Display device and tiled display device including the same

Abstract

A display device and a tiled display device including the display device, the display device including: a display module including a display area on which an image is displayed and a non-display area adjacent to the display area; a transparent mold supporting a bottom surface of the display module and overlapping with the non-display area and a portion of the display area adjacent to the non-display area; and a reflective mold disposed below the transparent mold to support the transparent mold and having a light reflectivity greater than that of the transparent mold.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and all benefits arising from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0168986, filed on December 17, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a display device and a tiled display device including the display device, and more particularly, to a display device with a reduced bezel thickness and a tiled display device including the display device. Background Art

[0004] Display devices can be classified into self-luminous display devices and light-receiving display devices. Self-luminous display devices emit light by themselves, and light-receiving display devices include a light source separate from the light-emitting display device. Light-receiving display devices may include display devices such as electrophoretic display devices and electrowetting display devices.

[0005] Such a light-receiving display device may include a display panel that controls transmittance of incident light and a backlight unit that provides light to the display panel.

[0006] Recently, the width of the non-display area (or bezel) has been reduced in response to market demand. Components of a display device may be connected to each other in an area corresponding to the bezel. As the width of the bezel decreases, the area in which the components of the display device are connected to each other may be reduced. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present disclosure provides a display device and a tiled display device including the display device, in which a dark portion of an edge is prevented from appearing to reduce the thickness of a bezel visually recognized by a user or a viewer.

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention provides a display device including: a display module including a display area on which an image is displayed and a non-display area adjacent to the display area; a transparent mold supporting a bottom surface of the display module and overlapping the non-display area and a portion of the display area adjacent to the non-display area; and a reflective mold disposed below the transparent mold to support the transparent mold and having a light reflectivity greater than that of the transparent mold.

[0009] In an embodiment, the display module may include a display panel and an optical sheet disposed under the display panel, and the transparent mold may support a bottom surface of the optical sheet.

[0010] In an embodiment, the display device may further include a diffusion plate disposed below the display module, wherein the transparent mold may include: a first supporting portion supporting the bottom surface of the display module; and a second supporting portion extending from one end of the first supporting portion parallel to the display module, wherein an end portion of the diffusion plate may be disposed on the second supporting portion.

[0011] In an implementation, the diffusion plate and the first support portion may be spaced apart from each other.

[0012] In an embodiment, the display area may be divided into an edge display area adjacent to the non-display area and a central display area not adjacent to the non-display area, and the second support portion may overlap a portion of the central display area adjacent to the edge display area.

[0013] In an embodiment, the reflective mold may include an inclined surface on an upper portion thereof, and the transparent mold may include a support portion supporting the display module and an inclined portion inclined downward from one end of the support portion, wherein the inclined portion may be provided on the inclined surface of the reflective mold.

[0014] In an embodiment, the display device may further include a hook located between the transparent mold and the reflective mold, wherein the hook may couple the transparent mold to the reflective mold.

[0015] In an embodiment, the transparent mold may further include a coupling portion extending downward from one end of the inclined portion.

[0016] In an embodiment, the display device may further include an adhesive member between the inclined portion and the inclined surface of the reflective mold, wherein the reflective mold may further include a fixing groove, and the coupling portion may be coupled to the fixing groove.

[0017] In an embodiment, the display device may further include a bottom cover coupled to the coupling part.

[0018] In an embodiment, the first support portion may include an inner surface facing the diffusion plate and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, and the display device may further include a reflective tape overlapping the outer surface of the first support portion.

[0019] In an embodiment, the display module may include a display panel and an optical member disposed below the display panel, and the optical member may include: a first light diffusion layer and a second light diffusion layer; and a base substrate disposed between the first light diffusion layer and the second light diffusion layer and having a thermal expansion coefficient smaller than a thermal expansion coefficient of each of the first light diffusion layer and the second light diffusion layer.

[0020] In an embodiment, the transparent mold may support a bottom surface of the optical member.

[0021] In an embodiment, the transparent mold may include a light diffusing material disposed therein.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, a display device includes: a display module including a display panel, a diffuser plate and an optical sheet, the display panel including a display area for displaying an image and a non-display area adjacent to the display area, the diffuser plate is arranged below the display panel, and the optical sheet is arranged between the display panel and the diffuser plate; a reflective mold arranged below the display module; and a transparent mold arranged between the display module and the reflective mold to support the display module, wherein the transparent mold includes a first supporting portion, a second supporting portion and an inclined portion, the first supporting portion supports a bottom surface of an end portion of the optical sheet and overlaps with the non-display area and a portion of the display area adjacent to the non-display area, the second supporting portion supports the bottom surface of an end portion of the diffuser plate, and the inclined portion extends obliquely from one end of the first supporting portion and has a bottom surface that contacts the top surface of the reflective mold.

[0023] In an implementation, the diffusion plate and the first support portion may be spaced apart from each other.

[0024] In an implementation, a separation distance between the diffusion plate and the first support portion may be in a range of about 1.5 millimeters (mm) to about 2.5 mm.

[0025] In an embodiment, the vertical distance between the diffusion plate and the reflective mold may gradually increase as it moves away from the non-display area toward the inside of the display area.

