Display device

Abstract

A display device is disclosed. The display device includes a first substrate, a driving voltage transmission line, a common voltage transmission line, a dam, a second substrate, and a sealant. The driving voltage transmission line is disposed on the first substrate and can transmit a driving voltage. The common voltage transmission line is disposed on the first substrate and can transmit a common voltage. The dam is disposed between the driving voltage transmission line and the common voltage transmission line, electrically isolated from at least one of the driving voltage transmission line and the common voltage transmission line, and disposed on the first substrate. The second substrate overlaps the first substrate. The sealant is disposed between the first and second substrates and overlaps each of the driving voltage transmission line, the common voltage transmission line, and the dam.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0012578 filed on February 3, 2020, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office; the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The technical field relates to a display device. Background Art

[0003] The display device may include a light emitting element, a wiring for transmitting a signal to the light emitting element, and a sealing structure for protecting the light emitting element from moisture and / or oxygen. The sealing structure may overlap with the wiring.

[0004] During the process of forming the sealing structure, heat is supplied to the sealing material overlapping the wiring, and the heat may undesirably affect the wiring. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments may prevent damage or defects that may be caused by heat provided during a sealing process of a display panel.

[0006] The display device according to the embodiment includes the following elements: a first substrate; a driving voltage transmission line, which is provided on the first substrate to transmit a driving voltage; a common voltage transmission line, which is provided on the first substrate to transmit a common voltage; a dam, which is provided on the first substrate between the driving voltage transmission line and the common voltage transmission line; a second substrate, which faces the first substrate; and a sealant, which is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate to overlap with the driving voltage transmission line, the common voltage transmission line and the dam.

[0007] The driving voltage transmission line, the common voltage transmission line, and the dam may be made of the same material.

[0008] The display device may further include an insulating layer disposed on the first substrate, and the driving voltage transmission line and the dam are in contact with the insulating layer.

[0009] The dam may contact the sealant.

[0010] The display device may further include a pad region disposed on the first substrate, the driving voltage transmission line may include an elongated portion extending parallel to the pad region, and the dam may extend parallel to the elongated portion.

[0011] The dam may include at least one dam member having a linear shape in a plan view.

[0012] The dam may include at least one dam member having a W-shape in plan view.

[0013] The dam may include a plurality of dam members that are discontinuous in the direction in which the dam extends.

[0014] The dam may include a plurality of dam members arranged in a diagonal direction with respect to a direction in which the dam extends.

[0015] The dam may include a plurality of dam members having a square bracket shape.

[0016] The display device according to an embodiment includes the following elements: a first substrate configured to include a display area and a non-display area; a first voltage transmission line provided on the non-display area to transmit a first voltage; a second voltage transmission line provided on the non-display area to transmit a second voltage having a level different from that of the first voltage; a dam provided between the first voltage transmission line and the second voltage transmission line; a second substrate bonded to the first substrate; and a sealant provided between the first substrate and the second substrate to surround the display area while overlapping the first voltage transmission line, the second voltage transmission line, and the dam.

[0017] The first voltage transmission line, the second voltage transmission line, and the dam may be made of the same material.

[0018] The display area may further include: pixels arranged in the display area; scan lines extending in a first direction and applying scan line signals to the pixels; data lines extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and applying data voltages to the pixels; and drive voltage lines extending in the second direction and applying drive voltages to the pixels. One of the first voltage transmission line and the second voltage transmission line may be electrically connected to the drive voltage line.

[0019] The display device may further include an insulating layer disposed on the first substrate, and the driving voltage transmission line, the common voltage transmission line, and the dam may contact the insulating layer and the sealant.

[0020] The first voltage transmission line may transmit a driving voltage, and the second voltage transmission line may transmit a common voltage. The first voltage transmission line may include a portion extending in a first direction, and the dam may extend parallel to the portion of the first voltage transmission line.

[0021] The dam may include at least one dam member having a linear shape in a plan view.

[0022] The dam may include at least one dam member having a W-shape in plan view.

[0023] The dam may include a plurality of dam members that are discontinuous in the direction in which the dam extends.

[0024] The dam may include a plurality of dam members arranged in a diagonal direction with respect to a direction in which the dam extends.

[0025] The dam may include a plurality of dam members having a square bracket shape.

