Display device

Abstract

A display device is disclosed, comprising: a substrate provided with a plurality of pixels; a circuit element layer provided on the substrate and provided with an auxiliary electrode; an insulating layer provided on the circuit element layer and provided with a first groove and a plurality of connection electrodes separated from each other; a fence provided on the plurality of connection electrodes; an organic light-emitting layer provided on the fence; and a second electrode arranged on the organic light-emitting layer, wherein the plurality of connection electrodes are electrically connected to the auxiliary electrode, at least one of the plurality of connection electrodes is exposed from the first groove, and the second electrode is in contact with the connection electrode exposed from the first groove. Therefore, the brightness difference between the outer portion of the panel and the central portion of the panel can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device for displaying images. Background Art

[0002] With the development of the information age, the demand for various forms of display devices for displaying images has increased. Therefore, various types of display devices have been used recently, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, light emitting display devices, organic light emitting display devices, micro light emitting display devices, and quantum dot light emitting display (QLED) devices.

[0003] For organic light-emitting display devices, when red pixels, green pixels, and blue pixels of an organic light-emitting layer are formed using FMM technology, small and medium-sized panels can be manufactured by using a mask shadow, but due to the problem of sagging of the deposition mask, it is difficult to apply such panels to large areas. Therefore, a technology for forming an organic light-emitting layer using an optical process based on photoresist has recently been proposed.

[0004] Meanwhile, a cathode electrode provided in an organic light-emitting display device is arranged as a common layer for all pixels, and a cathode current supplied to the cathode electrode from the outside of the panel deteriorates toward a central portion of the panel due to resistance of the cathode electrode, thereby causing the following problem: a brightness difference occurs between the outside of the panel and the central portion of the panel. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display device which can reduce the brightness difference between the outer portion of a panel and the central portion of the panel.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, the above and other purposes can be achieved by providing a display device, which includes: a substrate provided with a plurality of pixels; a circuit element layer, which is provided on the substrate and provided with an auxiliary electrode; an insulating layer, which is provided on the circuit element layer and provided with a first groove and a plurality of connecting electrodes separated from each other; a fence provided on the plurality of connecting electrodes; an organic light-emitting layer provided on the fence; and a second electrode arranged on the organic light-emitting layer, wherein the plurality of connecting electrodes are electrically connected to the auxiliary electrode, at least one of the plurality of connecting electrodes is exposed from the first groove, and the second electrode is in contact with the connecting electrode exposed from the first groove.

[0007] In the display device according to the present invention, since the connection electrode exposed from the groove among the plurality of connection electrodes connected to the auxiliary electrode is disposed to contact the second electrode, the brightness difference between the outer portion of the panel and the central portion of the panel can be reduced.

[0008] In addition to the effects of the present invention described above, additional objects and features of the present invention will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 2 is along Figure 1 A simplified cross-sectional view taken along line II shown in FIG.

[0012] Figure 3 is along Figure 1 A simplified cross-sectional view taken along line II-II shown in FIG.

[0013] Figure 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating another example of an auxiliary electrode of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and relates to a head mounted display (HMD) device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The advantages and features of the present invention and their implementation methods will be explained by the following embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments listed here. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the present disclosure comprehensive and complete and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. In addition, the present invention is limited only by the scope of the claims.

[0017] The shapes, sizes, proportions, angles and quantities disclosed in the accompanying drawings for describing the embodiments of the present invention are merely examples, and thus the present invention is not limited to the details shown in the drawings. Similar reference numerals represent similar elements throughout the text. In the following description, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or structure would unnecessarily obscure the key points of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. In the case of using "including", "having" and "comprising" descriptions in this application, additional parts may be added unless "only" is used.

[0018] When interpreting an element, even if it is not explicitly stated, the element should be interpreted as including a range of error.

[0019] When describing a positional relationship, for example, when the positional relationship is described as “on,” “over,” “below,” and “after,” one or more other parts may be arranged between the two parts unless “just” or “directly” is used.

[0020] It will be understood that although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish elements from each other. For example, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0021] When describing the elements of the present invention, the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used. These terms are intended to distinguish the corresponding elements from other elements, and the nature, order or quantity of the corresponding elements are not limited by these terms. The expression that an element is "connected to" or "coupled to" another element should be understood that the element can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, but can also be indirectly connected or coupled to the other element, unless otherwise specified, or a third element can be inserted between the corresponding elements.

[0022] As can be fully understood by those skilled in the art, the features of the various embodiments of the present invention can be combined or combined with each other in part or in whole, and can be technically interoperable and driven with each other in various ways. The embodiments of the present invention can be implemented independently of each other, or implemented together in a mutually dependent relationship.

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the display device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts as much as possible.

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is along Figure 1 A simplified cross-sectional view taken along line II shown in FIG. Figure 3 is along Figure 1 A simplified cross-sectional view taken along line II-II shown in FIG.

[0025] Reference Figures 1 to 3According to an embodiment of the present invention, a display device 1 includes: a substrate 2, a circuit element layer 3, an auxiliary electrode AE, an insulating layer 4, a plurality of connection electrodes M, a reflective plate RP, a first electrode 5, a fence F, a groove T, an organic light emitting layer 6, a second electrode 7, and an encapsulation layer 8. The groove T may include a first groove T1 and a second groove T2. According to an example, the first groove T1 may be arranged between pixels P and pixels P, and the second groove T2 may be arranged in a boundary region between a first sub-pixel 21, a second sub-pixel 22, and a third sub-pixel 23 of a pixel P.

[0026] The substrate 2 may be a plastic film, a glass substrate, or a semiconductor substrate such as silicon. The substrate 2 may be made of a transparent material or an opaque material. However, since the display device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured as a top emission method in which the emitted light is emitted toward the top, an opaque material may be used as the material of the substrate 2.

[0027] A plurality of pixels P may be provided on the substrate 2. The pixel P is a region that emits light of various colors including white light, and the light of various colors emitted from the plurality of pixels P may be combined to form an image. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , a plurality of pixels P may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval, and a plurality of first trenches T1 may be arranged between the respective pixels P. As shown in FIG.

[0028] The pixel P may include a first sub-pixel 21, a second sub-pixel 22, and a third sub-pixel 23 arranged on the substrate 2. The second sub-pixel 22 according to one example may be arranged adjacent to one side of the first sub-pixel 21. The third sub-pixel 23 according to one example may be arranged adjacent to one side of the second sub-pixel 22. Therefore, the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22, and the third sub-pixel 23 may be sequentially arranged on the substrate 2.

[0029] The first sub-pixel 21 may be configured to emit red (R) light, the second sub-pixel 22 may be configured to emit green (G) light, and the third sub-pixel 23 may be configured to emit blue (B) light, but these sub-pixels are not limited to this example and may emit light of various colors including white light. In addition, the arrangement order of the sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 may be changed in various ways.

[0030] Each of the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22, and the third sub-pixel 23 may be configured to include a reflective plate RP, a first electrode 5, an organic light emitting layer 6, and a second electrode 7. The second trench T2 may be disposed in a boundary region between the first sub-pixel 21 and the second sub-pixel 22 and a boundary region between the second sub-pixel 22 and the third sub-pixel 23.

[0031] The circuit element layer 3 is arranged on one surface of the substrate 2 .

[0032] According to each sub-pixel 21, 22 and 23, a circuit element including a plurality of thin film transistors 31, 32 and 33, various signal lines and capacitors is provided in the circuit element layer 3. The signal line may include a gate line, a data line, a power line and a reference line, and the thin film transistors 31, 32 and 33 may include a switching thin film transistor, a driving thin film transistor and a sensing thin film transistor. The sub-pixels 21, 22 and 23 may be defined by the intersection structure of the gate line, the reference line or the reference voltage line, the power line and the data line.

[0033] The switching thin film transistor is switched according to a gate signal supplied to the gate line and serves to supply a data voltage supplied from the data line to the driving thin film transistor.

