Display device

By introducing the same design as the color filter material in the display device, the problem of multiple masks required in the manufacturing process in the prior art is solved, and process simplification and cost reduction are achieved.

CN111799298BActive Publication Date: 2025-03-25SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202010210940.9
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2019-04-02
Filing Date
2020-03-24
Publication Date
2025-03-25
Estimated Expiration
2040-03-24

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing display devices require multiple masks during manufacturing, resulting in complex processes and high cost.

Method used

A display device is designed, which includes a display substrate having a curved region, a curved organic layer, a plurality of light emitting elements and a touch member. The bending organic layer is the same material as the color filter, reducing the number of masks required during the manufacturing process.

Benefits of technology

By reducing the number of masks, the manufacturing process is simplified, production costs are reduced, and production efficiency is improved.

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Abstract

The present application relates to a display device. The display device includes: a display substrate including a flat main area having a plurality of pixels, a flat auxiliary area, and a curved area arranged between the flat main area and the flat auxiliary area; a first layer arranged on the display substrate, the first layer including a curved opening portion in the curved area exposing the curved area of ​​the display substrate; a curved organic layer arranged on the curved area exposed by the curved opening portion of the first layer; a plurality of light-emitting elements, which are respectively arranged on the first layer in pixels, wherein the plurality of light-emitting elements respectively include a plurality of color filters, and wherein the curved organic layer includes the same material as at least one of the color filters.
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Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0038663, filed on Apr. 2, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. Technical Field

[0003] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device including a touch member. Background Art

[0004] Electronic devices that provide images to users, such as smart phones, tablet PCs, digital cameras, laptop computers, navigation devices, and smart TVs, include display devices for displaying images. Such display devices include a display panel for generating and displaying images and various input devices.

[0005] Recently, touch panels that recognize touch inputs have been widely used in display devices of smart phones or tablet PCs. The touch panel determines whether a touch input is received, and if received, finds the coordinates of the location of the touch input. The touch panel includes a plurality of sensing electrodes. The touch sensitivity may vary depending on the capacitance around the sensing electrodes. For example, if there is a step portion in the display panel, the capacitance may be affected by this. Therefore, there may be deviations in touch sensitivity for different parts of the display panel.

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

[0007] The device constructed according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can provide a display device that can be manufactured using a reduced number of masks during a manufacturing process.

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

[0009] According to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a display device includes: a display substrate including a flat main area having a plurality of pixels, a flat auxiliary area, and a curved area arranged between the flat main area and the flat auxiliary area; a first layer provided on the display substrate, the first layer including a curved opening portion in the curved area exposing the curved area of ​​the display substrate; a curved organic layer provided on the curved area exposed by the curved opening portion of the first layer; a plurality of light-emitting elements provided on the first layer in a plurality of pixels, respectively, wherein the plurality of light-emitting elements respectively include a plurality of color filters, and wherein the curved organic layer includes the same material as at least one of the color filters.

[0010] The first layer may include a buffer layer disposed on the display substrate, a first insulating layer disposed on the buffer layer, a first conductive layer disposed on the first insulating layer, and a second insulating layer disposed on the first conductive layer.

[0011] The plurality of color filters may include first, second, and third color filters respectively disposed in the plurality of pixels, the first, second, and third color filters including materials different from each other.

[0012] The curved organic layer may include the same material as at least two of the first color filter, the second color filter, and the third color filter.

[0013] The display device may further include a second conductive layer disposed between the second insulating layer and the plurality of light-emitting elements and an encapsulation layer disposed on the plurality of light-emitting elements, wherein each of the plurality of light-emitting elements may include an anode electrode in contact with the second conductive layer, a cathode electrode disposed on the anode electrode, and an emission layer disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode.

[0014] The display device may further include a first touch conductive layer arranged on the encapsulation layer, a first touch insulating layer arranged on the first touch conductive layer, a second touch conductive layer arranged on the first touch insulating layer, and a second touch insulating layer arranged on the second touch conductive layer, wherein at least one of the plurality of color filters may be arranged between the first touch insulating layer and the second touch insulating layer.

[0015] The first touch conductive layer may include a first touch bridging electrode, the second touch conductive layer may include a first touch driving electrode, a first touch sensing electrode, and a second touch bridging electrode electrically connected between the first touch driving electrode and the adjacent first touch driving electrode, and the first touch sensing electrode may be electrically connected to the adjacent first touch sensing electrode through the first touch bridging electrode.

[0016] The first touch conductive layer may be directly disposed on the encapsulation layer.

[0017] The second conductive layer may include a source connection electrode, the second touch conductive layer may include a first touch connection electrode contacting the source connection electrode through a first contact hole, the first conductive layer may include a gate connection electrode contacting the source connection electrode through a second contact hole, and in a plan view, the first contact hole may be positioned farther away from the bending area than the second contact hole.

[0018] The second touch conductive layer may further include a second touch connection electrode which contacts the gate connection electrode through a third contact hole and is disposed on the curved organic layer, and the second contact hole may be located farther from the curved area than the third contact hole in a plan view.

[0019] The second touch connection electrode may overlap the curved organic layer in a thickness direction.

[0020] The display device may further include a first curved organic layer covering the second touch connection electrode, and the second touch connection electrode may be disposed between the first curved organic layer and the curved organic layer.

[0021] The first curved organic layer may include a material that is the same as a material of at least one of the plurality of color filters and may be different from a material of the curved organic layer.

[0022] The display device may also include a second curved organic layer arranged on the first curved organic layer, wherein the first curved organic layer may be arranged between the second curved organic layer and the second touch connection electrode, and wherein the second curved organic layer may include a material that is the same as a material of at least one of the multiple color filters and different from a material of each of the curved organic layer and the first curved organic layer.

[0023] The first touch conductive layer may be disposed on the display substrate, the curved organic layer may be disposed between the second touch connection electrode and the third touch connection electrode, the curved organic layer may include a fourth contact hole, and wherein the second touch connection electrode may be electrically connected to the first touch conductive layer through the fourth contact hole.

[0024] The curved region may be curved away from the display surface, and the flat auxiliary region may overlap the flat main region in the thickness direction.

[0025] The display device may further include a driving chip and a driving board disposed on the flat auxiliary area, and the driving chip may be positioned closer to the curved area than the driving board in a plan view.

[0026] According to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a display device includes: a display substrate including a flat main region having a plurality of pixels, a flat auxiliary region, and a curved region disposed between the flat main region and the flat auxiliary region; a curved organic layer disposed on the curved region of the display substrate; a buffer layer disposed on the display substrate; a first insulating layer disposed on the buffer layer; a first conductive layer disposed on the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer disposed on the first conductive layer; a plurality of light emitting elements disposed on the second insulating layer in the plurality of pixels, respectively; and a plurality of color filters disposed on the second conductive layer, respectively. The display device is disposed above the light-emitting element, the plurality of color filters include a first color filter, a second color filter, and a third color filter respectively disposed in the plurality of pixels, the first color filter, the second color filter, and the third color filter include materials different from each other, wherein the buffer layer, the first insulating layer, and the second insulating layer include a curved opening portion overlapping with the curved area of ​​the display substrate, the curved opening portion exposes the curved area of ​​the display substrate, wherein the curved organic layer is disposed on the curved area exposed by the curved opening portion, and wherein the curved organic layer includes a material that is the same as a material of at least one of the first color filter, the second color filter, and the third color filter.

[0027] The display device may further include: a second conductive layer, which is arranged between the second insulating layer and the light emitting element; an encapsulation layer, which is arranged on the light emitting element; and a touch member, which is directly arranged on the encapsulation layer, and the touch member may further include: a first touch conductive layer, which is directly arranged on the encapsulation layer; a first touch insulating layer, which is arranged on the first touch conductive layer; a second touch conductive layer, which is arranged on the first touch insulating layer; and a second touch insulating layer, which is arranged on the second touch conductive layer, and the first color filter may be arranged between the first touch insulating layer and the second touch insulating layer.