[0026] Embodiments may relate to a display device. The display device may include a first substrate, a driving voltage transmission line, a common voltage transmission line, a dam, a second substrate, and a sealant. The driving voltage transmission line may be disposed on the first substrate and may transmit a driving voltage. The common voltage transmission line may be disposed on the first substrate and may transmit a common voltage. The dam may be disposed between the driving voltage transmission line and the common voltage transmission line, may be electrically isolated from at least one of the driving voltage transmission line and the common voltage transmission line, and may be disposed on the first substrate. The second substrate may overlap the first substrate. The sealant may be disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and may overlap each of the driving voltage transmission line, the common voltage transmission line, and the dam.

[0027] The sealant may be directly connected to at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate.

[0028] The driving voltage transmission line, the common voltage transmission line, and the dam may be made of the same material.

[0029] The display device may include an insulating layer disposed on the first substrate. Each of the driving voltage transmission line, the common voltage transmission line, and the dam may directly contact the insulating layer.

[0030] The dam may be in direct contact with the sealant.

[0031] The driving voltage transmission line may include an elongated portion extending parallel to each of the edge of the sealant and the dam in a plan view of the display device.

[0032] The dam may include at least one dam member having a linear structure in a plan view of the display device.

[0033] The dam may include at least one dam member having a W-shaped structure in a plan view of the display device.

[0034] The dam may include dam members separated from each other in a length direction of the driving voltage transmission line.

[0035] The dam may include dam members separated from each other in an extending direction of the edge of the driving voltage transmission line.

[0036] The dam may be positioned between an edge of the driving voltage transmission line and an edge of the common voltage transmission line. The dam may include dam members separated from each other. Each of the dam members may be oriented obliquely relative to the edge of the driving voltage transmission line in a plan view of the display device.

[0037] The dam may include dam members separated from each other. Each of the dam members may have a square bracket shape in a plan view of the display device.

[0038] Embodiments may relate to a display device. The display device may include the following elements: a first substrate including a display area and a non-display area; a first voltage transmission line disposed on the non-display area and configured to transmit a first voltage having a first voltage level; a second voltage transmission line disposed on the non-display area and configured to transmit a second voltage having a second voltage level unequal to the first voltage level; a dam disposed between the first voltage transmission line and the second voltage transmission line and electrically isolated from at least one of the first voltage transmission line and the second voltage transmission line; a second substrate overlapping the first substrate; and a sealant disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, surrounding the display area in a plan view of the display device, and overlapping each of the first voltage transmission line, the second voltage transmission line, and the dam.

[0039] The sealant may directly contact at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate.

[0040] The first voltage transmission line, the second voltage transmission line, and the dam may be made of the same material.

[0041] The display device may include the following elements: pixels disposed on a first substrate and in a display area; scan lines extending in a first direction and configured to apply scan signals to the pixels; data lines extending in a second direction and configured to apply data voltages to the pixels, wherein the second direction may be different from the first direction; and driving voltage lines extending in the second direction and configured to apply a driving voltage to the pixels. One of the first voltage transmission line and the second voltage transmission line may be electrically connected to the driving voltage line.

[0042] The display device may include an insulating layer disposed on the first substrate. Each of the first voltage transmission line and the dam may directly contact each of the insulating layer and the sealant.

[0043] The first voltage transmission line may transmit a driving voltage. The second voltage transmission line may transmit a common voltage. An edge of the first voltage transmission line may extend in a first direction. The length of the dam may be in the first direction.

[0044] The dam may include at least one linear dam member in a plan view of the display device.

[0045] The dam may include at least one dam member having a W-shaped structure in a plan view of the display device.

[0046] The dam may be positioned between an edge of the first voltage transmission line and an edge of the second voltage transmission line.The dam may include dam members spaced apart from each other in an extending direction of the edge of the first voltage transmission line.

[0047] The dam may be positioned between an edge of the first voltage transmission line and an edge of the second voltage transmission line. The dam may include dam members separated from each other. Each of the dam members may be oriented obliquely relative to the edge of the first voltage transmission line.

[0048] The dam may include dam members separated from each other. Each of the dam members may have a square bracket shape in a plan view of the display device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Figure 1 A (plan view of) a display device according to an embodiment is schematically shown.

[0050] Figure 2 It shows the embodiment Figure 1 A plan view of area A is shown in FIG.

[0051] Figure 3 It shows the embodiment Figure 2 A plan view of area B is shown in FIG.

[0052] Figure 4 According to an embodiment, Figure 3 A sectional view of a sectional plane taken along line AA'.

[0053] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a comparative example is shown.