[0034] The driving thin film transistor is switched according to the data voltage supplied from the switching thin film transistor to generate a data current according to the power supplied from the power line and to supply the generated data current to the first electrode 5 .

[0035] The sensing thin film transistor is used to sense a threshold voltage deviation of the driving thin film transistor, which is a cause of image degradation, and supplies a current of the driving thin film transistor to the reference line in response to a sensing control signal supplied from the gate line or a separate sensing line.

[0036] The capacitor is used to maintain a data voltage supplied to the driving thin film transistor for one frame, and the capacitor is connected to each of a gate terminal and a source terminal of the driving thin film transistor.

[0037] Reference Figure 3 , the first thin film transistor 31 , the second thin film transistor 32 , and the third thin film transistor 33 are separately arranged in the circuit element layer 3 for each of the sub-pixels 21 , 22 , and 23 .

[0038] The first thin film transistor 31 according to one example may be connected to the first sub-electrode 51 disposed on the first sub-pixel 21 to apply a driving voltage for emitting light of a color corresponding to the first sub-pixel 21 .

[0039] The second thin film transistor 32 according to one example may be connected to the second sub-electrode 52 disposed on the second sub-pixel 22 to apply a driving voltage for emitting light of a color corresponding to the second sub-pixel 22 .

[0040] The third thin film transistor 33 according to one example may be connected to the third sub-electrode 53 disposed on the third sub-pixel 23 to apply a driving voltage for emitting light of a color corresponding to the third sub-pixel 23 .

[0041] When the gate signal from the gate line is input to each of the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22 and the third sub-pixel 23 using each of the thin film transistors 31, 32 and 33, each of the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22 and the third sub-pixel 23 according to an example provides a predetermined current to the organic light emitting layer according to the data voltage of the data line. Thus, the organic light emitting layer of each of the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22 and the third sub-pixel 23 can emit light with a predetermined brightness according to the predetermined current. An auxiliary electrode AE ​​( Figure 2 ).

[0042] The auxiliary electrode AE ​​is to prevent the voltage drop of the second electrode 7 from occurring. The auxiliary electrode AE ​​may be made of a metal material. The auxiliary electrode AE ​​may be connected to the second electrode 7 through at least one of the plurality of connection electrodes M and apply a voltage provided from a voltage supplying part (not shown) to the second electrode 7 arranged at the center of the substrate 2. The voltage supplying part may be arranged at the outside of the substrate 2 (or at the edge of the substrate) and thus may be in contact with the auxiliary electrode AE.

[0043] The auxiliary electrode AE ​​according to one example may be disposed between the pixels P and apply a cathode voltage applied from a voltage supply unit (not shown) to the second electrode 7. Therefore, the display device according to one embodiment of the present invention can prevent a brightness difference from occurring between the outer side of the substrate 2 and the center of the substrate 2 by preventing a cathode voltage located at the center of the substrate 2 away from the outer side of the substrate 2 from decreasing.

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown in , the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may be arranged on the upper surface of the circuit element layer 3, but is not limited thereto. That is, the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may be arranged inside the circuit element layer 3. When the auxiliary electrode AE ​​is arranged on the upper surface of the circuit element layer 3, the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may be electrically connected to the connection electrode M provided in the insulating layer 4 through a separate contact electrode. When the auxiliary electrode AE ​​is arranged inside the circuit element layer 3, the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may be connected to the connection electrode M through a contact electrode arranged in a contact hole provided in the circuit element layer 3 and a contact hole provided in the insulating layer 4. That is, the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may be electrically connected to the connection electrode M and apply (or transmit) the cathode voltage provided from the voltage supply section to the connection electrode M.

[0045] The insulating layer 4 is provided on the upper surface of the circuit element layer 3 .

[0046] The insulating layer 4 may be disposed between the first electrode 5 and the circuit element layer 3. The reflective plate RP and the plurality of connection electrodes M may be disposed inside or outside the insulating layer 4.

[0047] The reflective plate RP may be arranged at positions corresponding to the first to third sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 to improve light extraction efficiency of red light, green light, and blue light. In more detail, the reflective plate RP is intended to reflect light emitted from the organic light emitting layer 6 of each of the sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 toward the second electrode 7. Figure 3 As shown in , the reflective plate RP may include a first reflective plate RP1 arranged to overlap the first sub-electrode 51, a second reflective plate RP2 arranged to overlap the second sub-electrode 52, and a third reflective plate RP3 arranged to overlap the third sub-electrode 53. The first to third reflective plates RP1, RP2, and RP3 may be made of Ag or a metal material including Ag. The first to third reflective plates RP1, RP2, and RP3 may be connected to the first to third thin film transistors 31, 32, and 33 and the first to third sub-electrodes 51, 52, and 53, respectively, through separate contact electrodes, whereby a driving voltage provided from each of the first to third thin film transistors 31, 32, and 33 may be applied (or transmitted) to each of the first to third sub-electrodes 51, 52, and 53.

[0048] The first reflective plate RP1, the second reflective plate RP2 and the third reflective plate RP3 can be respectively formed to have a width equal to or greater than the width of the first sub-electrode 51, the second sub-electrode 52 and the third sub-electrode 53, thereby blocking the light emitted from the organic light-emitting layer 6 from propagating toward the substrate 2.

[0049] At least one of the plurality of connection electrodes M may be arranged adjacent to the first trench T1 (or arranged to be exposed to the first trench T1). That is, the plurality of connection electrodes M may be arranged between the pixels P like the first trench T1. Therefore, the plurality of connection electrodes M are not arranged inside the first to third sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23. The plurality of connection electrodes M may be electrically connected to the auxiliary electrode AE ​​through a separate contact electrode.

[0050] The plurality of connecting electrodes M are intended to apply (or transmit) the cathode voltage applied (or transmitted) from the auxiliary electrode AE ​​to the second electrode 7. The plurality of connecting electrodes M may be provided in the insulating layer 4. The connecting electrodes M according to one example may be arranged inside the insulating layer 4 and on the upper surface of the insulating layer 4. The plurality of connecting electrodes M may be arranged to be separated from each other in the up-down direction. In this case, the up-down direction is the direction in which the fence F and the substrate 2 are arranged, wherein the direction toward the fence F may be the upper direction, and the direction toward the substrate 2 may be the lower direction. When the arrangement direction of the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22, and the third sub-pixel 23 is a first direction, the up-down direction may refer to a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Therefore, as Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 4 , a plurality of connection electrodes M may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a direction from the inside of the insulation layer toward the upper surface of the insulation layer 4 .

[0051] The width of each of the plurality of connection electrodes M may be set to be narrower than the width of the reflector RP arranged in the sub-pixel. When the width of each of the plurality of connection electrodes M is equal to or greater than the width of the reflector RP, the connection electrode M to which the cathode voltage is applied (or transmitted) becomes too close to the first electrode 5 arranged in the sub-pixel, whereby a short circuit may occur. Therefore, the width of each of the plurality of connection electrodes M may be set to be narrower than the width of the reflector RP arranged in the sub-pixel. That is, the width of the reflector RP may be set to be wider than the width of each of the plurality of connection electrodes M.

[0052] Meanwhile, the plurality of connection electrodes M may include a first connection electrode M1, a second connection electrode M2, and a third connection electrode M3. The first connection electrode M1 may be disposed inside the insulating layer 4. The third connection electrode M3 may be disposed on the upper surface of the insulating layer 4. The second connection electrode M2 ​​may be disposed inside the insulating layer 4 to be located between the first connection electrode M1 and the third connection electrode M3. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first to third link electrodes M1 , M2 , and M3 may be arranged in a line in the up-and-down directions while being spaced apart from each other.

[0053] The reason why the first connection electrode M1, the second connection electrode M2 ​​and the third connection electrode M3 are separated from each other is that each of the first connection electrode M1, the second connection electrode M2 ​​and the third connection electrode M3 is formed of the same material as each of the first reflection plate RP1, the second reflection plate RP2 and the third reflection plate RP3 on the same layer.