[0028] The second conductive layer may include a source connection electrode, the second touch conductive layer may include a first touch connection electrode contacting the source connection electrode through a first contact hole, the first conductive layer may include a gate connection electrode contacting the source connection electrode through a second contact hole, the first contact hole may be positioned farther away from the bending area than the second contact hole in a plan view, and the second touch connection electrode may overlap with the curved organic layer in a thickness direction.

[0029] The second conductive layer further includes a second touch connection electrode contacting the gate connection electrode through a third contact hole and disposed on the curved organic layer, and wherein the second contact hole is located farther from the curved area than the third contact hole in a plan view.

[0030] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the inventive concept. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.

[0032] Figure 1 is a plan view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 An enlarged view of a portion of the FF layout.

[0035] Figure 4 is a plan view showing a layout of a display panel including a touch sensing member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 5 is a plan view showing the layout of conductive layers arranged in the main region and the bending region.

[0037] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main area of ​​a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a main area and a bending area of ​​a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main area and a bending area of ​​a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Fig. 9 , Fig.10 , Fig.11 , Fig.12 , Fig.13 and Fig.14 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a process step of manufacturing a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Fig.15 is a plan view illustrating a layout of a conductive layer arranged in a main region and a bending region according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0042] Fig.16 is a cross-sectional view of a main area and a bending area of ​​a display panel according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Fig.17is a cross-sectional view of a main area and a bending area of ​​a display panel according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] In the following description, for the purpose of illustration, many specific details are elaborated to provide a thorough understanding of various exemplary embodiments or implementations of the present invention. As used herein, "implementation" and "implementation" are interchangeable words, which are non-limiting examples of one or more devices or methods using the inventive concept disclosed herein. However, it is obvious that various exemplary embodiments can be put into practice without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In other examples, in order to avoid unnecessarily blurring various exemplary embodiments, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form. In addition, various exemplary embodiments may be different, but not necessarily exclusive. For example, without departing from the inventive concept, the specific shape, configuration and characteristics of the exemplary embodiment may be used or implemented in another exemplary embodiment.

[0045] Unless otherwise specified, the exemplary embodiments shown should be understood as providing exemplary features of different details of some ways in which the inventive concept can be implemented in practice. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the features, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions and / or aspects of various embodiments (hereinafter, individually or collectively referred to as "elements") may be combined, separated, interchanged and / or rearranged without departing from the inventive concept.

[0046] The use of cross hatching and / or shading in the drawings is generally used to make the boundaries between adjacent elements clear. Therefore, unless specified, the presence or absence of cross hatching or shading does not represent or indicate any preference or requirement for a specific material, material property, size, ratio, commonality between the illustrated elements and / or any other characteristics, attributes, properties, etc. of the elements. In addition, in the drawings, the size and relative size of the elements may be exaggerated for the purpose of clarity and / or description. When the exemplary embodiments can be implemented differently, the specific processing sequence can be performed differently from the described sequence. For example, two processes described in succession can be performed substantially simultaneously or in an order opposite to the described order. In addition, the same reference numerals represent the same elements.

[0047] When an element, such as a layer, is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, directly connected to, or directly coupled to, or there may be intervening elements or layers. However, when an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers. For this purpose, the term "connected" may represent a physical connection, an electrical connection, and / or a fluid connection with or without the presence of an intervening element. In addition, the DR1 axis and the DR2 axis are not limited to the axes of a rectangular coordinate system (such as, the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis), and may be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the DR1 axis and the DR2 axis may be perpendicular to each other, or may represent different directions that are not perpendicular to each other. For the purpose of this disclosure, "at least one of X, Y, and Z" and "at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z" may be interpreted as only X, only Y, only Z, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as, for example, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0048] Although the terms "first", "second", etc. can be used in this article to describe various types of elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another element. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure, the first element discussed below can be referred to as the second element.

[0049] Spatially relative terms such as "beneath," "below," "under," "lower," "above," "upper," "over," "higher," "side" (e.g., as in "sidewall"), and the like may be used herein for descriptive purposes, and thereby to describe the relationship of one element to another element(s) as shown in the accompanying drawings. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use, operation, and / or manufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the accompanying drawings. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is turned over, elements described as being "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" may include both the above and below orientations. Furthermore, the device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and thus the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0050] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, rather than being intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, as used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to also include plural forms. In addition, when used in this specification, the terms "comprise", "comprises", "includes" and / or "includes" represent the existence of stated features, integral bodies, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or their collections, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, integral bodies, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or their collections. It should also be noted that, as used herein, the terms "substantially", "about" and other similar terms are used as approximate terms and not as degree terms, and are therefore used to allow for the inherent deviations in the measured values, calculated values ​​and / or provided values ​​that will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0051] Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional views and / or exploded views, which are schematic diagrams of idealized exemplary embodiments and / or intermediate structures. Therefore, deviations from the illustrated shapes due to, for example, manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances are expected. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein should not necessarily be understood as being limited to the specific illustrated shapes of the regions, but should include deviations in shape due to, for example, manufacturing. In this manner, the regions shown in the drawings may be schematic in nature, and the shapes of these regions may not reflect the actual shapes of the regions of the device, and are therefore not necessarily intended to be limiting.

[0052] According to the convention in the art, for functional blocks, units and / or modules, some exemplary embodiments are described and shown in the drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that these blocks, units and / or modules are physically implemented by electronic (or optical) circuits such as logic circuits, discrete components, microprocessors, hard-wired circuits, memory elements, wiring connections, etc., which can be formed using semiconductor-based preparation technology or other manufacturing technology. In the case where the blocks, units and / or modules are implemented by microprocessors or other similar hardware, software (e.g., microcode) can be used to program and control the blocks, units and / or modules to perform the various functions discussed herein, and optionally, they can be driven by firmware and / or software. It is also considered that each block, unit and / or module can be implemented by dedicated hardware, or implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware that performs some functions and processors (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and related circuits) that perform other functions. In addition, without departing from the scope of the inventive concept, each block, unit and / or module of some exemplary embodiments can be physically divided into two or more interactive and discrete blocks, units and / or modules. Furthermore, the blocks, units and / or modules of some exemplary embodiments may be physically combined into more complex blocks, units and / or modules without departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

[0053] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. Unless explicitly defined as such herein, terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0054] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] Figure 1 is a plan view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] In some exemplary embodiments, the first direction DR1 may intersect with the second direction DR2. Figure 1In the plan view of FIG. 1 , for convenience of explanation, the first direction DR1 is defined as a vertical direction, and the second direction DR2 is defined as a horizontal direction. In the following description, when viewed from the top, an upward arrow on the first direction DR1 indicates an upper side, a downward arrow on the first direction DR1 indicates a lower side, a right arrow on the second direction DR2 indicates a right side, and a left arrow on the second direction DR2 indicates a left side. It should be understood that the directions referred to with respect to the exemplary embodiment are relative directions, and the exemplary embodiment is not limited to the mentioned directions.

[0057] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The display device 1 may represent any electronic device that provides a display screen. The display device 1 may include a portable electronic device for providing a display screen, such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet personal computer (PC), an electronic watch, a smart watch, a watch phone, a mobile communication terminal, an electronic notebook, an electronic book, a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation device, a game console, and a digital camera, as well as a television, a laptop computer, a monitor, an electronic billboard, an Internet of Things device, and the like.

[0058] The display device 1 includes an active area AAR and a non-active area NAR. In the display device 1, the display area can be defined as an area where an image is displayed, and the non-display area can be defined as an area where an image is not displayed. In addition, the touch area can be defined as an area for sensing touch input. Then, the display area and the touch area can be included in the active area AAR. The display area and the touch area can overlap each other. That is, in the active area AAR, an image can be displayed and a touch input can be sensed. The shape of the active area AAR can be a rectangle or a rectangle with rounded corners. In the example shown, the shape of the active area AAR is a rectangle with rounded corners and its side in the first direction DR1 is longer than its side in the second direction DR2. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The active area AAR can have a variety of shapes, such as a rectangular shape, a square shape, other polygonal shapes, a circular shape, and an elliptical shape, in which its side in the second direction DR2 is longer than its side in the first direction DR1.

