Display device

Abstract

A display device is disclosed, which includes a display panel, a first metal member, a hinge member, and a first blocking member. The display panel includes a foldable area. The first metal member is disposed in a first portion on the bottom surface of the display panel. The hinge member overlaps with the foldable area on the bottom surface of the first metal member and includes a first bent portion having a first curvature. The first blocking member is disposed between the bottom surface of the first metal member and the first bent portion of the hinge member and includes a first surface having a first curvature.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments and implementations of the present invention generally relate to a display device. More specifically, embodiments of the inventive concept relate to a foldable display device. Background Art

[0002] Flat panel display devices are used as display devices in place of cathode ray tube display devices due to their light weight and thin characteristics. As a representative example of such flat panel display devices, there are liquid crystal display devices and organic light emitting diode display devices.

[0003] Recently, a foldable display device has been developed, in which a lower substrate and an upper substrate of a display panel included in the display device may include a flexible material, and a part of the display panel may be repeatedly folded and unfolded. For example, the display panel may include a polyimide substrate and a thin film encapsulation structure to have flexibility. In addition, the foldable display device can even display an image in a folded portion of the display panel. In other words, the foldable display device may include a display area in which an image is displayed, and a part of the display area may be folded. The foldable display device may also include a hinge cover member and a lower cover member. The hinge cover member is disposed in a folded portion of the display area on the bottom surface of the display panel, and the lower cover member is disposed in the remaining portion of the display area on the bottom surface of the display panel. The hinge cover member may protect the folded portion of the display panel, and the lower cover member may protect the bottom surface of the display panel except for the folded portion of the display panel. However, when a gap is formed between the hinge cover member and the lower cover member and foreign substances penetrate into the foldable display device through the gap, defects may occur in the folded portion of the foldable display device.

[0004] The above information disclosed in this background art section is only for understanding the background art of the inventive concept, and thus, it may include information that does not constitute the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Exemplary embodiments provide a foldable display device.

[0006] Other features of the inventive concept will be set forth in the following description, and will be partly apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the inventive concept.

[0007] An exemplary embodiment provides a display device including a display panel, a first metal member, a hinge member, and a first blocking member. The display panel includes a foldable region. The first metal member is disposed in a first portion on a bottom surface of the display panel. The hinge member overlaps with the foldable region on the bottom surface of the first metal member and includes a first bent portion having a first curvature. The first blocking member is disposed between the bottom surface of the first metal member and the first bent portion of the hinge member and includes a first surface having a first curvature.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the hinge member may include a groove recessed in a direction from the display panel to the first blocking member, and a portion of the groove may be defined as the first bent portion.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, when the display panel is unfolded, the first bent portion may face the first surface of the first blocking member.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, a first virtual coaxial circle having a first curvature and corresponding to the first surface may be defined. A central axis of the first virtual coaxial circle may be defined as a first rotation axis, and the first metal member and the first blocking member may rotate about the first rotation axis.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the first rotation axis may be located on a neutral plane of the display panel.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, when the display panel is unfolded and folded, the first curvature of the hinge member may be defined such that a distance between the first surface and the first bent portion is minimized.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the first blocking member may further include a second surface facing the bottom surface of the first metal member and a third surface located between the first surface and the second surface.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, when the display panel is folded, the third surface may face the first bent portion.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the third surface may be located inside the groove.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the hinge member may further include a second bent portion spaced apart from the first bent portion.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the display device may further include a second metal member disposed in a second portion on the bottom surface of the display panel, and the second metal member may be spaced apart from the first metal member.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the display device may further include a second blocking member disposed between the bottom surface of the second metal member and the second bent portion of the hinge member. The second blocking member may include a fourth surface having a first curvature and may be spaced apart from the first blocking member.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, when the display panel is unfolded, the second bent portion may face the fourth surface of the second blocking member.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, a second virtual coaxial circle having a first curvature and corresponding to the fourth surface may be defined. A central axis of the second virtual coaxial circle may be defined as a second rotation axis, and the second metal member and the second blocking member may rotate about the second rotation axis.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the second rotation axis may be located on the neutral plane of the display panel.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the first virtual coaxial circle may partially overlap the second virtual coaxial circle.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the second blocking member may further include a fifth surface facing the bottom surface of the second metal member and a sixth surface located between the fourth surface and the fifth surface.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, when the display panel is unfolded, the third surface may face the sixth surface. When the display panel is folded, the sixth surface may face the second bent portion.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the first blocking member and the second blocking member may be symmetrically positioned with respect to each other.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel may further include a display area, and a part of the display area may be defined as a foldable area.

[0027] Since the display device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes the first blocking member and the second blocking member, when the display panel is folded and unfolded, the space between the first metal member and the second metal member and the hinge member may be minimized. Therefore, foreign substances penetrating from the outside may not penetrate into the space between the hinge member and the display panel, and defects of the display device caused by foreign substances may not occur.

[0028] It should 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 claimed invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the specification, are used to explain the concept of the present invention.