[0054] First, the first to third reflection plates RP1, RP2 and RP3 are intended to reflect light and thus may be made of a metal material, and the first to third connection electrodes M1, M2 and M3 are intended to apply a cathode voltage and thus may be made of a metal material. Thus, the first to third reflection plates RP1, RP2 and RP3 and the first to third connection electrodes M1, M2 and M3 may be made of the same material. Although it is described that the first to third reflection plates RP1, RP2 and RP3 and the first to third connection electrodes M1, M2 and M3 are made of a metal material, they are not limited to metal materials, and the first to third reflection plates RP1, RP2 and RP3 and the first to third connection electrodes M1, M2 and M3 may be made of other materials that can apply a voltage and simultaneously reflect light.

[0055] Then, if Figure 3 As shown in FIG. , the first reflection plate RP1 may be arranged inside the insulating layer 4, the third reflection plate RP3 may be arranged on the upper surface of the insulating layer 4, and the second reflection plate RP2 may be arranged inside the insulating layer 4 to be located between the first reflection plate RP1 and the third reflection plate RP3. That is, based on Figure 3, a first distance SD1 separating the first reflection plate RP1 from the second electrode 7 may be longer than a second distance SD2 separating the second reflection plate RP2 from the second electrode 7, and the second distance SD2 may be longer than a third distance SD3 separating the third reflection plate RP3 from the second electrode 7. The reason why the first distance SD1, the second distance SD2, and the third distance SD3 are shortened in an appropriate order is to extract light of different colors by utilizing the microcavity characteristics.

[0056] The microcavity characteristic means that when the distance between the first to third reflective plates RP1, RP2 and RP3 and the second electrode 7 reaches an integral multiple of the half wavelength λ / 2 of the light emitted from each of the sub-pixels 21, 22 and 23, enhanced interference occurs, thereby amplifying the light, and when reflection and re-reflection occur repeatedly, the amplification level of the light continuously increases, thereby improving the external extraction efficiency of the light. Since the display device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to have the microcavity characteristic, the second electrode 7 may include a semi-transparent electrode.

[0057] At the same time, since the light extraction efficiency of long wavelengths can be improved when the separation distance between the reflection plate RP and the second electrode 7 becomes longer, the light extraction efficiency of red light can be improved at the first distance SD1. Since the light extraction efficiency of short wavelengths can be improved when the separation distance between the reflection plate RP and the second electrode 7 becomes shorter, the light extraction efficiency of blue light can be improved at the third distance SD3. Since the second distance SD2 is shorter than the first distance SD1 and longer than the third distance SD3, the light extraction efficiency of green light can be improved.

[0058] Due to the first distance SD1 separating the upper surface of the first reflection plate RP1 from the lower surface of the second electrode 7, light extraction efficiency of red light can be improved, and thus red light can be emitted from the first sub-pixel 21. Due to the second distance SD2 separating the upper surface of the second reflection plate RP2 from the lower surface of the second electrode 7, light extraction efficiency of green light can be improved, and thus green light can be emitted from the second sub-pixel 22. Due to the third distance SD3 separating the upper surface of the third reflection plate RP3 from the lower surface of the second electrode 7, light extraction efficiency of blue light can be improved, and thus blue light can be emitted from the third sub-pixel 23.

[0059] Therefore, since the microcavity characteristics can be utilized to improve the light extraction efficiency of different colors according to each of the first to third sub-pixels 21, 22 and 23, the display device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention can be configured to emit different colors of light according to each of the first to third sub-pixels 21, 22 and 23 without a color filter.

[0060] In order to obtain the microcavity effect as described above, the first reflection plate RP1 is arranged inside the insulating layer 4, the third reflection plate RP3 is arranged on the upper surface of the insulating layer 4, and the second reflection plate RP2 is arranged inside the insulating layer 4 to be located between the first reflection plate RP1 and the third reflection plate RP3. Therefore, the first connection electrode M1 formed simultaneously with the first reflection plate RP1 can be arranged inside the insulating layer 4, the third connection electrode M3 formed simultaneously with the third reflection plate RP3 can be arranged on the upper surface of the insulating layer 4, and the second connection electrode M2 ​​formed simultaneously with the second reflection plate RP2 can be arranged inside the insulating layer 4 to be located between the first connection electrode M1 and the third connection electrode M3. Therefore, the first connection electrode M1, the second connection electrode M2 ​​and the third connection electrode M3 can be arranged to be separated from each other by a predetermined interval. For example, each of the separation interval between the first connection electrode M1 and the second connection electrode M2 ​​and the separation interval between the second connection electrode M2 ​​and the third connection electrode M3 can be set to As a result, the first connection electrode M1, the second connection electrode M2, and the third connection electrode M3 may be formed on the same layer from the same material as the first reflection plate RP1, the second reflection plate RP2, and the third reflection plate RP3, except that the first connection electrode M1, the second connection electrode M2, and the third connection electrode M3 are arranged between the pixels P and the pixels P and are respectively set to have a width shorter than the width of each of the first reflection plate RP1, the second reflection plate RP2, and the third reflection plate RP3.

[0061] Meanwhile, the insulating layer 4 may include a first insulating layer 41 , a second insulating layer 42 , a third insulating layer 43 , and a fourth insulating layer 44 .

[0062] The first reflection plate RP1 and the first connection electrode M1 may be disposed on an upper surface of the first insulating layer 41, the second reflection plate RP2 and the second connection electrode M2 ​​may be disposed on an upper surface of the second insulating layer 42, and the third reflection plate RP3 and the third connection electrode M3 may be disposed on an upper surface of the third insulating layer 43. Sides of the third reflection plate RP3 and the third connection electrode M3 may contact the fourth insulating layer 44.

[0063] The manufacturing process of the first to third reflection plates RP1, RP2, and RP3 and the first to third connection electrodes M1, M2, and M3 is as follows.

[0064] First, the first insulating layer 41 is completely deposited on the upper surface of the circuit element layer 3 .

[0065] Next, the metal material constituting the first reflective plate RP1 and the first connecting electrode M1 is completely deposited on the upper surface of the first insulating layer 41, and then patterned through an optical process (photo process) and an etching process to form the first reflective plate RP1 corresponding to the first sub-pixel 21, and the first connecting electrode M1 is formed by patterning. The first connecting electrode M1 is arranged between pixels P and pixels P and at the same time has a width smaller than the width of the first reflective plate RP1.

[0066] Then, the second insulating layer 42 is completely deposited to cover the upper surfaces of the first reflective plate RP1 , the first connection electrode M1 , and the first insulating layer 41 .

[0067] Next, the metal material constituting the second reflective plate RP2 and the second connecting electrode M2 ​​is completely deposited on the upper surface of the second insulating layer 42, and then patterned through an optical process and an etching process to form a second reflective plate RP2 corresponding to the second sub-pixel 22, and the second connecting electrode M2 ​​is formed by patterning, and the second connecting electrode M2 ​​is arranged between pixels P and pixels P and at the same time has a width smaller than that of the second reflective plate RP2.

[0068] Then, the third insulating layer 43 is completely deposited to cover the upper surfaces of the second reflective plate RP2 , the second connection electrode M2 ​​, and the second insulating layer 42 .

[0069] Next, the metal material constituting the third reflective plate RP3 and the third connecting electrode M3 is completely deposited on the upper surface of the third insulating layer 43, and then patterned through an optical process and an etching process to form a third reflective plate RP3 corresponding to the third sub-pixel 23, and the third connecting electrode M3 is formed by patterning. The third connecting electrode M3 is arranged between pixels P and pixels P and at the same time has a width smaller than that of the third reflective plate RP3.