[0059] The non-active area NAR is arranged around the active area AAR. The non-active area NAR may be a border area. The non-active area NAR may surround all sides of the active area AAR (four sides in the figure). However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the non-active area NAR may not be arranged near the upper side of the active area AAR, or may not be arranged near the left side or right side of the active area AAR.

[0060] In the non-active area NAR, a signal line for applying a signal to the active area AAR (display area or touch area) or the driving circuit may be provided. The non-active area NAR may not include a display area. In addition, the non-active area NAR may not include a touch area. In another exemplary embodiment, the non-active area NAR may include a portion of the touch area, and a sensor member such as a pressure sensor may be provided in the portion. In some exemplary embodiments, the active area AAR may be exactly the same as the display area where an image is displayed, and the non-active area NAR may be exactly the same as the non-display area where an image is not displayed.

[0061] The display device 1 includes a display panel 10 for providing a display screen. Examples of the display panel 10 may include an organic light-emitting display panel, a micro-LED display panel, a nano-LED display panel, a quantum dot display panel, a liquid crystal display panel, a plasma display panel, a field emission display panel, an electrophoretic display panel, an electrowetting display panel, etc. In the following description, an organic light-emitting display panel is used as an example of the display panel 10, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any other display panel may be used as long as the technical concept of the present disclosure can be equally applied.

[0062] The display panel 10 may include a plurality of pixels. The plurality of pixels may be arranged in a matrix. When viewed from the top, the shape of each pixel may be a rectangle or a square, but is not limited thereto. Each pixel may have a rhombus shape having a side portion inclined relative to the first direction DR1. Each pixel may include an emission area. Each emission area may have the same shape as that of the pixel, or may have a shape different from that of the pixel. For example, when the pixel has a rectangular shape, the shape of the emission area of ​​each of the pixels may have a variety of shapes such as a rectangle, a rhombus, a hexagon, an octagon, and a circle. A detailed description of the pixels and the emission areas will be given later.

[0063] The display device 1 may further include a touch member for sensing a touch input. The touch member may be provided as a panel or film separated from the display panel 10 to be attached to the display panel 10, or may be provided in the display panel 10 in the form of a touch layer. Although the touch member is provided inside the display panel 10 to be included in the display panel 10 in the following description, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0064] The display panel 10 may include a flexible substrate including a flexible polymer material such as polyimide. Therefore, the display panel 10 may be bent, curved, folded, or rolled.

[0065] The display panel 10 may include a bending region BR. The display panel 10 may be divided into a main region MR located on one side of the bending region BR and a subsidiary region SR located on the other side of the bending region BR.

[0066] The display area of ​​the display panel 10 is located in the main area MR. In an exemplary embodiment, the edge portion of the main area MR, the entire bending area BR, and the entire auxiliary area SR may be a non-display area. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The bending area BR and / or the auxiliary area SR may also include a display area.

[0067] When viewed from the top, the main region MR may have a shape substantially similar to that of the display device 1. The main region MR may be a flat region located in one plane. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. At least one of the edges of the main region MR other than the edge (side) connected to the bending region BR may be bent to form a bent surface, or it may be bent at a right angle.

[0068] When at least one of the edges of the main region MR other than the edge (side) connected to the bending region BR is bent or curved, a display area may also be provided at the edge. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The bent or curved edge may be a non-display area where no image is displayed, or both a display area and a non-display area may be provided at the bent or curved edge.

[0069] The bending region BR is connected to one side of the main region MR in the first direction DR1. For example, the bending region BR may be connected to the shorter side below the main region MR. The width of the bending region BR may be smaller than the width of the main region MR (the width of the shorter side). The portion where the main region MR intersects with the bending region BR may be cut into an L shape.

[0070] In the bending region BR, the display panel 10 may be bent downward with a certain curvature in the thickness direction (i.e., in the direction away from the display surface). Although the bending region BR may have a constant radius of curvature, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The bending region BR may have different radii of curvature for different sections. When the display panel 10 is bent at the bending region BR, the surface of the display panel 10 may be turned over. Specifically, the upward-facing surface of the display panel 10 may be bent so that it faces outward at the bending region BR and then faces downward.

[0071] The auxiliary region SR extends from the bending region BR. After the display device 1 is bent, the auxiliary region SR may extend in a direction parallel to the main region MR. The auxiliary region SR may overlap the main region MR in the thickness direction of the display panel 10. The width of the auxiliary region SR (the width in the second direction DR2) may be equal to the width of the bending region BR, but is not limited thereto.

[0072] like Figure 1 As shown in the plan view of , the auxiliary region SR may include a first pad region PA1 and a second pad region PA2, wherein the second pad region PA2 is positioned farther away from the bending region BR than the first pad region PA1. A driving chip 20 may be provided in the first pad region PA1 of the auxiliary region SR. The driving chip 20 may include an integrated circuit for driving the display panel 10. The integrated circuit may include an integrated circuit for a display and / or an integrated circuit for a touch unit. The integrated circuit for the display and the integrated circuit for the touch unit may be provided as separate chips, or may be integrated into a single chip.

[0073] A plurality of display signal line pads and a plurality of touch signal line pads may be provided in the second pad area PA2 of the auxiliary area SR of the display panel 10. The driving board 30 may be connected to the second pad area PA2 of the auxiliary area SR of the display panel 10. The driving board 30 may be a flexible printed circuit board or film.

[0074] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 An enlarged view of a portion of the FF layout.

[0075] Reference Figure 3 , the display device 1 includes a plurality of pixels PX_R, PX_G and PX_B arranged in a matrix. The plurality of pixels PX_R, PX_G and PX_B may be a plurality of color pixels. For example, the plurality of pixels may include a red pixel PX_R, a green pixel PX_G and a blue pixel PX_B. In addition, the plurality of pixels may also include a white pixel. In other exemplary embodiments, a cyan pixel, a magenta pixel and a yellow pixel may be provided to replace the red pixel PX_R, the green pixel PX_G and the blue pixel PX_B. In the following description, an example in which the display device 1 includes a red pixel PX_R, a green pixel PX_G and a blue pixel PX_B will be described.

[0076] The red pixel PX_R, the green pixel PX_G, and the blue pixel PX_B may be arranged in a repeated order. Each of the pixels PX_R, PX_G, and PX_B may have a rectangular shape. The sizes of the pixels PX_R, PX_G, and PX_B may be different from each other. For example, the blue pixel PX_B may be larger than the red pixel PX_R, and the red pixel PX_R may be larger than the green pixel PX_G. It should be noted that the relative sizes of the pixels PX_R, PX_G, and PX_B are not limited thereto.

[0077] Each of the pixels PX_R, PX_G, and PX_B includes an organic emission layer 122 and one of the color filters 161_R, 161_G, and 161_B. In an exemplary embodiment, the first color filter 161_R may be a red color filter, the second color filter 161_G may be a green color filter, and the third color filter 161_B may be a blue color filter. The red pixel PX_R may include a red organic emission layer 122_1 and a red color filter 161_R. The green pixel PX_G may include a green organic emission layer 122_2 and a green color filter 161_G. The blue pixel PX_B may include a blue organic emission layer 122_3 and a blue color filter 161_B. In another exemplary embodiment, each of the red pixel PX_R, the green pixel PX_G, and the blue pixel PX_B may include a white organic emission layer and a corresponding color filter. The white organic emission layer may be formed by stacking two or more organic emission layers.

[0078] The red filter 161_R selectively transmits red light. The wavelength of the red light may be in the range of about 620nm to 750nm. The green filter 161_G selectively transmits green light. The wavelength of the green light may be in the range of about 495nm to 570nm. The blue filter 161_B selectively transmits blue light. The wavelength of the blue light may be in the range of about 450nm to 495nm.