[0030] The exemplary embodiments can be understood in more detail from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 is a plan view showing a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 is shown including Figure 1 a perspective view of the folded shape of a display panel in the display device;

[0033] Figure 3 is shown Figure 1 a perspective view of the folded shape of the display device;

[0034] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of Figure 1 ;

[0035] Figure 5 and Figure 6 are cross-sectional views showing a blocking member included in the Figure 4 display device;

[0036] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a hinge member included in the Figure 4 display device;

[0037] Figure 8 is shown Figure 4 a cross-sectional view of the folded shape of the display device;

[0038] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a blocking member included in the Figure 8 display device;

[0039] Figure 10 is shown Figure 4 an enlarged cross-sectional view of the 'A' region of the display device; and

[0040] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description

[0041] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various exemplary embodiments or implementations of the present invention. As used herein, "embodiment" and "implementation" are interchangeable words that are non-limiting examples of a device or method that employs one or more of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. However, it will be apparent that the various exemplary embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the various exemplary embodiments. Additionally, the various exemplary embodiments may be different, but need not be mutually exclusive. For example, without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention, the specific shapes, configurations, and characteristics of an exemplary embodiment may be used or implemented in another exemplary embodiment.

[0042] Unless otherwise stated, the exemplary embodiments shown should be understood to provide exemplary features of variations in details of some ways in which the inventive concept of the present invention may be implemented in practice. Thus, unless otherwise stated, the features, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions, and / or aspects, etc. (hereinafter individually or collectively referred to as "elements") of the various embodiments may be combined, separated, interchanged, and / or rearranged in other ways without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention.

[0043] The use of cross-hatching and / or shading in the drawings is generally provided to clarify the boundaries between adjacent elements. Thus, unless otherwise specified, the presence or absence of cross-hatching or shading does not convey or indicate any preference or requirement for a particular material, material property, size, scale, commonality between the elements shown, and / or any other characteristic, attribute, property, etc. of the elements. Additionally, in the drawings, for clarity and / or description purposes, the sizes and relative sizes of elements may be exaggerated. When an exemplary embodiment may be implemented differently, a particular process order may be performed differently than the order described. For example, two consecutively described processes may be performed substantially simultaneously or in an order opposite to that described. Similarly, like reference numerals denote like elements.

[0044] When an element such as a layer is referred to as being "on", "connected to", or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or there can 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 reason, the term "connected" can refer to physical connection, electrical connection, and / or fluid connection in the case of having intervening elements or in the case of not having intervening elements. In addition, the D1 axis, D2 axis, and D3 axis are not limited to the three axes of a rectangular coordinate system (such as the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis), and can be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the D1 axis, D2 axis, and D3 axis can be perpendicular to each other, or can represent different directions that are not perpendicular to each other. For the purposes of this disclosure, "at least one of X, Y, and Z" and "at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z" can 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.

[0045] Although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various types of elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a first element discussed below may be referred to as a second element without departing from the teachings of this disclosure.

[0046] For descriptive purposes, spatial relative terms such as "below", "beneath", "under", "lower", "above", "upper", "on top of", "higher", "side" (e.g., as in "sidewall") may be used herein and thereby to describe the relationship of one element to another as shown in the figures. In addition to the orientation described in the figures, the spatial relative terms are intended to also encompass different orientations of the device in use, operation, and / or manufacture. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, an element described as "below" or "beneath" another element or feature will then be oriented "above" the other element or feature. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation above and below. In addition, the device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and thus, the spatial relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0047] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Further, when used in this specification, the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes" and / or "including" specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof. 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 terms of degree, and thus are used to interpret the inherent deviations of measurements, calculations and / or the values provided that would be recognized by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0048] Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional views and / or exploded views that are schematic illustrations of idealized exemplary embodiments and / or intermediate structures. As such, variations in the shapes of the illustrations due to, for example, manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances are to be expected. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are not necessarily to be construed as limited to the particular shapes shown in the regions, but include deviations in shapes 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, thus, are not necessarily intended to be limiting.

[0049] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0050] Hereinafter, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements.

[0051] Figure 1 is a plan view showing a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is shown as including in Figure 1 a perspective view of the folded shape of the display panel in the display device, and Figure 3 is shown as Figure 1 a perspective view of the folded shape of the display device. For example, Figure 1Shows the state in which the display device 100 is deployed.

[0052] Reference Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the display device 100 may include a display panel 200, a first lower cover member 810, a second lower cover member 820, a hinged cover member 530, etc.

[0053] In this case, as Figure 1 shown, the display device 100 may include a display area 10, and the display area 10 may be divided into a foldable area 20, a first non-foldable area 21, and a second non-foldable area 22. The display area 10 refers to an area where the display panel 200 including a plurality of pixels displays an image, and the foldable area 20 refers to an area where the display device 100 folds or unfolds. A part of the display area 10 may be defined as the foldable area 20. In other words, an image may even be displayed in the foldable area 20. In addition, the display device 100 may have a first surface S1 on which an image is displayed and a second surface S2 opposite to the first surface S1. In addition, the display device 100 may have a first side surface SS1 and a second side surface SS2 opposite to the first side surface SS1.

[0054] Return reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the display panel 200 may also be divided into a foldable area 20, a first non-foldable area 21, and a second non-foldable area 22, and may also have a first surface S1', a second surface S2' opposite to the first surface S1', a first side surface SS1', and a second side surface SS2' opposite to the first side surface SS1'.

