Touch sensing unit having a force sensor and a display device including the touch sensing unit

Abstract

This application relates to a touch sensor and a display device. The touch sensor includes: touch electrodes located in a first region and a second region; a first force sensor electrode located on the same layer as the touch electrodes and spaced apart from a first touch electrode in the first region; a first force sensor line located on the same layer as the touch electrodes and electrically connected to the first force sensor electrode, the first force sensor line being located at a second side of the first touch electrode; and a touch line located on the same layer as the touch electrodes and connected to the touch electrodes, the touch line including a first touch line connected to the first touch electrode and located at a first side of the first touch electrode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a touch sensing unit having a force sensor and a display device including the touch sensing unit. Background Art

[0002] An electronic device capable of providing an image (such as, a smart phone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a digital camera, a laptop computer, a navigation device, or a television (TV)) includes a display device for displaying an image. The display device includes a display panel for generating and displaying an image and various input devices.

[0003] A touch sensing unit capable of detecting a touch input has been increasingly used as an input device in small electronic devices (such as, a smart phone or a tablet PC). The touch sensing unit detects a touch input from a user and returns the position of the touch input as touch input coordinates. In addition, a force sensor capable of detecting a force applied by a user has been adopted as an input device in small electronic devices. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aspects of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a touch sensing unit (e.g., a touch sensor) having a force sensor and thus capable of reducing costs.

[0005] Aspects of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to a display device including a touch sensing unit (e.g., a touch sensor) having a force sensor and thus capable of reducing costs.

[0006] However, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those set forth herein. The following and other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains by referring to the detailed description of the present disclosure given below.

[0007] According to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a touch sensor including: touch electrodes located in a first region and a second region; a first force sensor electrode located on the same layer as the touch electrodes and spaced apart from a first touch electrode in the first region; a first force sensor line located on the same layer as the touch electrodes and electrically connected to the first force sensor electrode, the first force sensor line being located at a second side of the first touch electrode; and a touch line located on the same layer as the touch electrodes and connected to the touch electrodes, the touch line including a first touch line connected to the first touch electrode and located at a first side of the first touch electrode.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first touch electrode surrounds the first force sensor electrode.

[0009] In some embodiments, the touch sensor further includes a first connection line located on the same layer as the touch electrode, connecting the first force sensor line and the first force sensor electrode and spaced apart from the first touch electrode.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first force sensor electrode includes a first sub-force sensor electrode and a second sub-force sensor electrode located on the same layer as the touch electrode, the first sub-force sensor electrode and the second sub-force sensor electrode being electrically connected to the first force sensor line and spaced apart from the first touch electrode.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first touch electrode surrounds the first sub-force sensor electrode and the second sub-force sensor electrode.

[0012] In some embodiments, the touch sensor further includes a first connection line located on the same layer as the touch electrode, the first connection line connecting the first force sensor line and the first sub-force sensor electrode and spaced apart from the first touch electrode.

[0013] In some embodiments, the touch sensor further includes a second connection line located on the same layer as the touch electrode, the second connection line connecting the first sub-force sensor electrode and the second sub-force sensor electrode and spaced apart from the first touch electrode.

[0014] In some embodiments, the touch sensor further includes a second force sensor line located on the same layer as the touch electrode and electrically connected to the first force sensor electrode, wherein the first force sensor line is electrically connected to the first end of the first sub-force sensor electrode, and wherein the second force sensor line is electrically connected to the second end of the second sub-force sensor electrode.

[0015] In some embodiments, the touch sensor further includes: a first connection line located on the same layer as the touch electrode and connecting the first force sensor line and the first sub-force sensor electrode; and a second connection line located on the same layer as the touch electrode and connecting the second force sensor line and the second sub-force sensor electrode.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first connection line and the second connection line are spaced apart from the first touch electrode.

[0017] In some embodiments, the touch sensor further includes a second force sensor line located on the same layer as the touch electrode and electrically connected to the second sub-force sensor electrode.

[0018] In some embodiments, the touch sensor further includes: a first connection line located on the same layer as the touch electrode and connecting the first force sensor line and the first sub-force sensor electrode; a second connection line located on the same layer as the touch electrode and connecting the second force sensor line and the second sub-force sensor electrode; and a third connection line located on the same layer as the touch electrode and connecting the first sub-force sensor electrode and the second sub-force sensor electrode.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first connection line, the second connection line, and the third connection line are spaced apart from the first touch electrode.

[0020] In some embodiments, the touch electrode includes a driving electrode and a sensing electrode, and the touch sensor further includes a touch driving signal output unit configured to apply a touch driving signal to the driving electrode and a touch sensing unit configured to detect a change in mutual capacitance between the driving electrode and the sensing electrode.

[0021] In some embodiments, the touch sensor further includes a second force sensor electrode located on the same layer as the touch electrode and spaced apart from the second touch electrode in the first region.

[0022] In some embodiments, the second force sensor electrode is electrically connected to the first force sensor line.

[0023] In some embodiments, the touch line further includes a second touch line connected to the second touch electrode and located on the first side of the second touch electrode, and the first force sensor line is located on the second side of the second touch electrode.

[0024] In some embodiments, the touch sensor further includes a first dummy electrode located on the same layer as the touch electrode and spaced apart from the third touch electrode in the first region.

[0025] In some embodiments, the third touch electrode surrounds the first dummy electrode.

[0026] In some embodiments, the first dummy electrode is electrically floating.

[0027] In some embodiments, the touch sensor further includes a second dummy electrode located on the same layer as the touch electrode and spaced apart from the fourth touch electrode in the first region.

[0028] In some embodiments, the fourth touch electrode surrounds the second dummy electrode.

[0029] In some embodiments, the second dummy electrode is electrically floating.

[0030] In some embodiments, the touch sensor further includes: a force driving signal output unit configured to apply a force driving signal to the first force sensor electrode via a first force sensor line; and a force sensing unit configured to detect a change in the self-capacitance of the first force sensor electrode via the first force sensor line.

[0031] In some embodiments, the touch sensor further includes a force sensing unit electrically connected to the first force sensor line and the second force sensor line, wherein the force sensing unit includes a first output node, a second output node, a first node to which a driving voltage is applied, and a second node connected to a ground source, wherein the first force sensor line is electrically connected to the first node, and wherein the second force sensor line is electrically connected to the first output node.

[0032] According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a display device including: a substrate; a display unit located on the substrate and including a display area including pixels; and a touch sensor located on the display unit and including a touch sensor area overlapping the display area, the touch sensor including a touch electrode, a first force sensor electrode, a first force sensor line, and a touch line, wherein the touch electrode is located in a first area and a second area of the touch sensor area, the first force sensor electrode is located on the same layer as the touch electrode and spaced apart from the first touch electrode in the first area, the first force sensor line is located on the same layer as the touch electrode and electrically connected to the first force sensor electrode, the first force sensor line is located at a second side of the first touch electrode, the touch line is located on the same layer as the touch electrode and connected to the touch electrode, and the touch line includes a first touch line connected to the first touch electrode and located on a first side of the first touch electrode.

[0033] According to the foregoing and other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, by forming a force sensor electrode instead of a dummy electrode in the force sensing area, a touch sensing unit that can detect not only a touch input from a user but also a pressure input from the user can be provided. That is, since the touch sensing unit can detect the pressure from the user due to the force sensor electrode, an additional force sensor is not required, and the manufacturing cost of the touch sensing unit can be reduced accordingly.

[0034] Other features and exemplary embodiments will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the appended claims. Description of the Drawings

[0035] The above and other exemplary embodiments and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent by referring to the accompanying drawings in which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail:

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a plan view of a display device;

[0038] Figures 3 to 4 is Figure 1 a side view of a display device;

[0039] Figure 5 is Figure 2 a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of;

[0040] Figure 6 shows Figure 5 the components associated with the display unit of;

[0041] Figure 7 shows Figure 5 the components associated with the touch sensing unit of;

[0042] Figure 8A shows Figure 7 an enlarged plan view of the "A" region of;

[0043] Figure 8B shows Figure 7 an enlarged plan view of the "B" region of;

[0044] Figure 9A shows Figure 8A the sensing electrodes, sensing lines, and force sensor lines of;

[0045] Figure 9B shows Figure 8B the sensing electrodes and sensing lines of;

[0046] Figure 10 shows how a touch sensing unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure detects a touch input;

[0047] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing how a force sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure detects a pressure input;

[0048] Figure 12 shows Figure 8A an enlarged plan view of the first sensing electrode and the first force sensor electrode of;

[0049] Figure 13 shows Figure 8B an enlarged plan view of the fourth sensing electrode and the first dummy electrode of;

[0050] Figure 14 shows Figure 12 an enlarged plan view of the "A-2" region of;

[0051] Figure 15 is alongFigure 14 A cross-sectional view taken along line II-II'.

[0052] Figure 16 Shows Figure 8A An enlarged plan view of the first sensing electrode, the first sub-force sensor electrode, and the second sub-force sensor electrode of

[0053] Figure 17 Shows Figure 8B An enlarged plan view of the fourth sensing electrode, the first dummy sub-electrode, and the second dummy sub-electrode of

[0054] Figure 18 Shows Figure 8A An enlarged plan view of the first sensing electrode, the first sub-force sensor electrode, and the second sub-force sensor electrode of

[0055] Figure 19 Shows Figure 8A An enlarged plan view of the first sensing electrode and the first force sensor electrode of

[0056] Figure 20 Shows how to use Figure 19 The first force sensor electrode of to detect a pressure input;

[0057] Figure 21 Shows Figure 8A An enlarged plan view of the first sensing electrode and the first force sensor electrode of

[0058] Figure 22 A perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0059] Figure 23 A perspective view of a display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0060] Now, the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals denote the same components. For clarity, the thickness of layers and regions is exaggerated in the drawings.

[0061] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0062] Figure 1 A perspective view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 Is Figure 1Planar view of the display device. Figure 3 and Figure 4 is Figure 1 Side view of the display device.

[0063] As used herein, the terms "above", "top", and "top surface" indicate an upward direction from the display panel 100, i.e., the Z-axis direction, and as used herein, the terms "below", "bottom", and "bottom surface" indicate a downward direction from the display panel 100, i.e., a direction opposite to the Z-axis direction. In addition, as used herein, the terms "left", "right", "up", and "down" indicate their respective directions when the display panel 100 is viewed from above the display panel 100. For example, the term "left" refers to a direction opposite to the X-axis direction, the term "right" refers to the X-axis direction, the term "up" refers to the Y-axis direction, and the term "down" refers to a direction opposite to the Y-axis direction.

[0064] Referring Figures 1 to 4 , the display device 10 (which is a device for displaying dynamic images or static images) can be used not only in portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, smart phones, tablet personal computers (PCs), smart watches, watch phones, mobile communication terminals, electronic notebooks, e-books, portable multimedia players (PMPs), navigation devices, or ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs), but also in various other products such as televisions (TVs), notebook computers, monitors, billboards, or Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The display device 10 can be one of an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display device, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, a plasma display device, a field emission display (FED) device, an electrophoretic display (EPD) device, an electro-wetting display device, a quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED) display device, and a micro light-emitting diode (mLED) display device. Hereinafter, the display device 10 will be described as an OLED display device, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0065] The display device 10 includes a display panel 100, a display driving circuit 200, a circuit board 300, and a touch driving circuit 400.

[0066] The display panel 100 may include a main area MA, a curved area BA, and a pad area PDA provided on one side of the main area MA. The pad area PDA may be provided on one side of the curved area BA, and the main area MA may be provided on the other side of the curved area BA. The curved area BA may be provided between the main area MA and the pad area PDA. The pad area PDA may be provided on one side of the display panel 100.

[0067] Figure 1 and Figure 2The length in the first direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) of the bending region BA is shown to be substantially the same as the length in the first direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) of the main region MA, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some examples, the length in the first direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) of the bending region BA and the pad region PDA may be less than the length in the first direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) of the main region MA.

[0068] The main region MA may be formed as a rectangular plane having a pair of short sides extending in the first direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) and a pair of long sides extending in a second direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) intersecting the first direction (e.g., the X-axis direction). The corners where the short sides and the long sides of the main region MA intersect may be rounded to have a set or predetermined curvature, or may be right-angled. The shape of the display device 10 is not limited to a rectangular shape, and the display device 10 may be formed into various other polygonal shapes, or formed into a circular shape or an elliptical shape. The main region MA may be flat, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some examples, the main region MA may include curved portions formed at its left and right ends, and in this case, the curved portions may have a uniform curvature or a variable curvature.

[0069] The main region MA may include a display region DA in which pixels for displaying an image are formed and a non-display region NDA located on the periphery of the display region DA.

[0070] In the display region DA, not only pixels but also scan lines, data lines, and power lines connected to the pixels may be provided. In the case where the main region MA includes a curved portion, the display region DA may also be provided in the curved portion of the main region MA. In this case, an image displayed by the display panel 100 may be viewed in the curved portion of the main region MA.

[0071] The non-display region NDA may be defined as being within the range from the edge of the display region DA to the edge of the display panel 100. In the non-display region NDA, a scan driver 110 for applying a scan signal to the scan lines (see Figure 6 ) and fan-out lines FL for connecting the data lines and the display driving circuit 200 (see Figure 6 ) may be provided.