[0079] The first color filter 161_R may be disposed in the red pixel PX_R, the second color filter 161_G may be disposed in the green pixel PX_G, and the third color filter 161_B may be disposed in the blue pixel PX_B. The color filters 161_R, 161_G, and 161_B of the same color are disposed on the corresponding organic emission layer 122, thereby preventing or suppressing color mixing in the pixel and increasing the color gamut. In addition, since the color filters 161_R, 161_G, and 161_B fully absorb external light, the reflection of external light can be reduced even if a polarizing plate or the like is not further disposed.

[0080] The shapes of the first color filter 161_R, the second color filter 161_G, and the third color filter 161_B may be substantially the same as the shape of the above-described pixel. That is, when the pixel has a rhombus shape, each of the color filters 161_R, 161_G, and 161_B may also have a rhombus shape.

[0081] A black matrix 140 is disposed at a boundary between pixels. The black matrix 140 may have a grid shape to define each of the pixels PX_R, PX_G, and PX_B.

[0082] Figure 4 is a plan view showing a layout of a display panel including a touch sensing member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 is a plan view showing the layout of conductive layers arranged in the main region and the bending region. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main area of ​​a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a main area and a bending area of ​​a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main area and a bending area of ​​a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0083] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The display device 1 may include a first substrate 103 , a plurality of conductive layers, an insulating layer, a light emitting element, an encapsulation layer, a touch sensing member, a plurality of color filters, and a black matrix disposed on the first substrate 103 .

[0084] The first substrate 103 may be a flexible substrate as described above. For example, the first substrate 103 may be a film substrate including a polymer organic substance, or may be a plastic substrate. For example, the first substrate 103 may be formed by a material selected from a set consisting of polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, polymethyl methacrylate, polyether sulfone, polyacrylate, polyetherimide, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, polyimide, polycarbonate, cellulose triacetate, and cellulose acetate propionate. In addition, the first substrate 103 may include fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP).

[0085] A buffer layer 111 is disposed on the first substrate 103. The buffer layer 111 provides a flat surface on the first substrate 103 and prevents or inhibits penetration of moisture or external air. The buffer layer 111 may be an inorganic layer. The buffer layer 111 may be composed of a single layer or a plurality of layers.

[0086] On the buffer layer 111, a plurality of thin film transistors TR are disposed. The plurality of thin film transistors TR may be driving thin film transistors. At least one thin film transistor TR may be disposed in each pixel. Each of the thin film transistors TR may include a semiconductor layer CH, a gate electrode GE, a source electrode SE, and a drain electrode DE.

[0087] More specifically, the semiconductor layer CH is disposed on the buffer layer 111. The semiconductor layer CH may include amorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon, and an organic semiconductor. In another exemplary embodiment, the semiconductor layer CH may be an oxide semiconductor. Although not shown in the figure, the semiconductor layer CH may include a channel region and a source region and a drain region, wherein the source region and the drain region are respectively disposed on the sides of the channel region and are doped with impurities.

[0088] A gate insulating layer 112 is disposed on the semiconductor layer CH. The gate insulating layer 112 may be an inorganic layer. The gate insulating layer 112 may be composed of a single layer or a plurality of layers.

[0089] A first conductive layer DCL1 may be provided on the gate insulating layer 112. The first conductive layer DCL1 may include a gate electrode GE and a gate connection electrode GCE. The gate connection electrode GCE may contact a source connection electrode SCE electrically connected to a thin film transistor TR of each pixel through a second contact hole CNT2, and may contact a third touch connection electrode TCE3 of a second touch conductive layer TCL2 of a touch sensing member 130 through a third contact hole CNT3.

[0090] The first conductive layer DCL1 may be made of a conductive metal material. For example, the first conductive layer DCL1 may include molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), and titanium (Ti). The first conductive layer DCL1 may be composed of a single layer or multiple layers.

[0091] An interlayer dielectric layer 113 is disposed on the first conductive layer DCL1. The interlayer dielectric layer 113 may be an inorganic layer. The interlayer dielectric layer 113 may be composed of a single layer or multiple layers.

[0092] A second conductive layer DCL2 may be disposed on the interlayer dielectric layer 113. The second conductive layer DCL2 may include a source electrode SE, a drain electrode DE, and a source connection electrode SCE. In addition, the second conductive layer DCL2 may include, but is not limited to, a high level voltage line, a low level voltage line, and a plurality of data lines.

[0093] The source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE may be electrically connected to the source region and the drain region of the semiconductor layer CH, respectively, through contact holes formed through the interlayer dielectric layer 113 and the gate insulating layer 112 .

[0094] The source connection electrode SCE may be electrically connected to the thin film transistor TR of each pixel. The source connection electrode SCE may make contact with the first touch connection electrode TCE1 of the first touch conductive layer TCL1 of the touch sensing member 130 through the first contact hole CNT1.

[0095] The second conductive layer DCL2 is made of a conductive metal material. For example, the second conductive layer DCL2 may include aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), and molybdenum (Mo).

[0096] Although not shown in the drawings, the display device 1 may further include a storage capacitor and a switching thin film transistor on the first substrate 103 .

[0097] A protective layer 114 is disposed on the second conductive layer DCL2 and the interlayer dielectric layer 113. The protective layer 114 is disposed to cover the pixel circuit including the thin film transistor TR. The protective layer 114 may be a passivation layer or a planarization layer. The passivation layer may include SiO 2 、SiN x The passivation layer may be disposed on the source electrode SE, the drain electrode DE and the interlayer dielectric layer 113, and the planarization layer may be disposed on the passivation layer.

[0098] A plurality of first electrodes 121 may be disposed on the protective layer 114. The first electrodes 121 may be pixel electrodes each disposed in a corresponding pixel. In addition, each of the first electrodes 121 may be an anode electrode of an organic light emitting diode.

[0099] The first electrode 121 may be electrically connected to the drain electrode DE or the source electrode SE disposed on the first substrate 103 through a through hole penetrating the protective layer 114 .

[0100] The first electrode 121 may include a material having a high work function. The first electrode 121 may include indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide (In 2 O 3) and the like. The conductive materials listed above have a relatively high work function and are transparent. When the organic light-emitting display device is a top emission type organic light-emitting display device, in addition to the conductive materials listed above, the first electrode 121 may also include a reflective material such as silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), lead (Pb), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), lithium (Li), calcium (Ca) or a combination thereof. Therefore, the first electrode 121 may have a single-layer structure including the conductive materials listed above and the reflective material, or may have a multilayer structure in which single layers are stacked on each other.

[0101] A bank 115 is disposed over the first electrode 121. The bank 115 includes openings each exposing at least a portion of the corresponding first electrode 121. The bank 115 may include an organic material or an inorganic material. In an exemplary embodiment, the bank 115 may include a material such as a photoresist, a polyimide resin, an acrylic resin, a silicon compound, and a polyacrylic resin.

[0102] The organic emission layer 122 is disposed on the first electrode 121 exposed by the bank 115 .

[0103] A second electrode 123 is disposed on the organic emission layer 122. The second electrode 123 may be a common electrode extending over all pixels. In addition, the second electrode 123 may be a cathode electrode of an organic light emitting diode.

[0104] The second electrode 123 may be made of a material with a low work function. The second electrode 123 may include Li, Ca, LiF / Ca, LiF / Al, Al, Mg, Ag, Pt, Pd, Ni, Au, Nd, Ir, Cr, BaF, Ba or a compound or mixture thereof, such as a mixture of Ag and Mg. The second electrode 123 may also include an auxiliary electrode. The auxiliary electrode may include a layer formed by depositing a material and a transparent metal oxide on the layer (such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO) and indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO)).