[0026] In an embodiment, the display device may further include a coupling portion extending from one end of the inclined portion and coupled to the reflective mold or the bottom cover of the display device.

[0027] In an embodiment, a cross-sectional contact width between the second supporting portion and the diffusion plate may be about 2 mm or more.

[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, a tiled display device includes: a plurality of display devices arranged in an M×N matrix form, where M and N are natural numbers, and each of the plurality of display devices includes: a display module including a display area on which an image is displayed and a non-display area adjacent to the display area; a transparent mold supporting the bottom surface of the display module and overlapping with the non-display area and a portion of the display area adjacent to the non-display area; and a reflective mold disposed below the transparent mold to support the transparent mold and having a light reflectivity greater than that of the transparent mold.

[0029] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of display devices may further include a diffuser plate disposed below the display module, wherein the transparent mold may include a first supporting portion supporting a bottom surface of the display module and a second supporting portion extending from one end of the first supporting portion parallel to the display module, wherein an end portion of the diffuser plate may be disposed on the second supporting portion.

[0030] In an implementation, the diffusion plate and the first support portion may be spaced apart from each other.

[0031] In an embodiment, the display area may be divided into an edge display area adjacent to the non-display area and a central display area not adjacent to the non-display area, and the second support portion may overlap a portion of the central display area adjacent to the edge display area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The above and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in more detail exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2A and Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 6 is a plan view of a tiled display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a tiled display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 8A is a graph showing the effects of an embodiment according to the present invention; and

[0041] Figure 8B is a graph showing the effects of the embodiment according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The present invention will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments are shown. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals represent like elements throughout.

[0043] In this specification, it will also be understood that when a component (or region, layer, portion) is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another component, it can be directly disposed / connected / coupled to the other component, disposed / connected / coupled to the other component, or an intervening third component may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0044] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms, including "at least one", unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. "Or" means "and / or". As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items. It will also be understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" or "includes" and / or "including" when used in this specification specify the presence of stated features, regions, wholes, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, wholes, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups thereof.

[0045] It should be understood that although terms such as "first" and "second" are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components. For example, an element referred to as a first element in one embodiment may be referred to as a second element in another embodiment without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Unless otherwise mentioned, terms in the singular may include plural forms.

[0046] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "under," "below," "down," "above," and "upper" may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the accompanying drawings. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is turned over, the elements described as "under" or "beneath" other elements or features will then be oriented as "over" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "under" can include both above and below orientations. The device can be oriented otherwise (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and therefore the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0047] As used herein, "about" or "approximately" is inclusive of the stated value and means within an acceptable range of deviation of the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art taking into account the measurement in question and the errors associated with the measurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, "about" can mean within one or more standard deviations of the stated value, or within ±30%, ±20%, ±10%, ±5% of the stated value.

[0048] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. In addition, 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 technology and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined as such herein.

[0049] Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments. As such, variations in the shapes of the illustrations due to, for example, manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances are to be expected. Therefore, the embodiments described herein should not be construed as limited to the specific shapes of regions shown herein, but rather should include deviations in shapes due to, for example, manufacturing. For example, a region shown or described as flat may typically have rough and / or non-linear features. Furthermore, sharp angles shown may be rounded. Therefore, the regions shown in the drawings are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of the regions and are not intended to limit the scope of the present claims.

[0050] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Reference Figure 1 , an embodiment of the display device DD includes a display module 100 , a reflective mold 200 , a transparent mold 300 , a diffusion plate 500 , a light source 600 , a bottom cover 700 , a reflective sheet 750 and a top cover 800 .

[0053] The display module 100 includes a display area DA and a non-display area NDA adjacent to the display area DA. The non-display area NDA may extend from the display area DA in a predetermined direction. In a planar view, the non-display area NDA may surround the display area DA. The non-display area NDA may define a frame. The display area DA is an area on which an image or picture is displayed. The display module 100 may receive light incident from the light source 600 to display an image or picture to a user on the display area DA.

[0054] A transparent mold 300 supporting the display module 100 and a reflective mold 200 supporting the transparent mold 300 may be disposed below the display module 100. A diffusion plate 500 may be disposed between the display module 100 and the transparent mold 300. The reflective mold 200 is disposed on the bottom cover 700 to support the bottom surface of the transparent mold 300 and prevent light emitted from the light source 600 from leaking in a direction different from the direction toward the display module 100. The reflective mold 200 may have a relatively high reflectivity.

[0055] The transparent mold 300 is disposed between the display module 100 and the reflective mold 200. The transparent mold 300 may include or be made of a transparent material to transmit light emitted from the light source 600 to the display module 100. The transparent mold 300 is disposed between the display module 100 and the reflective mold 200 to allow light to effectively or sufficiently reach the non-display area NDA and the edge display area EDA adjacent to the non-display area NDA (see FIG. Figure 2A ).

[0056] The diffusion plate 500 may be disposed between the display module 100 and the transparent mold 300. In one embodiment, for example, the diffusion plate 500 may be disposed in the display module 100. Alternatively, the display device DD may not include the diffusion plate 500.