[0070] Then, the fourth insulating layer 44 is completely deposited to cover the upper surfaces of the third reflective plate RP3, the third connection electrode M3, and the third insulating layer 43. The etching process may be performed on the entire surface until the upper surfaces of the third reflective plate RP3 and the third connection electrode M3 are exposed, whereby the fourth insulating layer 44 may be disposed to contact the side surfaces of the third reflective plate RP3 and the third connection electrode M3.

[0071] Through the aforementioned manufacturing process, first and second reflection plates RP1 and RP2 and first and second connection electrodes M1 and M2 may be formed inside the insulating layer 4 , and a third reflection plate RP3 and third connection electrode M3 may be formed on the upper surface of the insulating layer 4 .

[0072] Although the process of manufacturing the contact electrodes for connecting the thin film transistors 31, 32 and 33, the first electrode 5 and the reflective plate RP to each other and the contact electrodes for connecting the auxiliary electrode AE ​​to the connecting electrodes M1, M2 and M3 is omitted in the aforementioned manufacturing process, the contact electrodes can be formed in the insulating layer 4 through optical processes and etching processes.

[0073] Refer again Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the first trench T1 is intended to make the second electrode 7 contact the auxiliary electrode AE ​​through the plurality of connection electrodes M. The first trench T1 may be arranged between the plurality of pixels P. The first trench T1 may be set to be smaller than the separation interval of the pixels P and thus arranged to be separated from the pixels P by a predetermined distance. When the first trench T1 is larger than the separation interval of the pixels P, the size of the light emitting area becomes relatively small, whereby the overall light emitting efficiency may be deteriorated.

[0074] The first trench T1 may be formed in the following manner: after forming the first electrode 5 on the fourth insulating layer 44 according to each sub-pixel 21, 22, and 23, the fence F is completely deposited to cover the first electrode 5 and the upper surface of the fourth insulating layer 44 not covered by the first electrode 5, and then patterning is performed by an optical process and an etching process to partially remove each of the fence F, the plurality of connection electrodes M, and the insulating layer 4 arranged between the pixels P and the pixels P. Therefore, the side surfaces of the first connection electrode M1, the second connection electrode M2, and the third connection electrode M3 arranged up and down may be exposed from the inner side of the first trench T1.

[0075] Meanwhile, since the etching process for forming the first trench T1 is performed from top to bottom, the removal area of ​​the third connection electrode M3 arranged on the upper side may be larger than the removal area of ​​the first connection electrode M1 arranged on the lower side. Since this may be equally applied to the insulating layer 4, as Figure 2 As shown in , the side of the first trench T1 may be formed to be inclined, and the width of the first trench T1 may be narrowed from top to bottom.

[0076] The organic light emitting layer 6 is deposited on the entire surface after the first trench T1 is formed. The organic light emitting layer 6 may be inserted into the first trench T1 while covering the upper surface of the fence F, thereby partially covering the side of the first trench T1. Therefore, the organic light emitting layer 6 may partially or completely cover the side of the third connection electrode M3 arranged at the uppermost side of the first trench T1, and at least one of the side of the second connection electrode M2 ​​and the side of the first connection electrode M1 may be exposed to the outside. At least one of the side of the first connection electrode M1, the side of the second connection electrode M2, and the side of the third connection electrode M3 exposed to the outside contacts the second electrode 7 deposited during the subsequent process, whereby the cathode voltage applied through the auxiliary electrode AE ​​and the plurality of connection electrodes M may be applied to the second electrode 7 arranged in the center of the substrate 2.

[0077] Refer again Figure 2 Due to the width W1 of the first trench T1, the organic light emitting layer 6 may be disconnected from the first trench T1. At least a portion of the first stack 61, the charge generation layer 62, and the second stack 63 of the organic light emitting layer 6 may be formed on the lower surface (or bottom) of the first trench T1.

[0078] As described above, since the organic light emitting layer 6 is disconnected from the first trench T1, Figure 2 As shown in , the second electrode 7 deposited during the subsequent process may be inserted into the first trench T1, and thus may contact the connection electrode M exposed from the side of the first trench T1. The second electrode 7 may be provided to cover the organic light emitting layer 6 formed on the lower surface (or bottom) of the first trench T1, and thus may be provided as a common layer without disconnection on the substrate 2.

[0079] although Figure 2 It is shown that the fence F is arranged on the upper surface of the third connection electrode M3, but the first electrode 5 may be arranged between the third connection electrode M3 and the fence F. However, in this case, this first electrode 5 may be disconnected and not connected to the first electrodes 5 arranged in the sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23. This is because, when the first electrode 5 arranged between the third connection electrode M3 and the fence F is connected to the first electrode 5 arranged in the pixels 21, 22, and 23, the cathode voltage supplied to the connection electrode M and the anode voltage supplied per sub-pixel 21, 22, and 23 are short-circuited. Therefore, when the first electrode 5 is arranged near the first trench T1, this first electrode 5 may be set to be disconnected from the first electrode 5 arranged in the pixels 21, 22, and 23.

[0080] Therefore, the display device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention can prevent the cathode voltage drop from occurring and easily apply the cathode voltage to the center of the substrate 2 by forming a first groove T1 between pixels P and making the connecting electrode M exposed from the first groove T1 contact the second electrode 7, thereby reducing the brightness difference between the outer side of the substrate 2 and the center of the substrate 2.

[0081] Meanwhile, the display device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention can reduce the number of manufacturing processes by forming the first trench T1 and the second trench T2 together. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first trench T1 and the second trench T2 are arranged to be connected to each other, thereby preventing lateral leakage current from occurring between the sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23, and preventing the cathode voltage drop of the second electrode from occurring. According to an example, the first trench T1 may be arranged between four sub-pixels, such as Figure 1 as shown in .

[0082] Reference Figure 3, the first electrode 5 is formed on the insulating layer 4 or the reflective plate RP. The first electrode 5 according to an example may be arranged between the reflective plate RP and the second electrode 7. In this case, the first electrode 5 may be formed of a transparent material such as ITO that can transmit light between the reflective plate RP and the second electrode 7. The first electrode 5 may be an anode. The first electrode 5 may include a first sub-electrode 51, a second sub-electrode 52, and a third sub-electrode 53.

[0083] The first sub-electrode 51 may be provided in the first sub-pixel 21. The first sub-electrode 51 may be disposed on the insulating layer 4. The first sub-electrode 51 is connected to the source electrode of the first thin film transistor 31 through a contact electrode disposed in a contact hole partially exposing the first reflective plate RP1 disposed inside the insulating layer 4 and in a contact hole formed in a portion of the circuit element layer 3.

[0084] The second sub-electrode 52 may be disposed in the second sub-pixel 22. The second sub-electrode 52 may be disposed on the insulating layer 4. The second sub-electrode 52 is connected to the source electrode of the second thin film transistor 32 through a contact electrode disposed in a contact hole partially exposing the second reflecting plate RP2 disposed inside the insulating layer 4 and located above the first reflecting plate RP1 and in a contact hole formed in a portion of the circuit element layer 3.

[0085] The third sub-electrode 53 may be disposed in the third sub-pixel 23. The third sub-electrode 53 may be formed on the third reflective plate RP3. The third reflective plate RP3 may be disposed on the upper surface of the insulating layer 4 to be located above the second reflective plate RP2. The third sub-electrode 53 is connected to the source electrode of the third thin film transistor 33 through a contact electrode, and this contact electrode is disposed in a contact hole that passes through the third reflective plate RP3 and the insulating layer 4 disposed on the lower surface of the third reflective plate RP3 and in a contact hole formed in a portion of the circuit element layer 3.

[0086] In this case, the first to third thin film transistors 31 , 32 , and 33 may be N-type TFTs.

[0087] When the first to third thin film transistors 31 , 32 , and 33 are provided as P-type TFTs, each of the first to third sub-electrodes 51 , 52 , and 53 may be connected to a drain electrode of each of the first to third thin film transistors 31 , 32 , and 33 .