[0055] Among the components of the display device 100, the display panel 200 may be repeatedly folded and unfolded. When a part of the display panel 200 located in the foldable area 20 is folded, the first side surface SS1' and the second side surface SS2' of the display panel 200 may be adjacent to each other. In addition, a part of the display panel 200 located in the foldable area 20 may have a curved shape. In this case, the first surface S1' may be located on the inner side, and the second surface S2' may be located on the outer side. Alternatively, the display panel 200 may be folded such that the first surface S1' is located on the outer side and the second surface S2' is located on the inner side.

[0056] The first lower cover member 810, the second lower cover member 820, and the hinge cover member 530 may have surfaces corresponding to the second surface S2' of the display panel 200. In this case, the first surface S1 of the display device 100 may correspond to the first surface S1' of the display panel 200, and the second surface S2 of the display device 100 may correspond to the bottom surfaces of the first lower cover member 810 and the second lower cover member 820.

[0057] The hinge cover member 530 may be disposed corresponding to the second surface S2' of the display panel 200 in the foldable region 20. The first lower cover member 810 may be disposed on the second surface S2' of the display panel 200 in the first non-foldable region 21, and the second lower cover member 820 may be disposed on the second surface S2' of the display panel 200 in the second non-foldable region 22.

[0058] As Figure 3 shown, when the display device 100 is folded, the first side surface SS1 and the second side surface SS2 of the display device 100 may be adjacent to each other. In addition, a relatively large area of the hinge cover member 530 located in the foldable region 20 may be exposed to the outside. The hinge cover member 530 may have a side surface 530a facing the outside. For example, when the display device 100 is unfolded (see Figure 4 ), a relatively small area of the side surface 530a (see Figure 4 ) of the hinge cover member 530 facing the outside and located between the first lower cover member 810 and the second lower cover member 820 may be exposed to the outside, and when the display device 100 is folded (see Figure 8 ), a relatively large area of the side surface 530a of the hinge cover member 530 facing the outside may be exposed to the outside. In this case, various lengths of gaps may be formed between the first lower cover member 810 and the second lower cover member 820 and the hinge cover member 530. In other words, when the display device 100 is folded and unfolded, the hinge cover member 530 may be spaced apart from the first lower cover member 810 and the second lower cover member 820 at a predetermined interval.

[0059] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I' of Figure 1 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 are cross-sectional views showing a blocking member included in the display device of Figure 4 , and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a hinge member included in the display device of Figure 4 . For example, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the display device 100 is unfolded.

[0060] Refer to Figure 4 ,Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the display device 100 may include a display panel 200, a first metal member 710, a second metal member 720, a first blocking member 610, a second blocking member 620, a hinge member 510, a hinge cover member 530, a first lower cover member 810, and a second lower cover member 820.

[0061] The display panel 200 may be provided. As described above, the display panel 200 may be divided into a foldable area 20, a first non-foldable area 21, and a second non-foldable area 22. For example, the first non-foldable area 21 may be located on the left side of the display panel 200, the second non-foldable area 22 may be located on the right side of the display panel 200, and the foldable area 20 may be located between the first non-foldable area 21 and the second non-foldable area 22.

[0062] The first metal member 710 may be disposed on a bottom surface (e.g., the second surface S2' of the display panel 200) of the display panel 200 in a part of the foldable region 20 and the first non-foldable region 21 (e.g., disposed in a first part on the bottom surface of the display panel 200), and the second metal member 720 may be disposed on the bottom surface of the display panel 200 in a part of the foldable region 20 and the second non-foldable region 22 (e.g., disposed in a second part on the bottom surface of the display panel 200). The first metal member 710 and the second metal member 720 may be spaced apart from each other on the bottom surface of the display panel 200 in a first direction D1 parallel to the bottom surface of the display panel 200 or a second direction D2 opposite to the first direction D1. A separation distance between the first metal member 710 and the second metal member 720 in the foldable region 20 may be determined according to a radius of curvature of the display panel 200 in the foldable region 20. In addition, since each of the first metal member 710 and the second metal member 720 is disposed in a part of the foldable region 20, each of the first metal member 710 and the second metal member 720 may prevent the display panel 200 from sagging in the foldable region 20 and may be used to shield static electricity, electromagnetic waves, electric fields, magnetic fields, etc. generated from the outside. Each of the first metal member 710 and the second metal member 720 may include stainless steel (SUS). In some embodiments, each of the first metal member 710 and the second metal member 720 may include a metal, an alloy, etc. For example, each of the first metal member 710 and the second metal member 720 may include gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), nickel (Ni), titanium (Ti), palladium (Pd), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), lithium (Li), chromium (Cr), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), scandium (Sc), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), an aluminum alloy, a silver alloy, a copper alloy, a molybdenum alloy, etc. These may be used alone or in combination with each other. In other exemplary embodiments, a step difference compensation member and an adhesive member may be additionally disposed on a bottom surface of each of the first metal member 710 and the second metal member 720. The first lower cover member 810 and the second lower cover member 820 may be respectively attached to the first metal member 710 and the second metal member 720 through the adhesive member.