[0072] The display panel 100 may be flexible and thus may be bendable, foldable, or rollable. Accordingly, the display panel 100 may be bent in the bending region BA in the thickness direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction). As Figure 3 shown, when the display panel 100 is not yet bent, the pad region PDA of the display panel 100 faces upward. As Figure 4As shown. Once the display panel 100 is bent, the pad region PDA of the display panel 100 can face downward. Thus, as Figure 4 shown, the pad region PDA can be disposed below the main region MA and can thus overlap the main region MA.

[0073] In the pad region PDA of the display panel 100, pads electrically connected to the display driving circuit 200 and the circuit board 300 can be provided.

[0074] The display driving circuit 200 can output signals and voltages for driving the display panel 100. For example, the display driving circuit 200 can supply data voltages to data lines. In addition, the display driving circuit 200 can supply power voltages to power lines and can supply scan control signals to the scan driver 110. The display driving circuit 200 can be formed as an integrated circuit (IC) and can be mounted on the display panel 100 in a chip-on-glass (COG) bonding manner, a chip-on-plastic (COP) bonding manner, or an ultrasonic bonding manner in the pad region PDA, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the display driving circuit 200 can be mounted on the circuit board 300.

[0075] In some examples, as Figure 23 shown, the display driving circuit 200 can be disposed on a flexible film 201 such as a chip-on-film (COF) attached to one side of the display panel 100. In this case, one side of the flexible film 201 can be attached to display pads DP (see Figure 6 ) and touch pads TP1 and TP2 (see Figure 6 ) provided on one side of the display panel 100, and the other side of the flexible film 201 can be attached to one side of the circuit board 300.

[0076] Referring to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the pads in the pad region PDA can include display pads DP electrically connected to the display driving circuit 200 and touch pads TP1 and TP2 electrically connected to touch lines.

[0077] The circuit board 300 can be attached to the pads via an anisotropic conductive film. Thus, the leads of the circuit board 300 can be electrically connected to the pads. The circuit board 300 can be a flexible film such as a flexible printed circuit board, a printed circuit board, or a chip-on-film.

[0078] The touch driving circuit 400 can be connected to touch electrodes of a touch sensing unit (e.g., a touch sensor) of the display panel 100. The touch driving circuit 400 applies driving signals to the touch electrodes and measures voltages of mutual capacitances charged to the touch electrodes. The driving signals can be signals having a plurality of driving pulses. The touch driving circuit 400 can not only determine the presence of a touch input based on the mutual capacitances of the touch electrodes but also calculate touch coordinates of the touch input.

[0079] The touch driving circuit 400 can be connected to the force sensor electrodes provided in the force sensing area PSA. The touch driving circuit 400 can detect the pressure applied by the user to the force sensing area PSA by measuring the self-capacitance of the force sensor electrodes or using the force sensor electrodes as a strain gauge. Figure 1 It is shown that the force sensing area PSA is provided in the middle of the lower part of the display area DA, but the position of the force sensing area PSA is not specifically limited.

[0080] The touch driving circuit 400 can be provided on the circuit board 300. The touch driving circuit 400 can be formed as an IC and can be mounted on the circuit board 300.

[0081] Figure 5 Is a cross-sectional view taken along Figure 2 the line I-I'.

[0082] Referring to Figure 5 , the display panel 100 can include a substrate SUB, a display unit DU, and a touch sensing unit (e.g., a touch sensor) TDU, wherein the display unit DU is provided on the substrate SUB and includes a TFT layer TFTL, a light emitting element layer EML, and a thin film encapsulation layer TFEL, and the touch sensing unit TDU includes a touch sensor layer TSL.

[0083] The substrate SUB can be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate that can be bent, folded, or curled. The substrate SUB can be formed of an insulating material such as glass, quartz, or a polymer resin. The polymer material can be polyethersulfone (PES), polyacrylate (PA), polyarylate (PAR), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyallylate, polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), cellulose triacetate (CAT), cellulose acetate propionate (CAP), or a combination thereof. In some examples, the substrate SUB can include a metal material.

[0084] The TFT layer TFTL can be provided on the substrate SUB. In the TFT layer TFTL, not only the TFTs of the pixels can be formed, but also scan lines, data lines, power lines, scan control lines, and fan-out lines FL for connecting pads and data lines can be formed. Each of the TFTs of the pixels can include a gate electrode, a semiconductor layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. As Figure 6 shown in

[0085] The TFT layer TFTL can be disposed in the display area DA and the non-display area NDA. For example, the TFTs, scan lines, data lines, and power lines of the pixels of the TFT layer TFTL can be disposed in the display area DA. The scan control lines and fan-out lines FL of the TFT layer TFTL can be disposed in the non-display area NDA.

[0086] The light-emitting element layer EML can be disposed on the TFT layer TFTL. The light-emitting element layer EML can include pixels and a pixel defining film that defines the pixels. Each pixel includes a first electrode, a light-emitting layer, and a second electrode. The light-emitting layer can be an organic light-emitting layer including an organic material. In this case, the light-emitting layer can include a hole transport layer, an organic light-emitting layer, and an electron transport layer. In response to a set or predetermined voltage applied to each of the TFTs of the TFT layer TFTL and a cathode voltage applied to the second electrode, holes and electrons can move through the hole transport layer and the electron transport layer to the organic light-emitting layer, and can combine in the organic light-emitting layer to emit light. The pixels of the light-emitting element layer EML can be disposed in the display area DA.

[0087] The thin film encapsulation layer TFEL can be disposed on the light-emitting element layer EML. The thin film encapsulation layer TFEL prevents or substantially prevents oxygen or moisture from penetrating into the light-emitting element layer EML. To this end, the thin film encapsulation layer TFEL can include at least one inorganic film. The inorganic film can be a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titanium oxide layer, or an aluminum oxide layer, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In addition, the thin film encapsulation layer TFEL protects the light-emitting element layer EML from foreign substances such as dust. To this end, the thin film encapsulation layer TFEL can include at least one organic film. The organic film can include an acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a phenolic resin, a polyamide resin, or a PI resin, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0088] The thin film encapsulation layer TFEL can be disposed in both the display area DA and the non-display area NDA. The thin film encapsulation layer TFEL can be disposed to cover the light-emitting element layer EML located in the display area DA and the non-display area NDA and to cover the TFT layer TFTL located in the non-display area NDA.

[0089] The touch sensor layer TSL can be disposed on the thin film encapsulation layer TFEL. When the touch sensor layer TSL is directly disposed on the thin film encapsulation layer TFEL, the thickness of the display device 10 can be reduced compared to when a separate touch panel including the touch sensor layer TSL is attached to the thin film encapsulation layer TFEL.

[0090] The touch sensor layer TSL may include touch electrodes for capacitively detecting a touch input from a user and touch lines for connecting pads and the touch electrodes. For example, the touch sensor layer TSL may detect a touch input from a user in a self - capacitance manner or a mutual - capacitance manner. In the following description, it is assumed that the touch sensor layer TSL detects a touch input from a user in a mutual - capacitance manner, for example, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As Figure 7 shown, the touch electrodes of the touch sensor layer TSL may be disposed in a touch sensor area TSA overlapping with a display area DA.

[0091] Figure 6 is a plan view showing elements associated with Figure 5 the display unit of.

[0092] For convenience, Figure 6 only the sub - pixels P, scan lines SL, data lines DL, scan control lines SCL, scan driver 110, display driving circuit 200, and display pads DP of the display unit DU are shown.

[0093] Referring to Figure 6 , the scan lines SL, data lines DL, and sub - pixels P are disposed in the display area DA. The scan lines SL may be formed side by side in a second direction (e.g., the Y - axis direction), and the data lines DL may be formed side by side in a first direction (e.g., the X - axis direction).

[0094] Each of the sub - pixels P may be connected to at least one of the scan lines SL and one of the data lines DL. Each of the sub - pixels P may include a TFT (including a driving transistor and at least one switching transistor), a light - emitting element, and a capacitor. The light - emitting element may be an organic light - emitting diode (OLED). In response to a scan signal applied via the scan line SL, the sub - pixel P may receive a data voltage via the data line DL and may emit light by supplying a driving current to its light - emitting element according to the data voltage applied to the gate electrode of the driving transistor.

[0095] The scan driver 110 may be connected to the display driving circuit 200 via the scan control line SCL. Thus, the scan driver 110 may receive a scan control signal from the display driving circuit 200. The scan driver 110 may generate a scan signal according to the scan control signal and may provide the scan signal to the scan lines SL.

[0096] Figure 6 shows an example in which the scan driver 110 is formed in a part of a non - display area NDA located on the left side of the display area DA, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In another example, the scan driver 110 may be formed in parts of non - display areas NDA located on both the left and right sides of the display area DA.

[0097] The display driving circuit 200 is connected to the display pad DP and thus receives digital video data and timing signals. The display driving circuit 200 converts the digital video data into positive / negative analog data voltages and supplies the positive / negative analog data voltages to the data lines DL via the fan-out lines FL. In addition, the display driving circuit 200 generates a scan control signal for controlling the scan driver 110 and supplies the scan control signal via the scan control line SCL. Sub-pixels P to which data voltages are to be supplied are selected by the scan signal generated by the scan driver 110, and the data voltages are supplied to the selected sub-pixels P. The display driving circuit 200 may be formed as an integrated circuit (IC) and may be attached to the substrate SUB in a chip-on-glass (COG) bonding manner, a chip-on-plastic (COP) bonding manner, or an ultrasonic bonding manner.

[0098] The pad area PDA may include a display pad area DPA in which the display pad DP is disposed, a first touch pad area TPA1 in which the first touch pad TP1 is disposed, and a second touch pad area TPA2 in which the second touch pad TP2 is disposed. The first touch pad area TPA1 may be disposed on one side of the display pad area DPA, and the second touch pad area TPA2 may be disposed on the other side of the display pad area DPA. The display pad DP may be electrically connected to the display driving circuit 200.

[0099] The circuit board 300 may be attached to the display pad DP, the first touch pad TP1, and the second touch pad TP2 via an anisotropic conductive film (ACF). The display pad DP may be electrically connected to the circuit board 300. The first touch pad TP1 and the second touch pad TP2 may be electrically connected to a touch driving circuit 400 provided on the circuit board 300.

[0100] Figure 7 is a plan view showing elements associated with Figure 5 the touch sensing unit of Figure 8A is a magnified plan view showing the Figure 7 "A" area of

[0101] For convenience, Figure 7 only the touch fan-out lines TFL, the first touch pad TP1 and the second touch pad TP2 of the touch pad areas TPA1 and TPA2 are shown.

[0102] Refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8A , the touch sensing unit TDU includes a touch sensor area TSA for detecting a touch input from a user and a touch peripheral area NSA provided on the periphery of the touch sensor area TSA. The touch sensor area TSA may overlap with the display area DA of the display unit DU, and the touch peripheral area NSA may overlap with the non-display area NDA of the display unit DU.

[0103] The touch sensor area TSA may include an "A" area AA, a "B" area BA disposed on one side of the "A" area AA, and a "C" area CA disposed on the other side of the "A" area AA. The touch peripheral area NSA may include touch fan-out lines TFL for connecting drive lines and sense lines of the touch sensor area TSA to a first touch pad TP1 and a second touch pad TP2. Some of the touch fan-out lines TFL may be connected through bridge lines BL. The touch peripheral area NSA may be a non-force sensing area.

[0104] As Figure 8A shown, the "A" area AA may include first to sixteenth drive electrodes TE1 to TE16 and first to twenty-fourth sense electrodes RE1 to RE24. Hereinafter, the drive electrodes and the sense electrodes will be collectively referred to as touch electrodes.

[0105] In the "A" area AA, four drive electrodes may be disposed in each odd-numbered column, and eight sense electrodes may be disposed in each even-numbered column. For example, in the first column C1, first to fourth drive electrodes TE1 to TE4 may be disposed, in the second column C2, first to eighth sense electrodes RE1 to RE8 may be disposed, in the third column C3, fifth to eighth drive electrodes TE5 to TE8 may be disposed, in the fourth column C4, ninth to sixteenth sense electrodes RE9 to RE16 may be disposed, in the fifth column C5, ninth to twelfth drive electrodes TE9 to TE12 may be disposed, in the sixth column C6, seventeenth to twenty-fourth sense electrodes RE17 to RE24 may be disposed, and in the seventh column C7, thirteenth to sixteenth drive electrodes TE13 to TE16 may be disposed.

[0106] The sense electrodes disposed in each column may form mutual capacitance with the drive electrodes disposed on one side thereof, and may also form mutual capacitance with the drive electrodes located on the other side thereof. For example, the first to eighth sense electrodes RE1 to RE8 disposed in the second column C2 may form mutual capacitance with the first to fourth drive electrodes TE1 to TE4 disposed in the first column C1, and may also form mutual capacitance with the fifth to eighth drive electrodes TE5 to TE8 disposed in the third column C3.