[0057] The bottom cover 700 may include a bottom 710 and side walls 720. The bottom 710 may be flat. On a plane, the bottom 710 may be arranged in a rectangular shape. The side walls 720 may extend upward (or in a third direction DR3) from the edge of the bottom 710. The third direction DR3 may be the thickness direction of the display device DD. The side walls 720 may include first to fourth side walls 721 to 724. The first to fourth side walls 721 to 724 may be connected to the four edges of the bottom 710, respectively. The first to fourth side walls 721 to 724 may extend from the bottom 710 in the third direction DR3. A reflective sheet 750 is arranged on the bottom 710 and below the light source 600. The reflective sheet 750 may include a light-reflecting material or a material with high reflectivity. The reflective sheet 750 reflects most of the light incident on the reflective sheet 750.

[0058] The display device DD may further include a driving substrate (not shown). The driving substrate may be disposed between the bottom 710 and the reflective sheet 750. The driving substrate may be electrically connected to the light source 600 to provide a driving signal to the light source 600. A plurality of driving substrates may be provided.

[0059] The light source 600 is housed inside the bottom cover 700. The light source 600 may be provided in plural and disposed on the reflective sheet 750. The light source 600 may be provided in a direct type. Light emitted from the light source 600 may be directly incident into the diffusion plate 500 and provided to the display module 100.

[0060] The light source 600 may include at least one selected from a cold cathode fluorescent lamp ("CCFL"), a flat fluorescent lamp ("FFL"), and a light emitting diode ("LED"). Hereinafter, for ease of description, an embodiment in which the light source 600 includes a light emitting diode will be described in detail, but is not limited thereto.

[0061] In an embodiment, the light source 600 may include a white light source that emits white light or may be composed of a white light source that emits white light. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. In an alternative embodiment, for example, the light source 600 may include a red light source that emits red light, a green light source that emits green light, and a blue light source that emits blue light.

[0062] In an embodiment, the display device DD may further include a top cover 800. The top cover 800 covers the edges of the display module 100 and is coupled to the display module 100, the transparent mold 300, the reflective mold 200, and the light source 600. An opening is defined through the top cover 800, and the display area DA of the display module 100 is exposed through the opening.

[0063] The top cover 800 may include a horizontal cover portion 810 and a vertical cover portion 820. The horizontal cover portion 810 may be disposed on the non-display area NDA of the display module 100 and may not overlap with the display area DA in the third direction DR3. In an embodiment, the horizontal cover portion 810 may be spaced approximately 0.1 millimeters (mm) from the display area DA in a direction parallel to the first direction DR1. Herein, the first direction DR1 may be the length direction or the width direction of the display device DD. The vertical cover portion 820 may extend downward from the horizontal cover portion 810 to surround the outer surface of the reflective mold 200 and the outer surface of the bottom cover 700. The top cover 800 and the bottom cover 700 may be coupled to each other to accommodate the display module 100, the transparent mold 300, the reflective mold 200, and the diffuser plate 500.

[0064] Figure 2A and Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2A and Figure 2B Each of which corresponds to an embodiment of the present invention along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line II'.

[0065] Reference Figure 2A and Figure 2B, an embodiment of the display module 100 may include a display panel 110 and an optical sheet 120. The display module 100 receives light from the light source 600 to display an image. The display panel 110 may be a light-receiving display panel, such as a liquid crystal display panel. Hereinafter, for ease of description, an embodiment in which the display panel 110 is a liquid crystal display panel will be described in detail, but is not limited thereto.

[0066] The display panel 110 may include a lower substrate (not shown), an upper substrate (not shown) facing the lower substrate, and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) disposed between the two substrates.

[0067] The lower substrate may include gate lines, data lines, thin film transistors, and pixel electrodes. The gate lines and data lines may be insulated from each other and may extend to intersect each other. The thin film transistor may be a three-terminal device. Thus, the thin film transistor may be connected to the gate lines, the data lines, and the pixel electrodes. A data voltage applied to the data lines may be applied to the pixel electrodes in response to a signal applied to the gate lines.

[0068] The upper substrate may be arranged to face the lower substrate, with the liquid crystal layer located between the upper and lower substrates. The upper substrate may include a color filter and a common electrode. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. In an alternative embodiment, for example, at least one of the color filter and the common electrode may be provided on the lower substrate. In another alternative embodiment, the upper substrate may be omitted, and the liquid crystal layer may be provided on the lower substrate, sealed by the color filter, the common electrode, and the insulating layer.

[0069] The upper substrate may be smaller than the lower substrate in plan view. A portion of the lower substrate may be exposed by the upper substrate. The liquid crystal layer may include a plurality of liquid crystal molecules. The arrangement of the plurality of liquid crystal molecules may change in response to an electric field generated between the lower and upper substrates.

[0070] The display device DD may further include a flexible printed circuit board (not shown) and a printed circuit board (not shown). The printed circuit board may output a signal to the display panel 110 or receive a signal from the display panel 110 through the flexible printed circuit board.

[0071] In an embodiment of the present invention, an integrated circuit chip may be mounted on the flexible printed circuit board. The integrated circuit chip may include a data drive circuit. The flexible printed circuit board may be a tape carrier package ("TCP") or a chip on film ("COF"). However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. In an alternative embodiment, for example, the integrated circuit chip may be directly mounted on the surface of the lower substrate.