[0063] The first blocking member 610 may be disposed in the foldable region 20 between the bottom surface of the first metal member 710 and the hinge member 510, and the second blocking member 620 may be disposed in the foldable region 20 between the bottom surface of the second metal member 720 and the hinge member 510. The first blocking member 610 may be fixed to the bottom surface of the first metal member 710 by means such as bonding, an adhesive member, and welding, and the second blocking member 620 may be fixed to the bottom surface of the second metal member 720 by the same means as described above. In other exemplary embodiments, the first blocking member 610 and the first metal member 710 may be formed by insert injection molding. In this case, the first blocking member 610 and the first metal member 710 may be integrally formed using the same material. In addition, the second blocking member 620 and the second metal member 720 may be formed by insert injection molding. In this case, the second blocking member 620 and the second metal member 720 may be integrally formed using the same material.

[0064] The first blocking member 610 and the second blocking member 620 may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction D1. As Figure 6 shown, the first blocking member 610 may have a first surface 611 having a first curvature, a second surface 612 facing the bottom surface of the first metal member 710, and a third surface 613 located between the first surface 611 and the second surface 612. In addition, the second blocking member 620 may have a fourth surface 621 having a first curvature, a fifth surface 622 facing the bottom surface of the second metal member 720, and a sixth surface 623 located between the fourth surface 621 and the fifth surface 622.

[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, when the display panel 200 is unfolded, the third surface 613 and the sixth surface 623 may face each other and may be parallel to each other. In addition, the third surface 613 may be aligned with the side surface of the first metal member 710 located in the foldable region 20, and the sixth surface 623 may be aligned with the side surface of the second metal member 720 located in the foldable region 20. In addition, the first blocking member 610 and the second blocking member 620 may be symmetrically positioned with respect to each other and have a mirror image shape.

[0066] As Figure 5As shown, a first virtual coaxial circle VCC1 having a first curvature and corresponding to the first surface 611 can be defined, and the central axis of the first virtual coaxial circle VCC1 can be defined as the first rotation axis RA1. The first rotation axis RA1 can correspond to a third direction D3 perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. In this case, the first metal member 710 and the first blocking member 610 can rotate about the first rotation axis RA1 in the clockwise direction. In addition, a second virtual coaxial circle VCC2 having a first curvature and corresponding to the fourth surface 621 can be defined, and the central axis of the second virtual coaxial circle VCC2 can be defined as the second rotation axis RA2. The second rotation axis RA2 can correspond to the third direction D3. In this case, the second metal member 720 and the second blocking member 620 can rotate about the second rotation axis RA2 in the counterclockwise direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the first rotation axis RA1 and the second rotation axis RA2 can be located on the neutral plane of the display panel 200. In this case, the neutral plane refers to a plane that neither stretches nor shrinks when observed in a cross-sectional view when the object is bent. In the case of an object formed of a single material, the neutral plane coincides with the intermediate surface of the object. At the same time, in the case of a composite material formed of at least two materials, the neutral plane may not coincide with the intermediate surface of the composite material. In addition, the first virtual coaxial circle VCC1 can partially overlap with the second virtual coaxial circle VCC2.

[0067] Each of the first blocking member 610 and the second blocking member 620 can include a material having a relatively low coefficient of friction. For example, each of the first blocking member 610 and the second blocking member 620 can include: engineering plastics such as acetal or polyoxymethylene (POM); Teflon; metals mirror-finished by lapping, polishing, chemical mechanical polishing (CMP), grinding, cutting, machining, etc.; sponges, etc.

[0068] The hinge member 510 can overlap with the foldable region 20 on the bottom surfaces of the first metal member 710 and the second metal member 720. The width of the hinge member 510 in the first direction D1 or the second direction D2 can be wider than the width of the foldable region 20. The hinge member 510 can include a groove recessed in the direction from the display panel 200 to the hinge cover member 530. For example, as Figure 7As shown, the hinge member 510 may include a first bent portion 511 having a first curvature, a second bent portion 512 having a first curvature, and a flat portion located between the first bent portion 511 and the second bent portion 512. The first bent portion 511, the flat portion, and the second bent portion 512 may be continuously positioned. That is, the first bent portion 511, the flat portion, and the second bent portion 512 may be integrally formed, and the groove of the hinge member 510 may be defined by the first bent portion 511, the flat portion, and the second bent portion 512. In other words, a part of the groove may be defined as the first bent portion 511 or the second bent portion 512.

[0069] The hinge member 510 may extend in the third direction D3. In other words, similar to the hinge cover member 530 shown in Figure 3 , the hinge member 510 may have a rod-shaped shape extending in the third direction D3. The hinge cover member 530 may surround the first blocking member 610 and the second blocking member 620 such that the first blocking member 610 and the second blocking member 620 may not be exposed to the outside, and may protect the first blocking member 610, the second blocking member 620, and the portion of the display panel 200 disposed in the foldable area 20 disposed in the foldable area 20. The first bent portion 511, the second bent portion 512, and the flat portion of the hinge member 510 may be spaced apart from the first blocking member 610 and the second blocking member 620. When the display panel 200 is unfolded, the first bent portion 511 and the first surface 611 may be adjacent to and face each other, and the second bent portion 512 and the fourth surface 621 may be adjacent to and face each other. The hinge member 510 may include a material having a relatively low coefficient of friction. For example, the hinge member 510 may include engineering plastics, Teflon, mirror-finished metals, sponges, etc.