[0107] Each of the first driving electrode TE1 to the fourth driving electrode TE4 disposed in the first column C1 may include a plurality of sub-driving electrodes. The first driving electrode TE1 may include a (1-1)th sub-driving electrode TE1-1 to an (1-8)th sub-driving electrode TE1-8. The (1-1)th sub-driving electrode TE1-1 to the (1-8)th sub-driving electrode TE1-8 may be arranged in parallel in the second direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). The (1-1)th sub-driving electrode TE1-1 to the (1-8)th sub-driving electrode TE1-8 may be electrically connected through a plurality of first sub-driving lines TL. For example, the first sub-driving line TL1 may be connected to the (1-1)th sub-driving electrode TE1-1 and the (1-2)th sub-driving electrode TE1-2, may be connected to the (1-3)th sub-driving electrode TE1-3 and the (1-4)th sub-driving electrode TE1-4, may be connected to the (1-5)th sub-driving electrode TE1-5 and the (1-6)th sub-driving electrode TE1-6, and may be connected to the (1-7)th sub-driving electrode TE1-7 and the (1-8)th sub-driving electrode TE1-8.

[0108] The (1-1)th sub-driving electrode TE1-1 to the (1-8)th sub-driving electrode TE1-8 may form mutual capacitances with the first sensing electrode RE1 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8. For example, the (1-1)th sub-driving electrode TE1-1 may form a mutual capacitance with the first sensing electrode RE1, the (1-2)th sub-driving electrode TE1-2 may form mutual capacitances with the second sensing electrode RE2 and the third sensing electrode RE3, the (1-3)th sub-driving electrode TE1-3 may form mutual capacitances with the fourth sensing electrode RE4 and the fifth sensing electrode RE5, the (1-4)th sub-driving electrode TE1-4 may form mutual capacitances with the sixth sensing electrode RE6 and the seventh sensing electrode RE7, and the (1-8)th sub-driving electrode TE1-8 may form a mutual capacitance with the eighth sensing electrode RE8.

[0109] The second driving electrode TE2 may include a (2-1)th sub-driving electrode TE2-1 to a (2-8)th sub-driving electrode TE2-8. The (2-1)th sub-driving electrode TE2-1 to the (2-8)th sub-driving electrode TE2-8 may be arranged in parallel in the second direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). The (2-1)th sub-driving electrode TE2-1 to the (2-8)th sub-driving electrode TE2-8 may be electrically connected through a plurality of second sub-driving lines TL2. For example, the second sub-driving line TL2 may be connected to the (2-1)th sub-driving electrode TE2-1 and the (2-2)th sub-driving electrode TE2-2, may be connected to the (2-3)th sub-driving electrode TE2-3 and the (2-4)th sub-driving electrode TE2-4, may be connected to the (2-5)th sub-driving electrode TE2-5 and the (2-6)th sub-driving electrode TE2-6, may be connected to the (2-7)th sub-driving electrode TE2-7 and the (2-8)th sub-driving electrode TE2-8.

[0110] The (2-1)th sub-driving electrode TE2-1 to the (2-8)th sub-driving electrode TE2-8 can form mutual capacitances with the first sensing electrode RE1 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8. For example, the (2-1)th sub-driving electrode TE2-1 can form a mutual capacitance with the first sensing electrode RE1, the (2-2)th sub-driving electrode TE2-2 can form a mutual capacitance with the second sensing electrode RE2, the (2-3)th sub-driving electrode TE2-3 can form a mutual capacitance with the third sensing electrode RE3, the (2-4)th sub-driving electrode TE2-4 can form a mutual capacitance with the fourth sensing electrode RE4, the (2-5)th sub-driving electrode TE2-5 can form a mutual capacitance with the fifth sensing electrode RE5, the (2-6)th sub-driving electrode TE2-6 can form a mutual capacitance with the sixth sensing electrode RE6, the (2-7)th sub-driving electrode TE2-7 can form a mutual capacitance with the seventh sensing electrode RE7, and the (2-8)th sub-driving electrode TE2-8 can form a mutual capacitance with the eighth sensing electrode RE8.

[0111] The third driving electrode TE3 can include the (3-1)th sub-driving electrode TE3-1 to the (3-8)th sub-driving electrode TE3-8. The (3-1)th sub-driving electrode TE3-1 to the (3-8)th sub-driving electrode TE3-8 can be arranged in parallel in the second direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). The (3-1)th sub-driving electrode TE3-1 to the (3-8)th sub-driving electrode TE3-8 can be electrically connected through a plurality of third sub-driving lines TL3. The configuration in which the (3-1)th sub-driving electrode TE3-1 to the (3-8)th sub-driving electrode TE3-8 are electrically connected through the third sub-driving lines TL3 is substantially the same as the configuration in which the (2-1)th sub-driving electrode TE2-1 to the (2-8)th sub-driving electrode TE2-8 are electrically connected through the second sub-driving lines TL2, and thus, its detailed description will not be repeated. The (3-1)th sub-driving electrode TE3-1 to the (3-8)th sub-driving electrode TE3-8 can form mutual capacitances with the first sensing electrode RE1 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8. The mutual capacitances formed between the (3-1)th sub-driving electrode TE3-1 to the (3-8)th sub-driving electrode TE3-8 and the first sensing electrode RE1 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8 are substantially the same as the mutual capacitances formed between the (2-1)th sub-driving electrode TE2-1 to the (2-8)th sub-driving electrode TE2-8 and the first sensing electrode RE1 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8, and thus, its detailed description will not be repeated.

[0112] The fourth driving electrode TE4 may include a (4-1)th sub-driving electrode TE4-1 to a (4-5)th sub-driving electrode TE4-5. The (4-1)th sub-driving electrode TE4-1 to the (4-5)th sub-driving electrode TE4-5 may be arranged in parallel in the second direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). The (4-1)th sub-driving electrode TE4-1 to the (4-5)th sub-driving electrode TE4-5 may be electrically connected through a plurality of fourth sub-driving lines TL4. The configuration in which the (4-1)th sub-driving electrode TE4-1 to the (4-5)th sub-driving electrode TE4-5 are electrically connected through the fourth sub-driving lines TL4 is substantially the same as the configuration in which the (1-1)th sub-driving electrode TE1-1 to the (1-8)th sub-driving electrode TE1-8 are electrically connected through the first sub-driving lines TL1, and thus, its detailed description may not be repeated. The (4-1)th sub-driving electrode TE4-1 to the (4-5)th sub-driving electrode TE4-5 may form mutual capacitances with the first sensing electrode RE1 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8. The mutual capacitances formed between the (4-1)th sub-driving electrode TE4-1 to the (4-5)th sub-driving electrode TE4-5 and the first sensing electrode RE1 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8 are substantially the same as the mutual capacitances formed between the (1-1)th sub-driving electrode TE1-1 to the (1-8)th sub-driving electrode TE1-8 and the first sensing electrode RE1 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8, and thus, its detailed description may not be repeated.

[0113] Each of the fifth driving electrode TE5 to the eighth driving electrode TE8 provided in the third column C3 may include a plurality of sub-driving electrodes. The sizes of the fifth driving electrode TE5 to the eighth driving electrode TE8 are different from the sizes of the first driving electrode TE1 to the fourth driving electrode TE4 provided in the first column C1, and the difference from the first driving electrode TE1 to the fourth driving electrode TE4 is only that they not only form mutual capacitances with the first sensing electrode RE1 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8, but also form mutual capacitances with the ninth sensing electrode RE9 to the sixteenth sensing electrode RE16 provided in the fourth column C4. Therefore, the detailed description of the fifth driving electrode TE5 to the eighth driving electrode TE8 may not be repeated.

[0114] Each of the ninth to twelfth driving electrodes TE9 to TE12 disposed in the fifth column C5 may include a plurality of sub-driving electrodes. The sizes of the ninth to twelfth driving electrodes TE9 to TE12 are different from those of the first to fourth driving electrodes TE1 to TE4 disposed in the first column C1, and the difference from the first to fourth driving electrodes TE1 to TE4 is only that they form mutual capacitances not only with the ninth to sixteenth sensing electrodes RE9 to RE16 disposed in the fourth column C4, but also with the seventeenth to twenty-fourth sensing electrodes RE17 to RE24 disposed in the sixth column C6. Therefore, the detailed description of the ninth to twelfth driving electrodes TE9 to TE12 may not be repeated.

[0115] The first to eighth sensing electrodes RE1 to RE8 disposed in the second column C2 may be arranged in parallel in the second direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). Each of the first to eighth sensing electrodes RE1 to RE8 may be connected to a sensing line. For example, the first sensing electrode RE1 may be connected to the first sensing line RL1 disposed on the first side of the first sensing electrode RE1; the second sensing electrode RE2 may be connected to the second sensing line RL2 disposed on the first side of the second sensing electrode RE2; the third sensing electrode RE3 may be connected to the third sensing line RL3 disposed on the first side of the third sensing electrode RE3; the fourth sensing electrode RE4 may be connected to the fourth sensing line RL4 disposed on the second side of the fourth sensing electrode RE4; the fifth sensing electrode RE5 may be connected to the fifth sensing line RL5 disposed on the first side of the fifth sensing electrode RE5; the sixth sensing electrode RE6 may be connected to the sixth sensing line RL6 disposed on the second side of the sixth sensing electrode RE6; the seventh sensing electrode RE7 may be connected to a plurality of seventh sensing lines RL7 disposed on the first side of the seventh sensing electrode RE7; and the eighth sensing electrode RE8 may be connected to a plurality of eighth sensing lines RL8. In order to reduce the resistance of the seventh sensing line RL7 and the eighth sensing line RL8, the number of each of the seventh sensing line RL7 and the eighth sensing line RL8 may be greater than the number of each of the first sensing line RL1, the second sensing line RL2, the third sensing line RL3, the fourth sensing line RL4, the fifth sensing line RL5, and the sixth sensing line RL6.

[0116] The ninth to sixteenth sensing electrodes RE9 to RE16 disposed in the fourth column C4 and the seventeenth to twenty-fourth sensing electrodes RE17 to RE24 disposed in the sixth column C6 may be substantially the same as the first to eighth sensing electrodes RE1 to RE8 disposed in the second column C2, and therefore, the detailed description thereof may not be repeated.

[0117] The sizes of the first sensing electrode RE1 to the twenty-fourth sensing electrode RE24 can be larger than the sizes of the first driving electrode TE1 to the sixteenth driving electrode TE16.

[0118] As Figure 7 shown, the “A” region AA can be divided into a force sensing region PSA and a non-force sensing region NSA. Refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8A , in the force sensing region PSA, the first sensing electrode RE1 to the third sensing electrode RE3, the ninth sensing electrode RE9 to the eleventh sensing electrode RE11, and the seventeenth sensing electrode RE17 to the nineteenth sensing electrode RE19 can be arranged.

[0119] In the second column C2, the first force sensor electrode PE1 to the third force sensor electrode PE3 can be set to be spaced apart from the first sensing electrode RE1 to the third sensing electrode RE3. The first force sensor electrode PE1 to the third force sensor electrode PE3 can be electrically connected to the first force sensor line PSL1. Refer to Figure 9A , in the case where the first force sensor line PSL1 is arranged on one side (e.g., the left side) of the array of the first sensing electrode RE1 to the third sensing electrode RE3, the second sensing line RL2 and the third sensing line RL3 can be arranged on the other side (e.g., the right side) of the array of the first sensing electrode RE1 to the third sensing electrode RE3.

[0120] The first force sensor electrode PE1 can be adjacent to the first sensing electrode RE1, but spaced apart from the first sensing electrode RE1. The first force sensor electrode PE1 can be electrically insulated from the first sensing electrode RE1. The first force sensor electrode PE1 can be surrounded by the first sensing electrode RE1.

[0121] The second force sensor electrode PE2 can be adjacent to the second sensing electrode RE2, but spaced apart from the second sensing electrode RE2. The second force sensor electrode PE2 can be electrically insulated from the second sensing electrode RE2. The second force sensor electrode PE2 can be surrounded by the second sensing electrode RE2.

[0122] The third force sensor electrode PE3 can be adjacent to the third sensing electrode RE3, but spaced apart from the third sensing electrode RE3. The third force sensor electrode PE3 can be electrically insulated from the third sensing electrode RE3. The third force sensor electrode PE3 can be surrounded by the third sensing electrode RE3.

[0123] In the fourth column C4, the fourth force sensor electrode PE4 to the sixth force sensor electrode PE6 may be arranged to be spaced apart from the ninth sensing electrode RE9 to the eleventh sensing electrode RE11. The fourth force sensor electrode PE4 to the sixth force sensor electrode PE6 may be electrically connected to the second force sensor line PSL2. The arrangement of the fourth force sensor electrode PE4 to the sixth force sensor electrode PE6 relative to the ninth sensing electrode RE9 to the eleventh sensing electrode RE11 is substantially the same as the arrangement of the first force sensor electrode PE1 to the third force sensor electrode PE3 relative to the first sensing electrode RE1 to the third sensing electrode RE3, and thus, the detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0124] In the sixth column C6, the seventh force sensor electrode PE7 to the ninth force sensor electrode PE9 may be arranged to be spaced apart from the seventeenth sensing electrode RE17 to the nineteenth sensing electrode RE19. The seventh force sensor electrode PE7 to the ninth force sensor electrode PE9 may be electrically connected to the third force sensor line PSL3. The arrangement of the seventh force sensor electrode PE7 to the ninth force sensor electrode PE9 relative to the seventeenth sensing electrode RE17 to the nineteenth sensing electrode RE19 is substantially the same as the arrangement of the first force sensor electrode PE1 to the third force sensor electrode PE3 relative to the first sensing electrode RE1 to the third sensing electrode RE3, and thus, the detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0125] The first force sensor electrode PE1 to the ninth force sensor electrode PE9 may be electrically connected to each other. Therefore, the first force sensor electrode PE1 to the ninth force sensor electrode PE9 can be used as a single force sensor electrode.