[0088] That is, each of the first to third sub-electrodes 51 , 52 , and 53 may be connected to a source electrode or a drain electrode according to the type of the first to third thin film transistors 31 , 32 , and 33 .

[0089] The display device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided in a top emission method, and each of the first to third sub-electrodes 51, 52 and 53 may be made of a transparent electrode formed of a transparent conductive material. This is because the first to third reflection plates RP1, RP2 and RP3 are arranged at the lower part of the first to third sub-electrodes 51, 52 and 53 for reflecting the light emitted from the organic light emitting layer 6 and propagating to the lower part toward the second electrode 7.

[0090] The first reflection plate RP1 disposed in the first sub-pixel 21 , the second reflection plate RP2 disposed in the second sub-pixel 22 , and the third reflection plate RP3 disposed in the third sub-pixel 23 may be formed of the same material to have the same thickness.

[0091] Refer again Figure 3 , the fence F may be provided to cover the edge of the first electrode 5. In more detail, the fence F may be provided to cover the side surface of the first sub-electrode 51 and a portion of the upper surface of the first sub-electrode 51, cover the side surface of the second sub-electrode 52 and a portion of the upper surface of the second sub-electrode 52, and cover the side surface of the third sub-electrode 53 and a portion of the upper surface of the third sub-electrode 53. Therefore, the fence F may separate the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22, and the third sub-pixel 23 from each other.

[0092] The fence F is used to define a sub-pixel, that is, a light-emitting portion. In addition, since the area where the fence F is formed does not emit light, this area can be defined as a non-light-emitting portion. The fence F can be formed of any one or more of acryl resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyamide resin and polyimide resin. The organic light-emitting layer 6 is formed on the first electrode 5 and the fence F.

[0093] The second trench T2 may be disposed between the fences F located in portions where the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22, and the third sub-pixel 23 are adjacent to each other. That is, the second trench T2 may be disposed in a boundary region between the first sub-pixel 21 and the second sub-pixel 22 and in a boundary region between the second sub-pixel 22 and the third sub-pixel 23. The second trench T2 may be formed between the long sides of the first electrode 5, such as Figure 1 as shown in .

[0094] The second trench T2 is formed in the insulating layer 4 in a recessed structure. The second trench T2 is used to prevent lateral leakage current from occurring by making the length of the current path through the organic light-emitting layer 6 longer between adjacent sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 or partially disconnecting the organic light-emitting layer 6. The second trench T2 may be formed in the insulating layer, but is not limited thereto. The second trench T2 may be formed to extend to the inside of the circuit element layer 3 located below the insulating layer 4. Like the first trench T1, the side of the second trench T2 may be formed to be inclined.

[0095] The organic light emitting layer 6 is formed on the first electrode 5. The organic light emitting layer 6 is also formed on the fence F and also formed on the insulating layer 4 arranged in the boundary region between the plurality of sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23.

[0096] The organic light emitting layer 6 may be configured to emit white (W) light. To this end, the organic light emitting layer 6 may include a plurality of stacks emitting light of different colors. In detail, the organic light emitting layer 6 may include a first stack 61, a second stack 63, and a charge generation layer (CGL) 62 disposed between the first stack 61 and the second stack 63.

[0097] The first stack 61 is disposed on the first electrode 5 and may be formed of a deposition structure of a hole injection layer HIL, a hole transport layer HTL, a blue (B) light emitting layer EML(B), and an electron transport layer ETL deposited in an appropriate order.

[0098] The charge generation layer (CGL) 62 is used to provide charges to the first stack 61 and the second stack 63. The charge generation layer (CGL) 62 may include an N-type charge generation layer for providing electrons to the first stack 61 and a P-type charge generation layer for providing holes to the second stack 63. The N-type charge generation layer may include a metal material as a dopant.

[0099] The second stack 63 is disposed on the first stack 61 and may be formed of a deposition structure of a hole transport layer HTL, a yellow-green (YG) light emitting layer EML(YG), an electron transport layer ETL, and an electron injection layer EIL deposited in an appropriate order.

[0100] The organic light emitting layer 6 is also formed inside and above the second trench T2. According to one embodiment of the present invention, since the organic light emitting layer 6 is partially formed inside the second trench T2, a longer current path is formed between adjacent sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23, thereby increasing resistance and thus reducing the occurrence of leakage current.

[0101] In particular, refer to Figure 3 , the first stack 61 is formed on the side of the second trench T2, and may also be formed on the lower surface of the second trench T2. At this time, the portion of the first stack 61 formed on the side of the second trench T2 and the portion of the first stack 61 formed on the lower surface of the second trench T2 are disconnected from each other and are not connected to each other. Therefore, one side of the second trench T2, for example, the portion of the first stack 61 formed on the left side and the other side of the second trench T2, for example, the portion of the first stack 61 formed on the right side are disconnected from each other and are not connected to each other. Therefore, by inserting the second trench T2, charges cannot move between the sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 arranged adjacent to each other through the first stack 61.

[0102] In addition, the charge generation layer 62 may be formed on the first stack 61 at the side of the inside of the second trench T2. At this time, one side of the inside of the second trench T2, for example, a portion of the charge generation layer 62 formed on the left side and another side of the inside of the second trench T2, for example, a portion of the charge generation layer 62 formed on the right side are disconnected from each other and are not connected to each other. Therefore, by inserting the second trench T2, charges cannot move between the sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 arranged adjacent to each other through the charge generation layer 62.

[0103] The second stack 63 may be disposed on the charge generation layer 62. In addition, by inserting the second groove T2, the second stack 63 may be disposed to be connected to each other without being disconnected from each other between the sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 arranged adjacent to each other. Therefore, by inserting the second groove T2, the charge can be moved between the sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 arranged adjacent to each other through the second stack 63. However, without being limited to this example, the shape of the second groove T2 and the deposition process of the organic light emitting layer 6 may be appropriately controlled, whereby by inserting the second groove T2, the second stack 63 may be disposed to be disconnected between the sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 arranged adjacent to each other.

[0104] In addition, the charge generation layer 62 has a greater conductivity than the first stack 61 and the second stack 63. Specifically, since the N-type charge generation layer constituting the charge generation layer 62 may include a metal material, the N-type charge generation layer has a greater conductivity than the first stack 61 and the second stack 63. Therefore, the charges mainly move between the sub-pixels 21, 22 and 23 arranged adjacent to each other through the charge generation layer 62, and the amount of movement of the charges through the second stack 63 is not significant. Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the charge generation layer 62 is configured to be disconnected inside the second groove T2, thereby reducing the movement of charges between the sub-pixels 21, 22 and 23 arranged adjacent to each other to prevent leakage current. Therefore, only a portion of the organic light-emitting layer 6 can be disconnected in the second groove T2. Since the other portions of the organic light-emitting layer 6 are not disconnected from the second groove T2, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown in , the second electrode 7 may be arranged over the second stack 63 without being inserted into the second trench T2.

[0105] The second electrode 7 can be used as a cathode of the display device 1 of the present invention. In the same manner as the organic light-emitting layer 6, the second electrode 7 is formed in each of the sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 and between the sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23. The second electrode 7 is also formed between the pixels P and the pixels P. Thus, the second electrode 7 is located on the entire surface of the substrate 2 as a common layer. The second electrode 7 is connected to a voltage supply section arranged outside the substrate 2 and a cathode voltage is supplied to the second electrode 7 from the voltage supply section, thereby forming an electric field in the sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 owned by each of the plurality of pixels P.

[0106] Since the display device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided in a top emission method and has a microcavity structure, the second electrode 7 may be made of a semitransparent electrode, and thus a microcavity-based light extraction effect may be obtained per sub-pixel 21 , 22 , and 23 .