[0070] In an exemplary embodiment, when the display panel 200 is unfolded, the first curvature of the hinge member 510 may be defined such that the distance between the first surface 611 and the first bent portion 511 is minimized. In addition, even when the display panel 200 is folded, the first curvature of the hinge member 510 may be defined such that the distance between the first surface 611 and the first bent portion 511 is minimized (see Figure 8 ). In other words, the first blocking member 610 and the second blocking member 620 may block foreign substances from penetrating into the space between the display panel 200 and the hinge member 510. In the unfolded position and the folded position, the width of the hinge member 510 in the first direction D1 or the second direction D2 extends farther than the outer edges of the first blocking member 610 and the second blocking member 620.

[0071] In the absence of the features described herein, foreign substances may penetrate into the gap between the hinge cover member 530 and the first lower cover member 810 and the second lower cover member 820, and when the display panel 200 is folded and unfolded, foreign substances may penetrate into the space between the display panel 200 and the hinge member 510, thereby defects in the display panel 200 may occur.

[0072] In an exemplary embodiment, when the first blocking member 610 and the second blocking member 620 are formed of a sponge material, the first blocking member 610 and the second blocking member 620 may contact the hinge member 510. In this case, the first blocking member 610 and the second blocking member 620 may completely block foreign substances from penetrating into the space between the display panel 200 and the hinge member 510.

[0073] The hinge cover member 530 may be disposed below the hinge member 510. The hinge cover member 530 may surround the hinge member 510 such that the hinge member 510 may not be exposed, and the hinge cover member 530 may protect the hinge member 510. In another cross-sectional view of the display device 100, the hinge member 510 may be fixed to the hinge cover member 530. The hinge cover member 530 may include SUS. In other exemplary embodiments, the display device 100 may further include a first rotator connected to the first metal member 710 between the hinge member 510 and the hinge cover member 530, a second rotator connected to the second metal member 720, a slider partially covering each of the first rotator and the second rotator, a housing hinge member covering the first rotator, the second rotator, and the slider, etc. In this case, the hinge cover member 530 may surround the first rotator, the second rotator, the slider, and the housing hinge member.

[0074] The first lower cover member 810 may be disposed at least in the first non-foldable region 21 on the bottom surface of the display panel 200, and the second lower cover member 820 may be disposed at least in the second non-foldable region 22 on the bottom surface of the display panel 200. The first lower cover member 810 and the second lower cover member 820 may protect the bottom surface of the display panel 200. As described above, in another cross-sectional view of the display device 100, each of the first lower cover member 810 and the second lower cover member 820 may be fixed to the bottom surface of the display panel 200 by an adhesive member. In addition, by using the hinge cover member 530 (for example, see Figure 3 the hinge cover member 530) as a hinge, the first lower cover member 810 and the second lower cover member 820 may be respectively fixed to both ends (for example, both ends of the main axis of the hinge cover member 530) of the hinge cover member 530 such that the first lower cover member 810 and the second lower cover member 820 may be folded and unfolded together with the display panel 200. Each of the first lower cover member 810 and the second lower cover member 820 may include SUS.

[0075] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the folded shape of a display device, and Figure 4 and is a cross-sectional view showing a blocking member included in the display device of Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a blocking member included in the display device of Figure 8 .

[0076] Referring to Figure 4 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 , when the display panel 200 is folded, the third surface 613 of the first blocking member 610 may face the first bent portion 511 of the hinge member 510, and the sixth surface 623 of the second blocking member 620 may face the second bent portion 512 of the hinge member 510. In other words, the third surface 613 and the sixth surface 623 may be located inside the groove of the hinge member 510, while the first surface 611 and the second surface 612 partially extend outside the groove of the hinge member 510. In addition, when the display panel 200 is folded, the first blocking member 610 and the second blocking member 620 may be symmetrically positioned with respect to each other.

[0077] In an exemplary embodiment, since the third surface 613 and the sixth surface 623 are located inside the groove, even when the display panel 200 is folded, foreign matter may not penetrate into the space between the hinge member 510 and the display panel 200.

[0078] As Figure 9 shown, when the display panel 200 is folded, the first metal member 710 and the first blocking member 610 may rotate about the first rotation axis RA1, and the second metal member 720 and the second blocking member 620 may rotate about the second rotation axis RA2. In an exemplary embodiment, the first rotation axis RA1 and the second rotation axis RA2 may be located on the neutral plane of the display panel 200.

[0079] Since the display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes the first blocking member 610 and the second blocking member 620 on the side of the first metal member 710 and the second metal member 720 opposite to the display panel 200, when the display panel 200 is folded and unfolded, the space between the first metal member 710 and the second metal member 720 and the hinge member 510 may be minimized. Therefore, foreign matter penetrating from the outside may not penetrate into the space between the hinge member 510 and the display panel 200, and defects of the display device 100 caused by foreign matter may not occur.

[0080] Figure 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the 'A' area of the display device of Figure 4 .

[0081] Referring toFigure 10 , the display panel 200 may include a substrate 110, semiconductor elements 250, a planarization layer 270, a lower electrode 290, a pixel defining layer 310, a light emitting layer 330, an upper electrode 340, a first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451, an organic thin film encapsulation layer 452, a second inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 453, etc. The semiconductor elements 250 may include an active layer 130, a gate insulating layer 150, a gate electrode 170, an insulating intermediate layer 190, a source electrode 210, and a drain electrode 230.