[0054] Figure 6 、 Figure 7 、 Figure 8 and Figure 9 Each of the diagrams shows a Figure 2 The plan view of the area corresponding to area B in .

[0055] Figure 10 According to an embodiment, Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line BB'.

[0056] Figure 11 According to an embodiment, Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line CC'.

[0057] Figure 12 An equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel of a display device according to an embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The described embodiments can be modified in various ways.

[0059] Although the terms "first", "second" etc. can be used to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms can be used to distinguish one element from another element. Without departing from the teachings of one or more embodiments, the first element can be referred to as the second element. Describing an element as a "first" element may not require or imply the presence of a second element or other elements. The terms "first", "second" etc. can be used to distinguish different classes or groups of elements. For simplicity, the terms "first", "second" etc. can respectively represent "first class (or first group)", "second class (or second group)" etc.

[0060] In the drawings, sizes may be exaggerated for better understanding and ease of description.

[0061] When a first element is referred to as being “on” a second element, the first element may be directly on the second element, or one or more intervening elements may be present between the first and second elements. When a first element is referred to as being “directly on” a second element, no intervening elements (except environmental elements such as air) may be intended or required between the first and second elements.

[0062] Unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprising” may imply the inclusion of stated elements, but may not require the exclusion of any other elements.

[0063] In the drawings, reference numeral "x" indicates a first direction, "y" indicates a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and "z" indicates a third direction perpendicular to each of the first and second directions. The first direction x, the second direction y, and the third direction z may correspond to a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, and a thickness direction of the display device, respectively.

[0064] Unless otherwise described in the specification, "overlapping" may refer to overlapping in the third direction z. The term "connecting" may refer to "electrically connecting". The term "insulating" may refer to "electrically insulating". The term "dam" may refer to "dam set (also referred to as dam device)" or "dam structure". The term "contacting" may refer to "directly contacting" or "direct contacting", and a list of examples / items may indicate at least one of the examples / items.

[0065] Figure 1 schematically shows a display device according to an embodiment, Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 A plan view of area A is shown in FIG.

[0066] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2, the display device includes a display panel 10 , a flexible printed circuit film 20 coupled to the display panel 10 , a driving unit including an integrated circuit chip 30 , and the like.

[0067] The display panel 10 includes a display area DA for displaying an image according to an input signal, and includes a non-display area NA adjacent to the display area DA. Circuits and / or signal lines for supplying signals and voltages to the display area DA are provided in the non-display area NA. The non-display area NA may surround the display area DA. Figure 1 In FIG, the boundary line BL is positioned between the display area DA and the non-display area NA.

[0068] In the display area DA, pixels PX may be arranged in a matrix on the first substrate 110. Signal lines such as scan lines 121, data lines 171, and driving voltage lines 172 may also be arranged on the first substrate 110 in the display area DA. The scan lines 121 may extend in a first direction x, and the data lines 171 and driving voltage lines 172 may extend in a second direction y. Each of the pixels PX may be connected to a corresponding one of the signal lines (such as the scan lines 121, the data lines 171, and the driving voltage lines 172) to receive a scan signal, a data voltage, and a driving voltage.

[0069] A touch sensor for detecting a user's touch and / or contactless touch / input may be provided in the display area DA. The touch sensor may be provided on the second substrate 210. Although the display area DA is shown as having a substantially rectangular shape, the display area DA may have one or more of various shapes such as a polygonal shape, a circular shape, and an elliptical shape.

[0070] The pad area PA may include a pad for receiving a signal from an external source and may be provided in the non-display area NA of the display panel 10. The pad area PA may extend in the first direction x along one edge of the display panel 10. The flexible printed circuit film 20 is bonded to the pad area PA, and the pads of the flexible printed circuit film 20 may be electrically connected to the pads of the pad area PA. The first substrate 110 may be longer than the second substrate 210 at least in the pad area PA, so that the pad area PA may be exposed for bonding to the flexible printed circuit film 20.

[0071] The flexible printed circuit film 20 may be connected to a printed circuit board 40 supporting a processor 41, a memory 42, etc. The processor 41 may be an application processor AP including a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a modem, etc. The display panel 10 may receive image data, power, and signals related to the image data through the flexible printed circuit film 20.

