connection unit may be connected to a connector of the display circuit board 310. The touch circuit board 210 may be a flexible printed circuit board.

[0081] The touch drive unit 220 may transmit a touch drive signal to the touch drive electrodes of the touch sensing device 200, detect a sensing signal from the touch sensing electrodes of the touch sensing device 200, and calculate a user's touch position by analyzing the sensing signal. The touch drive unit 220 may be formed as an integrated circuit and mounted on the touch circuit board 210.

[0082] The display panel 300 may be disposed under the touch sensing device 200. The display panel 300 may overlap the transmission portion DA100 of the cover window 100. The display panel 300 may be disposed in the first region DR1 and the second region DR2. Therefore, an image of the display panel 300 may be seen not only in the first region DR1 but also in the second region DR2.

[0083] The display panel 300 may be a light-emitting display panel including light-emitting elements, for example, an organic light-emitting display panel using organic light-emitting diodes, a micro light-emitting diode display panel using micro light-emitting diodes, or a quantum dot light-emitting display panel including quantum dot light-emitting diodes.

[0084] The display panel 300 may include a substrate, a thin film transistor layer disposed on the substrate, a light emitting element layer, and a thin film encapsulation layer.

[0085] Because the display panel 300 is implemented as flexible, the display panel 300 can be made of plastic. In this case, the substrate may include a flexible substrate and a supporting substrate. The supporting substrate for supporting the flexible substrate may have a flexibility less than the flexibility of the flexible substrate. Each of the flexible substrate and the supporting substrate may include a polymer material with flexibility. For example, each of the flexible substrate and the supporting substrate may be polyethersulfone (PES), polyacrylate (PA), polyarylate (PAR), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyallyl compound, polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), cellulose triacetate (TAC), cellulose acetate propionate (CAP) or a combination of these materials.

[0086] The thin film transistor layer is disposed on the substrate. The thin film transistor layer may include a scan line, a data line and a thin film transistor. Each thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, a semiconductor layer, and a source electrode and a drain electrode. When the scan driving unit is directly formed on the substrate, the scan driving unit may be formed together with the thin film transistor layer.

[0087] The light-emitting element layer is disposed on the thin film transistor layer. The light-emitting element layer includes an anode, a light-emitting layer, a cathode and a dike-shaped member. The light-emitting layer may include an organic light-emitting layer comprising an organic material. For example, the light-emitting layer may include a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an organic light-emitting layer, an electron transport layer and an electron injection layer. The hole injection layer and the electron injection layer may be omitted. When a voltage is applied to the anode and the cathode, holes and electrons move to the organic light-emitting layer through the hole transport layer and the electron transport layer, respectively, and combine together in the organic light-emitting layer to emit light. The light-emitting element layer may be a pixel array layer in which pixels are formed. Therefore, the area in which the light-emitting element layer is formed may be defined as a display area for displaying an image. The area surrounding the display area may be defined as a non-display area.

[0088] The thin film encapsulation layer is disposed on the light emitting element layer. The thin film encapsulation layer prevents oxygen or moisture from penetrating into the light emitting element layer. The thin film encapsulation layer may include at least one inorganic layer and at least one organic layer.

[0089] The display circuit board 310 may be attached to one side of the display panel 300. Specifically, the display circuit board 310 may be attached to a pad disposed on one side of the display panel 300 using an anisotropic conductive film. The touch circuit board 210 may be bent toward the lower surface of the display panel 300, and a touch connection unit disposed at one end of the touch circuit board 210 may be connected to a connection member of the display circuit board 310. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The display circuit board 310 is described in detail.

[0090] The display driving unit 320 outputs a signal and a voltage for driving the display panel 300 through the display circuit board 310. The display driving unit 320 may be formed as an integrated circuit and mounted on the display circuit board 310. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this case. For example, the display driving unit 320 may be attached to one side of the upper surface or the lower surface of the substrate of the display panel 300.

[0091] like Fig.13 As shown in FIG. 1 , the lower panel member 390 may be disposed below the display panel 300. The lower panel member 390 may be attached to the lower surface of the display panel 300 by a third adhesive member 930. The third adhesive member 930 may be an OCA or an OCR.

[0092] The lower panel member 390 may include at least one of a light absorbing member for absorbing light incident from the outside, a buffer member for absorbing external impact, a heat dissipating member for effectively dissipating heat of the display panel 300, and a light shielding layer for blocking light incident from the outside.

[0093] The light absorbing member may be disposed under the display panel 300. The light absorbing member blocks transmission of light to prevent components disposed under the light absorbing member (i.e., the first force sensor 510, the second force sensor 520, the display circuit board 310, etc.) from being seen from above the display panel 300. The light absorbing member may include a light absorbing material such as a black pigment or dye.

[0094] The buffer member may be disposed below the light absorbing member. The buffer member absorbs external impact to prevent the display panel 300 from being damaged. The buffer member may be composed of a single layer or a plurality of layers. For example, the buffer member may be made of a polymer resin such as polyurethane, polycarbonate, polypropylene, or polyethylene, or may be made of an elastic material such as a sponge formed by foaming rubber, urethane, or acrylic material. The buffer member may be a cushion layer.

[0095] The heat dissipation member may be disposed under the buffer member. The heat dissipation member may include a first heat dissipation layer containing graphite or carbon nanotubes and a second heat dissipation layer formed of a metal thin film (such as copper, nickel, ferrite or silver) capable of shielding electromagnetic waves and having high thermal conductivity.

[0096] The first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520 may be disposed in the second region DR2. That is, the first force sensor 510 may be disposed below the display panel 300 at the right edge of the display panel 300. The second force sensor 520 may be disposed below the display panel 300 at the left edge of the display panel 300. The first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520 may be arranged to face each other in the first direction (X-axis direction). The first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520 may be arranged opposite to each other. The first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520 may extend in the second direction (Y-axis direction).

[0097] The first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520 may be attached to the lower surface of the lower panel member 390. The first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520 may be connected to the display circuit board 310 through a force sensing circuit board (or referred to as a third circuit board) 550. Figure 3 In the embodiment, the first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520 are connected to one force sensing circuit board 550. However, the inventive concept is not limited to this case. The first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520 can also be connected to the display circuit board 310 through different force sensing circuit boards 550.

[0098] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG, a force sensing unit 330 for sensing pressure or force by driving a first force sensor 510 and a second force sensor 520 may be mounted on a display circuit board 310. In this case, the force sensing unit 330 may be formed as an integrated circuit. The force sensing unit 330 may be integrated with the display driving unit 320 to form one integrated circuit.

[0099] Alternatively, the force sensing circuit board 550 may be connected to the touch circuit board 210 instead of the display circuit board 310. In this case, the force sensing unit 330 may be mounted on the touch circuit board 210. The force sensing unit 330 may be integrated with the touch driving unit 220 to form one integrated circuit.

[0100] The plurality of vibration generators may include a first vibration generator 810, a second vibration generator 820, and a third vibration generator 910. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 8 , the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 may be attached to the lower surface of the lower panel member 390 . The third vibration generator 910 may be disposed on the upper surface of the lower cover 900 .

[0101] The first vibration generator 810 may be disposed adjacent to the first force sensor 510 , and the second vibration generator 820 may be disposed adjacent to the second force sensor 520 .

[0102] The first force sensor 510 may be disposed closer to a first side end of the display panel 300 than the first vibration generator 810. The second force sensor 520 may be disposed closer to a second side end of the display panel 300 than the second vibration generator 820. Figure 2 As shown in , the first side end of the display panel 300 may be the right side, and the second side end of the display panel 300 may be the left side.

[0103] The first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 may be connected to the vibration driving unit 340 of the display circuit board 310 through the fourth circuit board 890. Figure 3 In the embodiment, the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 are connected to one fourth circuit board 890. However, the inventive concept is not limited to this case. That is, the display device 10 may further include a plurality of fourth circuit boards 890, and the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 may be connected to the display circuit board 310 through different fourth circuit boards 890.

[0104] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown in FIG. 8 , the vibration driving unit 340 for driving the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 may be mounted on the display circuit board 310 . In this case, the vibration driving unit 340 may be formed as an integrated circuit. Alternatively, the vibration driving unit 340 may be mounted on the fourth circuit board 890 .

[0105] The vibration driving unit 340 may generate a first driving voltage and a second driving voltage for driving the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 in response to the vibration data received from the main processor 710. The vibration data of the main processor 710 may be provided to the vibration driving unit 340 via the main circuit board 700, the second connection cable 314, and the second circuit board 312 of the display circuit board 310, the first connection cable 313, and the first circuit board 311. The first driving voltage and the second driving voltage of the vibration driving unit 340 may be provided to the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 via the first circuit board 311 and the fourth circuit board 890.

[0106] The vibration driving unit 340 may include: a digital signal processor (DSP) for processing vibration data (i.e., digital signal); a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting the vibration data (i.e., digital signal) processed by the DSP into a first driving voltage and a second driving voltage (i.e., analog signal); and an amplifier (AMP) for amplifying the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage (i.e., analog signal) output from the DAC and outputting the amplified first driving voltage and the second driving voltage.

[0107] The main processor 710 may control the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 to have different vibration intensities (or vibration displacements), vibration periods (or frequencies), vibration displacements (or waveforms) over time, and durations. For example, the vibration of the first vibration generator 810 and the vibration of the second vibration generator 820 may be different. The first vibration generator 810 may vibrate at the highest period, and the second vibration generator 820 may vibrate at the second highest period.

[0108] As described above, when force is applied to the first force sensor 510, the first vibration generator 810 may receive vibration data from the main processor 710, and when force is applied to the second force sensor 520, the second vibration generator 820 may receive vibration data from the main processor 710. The vibration data sent to the first vibration generator 810 may be different from the vibration data sent to the second vibration generator 820. That is, the vibration data received by the first vibration generator 810 from the main processor 710 may be different from the vibration data received by the second vibration generator 820 from the main processor 710. The vibration data may have multiple parameters. As described above, the vibration data may be vibration displacement, frequency, vibration displacement over time, waveform, or duration.

[0109] From the user's point of view, when force is applied to the area where the first force sensor 510 is provided and when force is applied to the area where the second force sensor 520 is provided, the user feels different vibrations. That is, when force is applied to the area where the first force sensor 510 is provided and when force is applied to the area where the second force sensor 520 is provided, the user may feel different vibrations due to different vibration displacements, frequencies, vibration displacements over time, waveforms, or durations. As will be described later, the first force sensor 510 may have a plurality of force sensing cells CE1a to CE8a, and the second force sensor 520 may have a plurality of force sensing cells CE1b to CE8b. Each of the first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520 may include a plurality of unit groups formed by a plurality of adjacent force sensing cells CE1 to CE8. For example, the first force sensor 510 may include the volume up button unit group (or called the volume up button) VB+, the volume down button unit group (or called the volume down button) VB-, the power button unit group (or called the power button) PWB or the squeeze sensing button unit group (or called the squeeze sensing button) SB of the display device 10, and the second force sensor 520 may include the call button unit group (or called the call button) CB, the camera button unit group (or called the camera button) CMB, the Internet button unit group (or called the Internet button) IB or the squeeze sensing button unit group (or called the squeeze sensing button) SB.