[0105] When the display device 1 is a top emission type organic light emitting diode display device, a thin conductive layer having a small work function may be formed as the second electrode 123, and a layer such as an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer, an indium zinc oxide (IZO) layer, a zinc oxide (ZnO) layer, and an indium oxide (In 2 O 3 ) layer of transparent conductive layer.

[0106] The first electrode 121 , the organic emission layer 122 , and the second electrode 123 may form an organic light emitting diode.

[0107] Although not shown in the drawings, a hole injection layer and / or a hole transport layer may be disposed between the first electrode 121 and the organic emission layer 122 , and an electron transport layer and / or an electron injection layer may be disposed between the organic emission layer 122 and the second electrode 123 .

[0108] An encapsulation layer 116 is disposed on the second electrode 123. The encapsulation layer 116 includes at least one inorganic layer and at least one organic layer. The at least one inorganic layer and the at least one organic layer may be stacked on each other. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the encapsulation layer 116 may be composed of a plurality of layers including a first inorganic encapsulation layer 116a, an organic encapsulation layer 116b, and a second inorganic encapsulation layer 116c, which are stacked on top of each other in the order of the first inorganic encapsulation layer 116a, the organic encapsulation layer 116b, and the second inorganic encapsulation layer 116c. The first inorganic encapsulation layer 116a and the second inorganic encapsulation layer 116c may include a silicon oxide (SiO x ), silicon nitride (SiN x ) and silicon oxynitride (SiON x The organic encapsulation layer 116b may include one or more selected from the group consisting of epoxy resin, acrylate and urethane acrylate.

[0109] The touch sensing member 130 is disposed on the encapsulation layer 116. The encapsulation layer 116 and the touch sensing member 130 may be in direct contact with each other. That is, the touch sensing member 130 may be directly disposed on the encapsulation layer 116. Figure 6 As shown in , the first touch conductive layer TCL1 of the touch sensing member 130 may be directly disposed on the encapsulation layer 116 .

[0110] Reference Figure 6 The touch sensing member 130 may include a first touch conductive layer TCL1, a first touch insulating layer 131 disposed on the first touch conductive layer TCL1, a second touch conductive layer TCL2 disposed on the first touch insulating layer 131, and a second touch insulating layer 132 disposed on the second touch conductive layer TCL2.

[0111] The first touch conductive layer TCL1 may include a first touch bridging electrode CP1, and the first touch bridging electrode CP1 is used to electrically connect adjacent first sensing electrodes among the first sensing electrodes IE1_1 to IE1_8. The second touch conductive layer TCL2 may include a plurality of first sensing electrodes IE1_1 to IE1_8 and a plurality of second sensing electrodes IE2_1 to IE2_4, and may further include a second touch bridging electrode CP2, and the second touch bridging electrode CP2 is used to electrically connect adjacent second sensing electrodes among the second sensing electrodes IE2_1 to IE2_4.

[0112] The plurality of first sensing electrodes IE1_1 to IE1_8 may extend in the second direction DR2 and may be arranged in the first direction DR1. The plurality of second sensing electrodes IE2_1 to IE2_4 may extend in the first direction DR1 and may be arranged in the second direction DR2.

[0113] Each of the plurality of first sensing electrodes IE1_1 to IE1_8 may include a plurality of first sensing lines SPL1 having a mesh shape. The region defined by the plurality of first sensing lines SPL1 may overlap with the red organic emission layer 122_1, the green organic emission layer 122_2, and the blue organic emission layer 122_3 (see Figure 3 )overlapping.

[0114] Each of the plurality of second sensing electrodes IE2_1 to IE2_4 may include a plurality of second sensing lines SPL2 having a grid shape. The region defined by the plurality of second sensing lines SPL2 may also overlap with the organic emission layer 122. For example, the region defined by the plurality of first sensing lines SPL1 and the region defined by the plurality of second sensing lines SPL2 may have a rhombus shape. As used herein, the term rhombus shape includes not only a rhombus shape but also a simple geometric shape close to a rhombus shape under different process conditions.

[0115] The first sensing line SPL1 is electrically insulated from the second sensing line SPL2. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of first sensing lines SPL1 may be disposed on the same layer as the plurality of second sensing lines SPL2. In this case, the plurality of first touch bridge electrodes CP1 and the plurality of second touch bridge electrodes CP2 are disposed in different layers, thereby being electrically insulated from each other.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the electrodes of the first touch conductive layer TCL1 may be disposed in the second touch conductive layer TCL2 , and the electrodes of the second touch conductive layer TCL2 may be disposed in the first touch conductive layer TCL1 .

[0117] In some exemplary embodiments, the first touch conductive layer TCL1 may include first sensing electrodes IE1_1 to IE1_8 and a first touch bridge electrode CP1, and the second touch conductive layer TCL2 may include second sensing electrodes IE2_1 to IE2_4 and a second touch bridge electrode CP2.

[0118] In some exemplary embodiments, the first touch conductive layer TCL1 may include the second sensing electrodes IE2_1 to IE2_4 and the second touch bridge electrode CP2, and the second touch conductive layer TCL2 may include the first sensing electrodes IE1_1 to IE1_8 and the first touch bridge electrode CP1.

[0119] In the following description, the first touch conductive layer TCL1 may include a first touch bridging electrode CP1 for electrically connecting adjacent first sensing electrodes IE1_1 to IE1_8. An example in which the second touch conductive layer TCL2 includes a plurality of first sensing electrodes IE1_1 to IE1_8 and a plurality of second sensing electrodes IE2_1 to IE2_4 and further includes a second touch bridging electrode CP2 for electrically connecting adjacent second sensing electrodes IE2_1 to IE2_4 will be described.

[0120] The second touch conductive layer TCL2 may further include first to third touch connection electrodes TCE1 to TCE3. The first and second touch connection electrodes TCE1 to TCE2 may be electrically connected to the source connection electrode SCE through the first contact hole CNT1. The third touch connection electrode TCE3 may be electrically connected to the gate connection electrode GCE through the third contact hole CNT3.

[0121] The plurality of first sensing lines SPL1 and the plurality of second sensing lines SPL2 may include a conductive material. In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive material may include a low resistance metal such as silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni), or may include a conductive nanomaterial such as silver nanowires and carbon nanotubes.

[0122] Reference Figure 4 , the touch sensing member may be connected to the first sensing electrodes IE1_1 to IE1_8 and the second sensing electrodes IE2_1 to IE2_4, and may further include a second signal line SL2 and a third signal line SL3 passing through the first pad area PA1 and the second pad area PA2. The second signal line SL2 may be electrically connected to the second sensing electrodes IE2_1 to IE2_4 of the touch sensing member. The third signal line SL3 may be electrically connected to the first sensing electrodes IE1_1 to IE1_8 of the touch sensing member.

[0123] The second signal line SL2 may include a second touch connection electrode TCE2, a source connection electrode SCE, a gate connection electrode GCE and a third touch connection electrode TCE3, wherein the second touch connection electrode TCE2 is electrically connected to the second sensing electrodes IE2_1 to IE2_4 of the touch sensing member, the source connection electrode SCE is electrically connected to the second touch connection electrode TCE2 through the first contact hole CNT1, the gate connection electrode GCE is electrically connected to the source connection electrode SCE through the second contact hole CNT2, and the third touch connection electrode TCE3 is connected to the gate connection electrode GCE through the third contact hole CNT3.

[0124] The third signal line SL3 may include a first touch connection electrode TCE1, a source connection electrode SCE, a gate connection electrode GCE and a third touch connection electrode TCE3, wherein the first touch connection electrode TCE1 is electrically connected to the first sensing electrodes IE1_1 to IE1_8 of the touch sensing member, the source connection electrode SCE is electrically connected to the first touch connection electrode TCE1 through the first contact hole CNT1, the gate connection electrode GCE is electrically connected to the source connection electrode SCE through the second contact hole CNT2, and the third touch connection electrode TCE3 is connected to the gate connection electrode GCE through the third contact hole CNT3.