[0082] The substrate 110 may be provided with a transparent or opaque material. The substrate 110 may be disposed on the second metal member 720 (or the first metal member 710). The substrate 110 may be a transparent resin substrate. Examples of the transparent resin substrate that can be used as the substrate 110 include a polyimide substrate. In this case, the polyimide substrate may include a first polyimide layer containing an organic insulating material, a barrier film layer containing an inorganic insulating material, a second polyimide layer containing an organic insulating material, etc. In other exemplary embodiments, the substrate 110 may include a quartz substrate, a synthetic quartz substrate, a calcium fluoride substrate, a fluorine-doped quartz substrate (F-doped quartz substrate), a soda-lime glass substrate, a non-alkali glass substrate, etc.

[0083] A buffer layer may be provided on the substrate 110. The buffer layer may prevent metal atoms or impurities from diffusing from the substrate 110 to the semiconductor elements 250, and may control the heat transfer rate during the crystallization process to form the active layer 130 to obtain a substantially uniform active layer 130. In addition, when the surface of the substrate 110 is uneven, the buffer layer can be used to improve the flatness of the surface of the substrate 110. Depending on the type of the substrate 110, at least two buffer layers may be provided on the substrate 110, or the buffer layer may not be provided. For example, the buffer layer may include an organic insulating material or an inorganic insulating material.

[0084] The active layer 130 may be disposed on the substrate 110. The active layer 130 may include a metal oxide semiconductor, an inorganic semiconductor (e.g., amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon semiconductor), an organic semiconductor, etc. The active layer 130 may have a source region and a drain region.

[0085] The gate insulating layer 150 may be disposed on the active layer 130. For example, the gate insulating layer 150 may sufficiently cover the active layer 130 on the substrate 110, and may have a substantially flat top surface without creating a step around the active layer 130. In some embodiments, the gate insulating layer 150 may be disposed along the contour of the active layer 130 with a uniform thickness to cover the active layer 130 on the substrate 110. The gate insulating layer 150 may include a silicon compound, a metal oxide, etc. For example, the gate insulating layer 150 may include silicon oxide (SiO x )), silicon nitride (SiNx ) Silicon oxynitride (SiO x N y ), silicon oxycarbide (SiO x C y ), silicon carbonitride (SiC x N y ), aluminum oxide (AlO x ), aluminum nitride (AlN x ), tantalum oxide (TaO x ), hafnium oxide (HfO x ), zirconium oxide (ZrO x ), titanium oxide (TiO x ), etc. In other exemplary embodiments, the gate insulating layer 150 may have a multi-layer structure including a plurality of insulating layers. For example, the insulating layers may have different thicknesses from each other or may include different materials from each other.

[0086] The gate electrode 170 may be disposed on the gate insulating layer 150. The gate electrode 170 may be disposed at a portion of the gate insulating layer 150 where the active layer 130 is located below it. The gate electrode 170 may include a metal, an alloy, a metal nitride, a conductive metal oxide, a transparent conductive material, etc. For example, the gate electrode 170 may include Au, Ag, Al, Pt, Ni, Ti, Pd, Mg, Ca, Li, Cr, Ta, W, Cu, Mo, Sc, Nd, Ir, an aluminum-containing alloy, aluminum nitride (AlN x ), a silver-containing alloy, tungsten nitride (WN x ), a copper-containing alloy, a molybdenum-containing alloy, titanium nitride (TiN x ), chromium nitride (CrN x ), tantalum nitride (TaN x ), strontium ruthenium oxide (SrRu x O y ), zinc oxide (ZnO x ), indium tin oxide (ITO), tin oxide (SnO x ), indium oxide (InO x ), gallium oxide (GaO x ), indium zinc oxide (IZO), etc. These may be used alone or in combination with each other. In other exemplary embodiments, the gate electrode 170 may have a multi-layer structure including a plurality of metal layers. For example, the metal layers may have different thicknesses from each other or may include different materials from each other.

[0087] The insulating intermediate layer 190 may be disposed on the gate electrode 170. For example, the insulating intermediate layer 190 may sufficiently cover the gate electrode 170 on the gate insulating layer 150 and may have a substantially flat top surface without creating a step around the gate electrode 170. In some embodiments, the insulating intermediate layer 190 may be disposed along the contour of the gate electrode 170 with a uniform thickness to cover the gate electrode 170 on the gate insulating layer 150. The insulating intermediate layer 190 may include a silicon compound, a metal oxide, etc. In some embodiments, the insulating intermediate layer 190 may have a multi-layer structure including a plurality of insulating layers. For example, the insulating layers may have different thicknesses from each other or may include different materials from each other.

[0088] The source electrode 210 and the drain electrode 230 may be disposed on the insulating intermediate layer 190. The source electrode 210 may be connected to the source region of the active layer 130 via a contact hole formed by removing a first portion of the gate insulating layer 150 and a first portion of the insulating intermediate layer 190, and the drain electrode 230 may be connected to the drain region of the active layer 130 via a contact hole formed by removing a second portion of the gate insulating layer 150 and a second portion of the insulating intermediate layer 190. Each of the source electrode 210 and the drain electrode 230 may include a metal, an alloy, a metal nitride, a conductive metal oxide, a transparent conductive material, etc. These may be used alone or in combination with each other. In other exemplary embodiments, each of the source electrode 210 and the drain electrode 230 may have a multi-layer structure including a plurality of metal layers. For example, the metal layers may have different thicknesses from each other or may include different materials from each other.