[0110] When force is applied to an area of ​​the first force sensor 510 where the volume up button VB+, the volume down button VB-, the power button PWB, or the squeeze sensing button SB of the display device 10 is disposed, the first vibration generator 810 generates vibration. The vibration generated by the first vibration generator 810 is different from the vibration generated by the second vibration generator 820. Therefore, the user can distinguish the area where the first force sensor 510 is disposed from the area where the second force sensor 520 is disposed. In addition, the user can distinguish a unit group of multiple function buttons including the first force sensor 510 and a unit group of multiple function buttons including the second force sensor 520 based on the different vibrations of the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820. Therefore, even if an icon representing a function is not displayed on the display surface, the user can easily recognize the function based on the different vibrations.

[0111] Each of the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 may also be implemented as a sound generator capable of generating vibration and outputting sound. Figures 10 to 12 The first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 are described in detail.

[0112] The middle frame 600 may be disposed below the lower panel member 390. The middle frame 600 may include synthetic resin, metal, or both.

[0113] The waterproof member 400 may be disposed at an edge of the middle frame 600. The waterproof member 400 may be disposed outside the first force sensor 510 and outside the second force sensor 520. The waterproof member 400 may be attached to a lower surface of the lower panel member 390 and an upper surface of the middle frame 600.

[0114] according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , since the waterproof member 400 is disposed outside the first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520, moisture or dust can be prevented from penetrating between the display panel 300 and the middle frame 600. That is, a waterproof and dustproof display device 10 can be provided.

[0115] The middle frame 600 includes a first camera hole CMH1 into which the camera device 720 is inserted, a battery hole BH for dissipating heat of the battery, and a cable hole CAH through which the second connection cable 314 connected to the display circuit board 310 passes. Specifically, the cable hole CAH may be disposed adjacent to the right edge of the middle frame 600. In this case, the cable hole CAH is hidden by the first force sensor 510 disposed under the lower panel member 390 at the right edge of the display panel 300. Therefore, as Figure 2As shown in , the first force sensor 510 may include a notch-shaped groove NTH formed at one side so as not to hide the cable hole CAH.

[0116] In addition, the middle frame 600 is disposed under the lower panel member 390 of the display panel 300, the first force sensor 510, and the second force sensor 520. When force is applied to the first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520, the middle frame 600 may support the first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520. Therefore, the first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520 may sense the applied force.

[0117] The lower cover 900 may be disposed below the middle frame 600. The lower cover 900 may be fastened and fixed to the middle frame 600. The lower cover 900 may form a lower outer portion of the display device 10. The lower cover 900 may include plastic and / or metal. A second camera hole CMH2 may be formed in the lower cover 900 to allow the camera device 720 to be inserted and protrude to the outside. The lower cover 900 may include a third vibration generator 910.

[0118] The third vibration generator 910 may be a vibration generator such as an eccentric rotating mass (ERM) motor, a linear resonant actuator (LRA), or a piezoelectric actuator. The third vibration generator 910 may generate vibrations according to a vibration signal received from the main processor 710. Although the third vibration generator 910 is disposed Figure 2 At the upper edge of the lower cover 900, but the inventive concept is not limited to this case.

[0119] If with Figure 3 If the vibration generator adjacent to the eighth force sensing units CE8a and CE8b shown in FIG. 3 is not disposed under the lower panel member 390, then when force is applied to the eighth force sensing units CE8a and CE8b, the third vibration generator 910 may generate vibration according to the vibration signal received from the main processor 710. The vibration of the third vibration generator 910 may be different from the vibration of the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820.

[0120] The vibration data received by the third vibration generator 910 from the main processor 710 may be different from the vibration data received by the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 from the main processor 710. As described above, the vibration data may be vibration displacement, frequency, vibration displacement over time, waveform, or duration.

[0121] For example, the vibration of the first vibration generator 810 and the vibration of the second vibration generator 820 may have different vibration displacements (or maximum vibration displacements). The vibration of the first vibration generator 810 and the vibration of the second vibration generator 820 may have different frequencies (or periods). The vibration of the first vibration generator 810 and the vibration of the second vibration generator 820 may have different vibration displacements over time. The vibration of the first vibration generator 810 and the vibration of the second vibration generator 820 may have different waveforms. The vibration of the first vibration generator 810 and the vibration of the second vibration generator 820 may have different durations.

[0122] The position of the camera device 720 and the positions of the first camera hole CMH1 and the second camera hole CMH2 corresponding to the camera device 720 are not limited to Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The embodiment shown in .

[0123] The main circuit board 700 may be disposed between the middle frame 600 and the lower cover 900. The main circuit board 700 may be a printed circuit board or a flexible printed circuit board.

[0124] The main circuit board 700 may include a main processor 710 , a camera device 720 , and a main connector 730 .

[0125] The main processor 710 may be disposed on a first surface of the main circuit board 700 facing the middle frame 600, and the main connector 730 may be disposed on a second surface of the main circuit board 700 facing the lower cover 900. In addition, the camera device 720 may be disposed on both the first surface and the second surface of the main circuit board 700. In this case, the upper surface of the camera device 720 may be disposed on the second surface of the main circuit board 700, and the lower surface of the camera device 720 may be disposed on the first surface of the main circuit board 700.

[0126] The main processor 710 can control all functions of the display device 10. For example, the main processor 710 can output image data to the display drive unit 320 of the display circuit board 310 so that the display panel 300 displays an image. In addition, the main processor 710 can receive touch data from the touch drive unit 220, determine the user's touch position, and then execute the application indicated by the icon displayed at the user's touch position. In addition, the main processor 710 can receive force sensing data from the touch drive unit 220 or the display drive unit 320, and output the main screen, control the volume of the display device 10, or implement a tactile function according to the force sensing data. In addition, the main processor 710 can output vibration data for vibrating the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 to the vibration drive unit 340, and output a vibration signal for vibrating the third vibration generator 910 to the third vibration generator 910.

[0127] The main processor 710 may be an application processor, a central processing unit, or a system chip formed as an integrated circuit.

[0128] The camera device 720 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by an image sensor in a camera mode and outputs the processed image frames to the main processor 710 .

[0129] The second connection cable 314 passing through the cable hole CAH of the middle frame 600 can be connected to the main connector 730 provided on the lower surface of the main circuit board 700 through the gap between the middle frame 600 and the main circuit board 700. Therefore, the main circuit board 700 can be electrically connected to the display circuit board 310 and the touch circuit board 210.

[0130] In addition, the main circuit board 700 may further include a mobile communication module capable of transmitting a wireless signal to at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server through a mobile communication network or receiving a wireless signal from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server. The wireless signal may include various types of data according to the transmission / reception of a voice signal, a video call signal, or a text / multimedia message. In addition, the main circuit board 700 may further include a sound output device capable of outputting a sound and a vibration generator capable of generating a vibration for tactile realization.

[0131] Figure 4 is a plan view of a middle frame 600 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 5 is a bottom view of the middle frame 600 and the main circuit board 700 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0132] Now refer to Figures 3 to 5The connection between the display circuit board 310 and the third circuit board 550 and the connection between the second connection cable 314 and the main connection member 730 of the main circuit board 700 are described in detail. Figure 3 and Figure 5 is a bottom view, and Figure 4 It is a plan view, so it should be noted that Figure 4 The right and left sides of the display device 10 are Figure 3 and Figure 5 For ease of description, the display circuit board 310 is Figure 4 Indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 1 , the second connecting cable 314 is Figure 5 Indicated by the solid line.

[0133] Reference Figures 3 to 5 The display circuit board 310 may include a first circuit board 311 , a second circuit board 312 , and a first connection cable 313 .

[0134] The first circuit board 311 may be attached to one side of the upper surface or the lower surface of the substrate of the display panel 300, and may be bent toward the lower surface of the substrate of the display panel 300. The first circuit board 311 may be formed by Figure 4 The fixing member shown in FIG. 6 is fixed to a fixing hole FH formed in the middle frame 600 .

[0135] The first circuit board 311 may include a display driving unit 320, a force sensing unit 330, a vibration driving unit 340, a first connection member 311a, a second connection member 311b, and a third connection member 311c. The display driving unit 320, the force sensing unit 330, the vibration driving unit 340, the first connection member 311a, the second connection member 311b, and the third connection member 311c may be disposed on a surface of the first circuit board 311.

[0136] The first connector 311a may be connected to one end of a first connection cable 313 connected to the second circuit board 312. Therefore, the display driving unit 320 and the force sensing unit 330 mounted on the first circuit board 311 may be electrically connected to the second circuit board 312 through the first connection cable 313.

[0137] The second connector 311b may be connected to one end of the third circuit board 550 connected to the first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520. Therefore, the first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520 may be electrically connected to the force sensing unit 330.

[0138] The third connection member 311c may be connected to one end of the fourth circuit board 890 connected to the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820. Therefore, each of the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 may be electrically connected to the vibration driving unit 340 of the display circuit board 310. In addition, since the display circuit board 310 is electrically connected to the main circuit board 700 through the second connection cable 314, each of the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 may be electrically connected to the main processor 710 of the main circuit board 700.

[0139] The second circuit board 312 may include a touch connector 312a, a first connection connector 312b, and a second connection connector 312c. The first connection connector 312b and the second connection connector 312c may be disposed on one surface of the second circuit board 312, and the touch connector 312a may be disposed on another surface of the second circuit board 312.

[0140] The touch connector 312a may be connected to one end of the touch circuit board 210. Therefore, the touch driving unit 220 may be electrically connected to the second circuit board 312.

[0141] The first connection connector 312b may be connected to the other end of the first connection cable 313 connected to the first circuit board 311. Therefore, the display driving unit 320 and the force sensing unit 330 mounted on the first circuit board 311 may be electrically connected to the second circuit board 312 through the first connection cable 313.

[0142] The second connection connector 312c may be connected to one end of the second connection cable 314 connected to the main connection connector 730 of the main circuit board 700. Therefore, the second circuit board 312 may be electrically connected to the main circuit board 700 through the second connection cable 314.

[0143] The connector connection portion 315 may be formed at the other end of the second connection cable 314. Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the connector connecting portion 315 of the second connection cable 314 may pass through the cable hole CAH of the middle frame 600 and extend below the middle frame 600. Because the notch-shaped groove NTH is formed on the inner side of the first force sensor 510 in the area corresponding to the cable hole CAH of the middle frame 600, the cable hole CAH of the middle frame 600 may be exposed without being covered by the first force sensor 510.

[0144] according to Figures 3 to 5In the exemplary embodiment shown in , a notch-shaped groove NTH is formed on one side of the first force sensor 510 so as not to cover the cable hole CAH of the middle frame 600. Therefore, the second connection cable 314 connected to the display circuit board 310 can extend below the middle frame 600 through the cable hole CAH, and can be connected to the main connection member 730 of the main circuit board 700. Therefore, the display circuit board 310 and the main circuit board 700 can be stably connected to each other.

[0145] Figure 6 is a plan view of a first force sensor 510 and a first protrusion 530 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0146] Reference Figure 6 , the first force sensor 510 may have a rectangular planar shape having a short side in a first direction (X-axis direction) and a long side in a second direction (Y-axis direction). However, the planar shape of the first force sensor 510 is not limited to a rectangular shape and may vary depending on the position where the first force sensor 510 is applied.