[0125] In addition, if Figure 4 As shown in , the display panel 10 may further include a first signal line SL1, which is electrically connected to the thin film transistor of each pixel and passes through the first pad area PA1 and the second pad area PA2. The first signal line SL1 may include a source connection electrode SCE, a gate connection electrode GCE, and a third touch connection electrode TCE3, wherein the source connection electrode SCE is electrically connected to the thin film transistor of each pixel, the gate connection electrode GCE is electrically connected to the source connection electrode SCE through the second contact hole CNT2, and the third touch connection electrode TCE3 is electrically connected to the gate connection electrode GCE through the third contact hole CNT3.

[0126] The first contact hole CNT1 may be located farther from the bending region BR than the second and third contact holes CNT2 and CNT3 , and the second contact hole CNT2 may be located farther from the bending region BR3 than the third contact hole CNT3 .

[0127] The first touch conductive layer TCL1 may be directly disposed on the encapsulation layer 116. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In another exemplary embodiment, a single insulating layer or a plurality of insulating layers may be disposed between the encapsulation layer 116 and the first touch conductive layer TCL1.

[0128] The first touch insulation layer 131 may be disposed on the first touch conductive layer TCL1 .

[0129] In an exemplary embodiment, the first touch insulating layer 131 may include an inorganic material. The inorganic material may include a material selected from silicon oxide (SiO x ), silicon nitride (SiN x ) and silicon oxynitride (SiON x). In another exemplary embodiment, the first touch insulating layer 131 may include an organic material. The organic material may include at least one selected from the group consisting of acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, polyisoprene, vinyl resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, cellulose resin, siloxane resin, polyimide resin, polyamide resin, and perylene resin.

[0130] A plurality of second touch conductive layers TCL2 may be disposed on the first touch insulating layer 131. The touch electrodes and the touch bridge electrodes of the second touch conductive layer TCL2 may overlap the black matrix 140 and the bank 115. Therefore, they can be hidden from the viewer.

[0131] The second touch insulating layer 132 may be disposed on the first touch insulating layer 131 and the second touch conductive layer TCL2. In an exemplary embodiment, the second touch insulating layer 132 may include an inorganic material or an organic material. The types of the inorganic material and the organic material are the same as those of the first touch insulating layer 131; and, therefore, redundant descriptions will be omitted. Although the first touch insulating layer 131 and the second touch insulating layer 132 are Figure 6 The first touch insulating layer 131 and the second touch insulating layer 132 may have a multi-layer structure. The second touch insulating layer 132 may be a passivation layer or a planarization layer.

[0132] like Figure 6 , the red color filter 161_R may be disposed between the first touch insulating layer 131 and the second touch insulating layer 132 of the touch sensing member 130. As will be described in more detail, this is because the first touch conductive layer TCL1 and the first touch insulating layer 131 are formed first, and then the red color filter 161_R is formed.

[0133] The second touch insulating layer 132 may be disposed on the second touch conductive layer TCL2 and the red color filter 161_R. As shown in the drawings, the touch electrodes and the touch bridge electrodes of the second touch conductive layer TCL2 overlap the black matrix 140 and the bank 115, the red color filter 161_R is disposed between the second touch insulating layer 132 and the first touch insulating layer 131, and the touch electrodes and the touch bridge electrodes of the second touch conductive layer TCL2 are directly disposed on the first touch insulating layer 131.

[0134] On the other hand, the green and blue color filters 161_G and 161_B may be disposed on the second touch conductive layer TCL2 and the second touch insulating layer 132. This is because the green and blue color filters 161_G and 161_B are formed after the second touch conductive layer TCL2 and the second touch insulating layer 132 of the touch sensing member 130 are deposited.

[0135] That is, the red color filter 161_R may not be formed on the same layer as the green color filter 161_G and the blue color filter 161_B, but may be formed on a lower layer than the green color filter 161_G and the blue color filter 161_B.

[0136] However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Unlike the above example, when the green color filter 161_G or the blue color filter 161_B is formed before the second touch insulating layer 132 is formed, the green color filter 161_G or the blue color filter 161_B may be disposed between the first touch insulating layer 131 and the second touch insulating layer 132 of the touch sensing member 130.

[0137] In some exemplary embodiments, two or more color filters may be disposed between the first touch insulation layer 131 and the second touch insulation layer 132 of the touch sensing member 130 .

[0138] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the protective layer 114 and the dam 115 may form the dams DAM1 and DAM2 together with the spacer SPC. Specifically, the protective layer 114 may include a first sub-protective layer 114a forming the first dam DAM1 and a second sub-protective layer 114b forming the second dam DAM2. The dam 115 may include a first sub-dam 115a forming the first dam DAM1 and a second sub-dam 115b forming the second dam DAM2. The spacer SPC may include a first sub-spacer SPCa forming the first dam DAM1 and a second sub-spacer SPCb forming the second dam DAM2. The first dam DAM1 has a structure in which the first sub-protective layer 114a, the first sub-dam 115a and the first sub-spacer SPCa are sequentially stacked. The second dam DAM2 may have a structure in which the second sub-protective layer 114b, the second sub-dam 115b and the second sub-spacer SPCb are sequentially stacked. The first dam portion DAM1 and the second dam portion DAM2 may prevent or inhibit the organic encapsulation layer 116 b (see FIG. 1 ) from being formed. Figure 6 ) overflows into the curved area BR.

[0139] The first subprotecting layer 114 a may be in direct contact with the source connection electrode SCE, and the second subprotecting layer 114 b may be in direct contact with the source connection electrode SCE and the gate connection electrode GCE.

[0140] like Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown in FIG, the first dam DAM1 and the second dam DAM2 may have a structure in which the first inorganic encapsulation layer 116a and the second inorganic encapsulation layer 116c are sequentially stacked on each other. They may be in direct contact with each other. The first inorganic encapsulation layer 116a may be in direct contact with the first dam DAM1 and the second dam DAM2.

[0141] The first and second inorganic encapsulating layers 116a and 116c may include the first contact hole CNT1 described above. The first inorganic encapsulating layer 116a may directly contact the source connection electrode SCE and the gate connection electrode GCE, and the second inorganic encapsulating layer 116c may directly contact the first inorganic encapsulating layer 116a.

[0142] like Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the second touch connection electrode TCE2 of the second signal line SL2 (in Figure 5 The first touch connection electrode TCE1 of the third signal line SL3 and the second touch connection electrode TCE2 may be disposed on the second inorganic encapsulation layer 116c and may be in direct contact with the upper surface of the second inorganic encapsulation layer 116c. The second touch connection electrode TCE2 and the first touch connection electrode TCE1 may be electrically connected to the source connection electrode SCE through the first contact hole CNT1.

[0143] When viewed from the top, the first contact hole CNT1 may be disposed between the first dam DAM1 and the second dam DAM2 , but is not limited thereto.

[0144] The second contact hole CNT2 may be formed such that the second contact hole CNT2 overlaps the second dam portion DAM2 in the thickness direction.

[0145] The buffer layer 111 , the gate insulating layer 112 , and the interlayer dielectric layer 113 may include a bent opening portion in the bent region BR. The bent opening portion may expose an upper surface of the first substrate 103 .

[0146] The curved opening portion may be provided with a curved organic layer 170. The curved organic layer 170 may include the same material as that of the red color filter 161_R. That is, the curved organic layer 170 may be formed through the same process as that of the red color filter 161_R.

[0147] The curved organic layer 170 may be disposed in the curved opening portion to provide a flat surface on the step difference caused by the curved opening portion, so that the third touch connection electrode TCE3 may be disposed on the flat surface. In addition, the curved organic layer 170 includes an organic material, thereby suppressing the occurrence of bending stress when the display device 1 is bent, providing bending flexibility to the display device 1.

[0148] The curved organic layer 170 may be in contact with the side surface of the buffer layer 111, the side surface of the gate insulating layer 112, and the side surface of the interlayer dielectric layer 113. The curved organic layer 170 may be in direct contact with the first substrate 103. The third touch connection electrode TCE3 may be electrically connected to the gate connection electrode GCE through the third contact hole CNT3. The third touch connection electrode TCE3 may be disposed on the curved organic layer 170.