[0126] In the non-force sensing area NSA, the fourth sensing electrode RE4 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8, the twelfth sensing electrode RE12 to the sixteenth sensing electrode RE16, and the twentieth sensing electrode RE20 to the twenty-fourth sensing electrode RE24 may be provided.

[0127] In the second column C2, the first dummy electrode DE1 to the fifth dummy electrode DE5 may be arranged to be spaced apart from the fourth sensing electrode RE4 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8. The first dummy electrode DE1 to the fifth dummy electrode DE5 may be floating (e.g., kept electrically disconnected).

[0128] The first dummy electrode DE1 may be adjacent to the fourth sensing electrode RE4, but spaced apart from the fourth sensing electrode RE4. The first dummy electrode DE1 may be electrically insulated from the fourth sensing electrode RE4 and may be floating. The first dummy electrode DE1 may be surrounded by the fourth sensing electrode RE4.

[0129] The second dummy electrode DE2 can be adjacent to the fifth sensing electrode RE5, but is spaced apart from the fifth sensing electrode RE5. The second dummy electrode DE2 can be electrically insulated from the fifth sensing electrode RE5 and can be floating. The second dummy electrode DE2 can be surrounded by the fifth sensing electrode RE5.

[0130] The third dummy electrode DE3 can be adjacent to the sixth sensing electrode RE6, but is spaced apart from the sixth sensing electrode RE6. The third dummy electrode DE3 can be electrically insulated from the sixth sensing electrode RE6 and can be floating. The third dummy electrode DE3 can be surrounded by the sixth sensing electrode RE6.

[0131] The fourth dummy electrode DE4 can be adjacent to the seventh sensing electrode RE7, but is spaced apart from the seventh sensing electrode RE7. The fourth dummy electrode DE4 can be electrically insulated from the seventh sensing electrode RE7 and can be floating. The fourth dummy electrode DE4 can be surrounded by the seventh sensing electrode RE7.

[0132] The fifth dummy electrode DE5 can be adjacent to the eighth sensing electrode RE8, but is spaced apart from the eighth sensing electrode RE8. The fifth dummy electrode DE5 can be electrically insulated from the eighth sensing electrode RE8 and can be floating. The fifth dummy electrode DE5 can be surrounded by the eighth sensing electrode RE8.

[0133] In the fourth column C4, the sixth dummy electrode DE6 to the tenth dummy electrode DE10 can be arranged to be spaced apart from the twelfth sensing electrode RE12 to the sixteenth sensing electrode RE16. The sixth dummy electrode DE6 to the tenth dummy electrode DE10 can be floating. The arrangement of the sixth dummy electrode DE6 to the tenth dummy electrode DE10 relative to the twelfth sensing electrode RE12 to the sixteenth sensing electrode RE16 is substantially the same as the arrangement of the first dummy electrode DE1 to the fifth dummy electrode DE5 relative to the fourth sensing electrode RE4 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8, and thus, their detailed description will not be repeated.

[0134] In the sixth column C6, the eleventh dummy electrode DE11 to the fifteenth dummy electrode DE15 can be arranged to be spaced apart from the twentieth sensing electrode RE20 to the twenty-fourth sensing electrode RE24. The eleventh dummy electrode DE11 to the fifteenth dummy electrode DE15 can be floating. The arrangement of the eleventh dummy electrode DE11 to the fifteenth dummy electrode DE15 relative to the twentieth sensing electrode RE20 to the twenty-fourth sensing electrode RE24 is substantially the same as the arrangement of the first dummy electrode DE1 to the fifth dummy electrode DE5 relative to the fourth sensing electrode RE4 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8, and thus, their detailed description will not be repeated.

[0135] In both the force sensing area PSA and the non-force sensing area NSA, the driving dummy electrode can be set to be spaced apart from the sub-driving electrode. The driving dummy electrode can be floating. The arrangement of the driving dummy electrode relative to the sub-driving electrode is substantially the same as the arrangement of the first dummy electrode DE1 to the fifth dummy electrode DE5 relative to the fourth sensing electrode RE4 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8, and thus, its detailed description will not be repeated.

[0136] Due to the presence of the first dummy electrode DE1 to the fifteenth dummy electrode DE15, the parasitic capacitance of the first sensing electrode RE1 to the twenty-fourth sensing electrode RE24 can be reduced. In addition, due to the presence of the driving dummy electrode, the parasitic capacitance of the driving electrode can be reduced.

[0137] A ground wire GRL can be provided between the array of the first driving electrode TE1 to the fourth driving electrode TE4 in the first column C1 and the array of the first sensing electrode RE1 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8 in the second column C2, between the array of the first sensing electrode RE1 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8 in the second column C2 and the array of the fifth driving electrode TE5 to the eighth driving electrode TE8 in the third column C3, between the array of the fifth driving electrode TE5 to the eighth driving electrode TE8 in the third column C3 and the array of the ninth sensing electrode RE9 to the sixteenth sensing electrode RE16 in the fourth column C4, between the array of the ninth sensing electrode RE9 to the sixteenth sensing electrode RE16 in the fourth column C4 and the array of the ninth driving electrode TE9 to the twelfth driving electrode TE12 in the fifth column C5, between the array of the ninth driving electrode TE9 to the twelfth driving electrode TE12 in the fifth column C5 and the array of the seventeenth sensing electrode RE17 to the twenty-fourth sensing electrode RE24 in the sixth column C6, and between the seventeenth sensing electrode RE17 to the twenty-fourth sensing electrode RE24 in the sixth column C6 and the array of the thirteenth driving electrode TE13 to the sixteenth driving electrode TE16 in the seventh column C7. Since the ground wire GRL is connected to a ground source, the ground wire GRL can prevent or substantially prevent adjacent sub-driving lines and sensing lines from affecting each other.

[0138] The dummy pattern DPT can be formed in an area where no driving electrode, sensing electrode, sub-driving line, and sensing line are provided. The dummy pattern DPT can be provided on the same layer as the driving electrode, sensing electrode, sub-driving line, and sensing line, but is spaced apart from the driving electrode, sensing electrode, sub-driving line, and sensing line. Due to the presence of the dummy pattern DPT, the area where no driving electrode, sensing electrode, sub-driving line, and sensing line are provided can be prevented or substantially prevented from being viewed by the user, and thus, the deterioration of the display quality of the display device 10 can be prevented or substantially prevented.

[0139] As Figure 8BAs shown, the dummy pattern DPT may be floating. In some examples, the dummy pattern DPT may be electrically connected to the ground line GRL. In this case, since the dummy pattern DPT is connected to the ground source, adjacent sub-driving lines and sensing lines can be further prevented or substantially prevented from influencing each other.

[0140] Reference Figure 8A , the first driving electrodes TE1 to TE16, the first sensing electrodes RE1 to RE24, the first force sensor electrodes PE1 to PE9, the first dummy electrodes DE1 to DE15, sub-driving lines, sensing lines, and force sensor lines formed in the touch sensor area TSA can all be disposed on the same layer. In addition, since the first driving electrodes TE1 to TE16, the first sensing electrodes RE1 to RE24, the first force sensor electrodes PE1 to PE9, the first dummy electrodes DE1 to DE15, sub-driving lines, sensing lines, and force sensor lines are all spaced apart from each other, the first driving electrodes TE1 to TE16, the first sensing electrodes RE1 to RE24, the first force sensor electrodes PE1 to PE9, the first dummy electrodes DE1 to DE15, sub-driving lines, sensing lines, and force sensor lines can be electrically insulated from each other. Therefore, since the elements for detecting touch input and the elements for detecting pressure input can be formed as a single layer in the touch sensor area TSA, the manufacturing cost of the elements for detecting touch input and the elements for detecting pressure input, as well as the amount of time for manufacturing the elements for detecting touch input and the elements for detecting pressure input, can be reduced. Accordingly, the manufacturing cost of the touch sensing unit TDU can be reduced.

[0141] According to Figure 7 and Figure 8A 's embodiment, since the force sensor electrodes PE1 to PE9 instead of the dummy electrodes are formed in the force sensing area PSA, the touch sensing unit TDU can detect not only touch input from the user but also pressure input from the user. That is, since the touch sensing unit TDU can detect not only touch input from the user but also pressure input from the user, a separate force sensor is not required, and thus, the manufacturing cost of the touch sensing unit TDU can be reduced.

[0142] Figure 7 and Figure 8AIt is shown that each of the driving electrodes includes a plurality of sub-driving electrodes and the size of the sensing electrode is larger than that of the sub-driving electrode, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some examples, each of the sensing electrodes may include a plurality of sub-sensing electrodes, and the size of the driving electrode may be larger than that of the sub-driving electrode. In some examples, each of the driving electrode and the sensing electrode may include a plurality of sub-electrodes.

[0143] Figure 8B is a magnified plan view showing Figure 7 the "B" region of

[0144] Figure 8B The "B" region BA of Figure 8A differs from the "A" region AA of Figure 8B in that the "B" region BA does not include force sensor electrodes but only dummy electrodes.

[0145] Referring to Figure 8B , since in the second column C2 of the "A" region AA, a first force sensor line PSL1 is additionally provided, the sensing lines provided in the second column C2 of the "B" region BA may have a different connection structure from the sensing lines provided in the second column C2 of the "A" region AA.

[0146] For example, referring to Figure 8B and Figure 9B, in the "B" region BA, the first sensing line RL1 can be connected to the first sensing electrode RE1 under the first sensing electrode RE1, and the second sensing line RL2, the third sensing line RL3, the fourth sensing line RL4, the fifth sensing line RL5, the sixth sensing line RL6, the seventh sensing line RL7, and the eighth sensing line RL8 can be alternately connected to the second sensing electrode RE2, the third sensing electrode RE3, the fourth sensing electrode RE4, the fifth sensing electrode RE5, the sixth sensing electrode RE6, the seventh sensing electrode RE7, and the eighth sensing electrode RE8 from the left and right sides of the array of the second sensing electrode RE2, the third sensing electrode RE3, the fourth sensing electrode RE4, the fifth sensing electrode RE5, the sixth sensing electrode RE6, the seventh sensing electrode RE7, and the eighth sensing electrode RE8. For example, in the "B" region BA, the second sensing line RL2 can be connected to the second sensing electrode RE2 from the right side of the second sensing electrode RE2, the third sensing line RL3 can be connected to the third sensing electrode RE3 from the left side of the third sensing electrode RE3, the fourth sensing line RL4 can be connected to the fourth sensing electrode RE4 from the right side of the fourth sensing electrode RE4, the fifth sensing line RL5 can be connected to the fifth sensing electrode RE5 from the left side of the fifth sensing electrode RE5, the sixth sensing line RL6 can be connected to the sixth sensing electrode RE6 from the right side of the sixth sensing electrode RE6, the seventh sensing line RL7 can be connected to the seventh sensing electrode RE7 from the left side of the seventh sensing electrode RE7, and the eighth sensing line RL8 can be connected to the eighth sensing electrode RE8 from the right side of the eighth sensing electrode RE8. That is, in the "B" region BA, the number of sensing lines provided on the right side of the array of the first sensing electrode RE1 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8 can be greater than the number of sensing lines provided on the left side of the array of the first sensing electrode RE1 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8.

[0147] Meanwhile, referring to Figure 8A and Figure 9A , in the "A" region AA, the first sensing line RL1 can be connected to the first sensing electrode RE1 under the first sensing electrode RE1, and the second sensing line RL2 and the third sensing line RL3 can be respectively connected to the second sensing electrode RE2 and the third sensing electrode RE3 from the right side of the array of the first sensing electrode RE1 to the third sensing electrode RE3. In this case, the first force sensor line PSL1 can be provided on the left side of the array of the first sensing electrode RE1 to the third sensing electrode RE3. Accordingly, the first force sensor line PSL1 can be electrically connected to the first force sensor electrode PE1 to the third force sensor electrode PE3 without being interfered by the first sensing line RL1 to the third sensing line RL3.

[0148] In addition, in the "A" region AA, the fourth sensing line RL4, the fifth sensing line RL5, the sixth sensing line RL6, the seventh sensing line RL7, and the eighth sensing line RL8 are alternately connected to the fourth sensing electrode RE4, the fifth sensing electrode RE5, the sixth sensing electrode RE6, the seventh sensing electrode RE7, and the eighth sensing electrode RE8 from the left and right sides of the array of the fourth sensing electrode RE4, the fifth sensing electrode RE5, the sixth sensing electrode RE6, the seventh sensing electrode RE7, and the eighth sensing electrode RE8. For example, in the "A" region AA, the fourth sensing line RL4 may be connected to the fourth sensing electrode RE4 from the left side of the fourth sensing electrode RE4, the fifth sensing line RL5 may be connected to the fifth sensing electrode RE5 from the right side of the fifth sensing electrode RE5, the sixth sensing line RL6 may be connected to the sixth sensing electrode RE6 from the left side of the sixth sensing electrode RE6, the seventh sensing line RL7 may be connected to the seventh sensing electrode RE7 from the right side of the seventh sensing electrode RE7, and the eighth sensing line RL8 may be connected to the eighth sensing electrode RE8 from the left side of the eighth sensing electrode RE8. That is, in the "A" region AA, the number of sensing lines provided on the right side of the array of the first sensing electrode RE1 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8 may be the same as the number of sensing lines and force sensor lines provided on the left side of the array of the first sensing electrode RE1 to the eighth sensing electrode RE8.