[0072] The optical sheet 120 may be disposed below the display panel 110. The optical sheet 120 may be disposed between the light source 600 and the display panel 110. The display panel 110 may be stacked on the optical sheet 120. In an embodiment, an adhesive layer (not shown) may be provided between the display panel 110 and the optical sheet 120. The adhesive layer may include a pressure-sensitive adhesive ("PSA"), an optically clear adhesive ("OCA"), or an optically clear resin ("OCR"). The optical sheet 120 may be stacked on the transparent mold 300. The optical sheet 120 may be used to transmit light provided from the light source 600 to the display panel 110, or to convert light from the light source 600 into light having a different wavelength to transmit the converted light (i.e., light having a different wavelength) to the display panel 110. The optical sheet 120 may include a diffuser, a light collecting sheet, and a protective sheet. The diffuser may be used to diffuse incident light. The light collecting sheet is used to increase the brightness of diffused light. The protective sheet is used to protect the light collecting sheet and ensure the viewing angle. In an embodiment, as Figure 2A As shown in FIG, the optical sheet 120 may be composed of six sheets, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the optical sheet 120 may be composed of more than six sheets or less than six sheets. In one embodiment, for example, the optical sheet 120 may be composed of a light collecting sheet and a protective sheet without a diffusion sheet.

[0073] The reflective mold 200 may be disposed under the transparent mold 300 to support the transparent mold 300. The reflective mold 200 may have a light reflectivity greater than that of the transparent mold 300. The reflective mold 200 may prevent light from leaking out of the display panel 110.

[0074] The transparent mold 300 may be disposed between the display module 100 and the reflective mold 200. The transparent mold 300 may overlap the non-display area NDA and the edge display area EDA, which is a portion of the display area DA adjacent to the non-display area NDA. The display area DA may be divided into an edge display area EDA adjacent to the non-display area NDA and a central display area CDA extending from the edge display area EDA in a second direction DR2. The transparent mold 300 may support the bottom surface of the display module 100. The transparent mold 300 may include a transparent material to transmit light from the light source 600 toward the non-display area NDA and the edge display area EDA. In an embodiment, the transparent mold 300 may support the bottom surface of the optical sheet 120.

[0075] The transparent mold 300 may be transparent to transmit light emitted from the light source 600. In an embodiment, the transparent mold 300 may be translucent to diffuse the light emitted from the light source 600. In such an embodiment, the transparent mold 300 may include a translucent mold including a diffusing material disposed or dispersed in a transparent material to transmit and simultaneously diffuse incident light.

[0076] The transparent mold 300 may include a first supporting portion 310, a second supporting portion 320, an inclined portion 330 and a connecting portion 340, wherein the first supporting portion 310 supports the display module 100, the second supporting portion 320 extends from the side end (or inner surface) of the first supporting portion 310 in a second direction DR2 parallel to the display module 100, and the inclined portion 330 extends downwardly from the lower end of the first supporting portion 310.

[0077] The first support portion 310 overlaps the non-display area NDA and the edge display area EDA in the third direction DR3. The first support portion 310 may support the bottom surface of the optical sheet 120. In one embodiment, for example, the optical sheet 120 may be stacked on the first support portion 310. The first support portion 310 may overlap the diffuser plate 500 in the second direction DR2. In one embodiment, the first support portion 310 is spaced apart from the diffuser plate 500. In one embodiment, the portion of the first support portion 310 that overlaps with (or supports) the display module 100 may have a width (e.g., length in the second direction DR2) of approximately 2.5 mm. In one embodiment, for example, the portion of the first support portion 310 that overlaps with the non-display area NDA may have a width (e.g., length in the second direction DR2) of approximately 0.5 mm in cross section. In such an embodiment, the cross-sectional width (e.g., length in the second direction DR2) of the non-display area NDA may be approximately 0.5 mm. In one embodiment, for example, a portion of the first supporting portion 310 overlapping the edge display area EDA may have a width (eg, a length in the second direction DR2 ) of about 2 mm.

[0078] The second support portion 320 may overlap a portion of the central display area CDA adjacent to the edge display area EDA. In an embodiment, the second support portion 320 may have a thickness of about 1.5 mm in the third direction DR3 and may extend about 7 mm from a side end of the first support portion 310 in the second direction DR2.

[0079] The inclined portion 330 may extend downward from the lower end of the first support portion 310 to tilt from the edge display area EDA in a direction toward the central display area CDA. In an embodiment, the inclined portion 330 may extend downward to tilt at an angle of approximately 45 degrees from the third direction DR3 to the second direction DR2. The inclined portion 330 may be disposed on an upper inclined surface (hereinafter also referred to as "inclined surface") of the reflective mold 200. The display device DD may include an adhesive member AM located between the inclined portion 330 and the inclined surface of the reflective mold 200. The adhesive member AM may allow the inclined portion 330 to be attached to the inclined surface of the reflective mold 200, so that the transparent mold 300 is coupled to the reflective mold 200. The adhesive member AM may include, for example, a PSA or an OCA, but is not limited thereto.