[0149] The first curved organic layer 180 and the second curved organic layer 190 may be disposed on the third touch connection electrode TCE3. The first curved organic layer 180 and the second curved organic layer 190 may cover the third touch connection electrode TCE3. The first curved organic layer 180 and the second curved organic layer 190 may expose the third touch connection electrode TCE3 in the first pad area PA1 and the second pad area PA2. The first curved organic layer 180 and the second curved organic layer 190 may prevent or suppress an electrical short circuit between the first signal line SL1 to the third signal line SL3.

[0150] The first curved organic layer 180 may be disposed on the same layer as the green color filter 161_G and may be formed through the same process. The second curved organic layer 190 may be disposed on the same layer as the blue color filter 161_B and may be formed through the same process.

[0151] In some exemplary embodiments, only the first curved organic layer 180 may be disposed between the first substrate 103 and the third touch connection electrode TCE3 to provide a flat surface, only the second curved organic layer 190 may be disposed between the first substrate 103 and the third touch connection electrode TCE3 to provide a flat surface, or at least two of the curved organic layer 170, the first curved organic layer 180, and the second curved organic layer 190 may be disposed between the first substrate 103 and the third touch connection electrode TCE3 to provide a flat surface. The number of organic layers may be determined according to the process order of the color filters 161_R, 161_G, and 161_B.

[0152] As described above, since the curved organic layer 170 and at least one of the color filters 161_R, 161_G, and 161_B (e.g., the red color filter 161_R) are formed through the same process, it is possible to eliminate a mask that is additionally required to form an additional organic layer for providing a flat surface for the third touch connection electrode TCE3. In this way, the cost and time required for the process of manufacturing the display device 1 can be greatly reduced.

[0153] The black matrix 140 is disposed on the color filters 161_R, 161_G, and 161_B. The black matrix 140 is disposed along the boundaries between the pixels and includes an opening that exposes the pixels. The black matrix 140 may have a grid shape connected to each other along the boundaries of the pixels. The organic emission layer 122 under the black matrix 140 may overlap with the openings of the black matrix 140, respectively.

[0154] The black matrix 140 may include a light absorbing material or a light reflecting material. For example, the black matrix 140 may include a resin colored with black or a reflective metal such as chrome (Cr).

[0155] The window 102 may be disposed over the black matrix 140. The window 102 may include a flexible material and may cover all elements under the window 102. The window 102 and the display panel 10 may be coupled to each other by using an inter-module adhesive layer 150 interposed therebetween.

[0156] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing the display device 1 will be described. In the following description, the same or similar elements will be denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and a redundant description will be omitted or briefly described.

[0157] Fig. 9 , Fig.10 , Fig.11 , Fig.12 , Fig.13 and Fig.14 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a process step of manufacturing a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0158] Reference Fig. 9 , as mentioned above Figure 6 As described above, the first substrate 103, a plurality of conductive layers, a plurality of insulating layers, an organic emission layer 122, and an encapsulation layer 116 of the display panel 10 are prepared. Subsequently, a first touch conductive layer TCL1 is disposed on the encapsulation layer 116. The first touch conductive layer TCL1 may be disposed in the main region MR of the display device 1, but may not be disposed in the bending region BR and the auxiliary region SR.

[0159] The first touch conductive layer TCL1 may be directly deposited on the second inorganic encapsulation layer 116c of the encapsulation layer 116. Figure 6 As described, the first touch conductive layer TCL1 may include a low resistance metal such as silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni), or may include a conductive nanomaterial such as silver nanowires and carbon nanotubes.

[0160] Subsequently, a first touch insulating layer 131 is deposited on the first touch conductive layer TCL1. The first touch insulating layer 131 may include an inorganic material as described above. The inorganic material may include a material selected from silicon oxide (SiO x ), silicon nitride (SiN x ) and silicon oxynitride (SiON x ). In another exemplary embodiment, the first touch insulating layer 131 may include an organic material. The organic material may include at least one selected from the group consisting of acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, polyisoprene, vinyl resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, cellulose resin, siloxane resin, polyimide resin, polyamide resin, and perylene resin.

[0161] Then, refer to Fig.10 , a first color filter 161_R is formed on the first touch insulating layer 131 in the main region MR of the display device 1, and a curved organic layer 170 is formed on the first substrate 103 in the curved opening portion of the buffer layer 111, the gate insulating layer 112, and the interlayer dielectric layer 113 in the curved region BR.

[0162] The first color filter 161_R may be a red color filter. The first color filter 161_R and the curved organic layer 170 may be formed via the same process. Specifically, the first color filter 161_R and the curved organic layer 170 may be formed together by depositing the constituent material of the first color filter 161_R at the position where the first color filter 161_R and the curved organic layer 170 are to be set using a first mask including an opening.

[0163] Then, refer to Fig.11 , a second touch conductive layer TCL2 is formed on the first touch insulating layer 131 in the main region MR, and a third touch connection electrode TCE3 is formed on the curved organic layer 170 in the curved region BR.

[0164] The red color filter 161_R may be disposed between the first touch insulating layer 131 and the second touch insulating layer 132 of the touch sensing member. As described above, this is because the first touch conductive layer TCL1 and the first touch insulating layer 131 are first formed, and then the red color filter 161_R is formed.

[0165] The first and second touch connection electrodes TCE1 and TCE2 may be disposed on the second inorganic encapsulation layer 116c and may directly contact an upper surface of the second inorganic encapsulation layer 116c. The first and second touch connection electrodes TCE1 and TCE2 may be electrically connected to the source connection electrode SCE through the first contact hole CNT1.

[0166] The third touch connection electrode TCE3 may be deposited on the curved organic layer 170 .

[0167] As mentioned above Figure 6 As described, the second touch conductive layer TCL2 may include a low resistance metal such as silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni), or may include a conductive nanomaterial such as silver nanowires and carbon nanotubes.

[0168] Subsequently, a second touch insulating layer 132 is formed on the second touch conductive layer TCL2 in the main region MR. The second touch insulating layer 132 may include an inorganic material as described above. The inorganic material may include a material selected from silicon oxide (SiO x ), silicon nitride (SiN x ) and silicon oxynitride (SiON x ). In another exemplary embodiment, the second touch insulating layer 132 may include an organic material. The organic material may include at least one selected from the group consisting of acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, polyisoprene, vinyl resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, cellulose resin, siloxane resin, polyimide resin, polyamide resin, and perylene resin.

[0169] Then, refer to Fig.12 , a second color filter 161_G is formed on the second touch insulating layer 132 in the main region MR of the display device 1, and a first curved organic layer 180 is formed on the third touch connection electrode TCE3 in the curved region BR.

[0170] The second color filter 161_G may be a green color filter. The second color filter 161_G and the first curved organic layer 180 may be formed via the same process. Specifically, the second color filter 161_G and the first curved organic layer 180 may be formed together by depositing the constituent material of the second color filter 161_G at the position where the second color filter 161_G and the first curved organic layer 180 are to be set using a second mask including an opening.

[0171] Then, refer to Fig.13 , a third color filter 161_B is formed on the second touch insulating layer 132 in the main region MR of the display device 1 , and a second curved organic layer 190 is formed on the first curved organic layer 180 in the curved region BR.

[0172] The third color filter 161_B may be a blue color filter. The third color filter 161_B and the second curved organic layer 190 may be formed via the same process. Specifically, the third color filter 161_B and the second curved organic layer 190 may be formed together by depositing the constituent material of the third color filter 161_B at the position where the third color filter 161_B and the second curved organic layer 190 are to be set using a third mask including an opening.