[0107] In short, if Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the second electrode 7 may be arranged above the organic light emitting layer 6 without being inserted into the second trench T2. This is because only a portion of the organic light emitting layer 6 is disconnected from the second trench T2 arranged in the boundary region between the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22, and the third sub-pixel 23. That is, as Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 2 , since the second stack 63 is connected even in the boundary region between the first to third sub-pixels 21 , 22 , and 23 , the second electrode 7 is not inserted into the second trench T2 .

[0108] The reason why the second stack 63 can be connected between the first to third sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 is that the width W2 of the second trench T2 ( Figure 3 ) is formed to be wider than the width W1 ( Figure 2 The reason why the width W2 of the second trench T2 is formed to be narrower than the width W1 of the first trench T1 is that the first trench T1 should arrange the second electrode 7 inside the first trench T1 by disconnecting the organic light emitting layer 6 so that the second electrode 7 contacts at least one of the plurality of connection electrodes M, while the second trench T2 does not need to insert the second electrode 7 into the second trench T2. Therefore, since the intervals between the first to third sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 provided with the second trench T2 can be narrower than the intervals between the pixels P, it can be more conducive to achieving high resolution.

[0109] Therefore, since the second electrode 7 should be in contact with the auxiliary electrode AE ​​to reduce the brightness difference between the outer side of the substrate 2 and the center of the substrate 2, the first trench T1 should be set wider than the second trench T2. Since the cathode voltage drop of the second electrode 7 can be avoided by the first trench T1, the second trench T2 does not need to be set with the same width as the first trench T1, and can be set narrower than the first trench T1, thereby reducing the interval between the sub-pixels 21, 22 and 23, thereby making it easier to achieve high resolution.

[0110] According to an example, the width W1 of the first groove T1 may be greater than or equal to 0.15um (micrometer) and less than or equal to 0.2um. When the width of the first groove T1 is less than 0.15um, the organic light-emitting layer 6 is not completely disconnected, so the second electrode 7 is not inserted into the first groove T1, and thus the second electrode 7 is not in contact with at least one of the plurality of connection electrodes M. For this reason, a cathode voltage drop occurs toward the center of the substrate 2, so a brightness difference may occur between the outer side of the substrate 2 and the center of the substrate 2. When the width of the first groove T1 exceeds 0.2um, a portion of the organic light-emitting layer 6 covers the left and right sides of the first groove T1, so the second electrode 7 may not be in contact with at least one of the plurality of connection electrodes M. Therefore, in the display device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the width W1 of the first groove T1 is set to be greater than or equal to 0.15um and less than or equal to 0.2um, so the second electrode 7 is inserted into the first groove T1, so that the second electrode 7 may be in contact with at least one of the plurality of connection electrodes M and thus the cathode voltage from the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may be applied.

[0111] Meanwhile, according to an example, the depth D1 of the first trench T1 ( Figure 2) may be greater than or equal to 0.2um and less than or equal to 0.4um. When the depth of the first trench T1 is less than 0.2um, a portion of the organic light-emitting layer 6 covers all the multiple connection electrodes M exposed to the first trench T1, so the second electrode 7 may not be in contact with at least one of the multiple connection electrodes M. As another example, when the depth of the first trench T1 is less than 0.2um, a portion of the organic light-emitting layer 6 covers the third connection electrode M3 and the second connection electrode M2, and the first connection electrode M1 is not exposed from the insulating layer 4, so that the second electrode 7 may not be in contact with at least one of the multiple connection electrodes M. Thus, when the depth of the first trench T1 is less than 0.2um, the second electrode 7 may not be in contact with at least one of the multiple connection electrodes M. When the depth D1 of the first trench T1 exceeds 0.4um, the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may be etched when the first trench T1 is formed, so that the thickness of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may be thinned or disconnected. For this reason, since the resistance of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​increases, the ratio of preventing the cathode voltage drop by the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may become smaller or the cathode voltage drop cannot be prevented from occurring. Therefore, in the display device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, since the depth D1 of the first groove T1 can be set to be greater than or equal to 0.2um and less than or equal to 0.4um, the auxiliary electrode AE ​​can be prevented from being damaged and at least one of the multiple connecting electrodes M can be exposed from the organic light-emitting layer 6 or the insulating layer 4, so that the second electrode 7 can contact at least one of the multiple connecting electrodes M and thus can be applied with the cathode voltage from the auxiliary electrode AE.

[0112] As described above, since the second trench T2 is formed narrower than the first trench T1 , the depth D2 of the second trench T2 may be set to be smaller than the depth D1 of the first trench T1 .

[0113] Refer again Figure 3 , an encapsulation layer 8 may be formed on the second electrode 7. The encapsulation layer 8 is used to prevent oxygen or moisture from penetrating into the organic light emitting layer 6 and the second electrode 7. To this end, the encapsulation layer 8 may include at least one inorganic film and at least one organic film.

[0114] For example, the encapsulation layer 8 may include a first inorganic film, an organic film, and a second inorganic film. In this case, the first inorganic film is formed to cover the second electrode 7. The organic film is formed to cover the first inorganic film. Preferably, the organic film is formed with a sufficiently long length to prevent particles from penetrating into the organic light-emitting layer 6 and the second electrode 7 by passing through the first inorganic film. The second inorganic film is formed to cover the organic film.

[0115] Figure 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating another example of the auxiliary electrode of the display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0116] Reference Figure 4, a portion of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may be arranged to overlap with the pixel P. That is, since the auxiliary electrode AE ​​is arranged Figure 1 The auxiliary electrode width is 100 mm, so one side of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may overlap with the pixel P and the other side of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may overlap with another pixel P adjacent to the above pixel P. Therefore, Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may include a first overlapping area OA1 overlapping with the pixel P disposed at the upper side, and a second overlapping area OA2 overlapping with the pixel disposed at the lower side.

[0117] In more detail, based on Figure 4 The pixel P arranged on the upper side may include a first sub-pixel 21, a second sub-pixel 22, and a third sub-pixel 23, and each of the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22, and the third sub-pixel 23 may include a first sub-electrode 51, a second sub-electrode 52, and a third sub-electrode 53. Figure 4 The pixel P arranged on the lower side may include a fourth sub-pixel 24, a fifth sub-pixel 25, and a sixth sub-pixel 26, and each of the fourth sub-pixel 24, the fifth sub-pixel 25, and the sixth sub-pixel 26 may include a fourth sub-electrode 54, a fifth sub-electrode 55, and a sixth sub-electrode 56. Figure 4 The pixels P arranged on the lower side may be pixels P located in a third direction perpendicular to each of the first direction and the second direction.

[0118] One side of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may overlap the barrier F arranged from the first subpixel 21 to the fourth subpixel 24 and the first subelectrode 51 overlapping the barrier F. In this case, one side of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may also overlap the first reflective plate RP1 overlapping the barrier F.

[0119] In addition, one side of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may overlap the barrier F arranged from the second subpixel 22 to the fifth subpixel 25 and the second sub-electrode 52 overlapping the barrier F. In this case, one side of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may also overlap the second reflective plate RP2 overlapping the barrier F.

[0120] In addition, one side of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may overlap the barrier F arranged from the third subpixel 23 to the sixth subpixel 26 and the third sub-electrode 53 overlapping the barrier F. In this case, one side of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may also overlap the third reflective plate RP3 overlapping the barrier F.

[0121] Meanwhile, the other side of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may overlap the barrier F arranged from the fourth sub-pixel 24 toward the first sub-pixel 21 and the fourth sub-electrode 54 overlapping the barrier F. In this case, the other side of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may also overlap the fourth reflective plate (not shown) overlapping the barrier F.

[0122] In addition, the other side of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may overlap the barrier F arranged from the fifth sub-pixel 25 to the second sub-pixel 22, and the fifth sub-electrode 55 overlapping the barrier F. In this case, the other side of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may also overlap the fifth reflective plate (not shown) overlapping the barrier F.