[0149] The sensing lines RL9 to RL16 in the fourth column C4 of the "B" region BA and the sensing lines RL17 to RL24 in the sixth column C6 of the "B" region BA have substantially the same connection structure as the sensing lines RL1 to RL8 in the second column C2 of the "B" region BA, and thus, their detailed description may not be repeated. In addition, the sensing lines RL9 to RL16 in the fourth column C4 of the "A" region AA and the second force sensor line PSL2, and the sensing lines RL17 to RL24 in the sixth column C6 of the "A" region AA and the third force sensor line PSL3 have substantially the same connection structure as the sensing lines RL1 to RL8 in the second column C2 of the "A" region AA and the first force sensor line PSL1, and thus, their detailed description may not be repeated.

[0150] Figure 7 The "C" region CA of can be formed in substantially the same manner as Figure 8B the "B" region BA of, and thus, its detailed description may not be repeated.

[0151] Figure 10 FIG. shows how a touch sensing unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure detects a touch input. For convenience, Figure 10 only the mutual capacitance Cm formed between the first driving electrode TE1 and the first sensing electrode RE1 is shown.

[0152] Reference Figure 10, the touch driving circuit 400 may include a touch driving signal output unit 310, a touch sensing unit 320, and a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 330.

[0153] The touch driving signal output unit 310 outputs a touch driving signal to a driving electrode via a driving line. For example, the touch driving signal output unit 310 may output a first touch driving signal to a first driving electrode TE1 via a first driving line. Each of the touch driving signals may include a plurality of pulses. The touch driving signal output unit 310 may output the touch driving signals to the driving line in a set or predetermined order.

[0154] The touch sensing unit 320 detects the voltage charged in the mutual capacitance Cm through a sensing electrode. For example, the touch sensing unit 320 may detect the voltage charged in the mutual capacitance Cm through a first sensing electrode RE1.

[0155] The touch sensing unit 320 may include a first operational amplifier OP1, a first feedback capacitor Cfb1, and a first reset switch RSW1. The first operational amplifier OP1 includes a first input terminal "-", a second input terminal "+", and an output terminal "out". The first input terminal "-" of the first operational amplifier OP1 may be connected to a first sensing line RL1 (see Figure 8A ), the second input terminal "+" of the first operational amplifier OP1 may be connected to an initialization voltage line VREFL supplied with an initialization voltage, and the output terminal "out" of the first operational amplifier OP1 may be connected to a first storage capacitor Cs1. The first storage capacitor Cs1 is connected between the output terminal "out" of the first operational amplifier OP1 and a ground source GND, and stores the output voltage Vout1 of the first operational amplifier OP1. The first feedback capacitor Cfb1 and the first reset switch RSW1 may be connected in parallel between the first input terminal "-" and the output terminal "out" of the first operational amplifier OP1. The first reset switch RSW1 controls the connection between both ends of the first feedback capacitor Cfb1. When the first reset switch RSW1 is turned on so that both ends of the first feedback capacitor Cfb1 are connected, the first feedback capacitor Cfb1 may be reset.

[0156] The output voltage Vout1 of the first operational amplifier OP1 may be defined by Equation (1):

[0157]

[0158] where Vout1 represents the output voltage of the first operational amplifier OP1, Vcm represents the capacitance of the mutual capacitance Cm, Cfb1 represents the capacitance of the first feedback capacitor Cfb1, and Vt1 represents the voltage charged in the mutual capacitance Cm.

[0159] The first ADC 330 can be connected to the first storage capacitor Cs1 via the first switch SW1. The first switch SW1 controls the connection between the first ADC 330 and the first storage capacitor Cs1. Since the first ADC 330 is connected to the first storage capacitor Cs1 in response to the first switch SW1 being turned on, the first ADC 330 can convert the output voltage Vout1 stored in the first storage capacitor Cs1 into digital data and output the digital data.

[0160] According to Figure 10 an embodiment, the touch sensing unit TDU can detect a touch input from a user in a mutual capacitance manner.

[0161] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing how a force sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure detects a pressure input. For convenience, Figure 11 only the self-capacitance Cp of the first force sensor electrode PE1 to the ninth force sensor electrode PE9 is shown.

[0162] Referring to Figure 11 , the touch driving circuit 400 may include a force driving signal output unit 340, a force sensing unit 350, and a second ADC 360.

[0163] The force driving signal output unit 340 outputs a force driving signal to the first force sensor electrode PE1 to the ninth force sensor electrode PE9 via the first force sensor line PSL1 to the third force sensor line PSL3 (see Figure 8A ). Each of the force driving signals may include a plurality of pulses. The force driving signal output unit 340 can simultaneously output the force driving signal to the first force sensor line PSL1 to the third force sensor line PSL3.

[0164] The force sensing unit 350 can detect the voltage charged in the self-capacitance Cp. For example, the force sensing unit 350 can detect the voltage charged in the self-capacitance Cp via the first force sensor line PSL1 to the third force sensor line PSL3.

[0165] The force sensing unit 350 may include a second operational amplifier OP2, a second feedback capacitor Cfb2, and a second reset switch RSW2. The second operational amplifier OP2 includes a first input terminal "-", a second input terminal "+", and an output terminal "out". The first input terminal "-" of the second operational amplifier OP2 may be connected to the first force sensor line PSL1 to the third force sensor line PSL3, the second input terminal "+" of the second operational amplifier OP2 may be connected to the initialization voltage line VREFL supplied with the initialization voltage, and the output terminal "out" of the second operational amplifier OP2 may be connected to the second storage capacitor Cs2. The second storage capacitor Cs2 is connected between the output terminal "out" and the ground source and stores the output voltage Vout2 of the second operational amplifier OP2. The second feedback capacitor Cfb2 and the second reset switch RSW2 may be connected in parallel between the first input terminal "-" and the output terminal "out" of the second operational amplifier OP2. The second reset switch RSW2 controls the connection between both ends of the second feedback capacitor Cfb2. When the second reset switch RSW2 is turned on so that both ends of the second feedback capacitor Cfb2 are connected, the second feedback capacitor Cfb2 may be reset.

[0166] The output voltage Vout2 of the second operational amplifier OP2 may be defined by Equation (2):

[0167]

[0168] where Vout2 represents the output voltage of the second operational amplifier OP2, Vcs represents the capacitance of the self - capacitance Cp, Cfb2 represents the capacitance of the second feedback capacitor Cfb2, and Vt2 represents the voltage charged in the self - capacitance Cp.

[0169] The second ADC 360 may be connected to the second storage capacitor Cs2 via the second switch SW2. The second switch SW2 controls the connection between the second ADC 360 and the second storage capacitor Cs2. Since the second ADC 360 is connected to the second storage capacitor Cs2 in response to the second switch SW2 being turned on, the second ADC 360 may convert the output voltage Vout2 stored in the second storage capacitor Cs2 into digital data and may output the digital data.

[0170] According to Figure 11 the embodiments, the touch sensing unit TDU may detect pressure input from a user in a self - capacitance manner.

[0171] Figure 12 is an enlarged plan view showing Figure 8A the first sensing electrode and the first force sensor electrode of Figure 12 shows, for example, Figure 8AThe first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, and the first pressure sensor line PSL1.

[0172] Reference Figure 12 , the first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, and the first pressure sensor line PSL1 may be formed as a grid or mesh-type electrode. Accordingly, the first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, and the first pressure sensor line PSL1 may not overlap with the sub-pixel P (see Figure 6 ). Correspondingly, the sub-pixel P may be prevented from being blocked by the first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, and the first pressure sensor line PSL1.

[0173] The first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, and the first pressure sensor line PSL1 may be disposed on the same layer. Since the first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, and the first pressure sensor line PSL1 are spaced apart from each other, the first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, and the first pressure sensor line PSL1 may be electrically insulated from each other. Due to the presence of the first force sensor electrode PE1, the overlapping area of the first sensing electrode RE1 and the second electrode 173 (see Figure 15 ) in the display area DA may be reduced, and thus, the parasitic capacitance of the first sensing electrode RE1 may be decreased.

[0174] The first sensing electrode RE1 may be formed as a rectangular frame. The first sensing electrode RE1 may include a single blank space ES formed in the middle thereof. In the blank space ES of the first sensing electrode RE1, a single first force sensor electrode PE1 may be disposed. The first sensing electrode RE1 may be disposed to surround the first force sensor electrode PE1. In a plan view, the first force sensor electrode PE1 may be formed to have a rectangular shape, but the planar shape of the first force sensor electrode PE1 is not particularly limited.

[0175] The first sensing electrode RE1 may include a first opening area OA1, and the first opening area OA1 allows a first force sensor electrode PE1 in a blank space ES of the first sensing electrode RE1 to be connected to a first force sensor line PSL1 located outside the first sensing electrode RE1. In the first opening area OA1, a first connection line CL1 connected to the first force sensor electrode PE1 and the first force sensor line PSL1 may be provided. One end of the first connection line CL1 may be connected to the first force sensor electrode PE1, and the other end of the first connection line CL1 may be connected to the first force sensor line PSL1.

[0176] The connection between the force sensor electrodes provided in other sensing electrodes and the first force sensor line PSL1 to the third force sensor line PSL3 may be substantially the same as the connection described above with reference to Figure 12 the connection described above.

[0177] According to Figure 12 an embodiment, the touch sensing unit TDU includes force sensor electrodes which are provided to be spaced apart from the sensing electrodes and thus may be electrically insulated from the sensing electrodes. Accordingly, the touch sensing unit TDU may detect not only a touch input from a user but also a pressure input from the user.

[0178] Figure 13 is an enlarged plan view showing Figure 8A a fourth sensing electrode and a first dummy electrode. For example, Figure 13 shows a fourth sensing electrode RE4, a first dummy electrode DE1, and a fourth sensing line RL4.

[0179] Referring to Figure 13 , the fourth sensing electrode RE4, the first dummy electrode DE1, and the fourth sensing line RL4 may be formed as a grid or mesh-type electrode. Accordingly, the fourth sensing electrode RE4, the first dummy electrode DE1, and the fourth sensing line RL4 may not overlap with a sub-pixel P (see Figure 6 ). Correspondingly, it is possible to prevent the sub-pixel P from being blocked by the fourth sensing electrode RE4, the first dummy electrode DE1, and the fourth sensing line RL4.

[0180] The fourth sensing electrode RE4, the first dummy electrode DE1, and the fourth sensing line RL4 may be provided on the same layer. Since the fourth sensing electrode RE4, the first dummy electrode DE1, and the fourth sensing line RL4 are spaced apart from each other, the fourth sensing electrode RE4, the first dummy electrode DE1, and the fourth sensing line RL4 may be electrically insulated from each other. Due to the presence of the first dummy electrode DE1, the overlapping area of the fourth sensing electrode RE4 and a second electrode 173 (see Figure 15 ) in the display area DA may be reduced, and accordingly, the parasitic capacitance of the fourth sensing electrode RE4 may be reduced.

[0181] The fourth sensing electrode RE4 may be formed as a rectangular frame. The fourth sensing electrode RE4 may include a single blank space ES formed in the middle thereof. In the blank space ES of the fourth sensing electrode RE4, a single first dummy electrode DE1 may be provided. The fourth sensing electrode RE4 may be arranged to surround the first dummy electrode DE1. In a plan view, the first dummy electrode DE1 may be formed to have a rectangular shape, but the planar shape of the first dummy electrode DE1 is not particularly limited.

[0182] The structures of the other sensing electrodes and the structures of the dummy electrodes formed in the other sensing electrodes may be substantially the same as the structures Figure 13 described above.

[0183] Figure 14 is an enlarged plan view showing Figure 12 the "A-2" region.

[0184] Referring to Figure 14 , the first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first pressure sensor line PSL1, and the first connection line CL1 may be formed as a grid or mesh-type electrode. The first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first pressure sensor line PSL1, and the first connection line CL1 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other.

[0185] The sub-pixels R, G, and B may be arranged not to overlap with the first sensing electrode RE1 and the first force sensor electrode PE1. That is, the sub-pixels R, G, and B may be arranged in a matrix form in the region defined by the first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first pressure sensor line PSL1, and the first connection line CL1 formed as a grid or mesh-type electrode. The region defined by the first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first pressure sensor line PSL1, and the first connection line CL1 may have a rhombus shape, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some examples, the region defined by the first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first pressure sensor line PSL1, and the first connection line CL1 may have a rectangular shape or a square shape. In some examples, the region defined by the first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first pressure sensor line PSL1, and the first connection line CL1 may have another polygonal shape.

[0186] The sub-pixels R, G, and B may include a first sub-pixel R that emits light of a first color, a second sub-pixel G that emits light of a second color, and a third sub-pixel B that emits light of a third color. The first sub-pixel R, the second sub-pixel G, and the third sub-pixel B may be a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel, and a blue sub-pixel, respectively, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. One first sub-pixel R, two second sub-pixels G, and one third sub-pixel B may be defined as a single pixel, and the single pixel is a group of sub-pixels capable of exhibiting a white gradation.