[0173] Then, refer to Fig.14 , a black matrix 140 is disposed on a plurality of color filters 161_R, 161_G, and 161_B. The black matrix 140 is disposed along the boundary between the pixels and includes an opening exposing the pixel. The black matrix 140 may have a grid shape connected to each other along the boundary of the pixel. The organic emission layer 122 under the black matrix 140 may overlap with the openings of the black matrix 140, respectively.

[0174] The black matrix 140 may include a light absorbing material or a light reflecting material. For example, the black matrix 140 may include a resin colored with black or a reflective metal such as chrome (Cr).

[0175] According to the method of manufacturing the display device 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, since the curved organic layer 170 and at least one of the color filters 161_R, 161_G, and 161_B (for example, the red color filter 161_R) are formed via the same process, it is possible to eliminate the mask that is additionally required to form an additional organic layer for providing a flat surface for the third touch connection electrode TCE3. In this way, the cost and time required for the process of manufacturing the display device 1 can be greatly reduced.

[0176] Hereinafter, a display device according to other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, the same or similar elements will be denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted or briefly described.

[0177] Fig.15 is a plan view illustrating a layout of a conductive layer arranged in a main region and a bending region according to another exemplary embodiment. Fig.16 is a cross-sectional view of a main area and a bending area of ​​a display panel according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.17 is a cross-sectional view of a main area and a bending area of ​​a display panel according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0178] In addition to the first touch conductive layer TCL1 being disposed in the bending region BR of the display panel 10_1, according to Fig.15 , Fig.16 and Fig.17 The display device 1 of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The exemplary embodiments shown in are substantially the same.

[0179] More specifically, in the display panel 10_1 according to the present embodiment, the first touch conductive layer TCL1 may also be provided in the bending region BR. Specifically, the first signal line SL1_1 may further include a fourth touch connection electrode TCE4 of the first touch conductive layer TCL1, the second signal line SL2_1 may further include a fourth touch connection electrode TCE4 of the first touch conductive layer TCL1, and the third signal line SL3_1 may further include a fourth touch connection electrode TCE4 of the first touch conductive layer TCL1.

[0180] The curved organic layer 170 may further include a fourth contact hole CNT4 in the curved region BR. The third touch connection electrode TCE3_1 may be electrically connected to the fourth touch connection electrode TCE4 through the fourth contact hole CNT4.

[0181] That is, the fourth touch connection electrode TCE4 may be disposed on the interlayer dielectric layer 113 and may be electrically connected to the gate connection electrode GCE through the third contact hole CNT3_1 of the interlayer dielectric layer 113. The fourth touch connection electrode TCE4 may be in contact with the exposed side surfaces of the interlayer dielectric layer 113, the gate insulating layer 112, and the buffer layer 111 in the bending region BR, and may be disposed in the bending opening portion. The fourth touch connection electrode TCE4 may be in direct contact with the upper surface of the first substrate 103.

[0182] The curved organic layer 170 may be disposed on the fourth touch connection electrode TCE4 in the curved region BR (ie, in the curved opening portion). The curved organic layer 170 may include a fourth contact hole CNT4.

[0183] The third touch connection electrode TCE3_1 may be disposed on the fourth touch connection electrode TCE4. The third touch connection electrode TCE3_1 may overlap with the third contact hole CNT3_1 in the thickness direction. The third touch connection electrode TCE3_1 may be disposed on the curved organic layer 170. The third touch connection electrode TCE3_1 may be electrically connected to the fourth touch connection electrode TCE4 through the fourth contact hole CNT4.

[0184] In this way, when the third touch connection electrode TCE3_1 is disconnected and therefore cannot transmit external signals to the thin film transistor and / or touch sensing component in each pixel through the display signal line pad and / or touch signal line pad connected to the driving chip 20 or the driving board 30, the external signal can be transmitted to the thin film transistor and / or touch sensing component through the fourth touch connection electrode TCE4.

[0185] Some advantageous effects that may be achieved by exemplary embodiments of the present invention include being able to manufacture a display device using a smaller number of masks.

[0186] Although specific exemplary embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from this description. Therefore, the inventive concept is not limited to these embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the appended claims and to various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: Display substrate, comprising: a flat main area, including a plurality of pixels; Flat auxiliary areas; and a curved region disposed between the flat main region and the flat auxiliary region; A first layer is disposed on the display substrate, wherein the first layer includes a bending opening portion in the bending area, and the bending opening portion exposes the bending area of ​​the display substrate; a curved organic layer disposed on the curved region exposed by the curved opening portion of the first layer; a plurality of light emitting elements, respectively disposed on the first layer in the plurality of pixels; and A plurality of color filters are respectively arranged on the plurality of light emitting elements, Wherein, the curved organic layer comprises the same material as at least one of the color filters.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The first layer includes: A buffer layer, disposed on the display substrate; A first insulating layer, disposed on the buffer layer; A first conductive layer is disposed on the first insulating layer; and The second insulating layer is disposed on the first conductive layer.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of color filters include first, second, and third color filters respectively disposed in the plurality of pixels, and the first, second, and third color filters include materials different from each other.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: The curved organic layer includes a same material as at least two of the first color filter, the second color filter, and the third color filter.

5. The display device according to claim 2, further comprising: A second conductive layer is disposed between the second insulating layer and the plurality of light emitting elements; as well as The encapsulation layer is disposed on the plurality of light emitting elements. Wherein, each of the plurality of light emitting elements comprises: an anode electrode, contacting the second conductive layer; a cathode electrode, disposed on the anode electrode; and The emission layer is arranged between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode.

6. The display device according to claim 5, further comprising: A first touch conductive layer, disposed on the encapsulation layer; a first touch insulating layer, disposed on the first touch conductive layer; a second touch conductive layer, disposed on the first touch insulating layer; as well as a second touch insulating layer, disposed on the second touch conductive layer; At least one color filter among the plurality of color filters is disposed between the first touch insulating layer and the second touch insulating layer.

7. The display device according to claim 6, wherein: The first touch conductive layer includes a first touch bridge electrode, The second touch conductive layer includes a first touch driving electrode, a first touch sensing electrode and a second touch bridging electrode, and the second touch bridging electrode is electrically connected between the first touch driving electrode and an adjacent first touch driving electrode, and The first touch sensing electrode is electrically connected to the adjacent first touch sensing electrode through the first touch bridging electrode.

8. The display device according to claim 6, wherein: The first touch conductive layer is directly disposed on the encapsulation layer.

9. A display device, comprising: Display substrate, comprising: a flat main area, including a plurality of pixels; Flat auxiliary areas; and a curved region disposed between the flat main region and the flat auxiliary region; a curved organic layer disposed on the curved region of the display substrate; A buffer layer, disposed on the display substrate; A first insulating layer, disposed on the buffer layer; A first conductive layer, disposed on the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer, disposed on the first conductive layer; a plurality of light emitting elements, respectively disposed on the second insulating layer in the plurality of pixels; and a plurality of color filters, respectively disposed above the light emitting elements, the plurality of color filters comprising a first color filter, a second color filter and a third color filter respectively disposed in the plurality of pixels, the first color filter, the second color filter and the third color filter comprising materials different from each other, wherein the buffer layer, the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer include a curved opening portion overlapping the curved region of the display substrate, the curved opening portion exposing the curved region of the display substrate, wherein the curved organic layer is disposed on the curved region exposed by the curved opening portion, and The curved organic layer includes a material that is the same as a material of at least one of the first color filter, the second color filter, and the third color filter.

10. The display device according to claim 9, further comprising: A second conductive layer is disposed between the second insulating layer and the light emitting element; An encapsulation layer, disposed on the light-emitting element; as well as A touch component is directly disposed on the encapsulation layer, Wherein, the touch component further includes: A first touch conductive layer is directly disposed on the encapsulation layer; a first touch insulating layer, disposed on the first touch conductive layer; a second touch conductive layer, disposed on the first touch insulating layer; and a second touch insulating layer, disposed on the second touch conductive layer, and Wherein, the first color filter is disposed between the first touch insulating layer and the second touch insulating layer.

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