[0080] The coupling portion 340 may extend downward from one end of the inclined portion 330. The coupling portion 340 may be coupled to the reflective mold 200 to fix the transparent mold 300. The coupling portion 340 may be coupled to a fixing groove of the reflective mold 200. The transparent mold 300 may be manufactured by injection molding such that each of the first support portion 310, the second support portion 320, and the inclined portion 330 is spaced apart from the reflective mold 200 and the coupling portion 340 is coupled to the reflective mold 200. In an alternative embodiment, the transparent mold 300 may further include a portion (not shown) extending between the second support portion 320 and the inclined portion 330 in a direction perpendicular to the second support portion 320 (or in a direction opposite to the third direction DR3) to ensure stability during injection molding.

[0081] The diffuser plate 500 may be disposed below the display module 100. In an embodiment, a single diffuser plate 500 may be provided as shown in the accompanying drawings, but embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. In an alternative embodiment, for example, a plurality of diffuser plates 500 may be provided. The diffuser plate 500 may be disposed on the second support portion 320. In an embodiment, the diffuser plate 500 is positioned on an end portion of the second support portion 320, and the end portion of the diffuser plate 500 is disposed on the second support portion 320. In such an embodiment, the cross-sectional width WT (or the length in the second direction DR2) of the contact surface between the end portion of the second support portion 320 and the end portion of the diffuser plate 500 may be approximately 2 mm or greater. In an embodiment, the diffuser plate 500 may be spaced apart from the first support portion 310. The spacing distance GP between the diffuser plate 500 and the first support portion 310 may be in the range of approximately 1.5 mm to approximately 2.5 mm, for example, approximately 2 mm. The spacing distance GP between the diffusion plate 500 and the first support portion 310 may ensure an expansion space when the diffusion plate 500 is thermally expanded, to prevent defects of the display device DD due to the expansion of the diffusion plate 500 .

[0082] In an embodiment, a vertical distance between the diffusion plate 500 and the reflective mold 200 may gradually increase as it moves away from the non-display area NDA toward the central display area CDA of the display area DA.

[0083] The display device DD may include a reflective tape RS. The reflective tape RS may overlap the outer surface of the first support portion 310 in the second direction DR2. The outer surface of the first support portion 310 corresponds to an opposite surface of the inner surface of the first support portion 310, which faces the diffuser plate 500. In an embodiment, the reflective tape RS may have a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm or less. The reflective tape RS may be used to prevent light from leaking to the side surface of the transparent mold 300.

[0084] The top cover 800 covers the edge of the display module 100. The top cover 800 is disposed on side surfaces of the display module 100 and the transparent mold 300 to fix the transparent mold 300, the display panel 110 stacked thereon, and the optical sheets 120 to each other.

[0085] In an alternative embodiment, if Figure 2B As shown in FIG, the display device DD may include a light blocking member 900 instead of the top cover 800 (see FIG. Figure 2A ). In one embodiment, for example, the light blocking member 900 may be a black adhesive tape. The light blocking member 900 may cover the edge of the display module 100 and the edge of the transparent mold 300. The light blocking member 900 may be provided on the side surface of the display device DD to prevent light from leaking therethrough. In an embodiment, when the light blocking member 900 is provided instead of the top cover 800, a transparent adhesive TR may be provided between the transparent mold 300 and the optical sheet 120. The transparent adhesive TR may fix the display panel 110, the optical sheet 120, and the transparent mold 300 to each other. The transparent adhesive TR may include various transparent adhesive materials, including optically clear resin ("OCR"). In such an embodiment, the thickness of the light blocking member 900 may be less than the thickness of the top cover 800.

[0086] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] Figure 3 Is along Figure 1 The sectional view corresponds to the sectional view taken along the line II'.

[0088] In an embodiment, Figure 3 As shown in FIG, the transparent mold 300 can be coupled to the reflective mold 200 via a hook HK. The hook HK can be provided between the transparent mold 300 and the reflective mold 200. In one embodiment, for example, the inclined portion 330 of the transparent mold 300 can include a hook HK at a portion that contacts the inclined surface of the reflective mold 200, and the inclined portion 330 and the reflective mold 200 can be hooked to be coupled to each other. In one embodiment, for example, the reflective mold 200 can include a hook HK on an inclined surface that contacts the inclined portion 330 of the transparent mold 300, and can be hooked to be coupled to the transparent mold 300. In an embodiment, the hook HK provided between the inclined portion 330 of the transparent mold 300 and the reflective mold 200 can couple the transparent mold 300 and the reflective mold 200.

[0089] The transparent mold 300 may include an inclined portion 330 coupled to the reflective mold 200 and a coupling portion 340 coupled to the bottom cover 700. The transparent mold 300 may be fixed by the coupling portion 340 to support the display module 100 and the diffusion plate 500. In an embodiment, the coupling portion 340 may be coupled to the bottom cover 700. In one embodiment, for example, one end of the coupling portion 340 may extend onto the bottom cover 700 and be coupled to the bottom cover 700 by a screw SC. The transparent mold 300 may be coupled to the reflective mold 200 by a hook HK and simultaneously coupled to the bottom cover 700 by the screw SC to be fixed.