[0187] Figure 14 It is shown that the first sub-pixel R, the second sub-pixel G, and the third sub-pixel B have an octagonal shape in a plan view, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some examples, the first sub-pixel R, the second sub-pixel G, and the third sub-pixel B may have another polygonal shape or a circular shape or an elliptical shape in the plan view. In addition, Figure 14 It is shown that the third sub-pixel B has the largest size, and the second sub-pixel G has the smallest size, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0188] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the Figure 14 line II-II'.

[0189] Referring to Figure 15 , a TFT layer TFTL is formed on a substrate SUB. The TFT layer TFTL includes a TFT 120, a gate insulating film 130, an interlayer insulating film 140, a passivation film 150, and a planarization film 160.

[0190] A buffer film BF may be formed on the substrate SUB. The buffer film BF may be formed on the substrate SUB to protect the TFT 120 and the organic light-emitting layer 172 of the light-emitting element layer EML from moisture that may penetrate into the TFT 120 and the organic light-emitting layer 172 through the substrate SUB. The buffer film BF may include a plurality of inorganic films stacked alternately. For example, the buffer film BF may be formed as a multilayer film in which at least one of a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titanium oxide layer, and an aluminum oxide layer is stacked alternately. The buffer film BF may not be provided.

[0191] The TFT 120 is formed on the buffer film BF. The TFT 120 includes an active layer 121, a gate electrode 122, a source electrode 123, and a drain electrode 124. Figure 15An example is shown in which the TFT 120 is a top-gate type TFT, in which the gate electrode 122 is disposed above the active layer 121, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, in another example, the TFT 120 may be a bottom-gate type TFT, or may be a double-gate type TFT, in which, in the bottom-gate type TFT, the gate electrode 122 is disposed below the active layer 121, and in the double-gate type TFT, the gate electrode 122 is disposed above and below the active layer 121.

[0192] The active layer 121 is formed on the buffer film BF. The active layer 121 may include polysilicon, single-crystalline silicon, low-temperature polysilicon, amorphous silicon, or an oxide semiconductor. For example, the oxide semiconductor may include a binary compound (AB x ) containing indium (In), zinc (Zn), gallium (Ga), tin (Sn), titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), hafnium (Hf), zirconium (Zr), or magnesium (Mg), a ternary compound (AB x C y ) or a quaternary compound (AB x C y D z ). For example, the active layer 121 may include indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO) or indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO). A light shielding layer for blocking external light from incident on the active layer 121 may be formed between the buffer film BF and the active layer 121.

[0193] The gate insulating film 130 may be formed on the active layer 121. The gate insulating film 130 may be formed as an inorganic film, for example, a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titanium oxide layer, or an aluminum oxide layer.

[0194] The gate electrode 122 and the gate line may be formed on the gate insulating film 130. The gate electrode 122 and the gate line may be formed as a single-layer film or a multi-layer film including at least one of molybdenum (Mo), Al, chromium (Cr), gold (Au), Ti, nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper (Cu) or an alloy thereof.

[0195] The bridge wiring BL connecting the touch fan-out line TFL Figure 7 may be disposed on the gate insulating film 130. That is, the bridge wiring BL may be disposed on the same layer as the gate electrode 122 and the gate line.

[0196] The interlayer insulating film 140 may be formed on the gate electrode 122 and the gate line. The interlayer insulating film 140 may be formed as an inorganic film, for example, a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titanium oxide layer, or an aluminum oxide layer.

[0197] The source electrode 123 and the drain electrode 124 may be formed on the interlayer insulating film 140. The source electrode 123 and the drain electrode 124 may be connected to the active layer 121 via contact holes penetrating the gate insulating film 130 and the interlayer insulating film 140. The source electrode 123 and the drain electrode 124 may be formed as a single-layer film or a multi-layer film including at least one of Mo, Al, Cr, Au, Ti, Ni, Nd, and Cu or an alloy thereof.

[0198] Figure 7 The touch fan-out line TFL of may be disposed on the interlayer insulating film 140. That is, Figure 7 The touch fan-out line TFL of may be disposed on the same layer as the source electrode 123 and the drain electrode 124.

[0199] The passivation film 150 may be formed on the source electrode 123 and the drain electrode 124 to insulate the TFT 120. The passivation film 150 may be formed as an inorganic film, for example, a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titanium oxide layer, or an aluminum oxide layer.

[0200] The planarization film 160 may be formed on the passivation film 150 to planarize the height difference formed by the TFT 120. The planarization film 160 may be formed as an organic film including an acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a phenolic resin, a polyamide resin, a PI resin, etc.

[0201] The light-emitting element layer EML is formed on the TFT layer TFTL. The light-emitting element layer EML includes a light-emitting element 170 and a pixel defining film 180.

[0202] The light-emitting element 170 and the pixel defining film 180 are formed on the planarization film 160. The light-emitting element 170 may include a first electrode 171, an organic light-emitting layer 172, and a second electrode 173.

[0203] The first electrode 171 may be formed on the planarization film 160. The first electrode 171 may be connected to the drain electrode 124 of the TFT 120 via a contact hole penetrating the passivation film 150 and the planarization film 160.

[0204] In the case where the light-emitting element 170 has a top emission structure and emits light in the direction from the organic light-emitting layer 172 to the second electrode 173, the first electrode 171 may be formed of a metal material having a high reflectivity, such as a stack of Al and Ti (for example, Ti / Al / Ti), a stack of Al and indium tin oxide (ITO) (for example, ITO / Al / ITO), a silver (Ag)-palladium (Pd)-Cu (APC) alloy, or a stack of the APC alloy and ITO (for example, ITO / APC / ITO).

[0205] In the case where the light-emitting element 170 has a bottom emission structure and emits light in the direction from the organic light-emitting layer 172 to the first electrode 171, the first electrode 171 may be formed of a semi-transmissive metal material (such as an alloy of Mg and Ag) or a transparent metal material (such as ITO or indium zinc oxide (IZO)) capable of transmitting light therethrough. When the first electrode 171 is formed of a semi-transmissive metal material, the emission efficiency of the light-emitting element 170 may be improved due to the microcavity.

[0206] The pixel defining film 180 may be formed to define the first electrode 171 located on the planarization film 160, and thus define the sub-pixels R, G, and B. The pixel defining film 180 may be formed to cover the edges of each of the first electrodes 171. The pixel defining film 180 may be formed of an organic film including an acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a phenolic resin, a polyamide resin, or a PI resin.

[0207] The sub-pixels R, G, and B are regions in which the first electrode 171, the organic light-emitting layer 172, and the second electrode 173 are sequentially stacked such that holes from the first electrode 171 and electrons from the second electrode 173 can be combined in the organic light-emitting layer 172, and thus light can be emitted.

[0208] The organic light-emitting layer 172 is formed on the first electrode 171 and on the pixel defining film 180. The organic light-emitting layer 172 may include an organic material and thus may emit light of a set or predetermined color. For example, each of the organic light-emitting layers 172 may include a hole transport layer, an organic material layer, and an electron transport layer. In this example, the organic light-emitting layer 172 of the first sub-pixel R may emit red light, the organic light-emitting layer 172 of the second sub-pixel G may emit green light, and the organic light-emitting layer 172 of the third sub-pixel B may emit blue light. In another example, the organic light-emitting layers 172 of the sub-pixels R, G, and B may emit white light. In this example, the first sub-pixel R may further include a red color filter layer, the second sub-pixel G may further include a green color filter layer, and the third sub-pixel B may further include a blue color filter layer.

[0209] The second electrode 173 is formed on the organic light-emitting layer 172. The second electrode 173 may be formed to cover the organic light-emitting layer 172. The second electrode 173 may be a common layer formed commonly for all pixels. A cover layer may be formed on the second electrode 173.

[0210] In the case where the light-emitting element 170 has a top emission structure, the second electrode 173 may be formed of a semi-transmissive metal material (such as an alloy of Mg and Ag) or a transparent metal material (such as ITO or IZO) capable of transmitting light therethrough. When the second electrode 173 is formed of a semi-transmissive metal material, the emission efficiency of the light-emitting element 170 may be improved due to the microcavity.

[0211] In the case where the light-emitting element 170 has a bottom-emission structure, the second electrode 173 may be formed of a metal material having a high reflectivity, such as a stack of Al and Ti (e.g., Ti / Al / Ti), a stack of Al and ITO (e.g., ITO / Al / ITO), an APC alloy, or a stack of an APC alloy and ITO (e.g., ITO / APC / ITO).

[0212] The thin-film encapsulation layer TFEL is formed on the light-emitting element layer EML. The thin-film encapsulation layer TFEL is disposed on the second electrode 173. The thin-film encapsulation layer TFEL may include at least one inorganic film to prevent or substantially prevent oxygen or moisture from permeating into the organic light-emitting layer 172 and the second electrode 173. In addition, the thin-film encapsulation layer TFEL may include at least one organic film to protect the light-emitting element layer EML from foreign substances such as dust. For example, the thin-film encapsulation layer TFEL may include a first inorganic film disposed on the second electrode 173, an organic film disposed on the first inorganic film, and a second inorganic film disposed on the organic film. The first inorganic film and the second inorganic film may be formed as a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titanium oxide layer, or an aluminum oxide layer, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The organic film may be formed of an acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a phenolic resin, a polyamide resin, a PI resin, or the like.

[0213] The touch sensor layer TSL is formed on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFEL. The touch sensor layer TSL may include Figure 8A the driving electrode, the sensing electrode, the force sensor electrode, the sub-driving line, the sensing line, the force sensor line, the dummy pattern, and the ground line shown in. The driving electrode, the sensing electrode, the force sensor electrode, the sub-driving line, the sensing line, the force sensor line, the dummy pattern, and the ground line of the touch sensor layer TSL may be disposed on the same layer on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFEL. The driving electrode, the sensing electrode, the force sensor electrode, the sub-driving line, the sensing line, the force sensor line, the dummy pattern, and the ground line of the touch sensor layer TSL may be formed of a stack of Al and Ti (e.g., Ti / Al / Ti), a stack of Al and ITO (e.g., ITO / Al / ITO), an APC alloy, or a stack of an APC alloy and ITO (e.g., ITO / APC / ITO), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0214] The driving electrode, the sensing electrode, the force sensor electrode, the sub-driving line, the sensing line, the force sensor line, the dummy pattern, and the ground line of the touch sensor layer TSL are formed as a grid or mesh-type electrode, and thus do not overlap with the sub-pixels R, G, and B. Therefore, the sub-pixels R, G, and B can be prevented from being blocked by the driving electrode, the sensing electrode, the force sensor electrode, the sub-driving line, the sensing line, the force sensor line, the dummy pattern, and the ground line of the touch sensor layer TSL.

[0215] For example, the first connection line CL1 is inFigure 15 is shown as being disposed on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFEL. The first connection line CL1 may not overlap with the sub-pixels R, G, and B, but may overlap with the pixel defining film 180. The touch insulating film TINS may be disposed on the first connection line CL1.

[0216] According to Figure 15 the embodiment, since the touch sensor layer TSL is directly formed on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFEL, the thickness of the display device 10 can be reduced as compared with the case where a separate touch panel is attached to the thin-film encapsulation layer TFEL.

[0217] In addition, according to Figure 15 the embodiment, the driving electrodes, sensing electrodes, force sensor electrodes, sub-driving lines, sensing lines, force sensor lines, dummy patterns, and ground lines of the touch sensor layer TSL are not only formed as grid-type electrodes, but also disposed to overlap with the pixel defining film 180. Accordingly, a reduction in the aperture areas of the sub-pixels R, G, and B can be prevented or substantially prevented, and the parasitic capacitance between the second electrode 173 and the driving electrode of the touch sensor layer TSL and between the second electrode 173 and the sensing electrode of the touch sensor layer TSL can be reduced.

[0218] Figure 16 is a magnified plan view showing Figure 8A the first sensing electrode, and the first sub-force sensor electrode and the second sub-force sensor electrode of

[0219] Figure 16 The embodiment of Figure 12 differs from the embodiment of

[0220] in that: the first force sensor electrode PE1 includes a plurality of sub-force sensor electrodes, that is, a first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 and a second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2. Figure 16 Referring to Figure 6 , the first sensing electrode RE1, the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1, the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, and the first force sensor line PSL1 may be formed as grid or mesh-type electrodes. Accordingly, the first sensing electrode RE1, the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1, the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, and the first force sensor line PSL1 may not overlap with the sub-pixel P (see

[0221] The first sensing electrode RE1, the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1, the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, and the first force sensor line PSL1 may be disposed on the same layer. Since the first sensing electrode RE1, the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1, the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, and the first force sensor line PSL1 are spaced apart from each other, the first sensing electrode RE1, the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1, the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, and the first force sensor line PSL1 may be electrically insulated from each other. Due to the presence of the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 and the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2, the overlapping area between the first sensing electrode RE1 and the second electrode 173 in the display area DA can be reduced (see Figure 15 ), and thus, the parasitic capacitance of the first sensing electrode RE1 can be reduced.