[0089] Therefore, a semiconductor element 250 including the active layer 130, the gate insulating layer 150, the gate electrode 170, the insulating intermediate layer 190, the source electrode 210, and the drain electrode 230 may be provided.

[0090] Although the semiconductor element 250 has been described as having a top-gate structure, the configuration of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the semiconductor element 250 may have a bottom-gate structure, a double-gate structure, etc.

[0091] In addition, although the display device 100 has been described as including one semiconductor element, the configuration of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the display device 100 may include at least one semiconductor element and at least one storage capacitor.

[0092] The planarization layer 270 may be disposed on the insulating intermediate layer 190, the source electrode 210, and the drain electrode 230. For example, the planarization layer 270 may have a relatively thick thickness. In this case, the planarization layer 270 may have a substantially flat top surface. To achieve such a flat top surface of the planarization layer 270, a planarization process may be additionally performed on the planarization layer 270. In some embodiments, the planarization layer 270 may be disposed on the insulating intermediate layer 190 with a uniform thickness along the contours of the source electrode 210 and the drain electrode 230. The planarization layer 270 may be formed of an organic insulating material or an inorganic insulating material. In an exemplary embodiment, the planarization layer 270 may include an organic insulating material. For example, the planarization layer 270 may include a photoresist, a polyacrylic acid-based resin, a polyimide-based resin, a polyamide-based resin, a silicone-based resin, an acrylic acid-based resin, an epoxy-based resin, etc.

[0093] The lower electrode 290 may be disposed on the planarization layer 270. The lower electrode 290 may be connected to the drain electrode 230 via a contact hole formed by removing a part of the planarization layer 270, and the lower electrode 290 may be electrically connected to the semiconductor element 250. The lower electrode 290 may include a metal, an alloy, a metal nitride, a conductive metal oxide, a transparent conductive material, etc. These may be used alone or in combination with each other. In other exemplary embodiments, the lower electrode 290 may have a multilayer structure including a plurality of metal layers. For example, the metal layers may have different thicknesses from each other or may include different materials from each other.

[0094] The pixel defining layer 310 may be disposed on the planarization layer 270. For example, the pixel defining layer 310 may expose a part of the top surface of the lower electrode 290 while covering both sides of the lower electrode 290. The pixel defining layer 310 may be formed of an organic insulating material or an inorganic insulating material. In an exemplary embodiment, the pixel defining layer 310 may include an organic insulating material.

[0095] The light emitting layer 330 may be disposed on the pixel defining layer 310 and the lower electrode 290. The light emitting layer 330 may be formed by using at least one of light emitting materials configured to emit different colors of light according to pixels (i.e., red, green, blue, etc.). Alternatively, the light emitting layer 330 may be formed by stacking a plurality of light emitting materials configured to emit different colors of light (such as red, green, and blue) to emit white light as a whole. In this case, a color filter may be disposed on the light emitting layer 330 disposed on the lower electrode 290. The color filter may include at least one of a red color filter, a green color filter, and a blue color filter. In some embodiments, the color filter may include a yellow color filter, a cyan color filter, and a magenta color filter. The color filter may include a photosensitive resin or a colored photoresist.

[0096] The upper electrode 340 may be disposed on the light-emitting layer 330 and the pixel defining layer 310. The upper electrode 340 may include a metal, an alloy, a metal nitride, a conductive metal oxide, a transparent conductive material, etc. These may be used alone or in combination with each other. In other exemplary embodiments, the upper electrode 340 may have a multilayer structure including a plurality of metal layers. For example, the metal layers may have different thicknesses from each other or may include different materials from each other.

[0097] The first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451 may be disposed on the upper electrode 340. The first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451 may be disposed with a uniform thickness along the contour of the upper electrode 340 to cover the upper electrode 340. The first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451 may prevent the light-emitting layer 330 from deteriorating due to the penetration of moisture, oxygen, etc. In addition, the first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451 may serve to protect the display panel 200 from external impacts. The first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451 may include a flexible inorganic insulating material.

[0098] The organic thin film encapsulation layer 452 may be disposed on the first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451. The organic thin film encapsulation layer 452 may improve the flatness of the display panel 200 and may protect the display panel 200. The organic thin film encapsulation layer 452 may include a flexible organic insulating material.

[0099] The second inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 453 may be disposed on the organic thin film encapsulation layer 452. The second inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 453 may be disposed with a uniform thickness along the contour of the organic thin film encapsulation layer 452 to cover the organic thin film encapsulation layer 452. The second inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 453 may, together with the first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451, prevent the light-emitting layer 330 from deteriorating due to the penetration of moisture, oxygen, etc. In addition, the second inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 453 may, together with the first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451 and the organic thin film encapsulation layer 452, serve to protect the display panel 200 from external impacts. The second inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 453 may include a flexible inorganic insulating material.

[0100] Therefore, a display panel 200 including the substrate 110, the semiconductor element 250, the planarization layer 270, the lower electrode 290, the pixel defining layer 310, the light-emitting layer 330, the upper electrode 340, the first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451, the organic thin film encapsulation layer 452, and the second inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 453 may be provided.