[0147] The first force sensor 510 includes a plurality of force sensing units CE1a to CE8a. Figure 6 , the first force sensor 510 includes eight force sensing units CE1a to CE8a. However, the number of the force sensing units CE1a to CE8a is not limited to eight.

[0148] Each of the force sensing units CE1a to CE8a can independently sense the force at a corresponding position.

[0149] Figure 6 In the embodiment, the force sensing units CE1a to CE8a are arranged in one column. However, the inventive concept is not limited to this case. The force sensing units CE1a to CE8a may also be arranged in multiple columns as required. Figure 6 As shown in , the force sensing cells CE1a to CE8a may be arranged at predetermined intervals, or may be continuously arranged.

[0150] The force sensing units CE1a to CE8a may have different areas depending on their usage. Fig.14A As shown in FIG. 1 , the first to seventh force sensing units CE1a to CE7a may be used as physical buttons, such as volume control buttons (VB+ and VB-) or a power button PWB provided at one edge of the display device 10. Alternatively, as Fig. 14BAs shown in , the eighth force sensing cell CE8a may be used as a button SB for sensing the squeezing force of the user. In this case, the eighth force sensing cell CE8a may be formed to have an area wider than that of the first to seventh force sensing cells CE1a to CE7a. The eighth force sensing cell CE8a may be longer than the first to seventh force sensing cells CE1a to CE7a in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the first force sensor 510.

[0151] In addition, although the first to seventh force sensing units CE1a to CE7a used as physical buttons are Figure 6 , but the inventive concept is not limited to this case. That is, the areas of the first force sensing cells CE1a to the seventh force sensing cells CE7a may also be different from each other. Optionally, the areas of some of the first force sensing cells CE1a to the seventh force sensing cells CE7a may be equal to each other, and the areas of the other force sensing cells may be equal to each other. However, the areas of some of the first force sensing cells CE1a to the seventh force sensing cells CE7a may be different from the areas of the other force sensing cells.

[0152] The first protrusion 530 may be disposed on the first to eighth force sensing cells CE1a to CE8a to overlap with the first to eighth force sensing cells CE1a to CE8a. The first protrusion 530 is used to press the first to eighth force sensing cells CE1a to CE8a according to the force applied by the user. Therefore, the force of the user may be sensed by the first to eighth force sensing cells CE1a to CE8a.

[0153] In order to increase the force applied to the first to eighth force sensing cells CE1a to CE8a through the first protrusions 530, the first protrusions 530 may be formed to have areas smaller than those of the first to eighth force sensing cells CE1a to CE8a, respectively. Each of the first protrusions 530 may be formed to have a force sensing layer PSL ( Figure 8 and Fig. 9 ) is a small area.

[0154] The area of ​​the first protrusion 530 may be proportional to the area of ​​the force sensing unit. Figure 6 As shown in , when the area of ​​the eighth force sensing cell CE8a is larger than the area of ​​each of the first to seventh force sensing cells CE1a to CE7a, the area of ​​the first protrusion 530 overlapping with the eighth force sensing cell CE8a may be larger than the area of ​​each of the first protrusions 530 overlapping with the first to seventh force sensing cells CE1a to CE7a.

[0155] In addition, in order not to cover the cable hole CAH of the middle frame 600 , a notch-shaped groove NTH may be formed in a region of the first force sensor 510 corresponding to the cable hole CAH of the middle frame 600 .

[0156] Figure 7 The second force sensor 520 and the second protrusion 540 shown in FIG. Figure 6 The only difference between the first force sensor 510 and the first protrusion 530 shown in FIG. 5 is that the second force sensor 520 does not include the groove NTH. Therefore, the description of Figure 7 Detailed description of the second force sensor 520 and the second protrusion 540 shown in FIG.

[0157] Figure 8 It is shown in detail Figure 7 A plan view of area A. Fig. 9 It is shown Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of an example of III-III'.

[0158] Reference Figures 7 to 9 The second force sensor 520 includes a first substrate SUB1, a second substrate SUB2, a driving line TL, first to eighth sensing lines RL1 to RL8, a driving pad TP, first to eighth sensing pads RP1 to RP8, and first to eighth force sensing units CE1b to CE8b.

[0159] exist Figure 8 In order to facilitate the description, only the fourth force sensing unit CE4b, the fifth force sensing unit CE5b and the pad area PAD are shown. Figure 8 In the figure, for ease of description, the second substrate SUB2 is omitted.

[0160] The first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 are placed to face each other. Each of the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 may include polyethylene, polyimide, polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyacrylate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polynorbornene, or a polyester-based material. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 may be made of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film or a polyimide film.

[0161] The force sensing units CE1 to CE8 (CE1b to CE8b) are disposed between the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2. The driving lines TL, the sensing lines RL1 to RL8, the driving pads TP, and the sensing pads RP1 to RP8 are disposed on a surface of the first substrate SUB1 facing the second substrate SUB2. The force sensing units CE1b to CE8b are disposed between the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2.

[0162] Each of the force sensing units CE1b to CE8b may be connected to at least one driving line and at least one sensing line. For example, although the force sensing units CE1b to CE8b are generally connected to one driving line TL, the force sensing units CE1b to CE8b may be connected to the sensing lines RL1 to RL8 one by one. Figure 8 As shown in , the fourth force sensing unit CE4 b may be connected to the driving line TL and the fourth sensing line RL4 , and the fifth force sensing unit CE5 may be connected to the driving line TL and the fifth sensing line RL5 .

[0163] The driving line TL may be connected to the driving pad TP, and the sensing lines RL1 to RL8 may be connected one-to-one to the sensing pads RP1 to RP8. The first sensing line RL1 may be connected to the first sensing pad RP1, the second sensing line RL2 may be connected to the second sensing pad RP2, the third sensing line RL3 may be connected to the third sensing pad RP3, and the fourth sensing line RL4 may be connected to the fourth sensing pad RP4. The fifth sensing line RL5 may be connected to the fifth sensing pad RP5, the sixth sensing line RL6 may be connected to the sixth sensing pad RP6, the seventh sensing line RL7 may be connected to the seventh sensing pad RP7, and the eighth sensing line RL8 may be connected to the eighth sensing pad RP8.

[0164] The pad area PAD may protrude from one side of the first substrate SUB1. The one side of the first substrate SUB1 may be a long side of the second force sensor 520. Figure 8 In the embodiment, the pad area PAD protrudes from the middle of the long side of the first substrate SUB1. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this case. That is, the first substrate SUB1 may also protrude from one end or the other end of the long side of the first substrate SUB1.

[0165] The driving pad TP and the sensing pads RP1 to RP8 may be disposed in the pad area PAD. The driving pad TP and the sensing pads RP1 to RP8 may be connected to the driving lead TL_F and the sensing leads RL1_F to RL8_F of the third circuit board 550 one-to-one through an anisotropic conductive film. The driving pad TP may be connected to the driving lead TL_F, the first sensing pad RP1 may be connected to the first sensing lead RL1_F, the second sensing pad RP2 may be connected to the second sensing lead RL2_F, the third sensing pad RP3 may be connected to the third sensing lead RL3_F, and the fourth sensing pad RP4 may be connected to the fourth sensing lead RL4_F. In addition, the fifth sensing pad RP5 may be connected to the fifth sensing lead RL5_F, the sixth sensing pad RP6 may be connected to the sixth sensing lead RL6_F, the seventh sensing pad RP7 may be connected to the seventh sensing lead RL7_F, and the eighth sensing pad RP8 may be connected to the eighth sensing lead RL8_F.

[0166] like Figure 8As shown in , since the third circuit board 550 is connected to the display circuit board 310, the third circuit board 550 may be electrically connected to the force sensing unit 330 mounted on the display circuit board 310. The force sensing unit 330 may apply a driving voltage to the driving line TL through the driving lead TL_F of the third circuit board 550 and the driving pad TP of the first force sensor 510, and sense a current value or a voltage value from the sensing lines RL1 to RL8 through the sensing leads RL1_F to RL8_F connected to the sensing pads RP1 to RP8 of the second force sensor 520, thereby sensing the force applied to the force sensing units CE1a to CE8a.

[0167] The second force sensor 520 may further include a bonding layer disposed between the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 to bond the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2. The bonding layer may be a force-sensitive adhesive layer or an adhesive layer. The bonding layer may be disposed along the periphery of the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2. In an exemplary embodiment, the bonding layer may completely surround the edges of the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 to seal the interior of the second force sensor 520. In addition, the bonding layer may be used as a spacer for maintaining a constant gap between the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2. The bonding layer may not overlap with the driving line TL, the sensing lines RL1 to RL8, the force sensing units CE1b to CE8b, the driving pad TP, and the sensing pads RP1 to RP8.

[0168] In the process of bonding the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 together, the bonding layer may be attached to a surface of one of the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2, and then attached to a surface of the other substrate. Alternatively, in the process of bonding the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 together, a bonding layer may be provided on a surface of each of the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2, and the bonding layer of the first substrate SUB1 and the bonding layer of the second substrate SUB2 may be attached to each other.

[0169] like Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown in , each of the force sensing cells CE1 b to CE8 b includes a driving connection electrode TCE, a sensing connection electrode RCE, a driving electrode TE1 , a sensing electrode RE1 , and a force sensing layer PSL.

[0170] The driving connection electrodes TCE, the sensing connection electrodes RCE, the driving electrodes TE1, and the sensing electrodes RE1 are disposed on the first substrate SUB1 facing the second substrate SUB2.

[0171] The driving connection electrode TCE is connected to the driving line TL and the driving electrode TE1. Specifically, one end of the driving connection electrode TCE in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) is connected to the driving line TL. The driving electrode TE1 may branch from the driving connection electrode TCE in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the driving connection electrode TCE.

[0172] The sensing connection electrode RCE is connected to any one of the sensing lines RL1 to RL8 and the sensing electrode RE1. Specifically, one end of the sensing connection electrode TCE in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) is connected to any one of the sensing lines RL1 to RL8. The sensing electrode RE1 may branch from the sensing connection electrode RCE in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the sensing connection electrode RCE.

[0173] The driving electrode TE1 and the sensing electrode RE1 may be disposed on the same layer. The driving electrode TE1 and the sensing electrode RE1 may be made of the same material. For example, the driving electrode TE1 and the sensing electrode RE1 may include a conductive material such as silver (Ag) or copper (Cu). The driving electrode TE1 and the sensing electrode RE1 may be formed on the first substrate SUB1 by a screen printing method.

[0174] The driving electrode TE1 and the sensing electrode RE1 are arranged adjacent to each other but are not connected to each other. The driving electrode TE1 and the sensing electrode RE1 may be arranged parallel to each other. The driving electrode TE1 and the sensing electrode RE1 may be alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the driving connection electrode TCE and the sensing connection electrode RCE. That is, the driving electrode TE1 and the sensing electrode RE1 may be repeatedly arranged in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the driving connection electrode TCE and the sensing connection electrode RCE in the order of driving electrode TE1, sensing electrode RE1, driving electrode TE1, and sensing electrode RE1.

[0175] The force sensing layer PSL is disposed on a surface of the second substrate SUB2 facing the first substrate SUB1. The force sensing layer PSL may be disposed to overlap the driving electrode TE1 and the sensing electrode RE1.