[0072] Used to drive the voltage ELVDD (see Figure 12 ) is transmitted to the pixel PX driving voltage transmission line (also referred to as the first voltage transmission line) 60 and for transmitting the common voltage ELVSS (see Figure 12 ) is basically arranged in the non-display area NA. The driving voltage ELVDD and the common voltage ELVSS are power supply voltages applied to the pixels PX. The common voltage ELVSS can be lower than the driving voltage ELVDD. For example, the driving voltage ELVDD can be a positive voltage and the common voltage ELVSS can be a negative voltage. The driving voltage transmission line 60 can receive a predetermined level of driving voltage through at least one pad P provided in the pad area PA, and can apply the driving voltage to the driving voltage line 172 positioned in the display area DA. The common voltage transmission line 70 can receive a predetermined level of common voltage through at least one pad P provided in the pad area PA, and can apply the common voltage to the common electrode of the pixel PX provided in the display area DA.

[0073] The driving voltage transmission line 60 may be electrically connected to the pad P at opposite sides / ends of the pad area PA (the opposite sides / ends of the pad area PA may be opposite in the first direction x). The driving voltage transmission line 60 may include an elongated portion 61 extending in the first direction x between the pad area PA and the display area DA. The driving voltage line 172 of the display area DA may be electrically connected to the elongated portion 61 of the driving voltage transmission line 60. For example, the driving voltage line 172 may extend from the elongated portion 61 in the second direction y. The driving voltage transmission line 60 may be substantially symmetrical with respect to a (geometric) center line of the display panel 10 extending in the second direction y.

[0074] The common voltage transmission line 70 may be electrically connected to the pad P at opposite sides / ends of the pad area PA (the opposite sides / ends of the pad area PA may be opposite in the first direction x). The common voltage transmission line 70 may surround at least a portion of the display area DA. The common voltage transmission line 70 may extend substantially in the first direction x at the upper and lower sides of the display area DA, and substantially in the second direction y at the left and right sides of the display area DA. The common voltage transmission line 70 may be substantially symmetrical with respect to a center line of the display panel 10 extending in the second direction y.

[0075] The sealant 50 is provided in the non-display area NA. Figure 1 and Figure 2, the hatched area corresponds to the area where the sealant 50 is provided. The sealant 50 may completely surround the display area DA in a plan view of the display device. The edges of the sealant 50 may substantially coincide with the upper edge, left edge, and right edge of the second substrate 210. The edges of the sealant 50 may be disposed slightly away from (and substantially parallel to) the lower edge of the second substrate 210.

[0076] If the sealant 50 reaches the lower edge, it may be difficult to cut the second substrate 210 shorter than the first substrate 110. The sealant 50 may bond the first substrate 110 to the second substrate 210 and may prevent impurities such as external moisture and oxygen from entering the space between the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 210. The display area DA may be substantially airtightly surrounded by the first substrate 110, the second substrate 210, and the sealant 50. Generally, the sealant 50 may have a substantially rectangular shape and may have curved corners.

[0077] The pad area PA is positioned farther away from the display area DA than the sealant 50, and the driving voltage transmission line 60 and the common voltage transmission line 70 are connected to the pad P of the pad area PA, so the sealant 50 may overlap with the driving voltage transmission line 60 and the common voltage transmission line 70 at least at the lower side of the display area DA.

[0078] The sealant 50 can be formed by performing the following steps: coating a sealing material on the first substrate 110 and / or the second substrate 210, arranging the first substrate 110 and / or the second substrate 210 so that the sealing material is positioned between the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 210, and heating the sealing material by irradiating a laser to the portion of the combined structure coated with the sealing material. The coated sealing material can be a glass raw material such as glass frit. When the sealing material is irradiated with a laser and heated, the sealing material melts and adheres to the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 210 like an adhesive, and solidifies in an attached state to form a sealant 50, which is used for an airtight bond between the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 210. The laser can be irradiated toward the sealing material above the second substrate 210 and can travel along the sealing material. The temperature of the heat applied to the sealing material by the laser can be, for example, 300°C or higher.

[0079] When laser light irradiates the sealing material, the metal forming the driving voltage transmission line 60 and / or the common voltage transmission line 70 melts and deforms due to the heat of the laser light and / or the latent heat of the sealing material, causing a short circuit between the driving voltage transmission line 60 and the common voltage transmission line 70. Such a short circuit is likely to occur in the narrow area between the driving voltage transmission line 60 and the common voltage transmission line 70, for example, between the elongated portion 61 of the driving voltage transmission line 60 and the common voltage transmission line 70. A short circuit between the driving voltage transmission line 60 and the common voltage transmission line 70 may cause a driving malfunction of the display panel 10. To prevent short circuits, a dam 80 is provided between the driving voltage transmission line 60 and the common voltage transmission line 70 to block the flow of molten metal. Specifically, the dam 80 may be provided between the elongated portion 61 of the driving voltage transmission line 60 and the common voltage transmission line 70. The dam 80 is separate from each of the driving voltage transmission line 60 and the common voltage transmission line 70 and is electrically isolated from at least one of the driving voltage transmission line 60 and the common voltage transmission line 70.