[0101] Although the display device 100 according to the present invention has been described as an organic light emitting diode display device, the configuration of the present invention is not limited thereto. In other exemplary embodiments, the display device 100 may include a liquid crystal display device (LCD), a field emission display device (FED), a plasma display device (PDP), or an electrophoretic image display device (EPD).

[0102] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the shape of the hinge member 515, Figure 11 The display device 900 shown in FIG. 1 may have the same Figures 1 to 10 The configuration of the display device 100 described above is substantially the same or similar configuration. Figure 11 In the example, the reference to Figures 1 to 10 Redundant description of components that are substantially the same or similar. For example, Figure 11 A state in which the display device 900 is unfolded is shown.

[0103] refer to Figure 11 The display device 900 may include a display panel 200, a first metal member 710, a second metal member 720, a first blocking member 610, a second blocking member 620, a hinge member 515, a hinge cover member 530, a first lower cover member 810 and a second lower cover member 820.

[0104] The hinge member 515 may overlap the foldable area 20 extending in the first direction D1 or the second direction D2 on the bottom surface of the first metal member 710 and the bottom surface of the second metal member 720. The hinge member 515 may include a first groove G1 and a second groove G2 recessed in a direction from the display panel 200 to the hinge cover member 530. For example, the hinge member 515 may include a first curved portion 511 having a first curvature and a second curved portion 512 having a first curvature, and the first curved portion 511 and the second curved portion 512 may be positioned continuously. That is, the first curved portion 511 and the second curved portion 512 may be integrally formed, and the first groove G1 and the second groove G2 of the hinge member 515 may be defined by the first curved portion 511 and the second curved portion 512, respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, when the display panel 200 is unfolded, the protrusion P1 defined by the first groove G1 and the second groove G2 of the hinge member 515 may be located in the separation space between the first barrier member 610 and the second barrier member 620 (e.g., the space between the third surface 613 and the sixth surface 623) in the foldable region 20. The protrusion P1 may provide additional blocking to debris entering the groove space formed by the hinge member 515 to prevent the debris and other foreign contaminants from reaching the display panel 200.

[0105] The present invention can be applied to various electronic devices including display devices. For example, the present invention can be applied to vehicle display devices, ship display devices, aircraft display devices, portable communication devices, display devices for display or information transmission, medical display devices, etc.

[0106] The above is the description of the exemplary embodiments and should not be construed as limiting the exemplary embodiments. Although several exemplary embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will readily understand that many modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments without substantially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present invention. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the inventive concept as defined by the claims. Accordingly, it should be understood that the foregoing is the description of the various exemplary embodiments and should not be construed as limited to the specific exemplary embodiments disclosed, and the modifications to the disclosed exemplary embodiments and other exemplary embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: a display panel configured to be folded including a foldable area; a first metal member disposed in a first portion on a bottom surface of the display panel; a second metal member disposed in a second portion on the bottom surface of the display panel, the second metal member being spaced apart from the first metal member; a hinge member overlapping the foldable area on a bottom surface of the first metal member and a bottom surface of the second metal member, the hinge member including a first bent portion having a first curvature and a second bent portion spaced apart from the first bent portion and having the first curvature; a first blocking member disposed between the bottom surface of the first metal member and the first bent portion of the hinge member, the first blocking member including a first surface having the first curvature, a second surface facing the bottom surface of the first metal member, and a third surface located between the first surface and the second surface; and a second blocking member disposed between the bottom surface of the second metal member and the second bent portion of the hinge member and spaced apart from the first blocking member, the second blocking member including a fourth surface having the first curvature, a fifth surface facing the bottom surface of the second metal member, and a sixth surface located between the fourth surface and the fifth surface, wherein when the display panel is unfolded, the third surface of the first blocking member faces the sixth surface of the second blocking member, and there is a gap between the third surface of the first blocking member and the sixth surface of the second blocking member.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the hinge member includes a groove recessed in a direction from the display panel to the first blocking member, and a part of the groove is defined as the first bent portion.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein when the display panel is unfolded, the first bent portion faces the first surface of the first blocking member.

4. The display device according to claim 2, wherein a first virtual coaxial circle having the first curvature and corresponding to the first surface is defined, wherein a central axis of the first virtual coaxial circle is defined as a first rotation axis, and wherein the first metal member and the first blocking member rotate about the first rotation axis.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein the first rotation axis is located on a neutral plane of the display panel.

6. The display device according to claim 2, wherein when the display panel is folded, the third surface faces the first bent portion.

7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the hinge member includes a groove recessed in a direction from the display panel to the second blocking member, and a part of the groove is defined as the second bent portion.

8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein When the display panel is unfolded, the second bent portion faces the fourth surface of the second blocking member.

9. The display device according to claim 7, wherein, a second virtual coaxial circle having the first curvature and corresponding to the fourth surface is defined, a central axis of the second virtual coaxial circle is defined as a second rotation axis, and the second metal member and the second blocking member rotate about the second rotation axis.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein, the second rotation axis is located on a neutral plane of the display panel.

11. The display device according to claim 7, wherein, when the display panel is folded, the sixth surface faces the second bent portion.

12. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, the display panel further includes a display area, and a part of the display area is defined as the foldable area.

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