[0176] The force sensing layer PSL may include a force sensitive material and a polymer resin in which the force sensitive material is disposed. The force sensitive material may be metal fine particles (or metal nanoparticles) such as nickel, aluminum, titanium, tin, or copper. For example, the force sensing layer PSL may be a quantum tunneling composite (QTC).

[0177] When no force is applied to the second substrate SUB2 in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the second force sensor 520, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9As shown in , there are gaps between the force sensing layer PSL and the driving electrode TE1 and between the force sensing layer PSL and the sensing electrode RE1. That is, when no force is applied to the second substrate SUB2, the force sensing layer PSL is separated from the driving electrode TE1 and the sensing electrode RE1.

[0178] When a force is applied to the second substrate SUB2 in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the second force sensor 520, the force sensing layer PSL may contact the driving electrode TE1 and the sensing electrode RE1. In this case, at least one of the driving electrodes TE1 and at least one of the sensing electrodes RE1 may be physically connected through the force sensing layer PSL, and the force sensing layer PSL may function as a resistor.

[0179] Therefore, according to Figure 8 and Fig. 9 In the exemplary embodiment shown in , since the contact area between the force sensing layer PSL in the second force sensor 520 and the driving electrode TE1 and the sensing electrode RE1 changes according to the applied force, the resistance value of the sensing line electrically connected to the sensing electrode RE1 may change. The force sensing unit 330 may sense the change in the current value or voltage value from the sensing lines RL1 to RL8, thereby sensing the force pressed by the user through the hand.

[0180] In addition to the first force sensor 510 including the force sensing units CE1a to CE8a, the first force sensor 510 and Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The second force sensor 520 shown in FIG. 5 is substantially the same as that in FIG. Therefore, a detailed description of the first force sensor 510 will be omitted.

[0181] Fig.10 is a plan view of the first vibration generator 810 . Fig.11 It is shown Fig.10 A cross-sectional view of an example of IV-IV'.

[0182] Reference Fig.10 and Fig.11 , the first vibration generator 810 may include a first electrode E1, a second electrode E2, a vibration layer VL, a first base substrate BS1, a second base substrate BS2, a first pad electrode 816, and a second pad electrode 817.

[0183] The first electrode E1 may be disposed on the first surface of the first base substrate BS1, and the vibration layer VL may be disposed on the first electrode E1. The second electrode E2 may be disposed on the vibration layer VL, and the second base substrate BS2 may be disposed on the second electrode E2. The first pad electrode 816 and the second pad electrode 817 may be disposed on the second surface of the first base substrate BS1.

[0184] The first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 may be made of a conductive material, for example, a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO), an opaque metal material, a conductive polymer, or a carbon nanotube (CNT).

[0185] The first electrode E1 may be connected to the first pad electrode 816 via the first contact hole CH1 passing through the first base substrate BS1, and thus may be connected to the fourth circuit board 890 via the first pad electrode 816. In addition, the second electrode E2 may be connected to the second pad electrode 817 via the second contact hole CH2 passing through the vibration layer VL and the first base substrate BS1, and thus may be connected to the fourth circuit board 890 via the second pad electrode 817. Finally, the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 may be electrically connected to the vibration driving unit 340 of the display circuit board 310 through the fourth circuit board 890, and thus may receive the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage from the vibration driving unit 340.

[0186] The vibration layer VL may be a voltage applied to the first electrode E1 and a voltage applied to the second electrode E2. Fig.12 In this case, the vibration layer VL may be at least any one of a piezoelectric material such as a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film or lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and an electroactive polymer.

[0187] In this case, the vibration layer VL may contract according to a first force F1 applied by a difference between a first driving voltage applied to the first electrode E1 and a second driving voltage applied to the second electrode E2, or may relax or expand according to a second force F2. Fig.12 As shown in , if the vibration layer VL adjacent to the first electrode E1 has a negative polarity and the vibration layer VL adjacent to the second electrode E2 has a positive polarity, then when a first driving voltage having a positive polarity is applied to the second electrode E2 and a second driving voltage having a negative polarity is applied to the first electrode E1, the vibration layer VL may contract according to a first force F1. In addition, if the vibration layer VL adjacent to the first electrode E1 has a negative polarity and the vibration layer VL adjacent to the second electrode E2 has a positive polarity, then when a first driving voltage having a negative polarity is applied to the second electrode E2 and a second driving voltage having a positive polarity is applied to the first electrode E1, the vibration layer VL may expand according to a second force F2. If the first driving voltage applied to the first electrode E1 and the second driving voltage applied to the second electrode E2 repeatedly alternate between positive polarity and negative polarity, the vibration layer VL may repeatedly contract and relax, thereby causing the first vibration generator 810 to vibrate.

[0188] In addition, the first vibration generator 810 may output the first sound by vibrating the display panel 300. In this case, since the display device 10 may output the sound using the sound generator that is not exposed to the outside, the sound generator disposed on the front surface of the display device 10 may be removed. Therefore, the transmission portion DA100 of the cover window 100 may be widened. That is, the display area of ​​the display device 10 may be widened.

[0189] The first base substrate BS1 and the second base substrate BS2 may be made of insulating materials. For example, the first base substrate BS1 and the second base substrate BS2 may be polyethersulfone (PES), polyacrylate (PA), polyarylate (PAR), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyallyl ester, polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), triacetyl cellulose (TAC), cellulose acetate propionate (CAP), or a combination of these materials. For example, the first base substrate BS1 and the second base substrate BS2 may be made of plastic.

[0190] The first pad electrode 816 and the second pad electrode 817 may be made of a conductive material. The first pad electrode 816 and the second pad electrode 817 may be connected to the fourth circuit board 890 using an anisotropic conductive film.

[0191] Each of the second vibration generator 820 and the third vibration generator 910 is similar to the above-mentioned Figures 10 to 12 The described first vibration generator 810 is substantially the same, and thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0192] according to Figures 10 to 12 In the exemplary embodiment shown in , the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 are attached to the lower surface of the lower panel member 390 and are connected to the display circuit board 310 through the fourth circuit board 890 .

[0193] Fig.13 It is shown Figure 3 and Figure 4 Examples of cross-sectional views of I-I' and II-II'.

[0194] The first force sensor 510 may be disposed in the second region DR2 corresponding to the curved portion of the display device 10. The first protrusions 530 are disposed on the first force sensor 510. Each of the first protrusions 530 may be attached to the lower surface of the lower panel member 390 by the fourth adhesive member 940, and may be attached to the upper surface of the first force sensor 510 by the sixth adhesive member 960.

[0195] In addition, the first force sensor 510 may be attached to the upper surface of the middle frame 600 by the fifth adhesive member 950. Each of the fourth adhesive member 940, the fifth adhesive member 950, and the sixth adhesive member 960 may be a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). Any one of the fourth adhesive member 940 and the fifth adhesive member 950 may be omitted.

[0196] The waterproof member 400 may be disposed outside the first force sensor 510. That is, the waterproof member 400 may be disposed on a side surface of the first force sensor 510, and the side surface of the first force sensor 510 may be disposed closer to the edge of the display panel 300 than other side surfaces. Fig.12 As shown in , when the first force sensor 510 is disposed at the right edge of the display panel 300 , the waterproof member 400 may be disposed on the right side surface of the first force sensor 510 .

[0197] The waterproof member 400 may be attached to the lower surface of the lower panel member 390 and the upper surface of the middle frame 600. To this end, the waterproof member 400 may include a base film, a first adhesive layer disposed on one surface of the base film, and a second adhesive layer disposed on the other surface of the base film.

[0198] The base film may be polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a film in which polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and a cushion layer are combined, or polyethylene foam (PE-foam). Each of the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer may be PSA. The first adhesive layer may be adhered to the lower surface of the lower panel member 390, and the second adhesive layer may be adhered to the upper surface of the middle frame 600.

[0199] The waterproof member 400 is pressed and attached to the lower surface of the lower panel member 390 and the upper surface of the middle frame 600. If the height of the waterproof member 400 is less than the sum of the height of the first force sensor 510 and the height of the first protrusion 530, the first force sensor 510 may be damaged by the force used to attach the waterproof member 400. Therefore, the height of the waterproof member 400 may be greater than the sum of the height of the first force sensor 510 and the height of the first protrusion 530. However, if the height of the waterproof member 400 is much greater than the sum of the height of the first force sensor 510 and the height of the first protrusion 530, the force is not sensed by the first force sensor 510. Therefore, the height of the waterproof member 400 may be experimentally determined in advance in consideration of whether the first force sensor 510 is damaged by the force used to attach the waterproof member 400 and whether the force can be sensed by the first force sensor 510 after the waterproof member 400 is attached.

[0200] In addition, in order for the first protrusion 530 to press the force sensing cells CE1 a to CE8 a of the first force sensor 510 according to the force applied by the user, the height of the first protrusion 530 may be greater than the height of the first force sensor 510 .

[0201] In addition, the width of the waterproof member 400 may be at least 1 mm to prevent penetration of water and dust.

[0202] according to Fig.13 In the exemplary embodiment shown in , the waterproof member 400 is disposed outside the first force sensor 510 and is attached to the lower surface of the lower panel member 390 and the upper surface of the middle frame 600. Therefore, the waterproof member 400 can prevent moisture and dust from penetrating between the display panel 300 and the middle frame 600. That is, a waterproof and dustproof display device 10 can be provided.

[0203] Since the second force sensor 520 is disposed at the left edge of the display panel 300, the waterproof member 400 may be disposed on the left side surface of the second force sensor 520. Except for this difference, the positions of the waterproof member 400 and the second force sensor 520 are the same as those of the waterproof member 400 and the first force sensor 510, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0204] Fig.14A and Fig. 14B A display device using a force sensor as a physical button and locally generating vibration by connecting a vibration generator to the force sensor or a touch sensing device according to an exemplary embodiment is illustrated.

[0205] exist Fig.14A and Fig. 14B , first to eighth force sensing cells CE1a to CE8a of the first force sensor 510 and first to eighth force sensing cells CE1b to CE8b of the second force sensor 520 disposed in the second region DR2 of the display device 10 are illustrated.

[0206] The first vibration generator 810 may be disposed adjacent to the first to eighth force sensing cells CE1a to CE8a of the first force sensor 510 disposed in the right bending portion of the display device 10 , and the second vibration generator 820 may be disposed adjacent to the first to eighth force sensing cells CE1b to CE8b .

[0207] The first vibration generator 810 may vibrate differently when force is applied to any one of the force sensing cells CE1a to CE8a of the first force sensor 510 and when force is applied to another one of the force sensing cells CE1a to CE8a.

[0208] The second vibration generator 820 may vibrate differently when force is applied to any one of the force sensing cells CE1b to CE8b of the second force sensor 520 and when force is applied to another one of the force sensing cells CE1b to CE8b.

[0209] Fig.14A It is shown that the user presses the fifth force sensing unit CE5 b of the left curved portion corresponding to the second region DR2 of the display device 10 with an index finger while holding the display device 10 with the hand. Fig. 14B It is shown that the user squeezes the eighth force sensing unit CE8b of the left curved portion corresponding to the second area DR2 of the display device 10 with the middle finger, ring finger and little finger while holding the display device 10 with the hand, and squeezes the eighth force sensing unit CE8a of the right curved portion corresponding to the second area DR2 of the display device 10 with the palm.