[0080] The dam 80 may extend parallel to the elongated portion 61, and the elongated portion 61 may extend parallel to the edge of the sealant 50. When the elongated portion 61 extends in the first direction x, the dam 80 may also extend in the first direction x. The elongated portion 61 may have different widths in the second direction y, or may have a uniform y-direction width. The elongated portion 61 may include a curved portion and / or a bent portion. The dam 80 may also bend or bend corresponding to the curved portion or bent portion of the elongated portion 61. The driving voltage transmission line 60, the common voltage transmission line 70, and the dam 80 may be formed using the same material in the same process. Therefore, no additional steps or additional masks are required to form the dam 80.

[0081] The driving unit may be provided in the non-display area NA of the display panel 10 to generate and / or process various signals for driving the display panel 10. The driving unit may include a data driver for applying a data voltage to the data line 171, a gate driver for applying a scan signal to the scan line 121, and a signal controller for controlling the data driver and the gate driver. The pixel PX may receive a data voltage at a predetermined timing according to the scan signal. The gate driver may be integrated into the display panel 10 and may be provided on at least one side of the display area DA. The data driver and the signal controller may be provided in an integrated circuit chip 30 (also referred to as a driver IC chip 30). The integrated circuit chip 30 may be mounted on the flexible printed circuit film 20 and may be electrically connected to the display panel 10. The pad area PA may be positioned between the integrated circuit chip 30 and the display area DA.

[0082] Figure 3 It shows the embodiment according to Figure 2 The plan view of area B in Figure 4According to an embodiment, Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA', Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a comparative example.

[0083] Sealant 50 can be Figure 2 In the region shown in FIG, the dam 80 substantially overlaps the driving voltage transmission line 60 and the common voltage transmission line 70, and may completely overlap the dam 80. The dam 80 is disposed between the driving voltage transmission line 60 (specifically, the elongated portion 61) and the common voltage transmission line 70. The dam 80 (or dam group 80) may include a dam member 81. Each of the dam members 81 may be substantially linear in plan view. The length of the dam member 81 in the first direction x may be 50 times or more the width of the dam member 81 in the second direction y. The dam members 81 may be spaced apart from each other and may extend substantially parallel to each other. The sum of the widths of the dam members 81 in the second direction y may be within a range of approximately 30% to approximately 50% of the distance between the driving voltage transmission line 60 and the common voltage transmission line 70 in the second direction y. As the distance between the driving voltage transmission line 60 and the common voltage transmission line 70 increases, the number of dam members 81 may increase. In an embodiment, a single dam member 81 may constitute the dam 80.

[0084] Reference Figure 4 The driving voltage transmission line 60, the common voltage transmission line 70, and the dam 80 can be directly disposed on the same insulating layer 160 formed on the first substrate 110. The driving voltage transmission line 60, the common voltage transmission line 70, and the dam 80 can be formed using the same material in the same process. For example, the driving voltage transmission line 60, the common voltage transmission line 70, and the dam 80 can be formed simultaneously by forming a metal layer on the insulating layer 160 and patterning the metal layer.

[0085] When the laser is irradiated to form the sealant 50, the metal melts and deforms due to the rapid temperature rise in the portion of the common voltage transmission line 70 overlapping the center of the laser. The molten metal flows toward the driving voltage transmission line 60, but can be substantially blocked by the dam 80 provided between the common voltage transmission line 70 and the driving voltage transmission line 60. Even when the molten metal passes through the first dam member 81 of the dam 80, it can be blocked by the next positioned dam member 81. As a result, the molten metal does not reach the driving voltage transmission line 60.

[0086] Reference Figure 5In the comparative example, no dam is provided between the driving voltage transmission line 60 and the common voltage transmission line 70. When the metal is melted in the common voltage transmission line 70 by the laser irradiated to form the sealant 50, the molten metal can flow toward the driving voltage transmission line 60. Since there is no structure to block the flow of the molten metal between the common voltage transmission line 70 and the driving voltage transmission line 60, the molten metal reaches the driving voltage transmission line 60, causing the common voltage transmission line 70 and the driving voltage transmission line 60 to be short-circuited. In contrast, according to the embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As described, since the flow of the molten metal is blocked by the dam 80 , a short circuit does not occur between the common voltage transmission line 70 and the driving voltage transmission line 60 .