[0090] In such an embodiment, the display device DD may include a top cover 800. Alternatively, the display device DD may include a light blocking member 900 instead of the top cover 800. In an embodiment in which the light blocking member 900 is provided instead of the top cover 800, the display module 100, the transparent mold 300, etc. may be coupled and fixed by a transparent adhesive (not shown).

[0091] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] In an embodiment, the display module 100 may include a display panel 110 and an optical sheet 120 coupled to the display panel 110. In such an embodiment, the display module 100 may be coupled to the transparent mold 300 by a transparent adhesive (not shown). In such an embodiment in which the display module 100 and the transparent mold 300 are fixed by a transparent adhesive, the display device DD may include a light blocking member 900 located on the side surface instead of a top cover (not shown). The light blocking member 900 may cover the edge of the display module 100 and the edge of the transparent mold 300 to prevent light from leaking therethrough. The light blocking member 900 may be a black band for preventing light leakage. Alternatively, the light blocking member 900 may be replaced with a top cover 800 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 2A )replace.

[0093] In an embodiment, Figure 4 As shown in FIG, the display panel 110 may be integrated with the optical sheet 120 and disposed on a transparent mold 300. The display module 100, in which the display panel 110 and the optical sheet 120 are integrated with each other, may be disposed on the first support portion 310 of the transparent mold 300. In an embodiment, the display device DD may include a transparent adhesive TR located between the first support portion 310 and the display module 100. The transparent adhesive TR may secure the optical sheet 120 coupled to the display panel 110 to the first support portion 310. In such an embodiment, the transparent adhesive TR may include at least one selected from various adhesives including OCR. The diffuser plate 500 may be disposed on the second support portion 320.

[0094] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] In an embodiment, Figure 5 As shown in FIG, the display module 100 includes a display panel 110 and an optical member 130, and the optical member 130 includes a first light diffusion layer OS1, a second light diffusion layer OS2 and a base substrate BS. In such an embodiment, the optical member 130 may correspond to the optical sheet 120 described above (see FIG. Figure 2B ) and the diffusion plate 500. Therefore, in such an embodiment, the display device DD does not include the optical sheet 120 and the diffusion plate 500. In one embodiment, for example, the first light diffusion layer OS1 and the second light diffusion layer OS2 may include a fiber layer and a filter layer or a dual brightness enhancement film ("DBEF"), the fiber layer including a non-woven fabric, and the dual brightness enhancement film including a plurality of reflective layers having different refractive indices from each other. The base substrate BS may be disposed between the first light diffusion layer OS1 and the second light diffusion layer OS2. The thermal expansion coefficient of the base substrate BS may be smaller than the thermal expansion coefficient of each of the first light diffusion layer OS1 and the second light diffusion layer OS2. In one embodiment, for example, the base substrate BS may be a glass substrate. The optical member 130 may have a high heat dissipation effect due to the base substrate BS disposed between the first light diffusion layer OS1 and the second light diffusion layer OS2.

[0096] In such an embodiment, the reflective tape RS may be provided on the side surface of the optical member 130 as well as the side surface of the transparent mold 300 - 1 .

[0097] In an embodiment, the optical member 130 may be coupled to the transparent mold 300-1 and the display panel 110 via a transparent adhesive. In one embodiment, for example, the optical member 130 may be coupled to the display panel 110 via a second transparent adhesive TR2 located on its upper side, and may be coupled to the first support portion 310 via a first transparent adhesive TR1 located on its lower side. The transparent mold 300-1 may support the optical member 130. In one embodiment, for example, the transparent mold 300-1 may be coupled to the optical member 130 via the first transparent adhesive TR1 located between the bottom surface of the second light diffusion layer OS2 and the first support portion 310 to support the display module 100.

[0098] In such an embodiment, the light blocking member 900 may be disposed at the edge of the display module 100. The light blocking member 900 may prevent light from leaking to side surfaces of the display panel 110, the optical member 130, and the transparent mold 300-1.

[0099] Figure 6is a plan view of a tiled display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a tiled display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 It is along Figure 6 A sectional view taken along line II-II'.

[0100] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 , an embodiment of a tiled display device TD may include a plurality of display devices DD. The plurality of display devices DD may be arranged in a matrix form. The matrix form may include M rows and N columns, where each of M and N is a natural number.

[0101] In such an embodiment, each of the plurality of display devices DD may correspond to the embodiment of the display device DD described above. In such an embodiment, each of the plurality of display devices DD may include a display module 100, a transparent mold 300, and a reflective mold 200. The display module 100 includes a display area DA on which an image is displayed and a non-display area NDA adjacent to the display area DA. The transparent mold 300 overlaps the non-display area NDA and the edge display area EDA to support the bottom surface of the display module 100. The edge display area EDA is a portion of the display area DA adjacent to the non-display area NDA. The reflective mold 200 is disposed below the transparent mold 300 to support the transparent mold 300, and the reflective mold 200 has a greater light reflectivity than the transparent mold 300. The transparent mold 300 may include a first support portion 310 and a second support portion 320. The first support portion 310 may overlap the edge display area EDA, and the second support portion 320 may overlap a portion of the central display area CDA adjacent to the edge display area EDA.