[0123] In addition, the other side of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may overlap the barrier F arranged from the sixth sub-pixel 26 to the third sub-pixel 23 and the sixth sub-electrode 56 overlapping the barrier F. In this case, the other side of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may also overlap the sixth reflective plate (not shown) overlapping the barrier F.

[0124] However, not limited to this case, one side of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may overlap with a portion of the light-emitting area of ​​the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22 and the third sub-pixel 23, and the other side of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​may overlap with a portion of the light-emitting area of ​​the fourth sub-pixel 24, the fifth sub-pixel 25 and the sixth sub-pixel 26.

[0125] Since the auxiliary electrode AE ​​is arranged below the insulating layer 4, the auxiliary electrode AE ​​does not interfere with the user viewing the image even if the auxiliary electrode AE ​​overlaps the pixel P. Since the resistance value of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​is lower when the width of the auxiliary electrode AE ​​is widened, the cathode voltage can be more easily applied to the second electrode 7 located in the center of the substrate 2.

[0126] The auxiliary electrode AE ​​may be arranged to be arranged in a plurality of pixels P or between two pixels P. When the auxiliary electrode AE ​​is arranged in a plurality of pixels P, that is, when each pixel P is matched with the auxiliary electrode AE ​​at 1:1 or 1:2, a cathode voltage is applied to each pixel P through the auxiliary electrode AE, thereby further reducing the brightness difference between the outer side of the substrate 2 and the center of the substrate 2. On the other hand, when the auxiliary electrode AE ​​is arranged to be arranged between two pixels P, that is, when two pixels P share one auxiliary electrode AE, the cathode voltage may not be more easily applied to each pixel P than when the auxiliary electrode AE ​​is arranged in the pixel P, but the interval between the pixels P where the auxiliary electrode AE ​​is not arranged may be reduced, thereby facilitating the realization of high resolution.

[0127] Figure 5 It is a diagram along with Figure 1 A simplified cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention, taken along the same direction as line II-II.

[0128] Reference Figure 5 According to another embodiment of the present invention, a display device 1 is based on Figure 3The display device of FIG. 2 is substantially the same except that a color filter layer 9 is provided on the encapsulation layer 8 of each of the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22, and the third sub-pixel 23. Therefore, the same reference numerals will be given to the same elements, and different elements will be mainly described hereinafter.

[0129] Based on Figure 3 In the case of the display device of , since the separation distance between the second electrode 7 and the reflective plate RP varies at each of the first to third sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23, red light is emitted from the first sub-pixel 21, green light is emitted from the second sub-pixel 22, and blue light is emitted from the third sub-pixel 23. That is, based on Figure 3 The display device improves light extraction efficiency of different colors per each of the first to third sub-pixels 21 , 22 , and 23 by using a microcavity effect.

[0130] On the other hand, Figure 5 In the case of a display device according to another embodiment, a color filter layer 9 is disposed on the encapsulation layer 8, thereby solving the problem of color viewing angle of light emitted from each of the sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23. Figure 3 The display device is configured to emit light of different colors for each sub-pixel 21, 22, and 23 by utilizing a microcavity structure without a color filter, so that the distance between the second electrode 7 and the reflective plate RP in the vertical direction for each sub-pixel is formed to be different from the distance between the second electrode 7 and the reflective plate RP in the diagonal direction. For example, the distance SD1 between the second electrode 7 and the first reflective plate RP1 in the vertical direction from the first sub-pixel 21 to the upper surface of the reflective plate RP is shorter than the distance between the second electrode 7 and the first reflective plate RP1 in the oblique direction that is not the direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the reflective plate RP. Therefore, a user located in the vertical direction can view red, while a user located in the oblique direction can view other colors instead of red. Thus, based on Figure 3 In the case of a display device with a color viewing angle, a problem of color viewing angle may occur: depending on the position from which the user views the sub-pixel, ie the viewing angle, the user may see different colors.

[0131] However, in Figure 5 In the case of a display device according to another embodiment, a color filter layer 9 is provided on the encapsulation layer 8, thereby solving the problem of color viewing angle. Figure 5 The color filter layer 9 of the display device according to another embodiment may include a first color filter 91 arranged to correspond to the first sub-pixel 21, a second color filter 92 arranged to correspond to the second sub-pixel 22, and a third color filter 93 arranged to correspond to the third sub-pixel 23.

[0132] The first color filter 91 filters light of other colors to emit only red (R) light, and the first color filter 91 may be a red color filter. Since the first color filter 91 is set in a size corresponding to the first sub-pixel 21 and emits only red (R) light whose light extraction efficiency from the first sub-pixel 21 is improved by the microcavity effect, even if the viewing angle changes as described above, light of other colors can be filtered by the first color filter 91, so that the user can only view red light.

[0133] The second color filter 92 filters the light of other colors to emit only green (G) light, and the second color filter 92 may be a green color filter. Since the second color filter 92 is set in a size corresponding to the second sub-pixel 22 and emits only green (G) light whose light extraction efficiency from the second sub-pixel 22 is improved by the microcavity effect, even if the viewing angle changes as described above, the light of other colors can be filtered by the second color filter 92, so that the user can only view the green light.

[0134] The third color filter 93 filters light of other colors to emit only blue (B) light, and the third color filter 93 may be a blue color filter. Since the third color filter 93 is set in a size corresponding to the third sub-pixel 23 and emits only blue (B) light whose light extraction efficiency from the third sub-pixel 23 is improved by the microcavity effect, even if the viewing angle changes as described above, light of other colors can be filtered by the third color filter 93, so that the user can only view blue light.

[0135] Therefore, in the display device 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention, since a color filter layer 9 is provided on the encapsulation layer 8 of each of the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22 and the third sub-pixel 23, the color filter layer 9 shields light of other colors emitted due to the difference in distance between the second electrode 7 and the reflective plate RP based on the viewing angle.

[0136] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and relates to a head mounted display (HMD) device. Fig. 6A It is a simplified perspective diagram. Figure 6B It is a simple plan view of the virtual reality (VR) structure. Figure 6C It is a simplified cross-sectional diagram of an augmented reality (AR) structure.

[0137] from Fig. 6A It can be known that the head mounted display device according to the present invention includes a storage case 10 and a head mounted band 12 .

[0138] The accommodating case 10 accommodates therein components such as a display device, a lens array, and an eyepiece.

[0139] The headband 12 is fixed to the housing 10. The headband 12 is formed to surround the upper surface and both sides of the user's head, but is not limited to this example. The headband 12 is used to fix the head-mounted display device to the user's head, and the headband 12 can be replaced by a structure in the shape of a glasses frame or a helmet.

[0140] from Figure 6B It can be known that the head mounted display device of the virtual reality (VR) structure according to the present invention may include a left eye display device 2a, a right eye display device 2b, a lens array 11, a left eye eyepiece 20a and a right eye eyepiece 20b.

[0141] The left-eye display device 2 a , the right-eye display device 2 b , the lens array 11 , the left-eye eyepiece 20 a , and the right-eye eyepiece 20 b are accommodated in the above-mentioned accommodation case 10 .

[0142] The left-eye display device 2a and the right-eye display device 2b may display the same image, in which case the user can view a 2D image. Alternatively, the left-eye display device 2a may display a left-eye image and the right-eye display device 2b may display a right-eye image, in which case the user can view a 3D image. Each of the left-eye display device 2a and the right-eye display device 2b may be configured according to the above Figures 1 to 5 For example, each of the left-eye display device 2a and the right-eye display device 2b may be an organic light-emitting display device.

[0143] Each of the left-eye display device 2a and the right-eye display device 2b may include multiple sub-pixels, a circuit element layer 3, an insulating layer 4, an auxiliary electrode AE, a groove T, a reflective plate RP, a first electrode 5, a fence F, an organic light-emitting layer 6, a second electrode 7 and an encapsulation layer 8, and may display various images by combining the colors of light emitted from each sub-pixel in various ways.