[0222] The first sensing electrode RE1 may include a plurality of blank spaces formed in the middle thereof. For example, as shown in Figure 16 , the first sensing electrode RE1 may include a first blank space ES1 and a second blank space ES2 located in the middle thereof. The first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 may be disposed in the first blank space ES1 of the first sensing electrode RE1, and the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2 may be disposed in the second blank space ES2 of the first sensing electrode RE1. The first sensing electrode RE1 may be disposed to surround the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 and the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2. In a plan view, the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 and the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2 may be formed in a rectangular shape, but the planar shapes of the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 and the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2 are not particularly limited.

[0223] The first sensing electrode RE1 may include a first opening region OA1 that allows the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 in the first blank space ES1 of the first sensing electrode RE1 to be connected to the first force sensor line PSL1 located outside the first sensing electrode RE1. In the first opening region OA1, a first connection line CL1 connected to the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 and the first force sensor line PSL1 may be disposed. One end of the first connection line CL1 may be connected to the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1, and the other end of the first connection line CL1 may be connected to the first force sensor line PSL1.

[0224] The first sensing electrode RE1 may include a second opening area OA2 that allows a second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2 in a second blank space ES2 of the first sensing electrode RE1 to be connected to a first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 in a first blank space ES1 of the first sensing electrode RE1. The first blank space ES1 and the second blank space ES2 may be connected through the second opening area OA2. In the second opening area OA2, a second connection line CL2 connected to the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 and the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2 may be provided. One end of the second connection line CL2 may be connected to the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1, and the other end of the second connection line CL2 may be connected to the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2.

[0225] Figure 16 It is shown that the first sensing electrode RE1 includes two blank spaces, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some examples, the first sensing electrode RE1 may include three or more blank spaces, in which case force sensor electrodes may be provided in each of the three or more blank spaces.

[0226] The connection between the force sensor electrodes provided in other sensing electrodes and the first force sensor line PSL1 to the third force sensor line PSL3 may be substantially the same as the connection described above with reference to Figure 16 the connection described above.

[0227] According to Figure 16 the embodiment of, the touch sensing unit TDU includes a plurality of sub-force sensor electrodes SPE1 and SPE2 that are arranged to be spaced apart from the sensing electrodes and thus can be electrically insulated from the sensing electrodes. Therefore, the touch sensing unit TDU can not only detect touch inputs from a user, but also detect pressure inputs from the user.

[0228] Figure 17 is an enlarged plan view showing Figure 8B the fourth sensing electrode and the first sub-dummy electrode and the second sub-dummy electrode.

[0229] Figure 17 The embodiment of Figure 13 is different from the embodiment of

[0230] in that the first dummy electrode DE1 includes a plurality of dummy electrodes provided in the fourth sensing electrode RE4, that is, the first sub-dummy electrode SDE1 and the second sub-dummy electrode SDE2.

[0230] Reference Figure 17, the fourth sensing electrode RE4, the first dummy electrode SDE1, the second dummy electrode SDE2, and the fourth sensing line RL4 may be formed as a grid or mesh-type electrode. Accordingly, the fourth sensing electrode RE4, the first dummy electrode SDE1, the second dummy electrode SDE2, and the fourth sensing line RL4 may not overlap with the sub-pixel P (see Figure 6 ). Correspondingly, the sub-pixel P can be prevented from being blocked by the fourth sensing electrode RE4, the first dummy electrode SDE1, the second dummy electrode SDE2, and the fourth sensing line RL4.

[0231] The fourth sensing electrode RE4, the first dummy electrode SDE1, the second dummy electrode SDE2, and the fourth sensing line RL4 may be disposed on the same layer. Since the fourth sensing electrode RE4, the first dummy electrode SDE1, the second dummy electrode SDE2, and the fourth sensing line RL4 are spaced apart from each other, the fourth sensing electrode RE4, the first dummy electrode SDE1, the second dummy electrode SDE2, and the fourth sensing line RL4 may be electrically insulated from each other. Due to the presence of the first dummy electrode SDE1 and the second dummy electrode SDE2, the overlapping area between the fourth sensing electrode RE4 and the second electrode 173 (see Figure 15 ) in the display area DA can be reduced, and thus, the parasitic capacitance of the fourth sensing electrode RE4 can be reduced.

[0232] The fourth sensing electrode RE4 may include a plurality of blank spaces formed in the middle thereof. For example, as shown in Figure 17 , the fourth sensing electrode RE4 may include a first blank space ES1 and a second blank space ES2 located in the middle thereof. The first dummy electrode SDE1 may be disposed in the first blank space ES1 of the fourth sensing electrode RE4, and the second dummy electrode SDE2 may be disposed in the second blank space ES2 of the fourth sensing electrode RE4. The fourth sensing electrode RE4 may be disposed to surround the first dummy electrode SDE1 and the second dummy electrode SDE2. In a plan view, the first dummy electrode SDE1 and the second dummy electrode SDE2 may be formed in a rectangular shape, but the planar shapes of the first dummy electrode SDE1 and the second dummy electrode SDE2 are not particularly limited.

[0233] Figure 17 It is shown that the fourth sensing electrode RE4 includes two blank spaces, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some examples, the fourth sensing electrode RE4 may include three or more blank spaces, and in this case, dummy electrodes may be disposed in each of the three or more blank spaces.

[0234] The structures of the other sensing electrodes and the structures of the dummy electrodes formed in each of the other sensing electrodes may be substantially the same as the structures described above with reference to Figure 17 .

[0235] Figure 18 is a magnified plan view showing Figure 8A the first sensing electrode and the first sub-force sensor electrode and the second sub-force sensor electrode.

[0236] Figure 18 The embodiment of Figure 16 differs from the embodiment of

[0237] in that: the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2 in the second blank space ES2 of the first sensing electrode RE1 is connected to the first force sensor line PSL1 via the second connection line CL2. Figure 18 Referring to

[0238] According to Figure 18 the embodiment of

[0239] Figure 19 is a magnified plan view showing Figure 8A the first sensing electrode and the first force sensor electrode. For example, Figure 19 shows Figure 8A the first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, the second connection line CL2, the first force sensor line PSL1 and the second force sensor line PSL2 of

[0240] Referring to Figure 19, the first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, the second connection line CL2, the first force sensor line PSL1, and the second force sensor line PSL2 may be formed as a grid or mesh-type electrode. Accordingly, the first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, the second connection line CL2, the first force sensor line PSL1, and the second force sensor line PSL2 may not overlap with the sub-pixel P (see Figure 6 ). Correspondingly, the sub-pixel P can be prevented from being blocked by the first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, the second connection line CL2, the first force sensor line PSL1, and the second force sensor line PSL2.

[0241] The first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, the second connection line CL2, the first force sensor line PSL1, and the second force sensor line PSL2 may be disposed on the same layer. Since the first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, the second connection line CL2, the first force sensor line PSL1, and the second force sensor line PSL2 are spaced apart from each other, the first sensing electrode RE1, the first force sensor electrode PE1, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, the second connection line CL2, the first force sensor line PSL1, and the second force sensor line PSL2 may be electrically insulated from each other. Due to the presence of the first force sensor electrode PE1, the overlapping area between the first sensing electrode RE1 and the second electrode 173 (see Figure 15 ) in the display area DA can be reduced, and thus, the parasitic capacitance of the first sensing electrode RE1 can be decreased.

[0242] The first sensing electrode RE1 may be formed as a rectangular frame. The first sensing electrode RE1 may include a single blank space ES formed in the middle thereof. In the blank space ES of the first sensing electrode RE1, a single first force sensor electrode PE1 may be disposed. The first sensing electrode RE1 may be disposed to surround the first force sensor electrode PE1. In a plan view, the first force sensor electrode PE1 may be formed in a serpentine shape including a plurality of bent portions. In some examples, the first force sensor electrode PE1 may be formed in a spiral shape. Correspondingly, the first force sensor electrode PE1 can be used as a resistance wire, and in some examples, the first force sensor electrode PE1 can be used as a strain gauge.

[0243] The first sensing electrode RE1 may include a first opening area OA1 that allows a first force sensor electrode PE1 in a blank space ES of the first sensing electrode RE1 to be connected to a first force sensor line PSL1 and a second force sensor line PSL2 located outside the first sensing electrode RE1.

[0244] In the first opening area OA1, a first connection line CL1 connected to the first force sensor electrode PE1 and the first force sensor line PSL1 may be provided. One end of the first connection line CL1 may be connected to a first end of the first force sensor electrode PE1, and the other end of the first connection line CL1 may be connected to the first force sensor line PSL1.

[0245] In addition, in the first opening area OA1, a second connection line CL2 connected to the first force sensor electrode PE1 and the second force sensor line PSL2 may be provided. One end of the second connection line CL2 may be connected to a second end of the first force sensor electrode PE1, and the other end of the second connection line CL2 may be connected to the second force sensor line PSL2.

[0246] The connection between the force sensor electrodes provided in other sensing electrodes and the first force sensor line PSL1 to the third force sensor line PSL3 may be substantially the same as the connection described above with reference to Figure 19 the description.

[0247] According to Figure 19 an embodiment, the touch sensing unit TDU includes a force sensor electrode that is provided to be spaced apart from the sensing electrode and can thus be electrically insulated from the sensing electrode. Therefore, the touch sensing unit TDU can detect not only a touch input from a user but also a pressure input from the user.

[0248] Figure 20 shows how to use Figure 19 the first force sensor electrode to detect a pressure input.

[0249] Referring to Figure 20 , the first force sensor electrode PE1 may include a first end and a second end located on opposite sides of the first force sensor electrode PE1. The first end of the first force sensor electrode PE1 may be connected to the first force sensor line PSL1, and the second end of the first force sensor electrode PE1 may be connected to the second force sensor line PSL2.

[0250] Figure 20 shows the first force sensor electrode PE1 acting as a strain gauge. In some examples, the first force sensor electrode PE1 to the ninth force sensor electrode PE9 may be connected by a single resistance wire and can thus act as a single strain gauge.

[0251] The pressure detection unit 251 may include a Wheatstone bridge circuit section WB. The pressure detection unit 251 may further include an ADC and a processor for detecting a first voltage Va output from the Wheatstone bridge circuit section WB.

[0252] The Wheatstone bridge circuit section WB includes a first node N1, a second node N2, a first output node N3, and a second output node N4. A drive voltage Vs may be supplied to the first node N1, and the second node N2 may be connected to a ground source GND.

[0253] The Wheatstone bridge circuit section WB includes a first resistor WBa connected to the second node N2 and the second output node N4, a second resistor WBb connected to the first node N1 and the second output node N4, and a third resistor WBc connected to the second node N2 and the first output node N3.

[0254] The resistances R1, R2, and R3 of the first resistor WBa, the second resistor WBb, and the third resistor WBc may have set or predetermined values. That is, the first resistor WBa, the second resistor WBb, and the third resistor WBc may be fixed resistors.

[0255] The Wheatstone bridge circuit section WB may further include a second amplifier circuit 251a such as an operational amplifier. The second amplifier circuit 251a may include an inverting input terminal, a non-inverting input terminal, and an output terminal. The second amplifier circuit 251a may detect a current between the first output node N3 and the second output node N4. That is, the second amplifier circuit 251a may operate as a galvanic element or a voltage measuring element.

[0256] One of the first output node N3 and the second output node N4 may be electrically connected to one input terminal of the second amplifier circuit 251a, and the other output node may be electrically connected to the other input terminal of the second amplifier circuit 251a. For example, the first output node N3 may be connected to the inverting input terminal of the second amplifier circuit 251a, and the second output node N4 may be connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the second amplifier circuit 251a.

[0257] The output terminal of the second amplifier circuit 251a may output a first voltage Va that is proportional to the difference between the voltages input to the two input terminals of the second amplifier circuit 251a.

[0258] A first end of the first force sensor electrode PE1 may be electrically connected to the first node N1 via a first signal line, and a second end of the first force sensor electrode PE1 may be connected to the first output node N3 via a second signal line.

[0259] The first force sensor electrode PE1, the first resistor WBa, the second resistor WBb, and the third resistor WBc can be connected to each other to form a Wheatstone bridge circuit portion WB.

[0260] When no pressure is applied, the product of the resistance Ra of the first force sensor electrode PE1 and the resistance R1 of the first resistor WBa can be substantially the same as the product of the resistance R2 of the second resistor WBb and the resistance R3 of the third resistor WBc.

[0261] When the product of the resistance Ra of the first force sensor electrode PE1 and the resistance R1 of the first resistor WBa is equal to the product of the resistance R2 of the second resistor WBb and the resistance R3 of the third resistor WBc, the voltage at the first output node N3 can be the same as the voltage at the second output node N4. When the voltage at the first output node N3 and the voltage at the second output node N4 are the same, the voltage difference between the first output node N3 and the second output node N4 can be 0V, and the first voltage Va output by the second amplifier circuit 251a can be 0V.

[0262] In response to a user applying pressure to the force sensing area PSA, the first force sensor electrode PE1 can be deformed according to the intensity of the pressure, and the resistance Ra of the first force sensor electrode PE1 can be changed accordingly. Therefore, a voltage difference can be generated between the first output node N3 and the second output node N4. When a voltage difference is generated between the first output node N3 and the second output node N4, the second amplifier circuit 251a can output a non-zero voltage as the first voltage Va. Therefore, the touch pressure from the user can be detected based on the first voltage Va output by the second amplifier circuit 251a.

[0263] Figure 21 is a magnified plan view showing Figure 8A the first sensing electrode and the first force sensor electrode.