[0210] Reference Figure 3 , Fig.14A and Fig. 14B , the first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520 may be used as physical buttons of the display device 10. Specifically, when force is applied to the first to eighth force sensing cells CE1a to CE8a of the first force sensor 510 formed in the right curved portion of the display device 10 and the first to eighth force sensing cells CE1b to CE8b of the second force sensor 520 formed in the left curved portion of the display device 10, a predetermined application or operation may be performed.

[0211] In addition, when force is applied to the first force sensor 510, the first vibration generator 810 adjacent to the first force sensor 510 may vibrate. When force is applied to the second force sensor 520, the second vibration generator 820 adjacent to the second force sensor 520 may vibrate. Alternatively, the vibration generator closest to the user's touch position may vibrate.

[0212] Each of the first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520 may have a plurality of unit groups. Each unit group may be formed by adjacent force sensing cells CE. For example, the first force sensing cell CE1a and the second force sensing cell CE2a among the first force sensing cells CE1a to the eighth force sensing cell CE8a of the first force sensor 510 formed in the right curved portion of the display device 10 may be used as a volume up button VB+ pressed by a user to increase the volume of the display device 10. That is, the first force sensing cell CE1a and the second force sensing cell CE2a may form one unit group.

[0213] The third force sensing unit CE3a and the fourth force sensing unit CE4a may function as a volume down button VB- which a user presses to reduce the volume of the display device 10. That is, the third force sensing unit CE3a and the fourth force sensing unit CE4a may form one unit group.

[0214] The fifth, sixth, and seventh force sensing cells CE5a, CE6a, and CE7a may function as a power button PWB that a user presses to turn off power. That is, the fifth, sixth, and seventh force sensing cells CE5a, CE6a, and CE7a may form one unit group.

[0215] When a force is sensed from the first and second force sensing cells CE1a and CE2a formed in the right curved portion of the display device 10, the main processor 710 may control the volume of the speaker of the display device 10 to increase. In addition, when a force is sensed from the third and fourth force sensing cells CE3a and CE4a formed in the right curved portion of the display device 10, the main processor 710 may control the volume of the speaker of the display device 10 to decrease.

[0216] In addition, when force is sensed from the fifth force sensing unit CE5a, the sixth force sensing unit CE6a, and the seventh force sensing unit CE7a formed in the right curved portion of the display device 10, the main processor 710 can turn off the screen of the display device 10 or output a screen for selecting whether to turn off the power of the display device 10.

[0217] In addition, the eighth force sensing unit CE8a formed in the right curved portion of the display device 10 may be used as a squeeze sensing button SB. The squeeze force applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8a may be higher than and greater than the force applied to the first to seventh force sensing units CE1a to CE7a. When the squeeze force is sensed from the eighth force sensing unit CE8a formed in the right curved portion, the main processor 710 may control a predetermined application or operation to be executed.

[0218] The main processor 710 may output vibration data to the second vibration generator 820 so that the second vibration generator 820 adjacent to the first to eighth force sensing cells CE1 b to CE8 b formed in the left curved portion of the display device 10 vibrates.

[0219] When the squeezing force is sensed from the eighth force sensing unit CE8b formed in the left curved portion, the main processor 710 may control the display device 10 to turn on in the sleep mode. In this case, the main processor 710 may output vibration data to the second vibration generator 820 so that the second vibration generator 820 adjacent to the eighth force sensing unit CE8b formed in the left curved portion vibrates.

[0220] In addition, the first force sensing cell CE1b and the second force sensing cell CE2b among the first to eighth force sensing cells CE1b to CE8b formed in the left curved portion of the display device 10 may function as a call button CB pressed by a user to execute a call application. That is, the first force sensing cell CE1b and the second force sensing cell CE2b may form one unit group.

[0221] The third force sensing unit CE3b and the fourth force sensing unit CE4b may function as a camera button CMB that a user presses to execute a camera application. That is, the third force sensing unit CE3b and the fourth force sensing unit CE4b may form one unit group.

[0222] The fifth force sensing unit CE5b, the sixth force sensing unit CE6b, and the seventh force sensing unit CE7b may function as an Internet button 1B that a user presses to execute an Internet application. That is, the fifth force sensing unit CE5b, the sixth force sensing unit CE6b, and the seventh force sensing unit CE7b may form one unit group.

[0223] In this case, when force is sensed from the first and second force sensing units CE1b and CE2b formed in the left curved portion of the display device 10, the main processor 710 may control a call application to be executed. In addition, when force is sensed from the third and fourth force sensing units CE3b and CE4b formed in the left curved portion of the display device 10, the main processor 710 may control a camera application to be executed.

[0224] In addition, when force is sensed from the fifth, sixth, and seventh force sensing cells CE5b, CE6b, and CE7b formed in the left curved portion of the display device 10, the main processor 710 may control an Internet application to be executed.

[0225] In addition, the eighth force sensing unit CE8b formed in the left curved portion of the display device 10 may be used as a squeeze sensing button SB. The squeeze force applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8b may be higher than and greater than the force applied to the first force sensing unit CE1b to the seventh force sensing unit CE7b. When the squeeze force is sensed from the eighth force sensing unit CE8b formed in the left curved portion, the main processor 710 may control a predetermined application or operation to be executed. The screen display button DPB may also be set in an area overlapping with the eighth force sensing units CE8a and CE8b of the first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520. When the user touches the area overlapping with the eighth force sensing units CE8a and CE8b (i.e., the screen display button DPB) twice, the main processor 710 may control the icons of the first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520 to be always displayed. When the user touches the area overlapping with the eighth force sensing units CE8a and CE8b twice again, the main processor 710 may control the icons of the first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520 to be always hidden. Although the screen display button DPB is set to Fig.14A and Fig. 14B The screen display button DPB may also be disposed between the eighth force sensing units CE8a and CE8b, or may be disposed on other force sensing units CE1 to CE7, or between the force sensing units CE1 to CE7.

[0226] The main processor 710 may output vibration data to the second vibration generator 820 so that the second vibration generator 820 adjacent to the first to eighth force sensing cells CE1 b to CE8 b formed in the left curved portion of the display device 10 vibrates.

[0227] Fig.14A Only exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. That is, various functions including or excluding the above functions may be performed depending on whether force has been applied to the first force sensing cells CE1a to CE7a of the first force sensor 510 located in the right bending portion of the display device 10 and the first force sensing cells CE1b to CE7b of the second force sensor 520 located in the left bending portion of the display device 10. In addition, different operations may be programmed for the first force sensing cells CE1a to CE7a of the first force sensor 510 located in the right bending portion of the display device 10 and the first force sensing cells CE1b to CE7b of the second force sensor 520 located in the left bending portion of the display device 10.

[0228] according to Fig.14A and Fig. 14BIn the exemplary embodiment shown in , since the first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520 are disposed in the second region DR2 corresponding to the curved portion of the display device 10, the first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520 can be used as physical buttons such as a volume control button VB+ or VB-, a power button PWB, a call button CB, a camera button CMB, an Internet button IB, and a squeeze sensing button SB.

[0229] In addition, according to Fig.14A and Fig. 14B In the exemplary embodiment shown in , when there is an input of a user through the input sensing device, the vibration generator adjacent to the input sensing device among the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 may vibrate, thereby realizing a tactile function. In addition, the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 may generate different vibrations by receiving different vibration data from the main processor 710. Therefore, even without viewing the icons displayed on the display surface, the user can easily distinguish the above example functions based on different vibrations.

[0230] Specifically, when force is applied to the first force sensing cell CE1a and the second force sensing cell CE2a (i.e., the volume up button cell group VB+), the third force sensing cell CE3a and the fourth force sensing cell CE4a (i.e., the volume down button cell group VB-), the fifth force sensing cell CE5a, the sixth force sensing cell CE6a and the seventh force sensing cell CE7a (i.e., the power button cell group PWB), and the eighth force sensing cell CE8a (i.e., the squeeze sensing button SB) of the first force sensor 510, the first vibration generator 810 may vibrate differently for each cell group. That is, the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 may vibrate differently, and even within the first vibration generator 810, different vibrations may be generated depending on which cell group the force is applied to.

[0231] Similarly, when force is applied to each of the above-mentioned unit groups of the second force sensor 520 , the second vibration generator 820 may vibrate differently for each unit group.

[0232] As described above, the vibration data may have multiple parameters. The parameter may be a vibration displacement, frequency, cycle, vibration displacement over time, waveform or duration. Specifically, each of the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 may receive vibration data about vibration displacement, frequency, waveform, duration or vibration displacement over time from the main processor 710, and generate corresponding vibrations. In addition, the first vibration generator 810 may receive different vibration data about vibration displacement, frequency, waveform, duration or vibration displacement over time from the main processor 710 according to which unit group the force is applied to. Therefore, when the force is applied to different unit groups of the first force sensor 510, the first vibration generator 810 may vibrate differently. The second vibration generator 820 may also vibrate in a manner substantially the same as the first vibration generator 810.

[0233] In an exemplary embodiment, the first vibration generator 810 may generate a first vibration, and the second vibration generator 820 may generate a second vibration.

[0234] In this specification, vibration displacement refers to the amount of movement of the vibration generator from any reference point of the vibration generator. For example, the vibration displacement may refer to the amount of movement from the stop position of each of the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820. The maximum vibration displacement may be the peak value of the vibration displacement when the vibration generator vibrates in a periodic or aperiodic pattern. The maximum vibration displacement of the first vibration may be greater than the maximum vibration displacement of the second vibration, or conversely, the maximum vibration displacement of the first vibration may be less than the maximum vibration displacement of the second vibration. When the maximum vibration displacement of each of the first vibration and the second vibration is 10 μm or more, it may be the effective maximum vibration displacement at which the user begins to feel the vibration. When the maximum vibration displacement is 15 μm or more, it may be the effective maximum vibration displacement at which the user begins to sensitively feel the vibration. The maximum vibration displacement of each of the first vibration and the second vibration may be 10 μm or more. The maximum vibration displacement of each of the first vibration and the second vibration may more preferably be 15 μm or more.

[0235] If each of the first vibration of the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration of the second vibration generator 820 is in the form of a periodic function, each of the first vibration of the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration of the second vibration generator 820 may have a predetermined period or frequency.

[0236] If each of the first vibration and the second vibration has a specific waveform and the period of each of the first vibration and the second vibration is 10ms or more, the user can identify the specific waveform of each of the first vibration and the second vibration. In addition, if the period of each of the first vibration and the second vibration is greater than 500ms, when the user applies force to the unit group with the first function and the unit group with the second function, the vibration generated in the unit group with the first function and the vibration generated in the unit group with the second function will interfere with each other. In this case, the user cannot distinguish the vibration of the unit group with the first function from the vibration of the unit group with the second function. Therefore, each of the first vibration and the second vibration can be designed to have a period of 500ms or less. In order to identify the specific waveform of each vibration and distinguish one vibration from another vibration, the period of each of the first vibration of the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration of the second vibration generator 820 can be 10ms to 500ms. In addition, the frequency of each of the first vibration of the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration of the second vibration generator 820 can be 2Hz to 100Hz.

[0237] The period of the first vibration may be different from the period of the second vibration. The period of the first vibration may be greater than the period of the second vibration, or conversely, may be less than the period of the second vibration. In addition, the frequency of the first vibration may be lower than the frequency of the second vibration, or conversely, may be higher than the frequency of the second vibration.