[0144] The lens array 11 may be disposed between the left eye eyepiece 20a and the left eye display device 2a by being separated from each of the left eye eyepiece 20a and the left eye display device 2a. That is, the lens array 11 may be disposed in front of the left eye eyepiece 20a and behind the left eye display device 2a. In addition, the lens array 11 may be disposed between the right eye eyepiece 20b and the right eye display device 2b by being separated from each of the right eye eyepiece 20b and the right eye display device 2b. That is, the lens array 11 may be disposed in front of the right eye eyepiece 20b and behind the right eye display device 2b.

[0145] The lens array 11 may be a micro lens array. The lens array 11 may be replaced by a pinhole array. Due to the lens array 11, the user can watch the image displayed on the left eye display device 2a or the right eye display device 2b in an enlarged manner.

[0146] The user's left eye LE may be disposed in the left-eye eyepiece 20 a , and the user's right eye RE may be disposed in the right-eye eyepiece 20 b .

[0147] from Figure 6C It can be seen that the head mounted display device of the AR structure according to the present invention includes a left eye display device 2a, a lens array 11, a left eyepiece 20a, a transflective portion 13 and a transmissive window 14. Figure 6C Only the structure for the left eye is shown in FIG, but the structure for the right eye is the same as that for the left eye.

[0148] The left-eye display device 2 a , the lens array 11 , the left-eye eyepiece 20 a , the transflective portion 13 , and the transmission window 14 are accommodated in the aforementioned accommodating case 10 .

[0149] The left-eye display device 2a may be arranged at one side of the transflective portion 13, for example, at the upper side, without covering the transmissive window 14. Therefore, the left-eye display device 2a may provide an image to the transflective portion 13 without covering the external background viewed through the transmissive window 14.

[0150] The left eye display device 2a can be made according to the above Figures 1 to 5 In this case, Figures 1 to 5 The top portion corresponding to the surface displaying the image, for example, the encapsulation layer 8 or the color filter layer 9 faces the transflective portion 13 .

[0151] The lens array 11 may be disposed between the left-eye eyepiece 20 a and the transflective portion 13 .

[0152] The user's left eye is arranged in the left-eye eyepiece 20a.

[0153] The transflective portion 13 is arranged between the lens array 11 and the transmission window 14. The transflective portion 13 may include a reflective surface 13a that transmits a portion of light and reflects the other portion of light. The reflective surface 13a is formed so that the image displayed on the left-eye display device 2a is transmitted to the lens array 11. Therefore, the user can view the image displayed on the left-eye display device 2a and can view the external background through the transmission window 14. That is, since the user can view one image by overlapping the background in reality with the virtual image, augmented reality (AR) can be achieved.

[0154] The transmission window 14 is arranged in front of the transflective portion 13 .

[0155] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention described above is not limited by the above-mentioned embodiments and drawings, and various substitutions, modifications and changes can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, and all variations or modifications derived from the meaning, scope and equivalent concepts of the claims are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: A substrate having a plurality of pixels disposed thereon; a circuit element layer, the circuit element layer being disposed on the substrate and provided with an auxiliary electrode; an insulating layer disposed on the circuit element layer and provided with a first groove and a plurality of connection electrodes separated from each other; a fence disposed on the plurality of connection electrodes; an organic light-emitting layer disposed on the fence; and a second electrode disposed on the organic light-emitting layer, wherein the plurality of connecting electrodes are electrically connected to the auxiliary electrode, At least one of the plurality of connection electrodes is exposed from the first groove, and The second electrode is in contact with the connection electrode exposed from the first groove, Each of the multiple pixels includes a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel and a third sub-pixel arranged on the substrate, the multiple connecting electrodes are not arranged inside the first sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel and the third sub-pixel, and the multiple connecting electrodes are arranged to be separated from each other in the up and down directions. 2 . The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the first groove is arranged between the plurality of pixels. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the organic light emitting layer is disconnected from the first groove. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the second electrode is inserted into the first groove. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the first groove has a width greater than or equal to 0.15 um and less than or equal to 0.2 um. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the first groove has a depth greater than or equal to 0.2 um and less than or equal to 0.4 um. 7 . The display device according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the auxiliary electrode overlaps each of the plurality of pixels.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of pixels further comprises: a thin film transistor disposed in the circuit element layer according to each of the first sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel, and the third sub-pixel; a reflective plate, the reflective plate being arranged inside or outside the insulating layer corresponding to each of the first sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel, and the third sub-pixel; and a first electrode, the first electrode being disposed on the insulating layer or the reflective plate and comprising a first sub-electrode disposed in the first sub-pixel, a second sub-electrode disposed in the second sub-pixel, and a third sub-electrode disposed in the third sub-pixel, wherein the fence covers an edge of the first electrode, The organic light emitting layer is arranged on the first electrode and the fence, A distance between an upper surface of a reflective plate located in the first sub-pixel and a lower surface of the second electrode is longer than a distance between an upper surface of a reflective plate located in the second sub-pixel and a lower surface of the second electrode, and A distance between an upper surface of a reflection plate located in the second sub-pixel and a lower surface of the second electrode is longer than a distance between an upper surface of a reflection plate located in the third sub-pixel and a lower surface of the second electrode. 9 . The display device according to claim 8 , wherein a width of the reflection plate is wider than a width of each of the plurality of connection electrodes.

10. The display device according to claim 8, wherein the reflection plate comprises a first reflection plate arranged to overlap with the first sub-electrode, a second reflection plate arranged to overlap with the second sub-electrode, and a third reflection plate arranged to overlap with the third sub-electrode, The first reflective plate is arranged inside the insulating layer, The third reflective plate is arranged on the upper surface of the insulating layer, and The second reflection plate is arranged inside the insulating layer and between the first reflection plate and the third reflection plate.

11. The display device according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of connection electrodes comprises: A first connecting electrode arranged inside the insulating layer; a third connection electrode disposed on the upper surface of the insulating layer; and a second connection electrode disposed inside the insulating layer and between the first connection electrode and the third connection electrode, and The first connection electrode, the second connection electrode, the third connection electrode, the first reflection plate, the second reflection plate, and the third reflection plate are made of the same material. 12 . The display device of claim 8 , wherein the first sub-pixel is configured to emit red light, the second sub-pixel is configured to emit green light, and the third sub-pixel is configured to emit blue light. 13 . The display device according to claim 8 , further comprising a second groove disposed in a boundary region between the first sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel, and the third sub-pixel, wherein a width of the second groove is narrower than a width of the first groove. The display device according to claim 13 , wherein the organic light emitting layer is partially disconnected from the second groove. The display device according to claim 13 , wherein the second electrode is not inserted into the second groove.

16. The display device according to claim 8, further comprising: an encapsulation layer disposed on the second electrode; and a color filter layer disposed on the encapsulation layer, The color filter layer includes a first color filter disposed corresponding to the first sub-pixel, a second color filter disposed corresponding to the second sub-pixel, and a third color filter disposed corresponding to the third sub-pixel. 17 . The display device according to claim 1 , further comprising a lens array separated from the substrate, and a receiving case receiving the substrate and the lens array. 18 . The display device according to claim 1 , wherein a side surface of the first groove is inclined, and a width of the first groove narrows from top to bottom. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the second electrode comprises a semi-transparent electrode. 20 . The display device according to claim 13 , wherein the first groove and the second groove are disposed to be connected to each other.

21. A display device according to claim 13, wherein the organic light-emitting layer includes a first stack, a second stack, and a charge generation layer arranged between the first stack and the second stack, wherein the first stack is arranged on the side surface inside the second groove and the lower surface inside the second groove, the second stack is arranged to be connected to each other between adjacent sub-pixels without being disconnected from each other, and the charge generation layer is arranged to be disconnected inside the second groove.

22. A head-mounted display device, comprising a housing case and a head-mounted strap fixed to the housing case, wherein the display device according to any one of claims 1 to 21 is accommodated in the housing case.

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