[0264] Figure 21 The embodiment of Figure 19 differs from the embodiment of

[0265] in that the first force sensor electrode PE1 includes a plurality of force sensor electrodes provided in the first sensing electrode RE1, that is, the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 and the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2. Figure 21, the first sensing electrode RE1, the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1, the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, the second connection line CL2, the third connection line CL3, the first force sensor line PSL1, and the second force sensor line PSL2 can be formed into a grid or mesh-type electrode. Therefore, the first sensing electrode RE1, the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1, the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, the second connection line CL2, the third connection line CL3, the first force sensor line PSL1, and the second force sensor line PSL2 may not overlap with the sub-pixel P (see Figure 6 ). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sub-pixel P from being blocked by the first sensing electrode RE1, the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1, the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, the second connection line CL2, the third connection line CL3, the first force sensor line PSL1, and the second force sensor line PSL2.

[0266] The first sensing electrode RE1, the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1, the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, the second connection line CL2, the third connection line CL3, the first force sensor line PSL1, and the second force sensor line PSL2 can be disposed on the same layer. Since the first sensing electrode RE1, the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1, the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, the second connection line CL2, the third connection line CL3, the first force sensor line PSL1, and the second force sensor line PSL2 are spaced apart from each other, the first sensing electrode RE1, the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1, the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2, the first sensing line RL1, the first connection line CL1, the second connection line CL2, the third connection line CL3, the first force sensor line PSL1, and the second force sensor line PSL2 can be electrically insulated from each other. Due to the presence of the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 and the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2, the overlapping area between the first sensing electrode RE1 and the second electrode 173 (see Figure 15 ) in the display area DA can be reduced, and thus, the parasitic capacitance of the first sensing electrode RE1 can be lowered.

[0267] The first sensing electrode RE1 may include a plurality of blank spaces formed in the middle thereof. For example, as Figure 21As shown, the first sensing electrode RE1 may include a first blank space ES1 and a second blank space ES2 in its middle. The first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 may be disposed in the first blank space ES1 of the first sensing electrode RE1, and the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2 may be disposed in the second blank space ES2 of the first sensing electrode RE1. The first sensing electrode RE1 may be arranged to surround the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 and the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2. In a plan view, each of the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 and the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2 may be formed in a serpentine shape including a plurality of curved portions. In some examples, each of the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 and the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2 may be formed in a serpentine shape. Accordingly, each of the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 and the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2 can be used as a resistance wire, and in some examples, each of the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 and the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2 can be used as a strain gauge.

[0268] The first sensing electrode RE1 may include a first opening region OA1 that allows the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 and the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2 to be connected to a first force sensor line PSL1 and a second force sensor line PSL2 located outside the first sensing electrode RE1. In addition, the first sensing electrode RE1 may include a second opening region OA2 for connecting the first blank space ES1 and the second blank space ES2 of the first sensing electrode RE1.

[0269] In the first opening region OA1, a first connection line CL1 connecting to the first end of the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 and the first force sensor line PSL1 may be provided. One end of the first connection line CL1 may be connected to the first end of the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1, and the other end of the first connection line CL1 may be connected to the first force sensor line PSL1.

[0270] In addition, in the first opening region OA1, a second connection line CL2 connecting to the first end of the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2 and the second force sensor line PSL2 may be provided. One end of the second connection line CL2 may be connected to the first end of the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2, and the other end of the second connection line CL2 may be connected to the second force sensor line PSL2.

[0271] In the second opening region OA2, a third connection line CL3 may be provided that connects the second end of the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1 and the second end of the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2. One end of the third connection line CL3 may be connected to the second end of the first sub-force sensor electrode SPE1, and the other end of the third connection line CL3 may be connected to the second end of the second sub-force sensor electrode SPE2.

[0272] The connections between the sub-force sensor electrodes SPE1 and SPE2 provided in the other sensing electrodes and the first force sensor line PSL1 to the third force sensor line PSL3 may be substantially the same as the connections described above with reference to Figure 21 the description.

[0273] According to Figure 21 an embodiment, the touch sensing unit TDU includes the sub-force sensor electrodes SPE1 and SPE2, and the sub-force sensor electrodes SPE1 and SPE2 are arranged to be spaced apart from the sensing electrodes and thus may be electrically insulated from the sensing electrodes. Accordingly, the touch sensing unit TDU can detect not only touch inputs from a user but also pressure inputs from the user.

[0274] Figure 22 is a perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0275] Figure 22 An embodiment of Figure 1 differs from an embodiment of

[0276] in that a force sensing area PSA is provided in an upper portion of a display area DA of the display panel 100. The force sensing area PSA may be defined as an area including force sensor electrodes.

[0277] As Figure 1 and Figure 22 shown, the force sensing area PSA may be provided in a part of the display area DA of the display panel 100. In some examples, the force sensing area PSA may be provided in the entire display area DA of the display panel 100.

[0278] It will be understood that although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept, the first element, first component, first region, first layer or first section discussed below may be referred to as a second element, second component, second region, second layer or second section.

[0279] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "below", "beneath", "lower", "under", "above", "upper", etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature shown in the figures to another element(s) or feature(s). It should be understood that the spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, an element described as "below" or "beneath" or "under" another element or feature will then be oriented "above" the other element or feature. Thus, the exemplary terms "below" and "beneath" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may have additional orientations (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly. Further, it will be understood that when a layer is referred to as being "between" two layers, it can be the only layer between the two layers, or there can also be one or more intervening layers.

[0280] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and are not intended to limit the inventive concept. As used herein, the singular forms "a" and "an" are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that when used in this specification, the terms "include", "including", "comprises" and / or "comprising" specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or combinations thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0281] For the purposes of this disclosure, "at least one of X, Y and Z" and "at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y and Z" can be interpreted to mean only X, only Y, only Z, or any combination of two or more of X, Y and Z, such as, for example, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ.

[0282] Additionally, as used in describing embodiments of the inventive concept, "may" indicates "one or more embodiments of the inventive concept". Additionally, the term "exemplary" is intended to mean an example or illustration.

[0283] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on", "connected to", "coupled to", or "adjacent to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, directly connected to, directly coupled to, or directly adjacent to the other element or layer, or there can be one or more intervening elements or layers. When an element or layer is referred to as being directly on, directly connected to, directly coupled to, or in close proximity to another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers.

[0284] As used herein, the terms "substantially", "about", and similar terms are used as approximate terms and not as terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent deviations in measured or calculated values that would be recognized by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0285] As used herein, the terms "use", "using", and "used" may be understood to be synonymous with the terms "utilize", "utilizing", and "utilized", respectively.

[0286] A display device and / or any other relevant device or component according to embodiments of the invention described herein may be implemented using any suitable hardware, firmware (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit), software, or a suitable combination of software, firmware, and hardware. For example, the various components of a display device may be formed on one integrated circuit (IC) chip or on separate IC chips. Additionally, the various components of a display device may be implemented on a flexible printed circuit film, a tape carrier package (TCP), a printed circuit board (PCB), or formed on the same substrate. Additionally, the various components of a display device may be processes or threads running on one or more processors in one or more computing devices, executing computer program instructions and interacting with other system components for performing the various functions described herein. The computer program instructions are stored in a memory implemented in a computing device using a standard storage device, such as, for example, random access memory (RAM). The computer program instructions may also be stored in other non-transitory computer-readable media, such as, for example, a CD-ROM, a flash drive, etc. Additionally, those skilled in the art will recognize that, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the invention, the functions of various computing devices may be combined or integrated into a single computing device, or the functions of a particular computing device may be distributed to one or more other computing devices.

[0287] While the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications, additions, and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A touch sensor, comprising: Touch electrodes located in a first region and a second region; A first force sensor electrode located on the same layer as the touch electrodes and spaced apart from a first touch electrode in the first region; A second force sensor electrode located on the same layer as the touch electrodes and spaced apart from a second touch electrode in the first region; A first force sensor line located on the same layer as the touch electrodes and electrically connected to the first force sensor electrode and the second force sensor electrode, the first force sensor line being located at a second side of the first touch electrode; And A touch line located on the same layer as the touch electrodes and connected to the touch electrodes, the touch line including a first touch line connected to the first touch electrode and located at a first side of the first touch electrode opposite to the second side.

2. The touch sensor according to claim 1, wherein The first touch electrode surrounds the first force sensor electrode.

3. The touch sensor according to claim 2, further comprising: A first connection line located on the same layer as the touch electrodes, connecting the first force sensor line and the first force sensor electrode and spaced apart from the first touch electrode.

4. The touch sensor according to claim 1, wherein, The first force sensor electrode includes a first sub-force sensor electrode and a second sub-force sensor electrode located on the same layer as the touch electrodes, the first sub-force sensor electrode and the second sub-force sensor electrode being electrically connected to the first force sensor line and spaced apart from the first touch electrode.

5. The touch sensor according to claim 4, wherein The first touch electrode surrounds the first sub-force sensor electrode and the second sub-force sensor electrode.

6. The touch sensor according to claim 5, further comprising: A first connection line located on the same layer as the touch electrodes, connecting the first force sensor line and the first sub-force sensor electrode, and spaced apart from the first touch electrode.

7. The touch sensor according to claim 6, further comprising: A second connection line located on the same layer as the touch electrodes, connecting the first sub-force sensor electrode and the second sub-force sensor electrode, and spaced apart from the first touch electrode.

8. The touch sensor according to claim 4, further comprising: A second force sensor line located on the same layer as the touch electrodes and electrically connected to the first force sensor electrode, wherein the first force sensor line is electrically connected to a first end of the first sub-force sensor electrode, and wherein the second force sensor line is electrically connected to a second end of the second sub-force sensor electrode.

9. The touch sensor according to claim 8, further comprising: A first connection line located on the same layer as the touch electrodes and connecting the first force sensor line and the first sub-force sensor electrode; And A second connection line located on the same layer as the touch electrodes and connecting the second force sensor line and the second sub-force sensor electrode.

10. The touch sensor according to claim 9, wherein, The first connection line and the second connection line are spaced apart from the first touch electrode.

11. The touch sensor according to claim 4, further comprising: A second force sensor line, located on the same layer as the touch electrode and electrically connected to the second sub-force sensor electrode.

12. The touch sensor according to claim 11, further comprising: A first connection line, located on the same layer as the touch electrode and connecting the first force sensor line and the first sub-force sensor electrode; A second connection line, located on the same layer as the touch electrode and connecting the second force sensor line and the second sub-force sensor electrode; And A third connection line, located on the same layer as the touch electrode and connecting the first sub-force sensor electrode and the second sub-force sensor electrode.

13. The touch sensor according to claim 12, wherein, The first connection line, the second connection line, and the third connection line are spaced apart from the first touch electrode.

14. The touch sensor according to claim 1, wherein, The touch electrode includes a driving electrode and a sensing electrode, and Wherein, the touch sensor further includes a touch driving signal output unit configured to apply a touch driving signal to the driving electrode and a touch sensing unit configured to detect a change in mutual capacitance between the driving electrode and the sensing electrode.

15. The touch sensor according to claim 1, wherein, The touch line further includes a second touch line connected to the second touch electrode and located on a first side of the second touch electrode, and Wherein, the first force sensor line is located on a second side of the second touch electrode.

16. The touch sensor according to claim 1, further comprising: A first dummy electrode, located on the same layer as the touch electrode and spaced apart from a third touch electrode in the first region.

17. The touch sensor according to claim 16, wherein, The third touch electrode surrounds the first dummy electrode.

18. The touch sensor according to claim 16, wherein, The first dummy electrode is electrically floating.

19. The touch sensor according to claim 1, further comprising: A second dummy electrode, located on the same layer as the touch electrode and spaced apart from a fourth touch electrode in the second region.

20. The touch sensor according to claim 19, wherein, The fourth touch electrode surrounds the second dummy electrode.

21. The touch sensor according to claim 19, wherein, The second dummy electrode is electrically floating.

22. The touch sensor according to claim 8, further comprising: A force driving signal output unit configured to apply a force driving signal to the first force sensor electrode via the first force sensor line; And A force sensing unit configured to detect a change in self-capacitance of the first force sensor electrode via the first force sensor line.

23. The touch sensor according to claim 22, further comprising: A force sensing unit electrically connected to the first force sensor line and the second force sensor line, Wherein, the force sensing unit includes a first output node, a second output node, a first node to which a driving voltage is applied, and a second node connected to a ground source, Wherein, the first force sensor line is electrically connected to the first node, and Wherein, the second force sensor line is electrically connected to the first output node.

24. A display device, comprising: A substrate; A display unit located on the substrate and including a display area, the display area including pixels; And A touch sensor located on the display unit and including a touch sensor area overlapping with the display area, the touch sensor including: Touch electrodes located in a first region and a second region of the touch sensor area; A first force sensor electrode, located on the same layer as the touch electrode and spaced apart from a first touch electrode in the first region; A second force sensor electrode, located on the same layer as the touch electrode and spaced apart from a second touch electrode in the first region; a first force sensor line, located on the same layer as the touch electrode and electrically connected to the first force sensor electrode and the second force sensor electrode, the first force sensor line being located at a second side of the first touch electrode; and A touch line, located on the same layer as the touch electrode and connected to the touch electrode, the touch line including a first touch line connected to the first touch electrode and located on a first side of the first touch electrode opposite to the second side.

Images