[0238] The duration of the first vibration and the duration of the second vibration may be different. If the duration of the first vibration is different from the duration of the second vibration, even without viewing the icons corresponding to the unit groups, the user can distinguish between a unit group having one function and another unit group having another function based on the different durations of the first vibration and the second vibration.

[0239] Now refer to FIG. 15A to FIG. 15K The vibration displacement or waveform of the first vibration of the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration of the second vibration generator 820 over time is described.

[0240] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15K Various vibrations of the vibration generator are shown. FIG. 15A to FIG. 15K It shows that the vibration of the vibration generator behaves as a periodic function. FIG. 15A to FIG. 15K In FIG. 8 , the horizontal axis represents the vibration time (ms) and the vertical axis represents the vibration displacement (μm). The first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 may have a vibration time (ms) and a vibration displacement (μm). FIG. 15A to FIG. 15KThe first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 may have a first vibration and a second vibration, respectively. The first vibration and the second vibration may be different. The first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 may receive a first vibration and a second vibration from the main processor 710. FIG. 15A to FIG. 15K The first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 can vibrate according to different vibration data. That is, the first vibration and the second vibration can be based on FIG. 15A to FIG. 15K However, it can be generated based on different vibration data.

[0241] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15K There may be a first maximum vibration displacement A1 and a second maximum vibration displacement A2. The first maximum vibration displacement A1 may correspond to a convex inflection point, and the second maximum vibration displacement A2 may correspond to a convex inflection point. As described above, in an embodiment, the maximum vibration displacements A1 and A2 may be 10 μm or more. The maximum vibration displacements A1 and A2 may more preferably be 15 μm or more.

[0242] also, FIG. 15A to FIG. 15K The vibration period can be 10ms to 500ms.

[0243] Reference Fig.15A , from the initial time t0 to the first time t1, the vibration displacement may be zero. The vibration displacement may decrease in a curve from the first time t1 to the second time t2, and may be the first maximum vibration displacement A1 at the second time t2. The vibration displacement may increase in a curve from the second time t2 to the third time t3, and may be zero at the third time t3. The vibration displacement may increase in a curve from the third time t3 to the fourth time t4. The vibration displacement may be the second maximum vibration displacement A2 at the fourth time t4. The vibration displacement may decrease from the fourth time t4 to the fifth time t5. At the fifth time t5, the vibration displacement may be zero. The vibration period may be the time from the first time t1 to the fifth time t5. Fig.15A The vibration may be in the form of a sine wave.

[0244] Reference Fig. 15B, from the initial time t0 to the first time t1, the vibration displacement may be zero. The vibration displacement may decrease in a curve from the first time t1 to the second time t2, and may be the first maximum vibration displacement A1 at the second time t2. The vibration displacement may increase in a curve from the second time t2 to the third time t3. At the third time t3, the vibration displacement may be zero. The vibration displacement may increase linearly with a certain slope from the third time t3 to the fourth time t4, and increase in proportion to time. In this case, the slope may be a constant value. The vibration displacement may be the second maximum vibration displacement A2 at the fourth time t4. At the fourth time t4, the vibration displacement may decrease to zero. The vibration period may be the time from the first time t1 to the fourth time t4. Fig. 15B The vibration may be in the form of a downward convex curve graph from the first time t1 to the third time t3 and an upward linear graph from the third time t3 to the fourth time t4.

[0245] Reference Fig. 15C , from the initial time t0 to the first time t1, the vibration displacement may be zero. The vibration displacement may decrease in a curve from the first time t1 to the second time t2, and may be the first maximum vibration displacement A1 at the second time t2. The vibration displacement may increase in a curve from the second time t2 to the third time t3. At the third time t3, the vibration displacement may be zero. The vibration displacement may increase again at the third time t3, and may be the second maximum vibration displacement A2 at the third time t3. The second maximum vibration displacement A2 may be maintained from the third time t3 to the fourth time t4. At the fourth time t4, the vibration displacement may decrease to zero. The vibration period may be the time from the first time t1 to the fourth time t4. Fig. 15C The vibration may be in the form of a downward convex curve graph from the first time t1 to the third time t3 and a rectangular graph from the third time t3 to the fourth time t4.

[0246] Reference Fig.15D , from the initial time t0 to the first time t1, the vibration displacement may be zero. The vibration displacement may drop to a first maximum vibration displacement A1 at the first time t1. The first maximum vibration displacement A1 may be maintained from the first time t1 to the second time t2, and may rise to a second maximum vibration displacement A2 at the second time t2. The second maximum vibration displacement A2 may be maintained from the second time t2 to the third time t3. At the third time t3, the vibration displacement may be zero. The vibration period may be the time from the first time t1 to the third time t3. Fig.15D The vibration may be in the form of a downwardly protruding rectangular figure from the first time t1 to the second time t2 and an upwardly protruding rectangular figure from the second time t2 to the third time t3.

[0247] Reference Fig.15E, from the initial time t0 to the first time t1, the vibration displacement may be zero. The vibration displacement may drop to a first maximum vibration displacement A1 at the first time t1. The first maximum vibration displacement A1 may be maintained from the first time t1 to the second time t2, and the vibration displacement may be zero at the second time t2. The vibration displacement may rise in a curve from the second time t2 to the third time t3. At the third time t3, the vibration displacement may be the second maximum vibration displacement A2. The vibration displacement may drop in a curve from the third time t3 to the fourth time t4, and may be zero at the fourth time t4. The vibration period may be the time from the first time t1 to the fourth time t4. Fig.15E The vibration may be in the form of a downwardly protruding rectangular graph from the first time t1 to the second time t2 and an upwardly convex curve graph from the second time t2 to the fourth time t4.

[0248] Reference Fig.15F , from the initial time t0 to the first time t1, the vibration displacement may be zero. The vibration displacement may drop to a first maximum vibration displacement A1 at the first time t1. The first maximum vibration displacement A1 may be maintained from the first time t1 to the second time t2, and the vibration displacement may be zero at the second time t2. The vibration displacement may increase over time at a predetermined slope from the second time t2 to the third time t3. At the third time t3, the vibration displacement may be the second maximum vibration displacement A2. At the third time t3, the vibration displacement may be zero. The vibration period may be the time from the first time t1 to the third time t3. Fig.15F The vibration may be in the form of a downwardly protruding rectangular graph from the first time t1 to the second time t2 and an upwardly protruding linear graph from the second time t2 to the third time t3.

[0249] Reference Figure 15G , from the initial time t0 to the first time t1, the vibration displacement may be zero. The vibration displacement may linearly decrease at a predetermined constant negative slope from the first time t1 to the second time t2, and may be the first maximum vibration displacement A1 at the second time t2. The vibration displacement may linearly increase at a predetermined constant positive slope from the second time t2 to the third time t3, and may be zero at the third time t3. The vibration displacement may linearly increase at a constant positive slope from the third time t3 to the fourth time t4, and may be the second maximum vibration displacement A2 at the fourth time t4. The vibration displacement may linearly decrease at a predetermined constant negative slope from the fourth time t4 to the fifth time t5, and may be zero at the fifth time t5. The vibration period may be the time from the first time t1 to the fifth time t5. Figure 15G The vibration may be in the form of a downwardly protruding triangular graph from the first time t1 to the third time t3 and an upwardly protruding triangular graph from the third time t3 to the fifth time t5.

[0250] Reference Fig.15H , from the initial time t0 to the first time t1, the vibration displacement may be zero. The vibration displacement may linearly decrease at a predetermined constant negative slope from the first time t1 to the second time t2, and may be the first maximum vibration displacement A1 at the second time t2. The vibration displacement may linearly increase at a constant positive slope from the second time t2 to the third time t3, and may be zero at the third time t3. The vibration displacement may linearly increase at a constant positive slope from the third time t3 to the fourth time t4, and may be the second maximum vibration displacement A2 at the fourth time t4. The vibration displacement may decrease in a curve from the fourth time t4 to the fifth time t5, and may be zero at the fifth time t5. The vibration period may be the time from the first time t1 to the fifth time t5. Fig.15H The vibration may be in the form of a downwardly protruding triangular graph appearing from the first time t1 to the third time t3 and an upwardly protruding triangular graph and a quadrangular circle graph appearing sequentially from the third time t3 to the fifth time t5.

[0251] Reference Fig.15I , from the initial time t0 to the first time t1, the vibration displacement may be zero. The vibration displacement may decrease linearly at a predetermined constant negative slope from the first time t1 to the second time t2, and may be the first maximum vibration displacement A1 at the second time t2. The vibration displacement may increase in a curve from the second time t2 to the third time t3. At the third time t3, the vibration displacement may be zero. The vibration displacement may increase in a curve from the third time t3 to the fourth time t4, and may be the second maximum vibration displacement A2 at the fourth time t4. The vibration displacement may decrease linearly at a predetermined constant negative slope from the fourth time t4 to the fifth time t5, and may be zero at the fifth time t5. The vibration period may be the time from the first time t1 to the fifth time t5. Fig.15I The vibration may be in the form of a downwardly protruding triangular graph and a quadrangular graph sequentially appearing from the first time t1 to the third time t3 and an upwardly protruding quadrangular graph and a triangular graph sequentially appearing from the third time t3 to the fifth time t5.

[0252] Reference Fig.15J, from the initial time t0 to the first time t1, the vibration displacement may be zero. The vibration displacement may drop to a third vibration displacement A3 at the first time t1, and may drop linearly at a predetermined constant negative slope from the first time t1 to the second time t2. The third vibration displacement A3 may be a value between zero and the first maximum vibration displacement A1. The vibration displacement may be the first maximum vibration displacement A1 at the second time t2, and may rise linearly at a predetermined constant positive slope from the second time t2 to the third time t3. The vibration displacement may be the third vibration displacement A3 at the third time t3. The vibration displacement may rise to a fourth vibration displacement A4 at the third time t3, may rise linearly at a predetermined constant positive slope from the third time t3 to the fourth time t4, and may be the second maximum vibration displacement A2 at the fourth time t4. The fourth vibration displacement A4 may be a value between zero and the second maximum vibration displacement A2. The vibration displacement may drop linearly at a predetermined constant negative slope from the fourth time t4 to the fifth time t5. The vibration displacement may be the fourth vibration displacement A4 at the fifth time t5. The vibration displacement may drop to zero at the fifth time t5. The vibration period may be the time from the first time t1 to the fifth time t5. Fig.15J The vibration may be in the form of a downwardly protruding pentagonal figure from the first time t1 to the third time t3 and an upwardly protruding pentagonal figure from the third time t3 to the fifth time t5.

[0253] Reference Figure 15K , from the initial time t0 to the third time t3, the vibration displacement can be related to Fig.15J The vibration displacement can be substantially the same from the third time t3 to the fifth time t5. Fig.15A The vibration displacement of the first and second vibrations is substantially the same. The vibration period may be the time from the first time t1 to the fifth time t5. Figure 15K The vibration may be in the form of a downwardly protruding pentagonal graph from the first time t1 to the third time t3 and an upwardly convex curve graph from the third time t3 to the fifth time t5.