[0102] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of display devices DD may include a diffusion plate 500. An end portion of the diffusion plate 500 may be seated on the second support portion 320 of the transparent mold 300, and the display module 100 may be seated on the first support portion 310 of the transparent mold 300. The first support portion 310 and the diffusion plate 500 may be spaced apart from each other.

[0103] The plurality of display devices DD may be provided or arranged in such a manner that the non-display areas NDA are adjacent to each other. Figure 7 As shown in FIG, the display devices DD can be connected to each other by connecting their top covers 800 to each other. In one embodiment, for example, the tiled display device TD may include a cover connecting member 10 that connects a plurality of display devices DD to each other. The cover connecting member 10 may connect the top covers 800 of the plurality of display devices DD to each other. In an embodiment, each of the display devices DD of the tiled display device TD may include a light blocking member 900 at its edge (see FIG. Figure 2B ). The light blocking member 900 may be disposed between the plurality of display devices DD to prevent light leakage.

[0104] Each of the plurality of display devices DD may include a transparent mold 300 including a first support portion 310 and a second support portion 320 to reduce the thickness of the recognition bezel, thereby reducing the thickness of the tiled display device TD.

[0105] In an embodiment of the tiled display device TD, as Figure 7 As shown in FIG, each display device DD corresponds to an embodiment of the display device DD, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, for example, the tiled display device TD may include the above reference Figures 2A to 5 At least one of the embodiments of the display device DD described.

[0106] Figure 8A is a graph showing the effects of the embodiment according to the present invention.

[0107] exist Figure 8A , the y-axis may represent the brightness E of the display device DD, and the x-axis may represent a distance R from one end of the non-display area NDA not adjacent to the display area DA in a direction toward the center of the display area DA.

[0108] The solid line REF represents the change in brightness E depending on the distance R in the case of the display device without including the transparent mold 300, and the dotted line A represents the change in brightness E depending on the distance R in the case of including and excluding the first support portion 310 (see FIG. Figure 2A and Figure 2B ) in the case of a display device having a transparent mold 300, the brightness E depends on the change in the distance R.

[0109] Referring to the dotted line A, a second support portion 320 including a support portion for supporting the diffusion plate 500 may be provided (see Figure 2A and Figure 2B ) of the transparent mold 300, so that the light from the light source 600 (see Figure 2A and Figure 2B ) is allowed to pass through the second support portion 320 of the transparent mold 300 to reach the display panel 110 (see Figure 2A and Figure 2B ). Therefore, at a distance R in the range of about 2 mm to about 6 mm, the brightness of the dotted line A is greater than the brightness of the solid line REF. However, it can be seen that when compared with the solid line REF at a distance R in the range of about 0 mm to about 2 mm, (compared to the following Figure 8B There is no significant difference in the distance R in the range of about 0 mm to about 2 mm (compared with the difference between the dashed line and the solid line).

[0110] Figure 8Bis a graph showing the effects of the embodiment according to the present invention.

[0111] exist Figure 8B , the y-axis may represent relative brightness E', and the x-axis may represent a distance R from one end of the non-display area NDA that is not adjacent to the display area DA in a direction toward the center of the display area DA.

[0112] The dotted line A can be shown in Figure 8A The first support portion 310 is included or not (see Figure 2A and Figure 2B ), and the solid line B may illustrate the values ​​for a display device DD according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the solid line B, it can be seen that the first support portion 310 is arranged so that the relative brightness is greater than the relative brightness in the dashed line A at a distance R ranging from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 2 mm from the end of the non-display area NDA that is not adjacent to the display area DA, corresponding to the edge display area EDA, in the direction toward the center of the display area DA. The distance R ranging from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 2 mm may correspond to an identification frame that is recognized by the user as a frame. Embodiments of the display device DD can support the non-display area NDA and edge display area EDA of the display module 100 using the transparent mold 300 comprising a transparent material. Therefore, light emitted from the light source 600 can also reach the outer side of the display panel 110, within a distance R ranging from approximately 0 mm to approximately 2 mm. Therefore, the thickness of the identification frame can be reduced compared to display devices in which the outer portions corresponding to the non-display area and edge display area of ​​the display module 100 are supported by a conventional reflective mold.

[0113] In an embodiment of a display device and a tiled display device including a display device according to the present invention, a transparent mold supporting a non-display area (i.e., a frame) and a lower portion of a display area adjacent to the non-display area may be provided to prevent a dark portion from appearing on a portion of the display area, thereby reducing the thickness of an identification frame recognized by a user.

[0114] The present invention should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0115] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A display device comprising: A display module includes a display area and a non-display area adjacent to the display area, wherein an image is displayed on the display area; a transparent mold supporting a bottom surface of the display module and overlapping the non-display area and a portion of the display area adjacent to the non-display area; a reflective mold disposed below the transparent mold to support the transparent mold and having a light reflectivity greater than that of the transparent mold; as well as a light source emitting light and overlapping the display area, wherein the reflective mold includes an inclined surface located on an upper portion of the reflective mold, the transparent mold includes a first supporting portion, an inclined portion, and a coupling portion, the first supporting portion supports the display module and overlaps with the non-display area and a portion of the display area adjacent to the non-display area, the inclined portion is inclined downward from one end of the first supporting portion and is disposed on the inclined surface of the reflective mold, the coupling portion extends downward from one end of the inclined portion and is coupled to the reflective mold or the bottom cover of the display device, and The bottom surface of the inclined portion facing the reflective mold extends from an outer surface of the first supporting portion overlapping the non-display area along the inclined surface of the reflective mold.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The display module includes a display panel and an optical sheet disposed below the display panel, and The transparent mold supports a bottom surface of the optical sheet.

3. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: A diffusion plate is arranged below the display module, Wherein, the transparent mold further comprises: a second supporting portion extending from one end of the first supporting portion parallel to the display module; Wherein, the end portion of the diffusion plate is arranged on the second supporting portion.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein The diffusion plate and the first support portion are spaced apart from each other.

5. The display device according to claim 3, wherein The display area is divided into an edge display area adjacent to the non-display area and a central display area not adjacent to the non-display area, and The second supporting portion overlaps with a portion of the central display area adjacent to the edge display area.

6. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: A hook is located between the transparent mold and the reflective mold, wherein the hook couples the transparent mold to the reflective mold.

7. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: an adhesive member located between the inclined portion and the inclined surface of the reflective mold, Wherein, the reflective mold further includes a fixing groove, and The coupling portion is coupled to the fixing groove.

8. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: The first supporting portion includes an inner surface facing the diffusion plate, wherein the inner surface is opposite to the outer surface, and The display device further includes a reflective tape overlapping the outer surface of the first support portion.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The display module includes a display panel and an optical member disposed below the display panel, and The optical component comprises: a first light diffusing layer and a second light diffusing layer, and A base substrate is disposed between the first light diffusion layer and the second light diffusion layer and has a thermal expansion coefficient smaller than a thermal expansion coefficient of each of the first light diffusion layer and the second light diffusion layer.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein The transparent mold supports a bottom surface of the optical member.

11. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The transparent mold includes a light diffusing material disposed in the transparent mold.

12. A display device comprising: Display module, including: The display panel includes a display area for displaying an image and a non-display area adjacent to the display area. a diffusion plate disposed below the display panel, and an optical sheet, disposed between the display panel and the diffuser plate; A reflective mold is arranged below the display module; a transparent mold, disposed between the display module and the reflective mold to support the display module; and a light source emitting light and overlapping the display area, Wherein, the transparent mold comprises: a first supporting portion supporting a bottom surface of an end portion of the optical sheet and overlapping the non-display area and a portion of the display area adjacent to the non-display area, a second supporting portion supporting a bottom surface of an end portion of the diffusion plate, an inclined portion extending obliquely from one end of the first supporting portion and having a bottom surface in contact with a top surface of the reflective mold, and a coupling portion extending from one end of the inclined portion and coupled to the reflective mold or the bottom cover of the display device, and The bottom surface of the inclined portion extends from an outer surface of the first supporting portion overlapping the non-display area along an inclined surface located on an upper portion of the reflective mold.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: The diffusion plate and the first support portion are spaced apart from each other.

14. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: A spacing distance between the diffusion plate and the first support portion is in a range of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm.

15. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: A vertical distance between the diffusion plate and the reflective mold gradually increases as it moves away from the non-display area toward an inner side of the display area.

16. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: A cross-sectional contact width between the second supporting portion and the diffusion plate is 2 mm or greater.

17. A tiled display device comprising: a plurality of display devices arranged in an M×N matrix, where M and N are natural numbers, and Each of the plurality of display devices comprises: The display module includes a display area and a non-display area adjacent to the display area, wherein an image is displayed on the display area. a transparent mold supporting a bottom surface of the display module and overlapping the non-display area and a portion of the display area adjacent to the non-display area, a reflective mold disposed below the transparent mold to support the transparent mold and having a light reflectivity greater than that of the transparent mold, and a light source emitting light and overlapping the display area, wherein the reflective mold includes an inclined surface located on an upper portion of the reflective mold, the transparent mold includes a first supporting portion, an inclined portion, and a coupling portion, the first supporting portion supports the display module and overlaps with the non-display area and a portion of the display area adjacent to the non-display area, the inclined portion is inclined downward from one end of the first supporting portion and is disposed on the inclined surface of the reflective mold, the coupling portion extends downward from one end of the inclined portion and is coupled to the reflective mold or the bottom cover of the display device, and The bottom surface of the inclined portion facing the reflective mold extends from an outer surface of the first supporting portion overlapping the non-display area along the inclined surface of the reflective mold.

18. The tiled display device according to claim 17, wherein: Each of the plurality of display devices further includes a diffusion plate disposed below the display module, Wherein, the transparent mold further comprises: a second supporting portion extending from one end of the first supporting portion parallel to the display module; Wherein, the end portion of the diffusion plate is arranged on the second supporting portion.

19. The tiled display device according to claim 18, wherein: The diffusion plate and the first support portion are spaced apart from each other.

20. The tiled display device according to claim 18, wherein: The display area is divided into an edge display area adjacent to the non-display area and a central display area not adjacent to the non-display area, and The second supporting portion overlaps with a portion of the central display area adjacent to the edge display area.

Images