[0254] As described above, the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 receive signals having the same value as those in the first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 from the main processor 710. FIG. 15A to FIG. 15K The first vibration generator 810 and the second vibration generator 820 may vibrate according to different vibration data. For example, when the first vibration generator 810 Fig.15A When the second vibration generator 820 vibrates according to the corresponding vibration data, the second vibration generator 820 can FIG. 15B to FIG. 15K When the first vibration generator 810 vibrates according to the corresponding vibration data FIG. 15A to FIG. 15KWhen the second vibration generator 820 vibrates according to vibration data corresponding to any one of the patterns, the second vibration generator 820 may vibrate according to vibration data corresponding to another pattern different from the pattern of the vibration data of the first vibration generator 810.

[0255] Although FIG. 15A to FIG. 15K Example vibration data graphs are shown in , but the inventive concepts are not limited to these examples. FIG. 15A to FIG. 15K The waveform of the vibration data shown in the figure has a downwardly convex or upwardly convex shape, a downwardly protruding or upwardly protruding triangular shape, a downwardly protruding or upwardly protruding rectangular shape, a downwardly or upwardly protruding linear shape with a constant slope, and a downwardly protruding or upwardly protruding pentagonal shape, but vibration data having more various shapes may be provided. FIG. 15A to FIG. 15K Various waveforms can be combined with each other. The inventive concept is not limited to FIG. 15A to FIG. 15K As examples, downwardly convex or upwardly convex shapes, downwardly convex or upwardly convex triangular shapes, downwardly convex or upwardly convex rectangular shapes, downwardly convex or upwardly convex linear shapes with a constant slope, and downwardly convex or upwardly convex pentagonal shapes may be variously combined with each other.

[0256] In addition, although FIG. 15A to FIG. 15K , but the inventive concept is not limited to this case. Vibration data having a non-periodic form may also be provided in a downwardly convex or upwardly convex shape, a downwardly protruding or upwardly protruding triangular shape, a downwardly protruding or upwardly protruding rectangular shape, a downwardly or upwardly linear shape with a constant slope, and a downwardly or upwardly protruding pentagonal shape.

[0257] Hereinafter, display devices according to other exemplary embodiments will be described. In the following exemplary embodiments, components identical to those described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions of these components will be omitted or briefly given.

[0258] Fig.16 is a bottom view of a display panel illustrating a vibration generator according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig.16 It is shown that each of the first vibration generator 810_1 and the second vibration generator 820_1 may have a plurality of sub-vibration generators.

[0259] Reference Fig.16 , the first vibration generator 810_1 according to the current embodiment may include a first sub-vibration generator 811 and a second sub-vibration generator 815 , and the second vibration generator 820_1 may include a first sub-vibration generator 821 and a second sub-vibration generator 825 .

[0260] As described above, the first force sensor 510 may include the volume up button unit group VB+, the volume down button unit group VB-, the power button unit group PWB, or the squeeze sensing button unit group SB of the display device 10, and the second force sensor 520 may include the call button unit group CB, the camera button unit group CMB, the Internet button unit group IB, or the squeeze sensing button unit group SB. Each unit group may include a plurality of force sensing units CE.

[0261] The first sub-vibration generator 811 of the first vibration generator 810_1 may be disposed adjacent to the first to seventh force sensing units CE1a to CE7a and may vibrate when force is applied to the first to seventh force sensing units CE1a to CE7a. When force is applied to the volume up button unit group VB+, the volume down button unit group VB-, and the power button unit group PWB, the first sub-vibration generator 811 of the first vibration generator 810_1 may vibrate.

[0262] The second sub vibration generator 815 of the first vibration generator 810_1 may be disposed adjacent to the eighth force sensing unit CE8a and may vibrate when force is applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8a. When force is applied to the squeeze sensing button unit group SB, the second sub vibration generator 815 of the first vibration generator 810_1 may vibrate.

[0263] The first sub-vibration generator 821 of the second vibration generator 820_1 may be disposed adjacent to the first to seventh force sensing units CE1b to CE7b and may vibrate when force is applied to the first to seventh force sensing units CE1b to CE7b. When force is applied to the call button unit group CB, the camera button unit group CMB, and the internet button unit group IB, the first sub-vibration generator 821 of the second vibration generator 820_1 may vibrate.

[0264] The second sub vibration generator 825 of the second vibration generator 820_1 may be disposed adjacent to the eighth force sensing unit CE8b and may vibrate when force is applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8b. When force is applied to the squeeze sensing button unit group SB, the second sub vibration generator 825 of the second vibration generator 820_1 may vibrate.

[0265] The first sub-vibration generator 811 of the first vibration generator 810_1, the second sub-vibration generator 815 of the first vibration generator 810_1, the first sub-vibration generator 821 of the second vibration generator 820_1, and the second sub-vibration generator 825 of the second vibration generator 820_1 may vibrate differently from each other. That is, the first sub-vibration generator 811 of the first vibration generator 810_1, the second sub-vibration generator 815 of the first vibration generator 810_1, the first sub-vibration generator 821 of the second vibration generator 820_1, and the second sub-vibration generator 825 of the second vibration generator 820_1 may vibrate differently by receiving different vibration data adjusted to different vibration displacements, frequencies, cycles, vibration displacements over time, waveforms, or durations.

[0266] However, when force is applied to the squeeze sensing button unit group SB, the second sub-vibration generator 815 of the first vibration generator 810_1 and the second sub-vibration generator 825 of the second vibration generator 820_1 may vibrate identically. That is, the second sub-vibration generator 815 of the first vibration generator 810_1 and the second sub-vibration generator 825 of the second vibration generator 820_1 may receive the same vibration data. As described above, the vibration data may be vibration displacement, frequency, period, vibration displacement over time, waveform, or duration.

[0267] Fig.17 is a bottom view of a display panel showing a vibration generator according to an embodiment.

[0268] Reference Fig.17 According to the present embodiment, the first vibration generator 810_2 and the second vibration generator 820_2 are connected to Fig.16 The first vibration generator 810_1 and the second vibration generator 820_1 are different in that the first sub-vibration generator 811_1 of the first vibration generator 810_2 is divided into three sub-vibration generators 812 to 814 , and the first sub-vibration generator 821_1 of the second vibration generator 820_2 is divided into three sub-vibration generators 822 to 824 .

[0269] More specifically, the first sub-vibration generator 811_1 of the first vibration generator 810_2 may include a (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 812, a (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 813, and a (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 814, and the first sub-vibration generator 821_1 of the second vibration generator 820_2 may include a (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 822, a (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 823, and a (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 824.

[0270] The (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 812 may be disposed adjacent to the first force sensing unit CE1a and the second force sensing unit CE2a. The first force sensing unit CE1a and the second force sensing unit CE2a may form a volume up button unit group VB+. When force is applied to the first force sensing unit CE1a and the second force sensing unit CE2a, the (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 812 may vibrate. That is, when force is applied to the volume up button unit group VB+, the (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 812 may vibrate.

[0271] The (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 813 may be disposed adjacent to the third force sensing unit CE3a and the fourth force sensing unit CE4a. The third force sensing unit CE3a and the fourth force sensing unit CE4a may form a volume reduction button unit group VB-. When force is applied to the third force sensing unit CE3a and the fourth force sensing unit CE4a, the (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 813 may vibrate. That is, when force is applied to the volume reduction button unit group VB-, the (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 813 may vibrate.

[0272] The (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 814 may be disposed adjacent to the fifth force sensing unit CE5a to the seventh force sensing unit CE7a. The fifth force sensing unit CE5a to the seventh force sensing unit CE7a may form a power button unit group PWB. When force is applied to the fifth force sensing unit CE5a to the seventh force sensing unit CE7a, the (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 814 may vibrate. That is, when force is applied to the power button unit group PWB, the (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 814 may vibrate.

[0273] The (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 822 may be disposed adjacent to the first force sensing unit CE1b and the second force sensing unit CE2b. The first force sensing unit CE1b and the second force sensing unit CE2b may form a call button unit group CB. When force is applied to the first force sensing unit CE1b and the second force sensing unit CE2b, the (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 822 may vibrate. That is, when force is applied to the call button unit group CB, the (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 822 may vibrate.

[0274] The (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 823 may be disposed adjacent to the third force sensing unit CE3b and the fourth force sensing unit CE4b. The third force sensing unit CE3b and the fourth force sensing unit CE4b may form a camera button unit group CMB. When force is applied to the third force sensing unit CE3b and the fourth force sensing unit CE4b, the (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 823 may vibrate. That is, when force is applied to the camera button unit group CMB, the (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 823 may vibrate.

[0275] The (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 824 may be disposed adjacent to the fifth force sensing unit CE5b to the seventh force sensing unit CE7b. The fifth force sensing unit CE5b to the seventh force sensing unit CE7b may form an Internet button unit group IB. When force is applied to the fifth force sensing unit CE5b to the seventh force sensing unit CE7b, the (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 824 may vibrate. That is, when force is applied to the Internet button unit group IB, the (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 824 may vibrate.

[0276] The (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 812, (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 813, and (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 814 of the first vibration generator 810_2 and the (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 822, (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 823, and (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 824 of the second vibration generator 820_2 may vibrate differently. That is, the (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 812, (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 813, and (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 814 of the first vibration generator 810_2 and the (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 822, (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 823, and (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 824 of the second vibration generator 820_2 may vibrate differently by receiving different vibration data adjusted to different vibration displacements, frequencies, periods, vibration displacements over time, waveforms, or durations.

[0277] Although Fig.17 Each of the first sub-vibration generators 811_1 and 821_1 in the embodiment is divided into three sub-vibration generators, but the present disclosure is not limited to this case, and a sub-vibration generator divided into two sub-vibration generators can also be provided. For example, the (1-1) sub-vibration generator 812 and the (1-2) sub-vibration generator 813 of the first vibration generator 810_2 can be formed integrally without being separated from each other. Alternatively, the (1-2) sub-vibration generator 813 and the (1-3) sub-vibration generator 814 can be formed integrally without being separated from each other. Similarly, the (1-1) sub-vibration generator 822 and the (1-2) sub-vibration generator 823 of the second vibration generator 820_2 can be formed integrally without being separated from each other. Alternatively, the (1-2) sub-vibration generator 823 and the (1-3) sub-vibration generator 824 can be formed integrally without being separated from each other.

[0278] Fig.18 is a bottom view of a display panel illustrating a vibration generator according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0279] Reference Fig.18According to the present exemplary embodiment, the first vibration generator 810_3 and the second vibration generator 820_3 are connected to Fig.17 The first vibration generator 810_2 and the second vibration generator 820_2 are different in that no Fig.17 The second sub-vibration generators 815 and 825 of the lower cover 900 are used, and the third vibration generator 910 of the lower cover 900 is used as the second sub-vibration generators 815 and 825.

[0280] As described above, the third vibration generator 910 may be provided on the surface of the lower cover 900. When force is applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8a or the eighth force sensing unit CE8b, the third vibration generator 910 may vibrate. That is, when force is applied to the squeeze sensing button unit group SB, the third vibration generator 910 may vibrate.

[0281] When force is applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8a and when force is applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8b, the third vibration generator 910 may vibrate identically. That is, when force is applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8a and when force is applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8b, the third vibration generator 910 may vibrate by receiving the same vibration data from the main processor 710. However, the inventive concept is not limited to this case, and when force is applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8a and when force is applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8b, the third vibration generator 910 may also vibrate differently. That is, when force is applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8a and when force is applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8b, the third vibration generator 910 may vibrate by receiving different vibration data from the main processor 710.

[0282] Fig.19 is a bottom view of a display panel illustrating a vibration generator according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 20 It is shown Fig.19 A cross-sectional view of an example of V-V'.

[0283] exist Fig.19 and Fig. 20 , the fourth vibration generator 840 is disposed between the first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520 .

[0284] Reference Fig.19 and Fig. 20 , the fourth vibration generator 840 may be disposed between the first force sensor 510 and the second force sensor 520. The fourth vibration generator 840 may have a first sub-vibration generator 841 and a second sub-vibration generator 845.

[0285] The first sub-vibration generator 841 may be disposed between the first force sensing unit CE1a to the seventh force sensing unit CE7a and the first force sensing unit CE1b to the seventh force sensing unit CE7b. When a force is sensed in the first force sensing unit CE1a to the seventh force sensing unit CE7a and the first force sensing unit CE1b to the seventh force sensing unit CE7b, the first sub-vibration generator 841 may vibrate. When a force is applied to the first force sensing unit CE1a to the seventh force sensing unit CE7a and when a force is applied to the first force sensing unit CE1b to the seventh force sensing unit CE7b, the first sub-vibration generator 841 may vibrate identically. That is, when a force is applied to the first force sensing unit CE1a to the seventh force sensing unit CE7a and when a force is applied to the first force sensing unit CE1b to the seventh force sensing unit CE7b, the first sub-vibration generator 841 may vibrate by receiving the same vibration data. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this case, and the first sub-vibration generator 841 may also vibrate by receiving different vibration data when force is applied to the first to seventh force sensing cells CE1a to CE7a and when force is applied to the first to seventh force sensing cells CE1b to CE7b.

[0286] In addition, when force is applied to different unit groups, the first sub-vibration generator 841 may vibrate differently. That is, when force is applied to different unit groups, the first sub-vibration generator 841 may generate different vibrations. As described above, different unit groups may include a volume up button unit group VB+, a volume down button unit group VB-, a power button unit group PWB, a call button unit group CB, a camera button unit group CMB, and an Internet button unit group IB.

[0287] The second sub-vibration generator 845 may be adjacent to the eighth force sensing unit CE8a and CE8b. The second sub-vibration generator 845 may be disposed between the eighth force sensing unit CE8a of the first force sensor 510 and the eighth force sensing unit CE8b of the second force sensor 520. When force is applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8a and CE8b, the second sub-vibration generator 845 may vibrate. When force is applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8a of the first force sensor 510 and when force is applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8b of the second force sensor 520, the second sub-vibration generator 845 may vibrate identically. That is, when force is applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8a of the first force sensor 510 and when force is applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8b of the second force sensor 520, the second sub-vibration generator 845 may vibrate by receiving the same vibration data from the main processor 710. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this case, and the second sub-vibration generator 845 may also vibrate differently by receiving different vibration data from the main processor 710 when force is applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8a of the first force sensor 510 and when force is applied to the eighth force sensing unit CE8b of the second force sensor 520.

[0288] Fig.21 is a bottom view of a display panel illustrating a vibration generator according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0289] Reference Fig.21 According to the present exemplary embodiment, the vibration generator 840_1 and Fig. 20 The fourth vibration generator 840 is different in that Fig. 20 The first sub-vibration generator 841 is divided into a (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 842 , a (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 843 , and a (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 844 .

[0290] The (1-1) sub-vibration generator 842 and Fig.17 The difference is that the (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 842 is Fig.17 The (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 812 and the (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 822 are integrated, and the (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 843 and Fig.17 The difference is that the (1-2) sub-vibration generator 843 is Fig.17 The (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 813 and the (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 823 are integrated, and the (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 844 and Fig.17 The difference is that the (1-3) sub-vibration generator 844 is Fig.17 The integration of the (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 814 and the (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 824.

[0291] In addition, when force is applied to the first force sensing cells CE1a and the second force sensing cells CE2a of the first force sensor 510, or when force is applied to the first force sensing cells CE1b and the second force sensing cells CE2b of the second force sensor 520, the (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 842 may vibrate. When force is applied to the first force sensing cells CE1a and the second force sensing cells CE2a of the first force sensor 510 and when force is applied to the first force sensing cells CE1b and the second force sensing cells CE2b of the second force sensor 520, the (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 842 may vibrate differently. However, the inventive concept is not limited to this case, and when force is applied to the first force sensing cells CE1a and the second force sensing cells CE2a of the first force sensor 510 and when force is applied to the first force sensing cells CE1b and the second force sensing cells CE2b of the second force sensor 520, the (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 842 may also vibrate identically.

[0292] When force is applied to a force sensing unit of the first force sensor 510 adjacent to the (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 843 or the (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 844 and when force is applied to a force sensing unit of the second force sensor 520 adjacent to the (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 843 or the (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 844, each of the (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 843 and the (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 844 may also vibrate the same or differently.

[0293] Fig. 22 is a bottom view of a display panel illustrating a vibration generator according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0294] Reference Fig. 22 According to the present embodiment, the vibration generator 840_2 and Fig.21 The difference between the vibration generator 840_1 and the vibration generator 840_2 is that the vibration generator 840_2 includes (1-3)th sub-vibration generators 814 and 824. Fig. 22 In the embodiment, the (1-3)th sub-vibration generators 814 and 824 are provided, and the Fig.21 The (1-3)th sub-vibration generator 844. However, the inventive concept is not limited to this case. For example, any one or two of the (1-1)th sub-vibration generators 812 and 822 and the (1-2)th sub-vibration generators 813 and 823 may be provided, and the (1-1)th sub-vibration generator 842 and the (1-2)th sub-vibration generator 843 corresponding to the (1-1)th sub-vibration generators 812 and 822 and the (1-2)th sub-vibration generators 813 and 823 in position may not be provided.

[0295] Fig.23is a flowchart illustrating a process of executing an application of the display device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0296] Reference Fig.23 , the process of executing the application of the display device 10 according to the exemplary embodiment includes: operation S10, in which the user touches the display surface of the display device 10; operation S20, in which the main processor 710 displays the application icon corresponding to the touch position; operation S30, in which the user applies a force touch to each unit group of the force sensor 510 or 520 of the display device 10; operation S40, in which the main processor 710 sends vibration data to the vibration generator 810 or 820 adjacent to the force sensor 510 or 520, so that the vibration generator 810 or 820 vibrates; and operation S50, in which the application corresponding to the touch position of the user is executed. Because the detailed description related to the above operation has been given above, the detailed description related to the above operation will be omitted.

[0297] In the display device according to the exemplary embodiment, a vibration generator adjacent to the force sensor is provided. When the user applies force to each force sensor, the vibration generator adjacent to the force sensor can generate different vibrations. Therefore, the user can feel different vibrations at the positions where different vibration generators are provided.

[0298] Although specific exemplary embodiments have been described herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from this description. Therefore, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the inventive concept is not limited to such embodiments, but is limited to the broader scope of the appended claims and various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: Display panel; A first force sensor and a second force sensor are disposed below the display panel; as well as A first vibration generator and a second vibration generator are arranged below the display panel, in: the first vibration generator being configured to vibrate in response to application of a force to the first force sensor, and the second vibration generator being configured to vibrate in response to application of a force to the second force sensor; the vibration of the first vibration generator is different from the vibration of the second vibration generator, Each of the first force sensor and the second force sensor includes a plurality of force sensing units, and The first vibration generator is configured to vibrate differently in response to application of force to any one of the plurality of force sensing units of the first force sensor and in response to application of force to another one of the plurality of force sensing units of the first force sensor, such that the first vibration generator vibrates differently based on a position of a force sensing unit to which force is applied.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The first vibration generator is disposed adjacent to the first force sensor, and the second vibration generator is disposed adjacent to the second force sensor.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The first force sensor is disposed outside the first vibration generator, and the second force sensor is disposed outside the second vibration generator.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The first vibration generator is disposed adjacent to any one of the plurality of force sensing units of the first force sensor, and the display device further includes a third vibration generator disposed adjacent to another one of the plurality of force sensing units of the first force sensor.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein: The first vibration generator is configured to vibrate in response to application of force to any one of the plurality of force sensing units of the first force sensor, and the third vibration generator is configured to vibrate in response to application of force to another one of the plurality of force sensing units of the first force sensor; and The vibration of the first vibration generator is different from the vibration of the third vibration generator.

6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein: The second vibration generator is disposed adjacent to any one of the plurality of force sensing units of the second force sensor, and the display device further includes a fourth vibration generator disposed adjacent to another one of the plurality of force sensing units of the second force sensor.

7. The display device according to claim 6, wherein: the second vibration generator is configured to vibrate in response to application of force to any one of the plurality of force sensing units of the second force sensor, and the fourth vibration generator is configured to vibrate in response to application of force to another one of the plurality of force sensing units of the second force sensor; and The vibration of the second vibration generator is different from the vibration of the fourth vibration generator.

8. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: A lower cover, arranged below the display panel; as well as The fifth vibration generator is disposed on the upper surface of the lower cover.

9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein: Any one of the plurality of force sensing units has a first area, and another one of the plurality of force sensing units has a second area; and The second area is larger than the first area.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein: the first vibration generator being configured to vibrate in response to application of force to any one of the plurality of force sensing units of the first force sensor, and the fifth vibration generator being configured to vibrate in response to application of force to another one of the plurality of force sensing units of the first force sensor; as well as The vibration of the first vibration generator is different from the vibration of the fifth vibration generator.

11. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The maximum vibration displacement of the first vibration generator is different from the maximum vibration displacement of the second vibration generator.

12. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: A duration of the vibration of the first vibration generator is different from a duration of the vibration of the second vibration generator.

13. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: A waveform of the vibration of the first vibration generator is different from a waveform of the vibration of the second vibration generator.

14. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: A period of the vibration of the first vibration generator is different from a period of the vibration of the second vibration generator.

15. A display device, comprising: Display panel; A first force sensor and a second force sensor are disposed below the display panel; as well as A first vibration generator is disposed below the display panel, in: the first vibration generator being configured to vibrate in response to application of force to the first force sensor and the second force sensor; The first vibration generator is configured to vibrate differently in response to application of force to the first force sensor and in response to application of force to the second force sensor, and The first force sensor includes a plurality of force sensing units, and the first vibration generator is configured to vibrate differently in response to application of force to any one of the plurality of force sensing units of the first force sensor and in response to application of force to another one of the plurality of force sensing units of the first force sensor, so that the first vibration generator vibrates differently based on a position of a force sensing unit to which force is applied.

16. The display device according to claim 15, wherein: The first force sensor is disposed on one side of the display panel, the second force sensor is disposed on the other side of the display panel, and the first vibration generator is disposed between the first force sensor and the second force sensor.

17. The display device according to claim 16, wherein: The second force sensor includes a plurality of force sensing units.

18. The display device according to claim 17, further comprising a second vibration generator disposed below the display panel and between the first force sensor and the second force sensor, in: The first vibration generator is configured to vibrate in response to application of force to any one of the plurality of force sensing units of the first force sensor, and the second vibration generator is configured to vibrate in response to application of force to another one of the plurality of force sensing units of the first force sensor; and The vibration of the first vibration generator is different from the vibration of the second vibration generator.

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