[0087] Figure 6 、 Figure 7 、 Figure 8 and Figure 9 Each of the diagrams shows a Figure 2 The plan view of the area corresponding to area B in .

[0088] Reference Figure 6 Each dam member 81 constituting the dam 80 may include one or more curved structures (such as a substantially W-shaped structure). The dam member 81 may include a parallel portion and may be substantially parallel to the elongated portion 61 of the driving voltage transmission line 60. The curved structure of the dam member 81 may provide a space for accommodating molten metal.

[0089] Reference Figures 7 to 9 , the dam 80 may include discrete dam members 81 arranged in a first direction x. Figure 7 In the embodiment, the separate dam members 81 are arranged in four substantially parallel rows. Figure 8 In FIG, the dam members 81 are arranged in two rows and are inclined relative to the elongated portion 61. Figure 9 In the embodiment, dam members 81 having a square bracket shape are arranged alternately in two or more rows. When dam 80 has one or more of the above structures, the molten metal can flow between dam members 81, thereby maximizing the flow path of the molten metal and substantially trapping the molten metal in the spaces between dam members 81, thereby preventing undesirable electrical connections. The structure and arrangement of dam members 81 constituting dam 80 can be configured and combined according to the embodiment.

[0090] One or more dams 80 may be provided not only between the driving voltage transmission line 60 and the common voltage transmission line 70, but also between adjacent wirings overlapping the sealant 50. For example, the dam 80 may be provided between wirings connected to the pad P of the pad area PA (such as one or more of wirings transmitting a clock signal, a light emitting frame signal, a gate high voltage, a gate low voltage, etc. to a gate driver).

[0091] Figure 10 According to an embodiment, Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line BB', Figure 11 According to an embodiment, Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line CC'.

[0092] Reference Figure 10 and Figure 11 The first substrate 110 may be an insulating substrate made of at least one of glass, quartz, ceramic, etc. The first substrate 110 may be optically transparent or opaque.

[0093] The semiconductor layer 154 of the transistor TR may be positioned on the first substrate 110. The semiconductor layer 154 may include a channel region and source and drain regions positioned at opposite sides of the channel region. The semiconductor layer 154 may include polysilicon, amorphous silicon, or an oxide semiconductor.

[0094] A buffer layer may be provided between the first substrate 110 and the semiconductor layer 154 to prevent diffusion of impurities that degrade characteristics of the semiconductor layer 154 and to prevent penetration of moisture, etc. A light-blocking electrode may be provided between the first substrate 110 and the semiconductor layer 154. The light-blocking electrode may block external light from reaching the semiconductor layer 154 to prevent degradation of characteristics of the semiconductor layer 154 and minimize leakage current of the transistor TR.

[0095] The first insulating layer 140 may be provided on the semiconductor layer 154. The first insulating layer 140 may be referred to as a gate insulating layer. The first insulating layer 140 may include a silicon oxide (SiO x ) and / or silicon nitride (SiN x ) of inorganic insulating materials.

[0096] A gate conductor, which may include a gate electrode 124 of the transistor TR, a scan line 121, and the like, may be disposed on the first insulating layer 140. The gate electrode 124 may overlap the channel region of the semiconductor layer 154. The gate conductor may include a metal such as molybdenum (Mo), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), chromium (Cr), tantalum (Ta), or titanium (Ti), and may be formed in a single-layer or multi-layer structure.

[0097] A second insulating layer 160, which may include an inorganic insulating material, may be disposed on the gate conductor. The second insulating layer 160 may be referred to as a gate insulating layer.

[0098] A data conductor including the source electrode 173 and drain electrode 175 of the transistor TR, the data line 171, the driving voltage line 172, the driving voltage transmission line 60, the common voltage transmission line 70, the dam 80, etc. can be provided on the second insulating layer 160. The data conductor can be formed by using the same material in the same process. Specifically, the source electrode 173, the drain electrode 175, the driving voltage transmission line 60, the common voltage transmission line 70, the dam 80, the data line 171, the driving voltage line 172, etc. can be formed by forming a conductive layer on the second insulating layer 160 and then patterning the conductive layer via a photolithography process. The driving voltage line 172 can be electrically connected to the driving voltage transmission line 60 to receive the driving voltage ELVDD from the driving voltage transmission line 60 and apply the driving voltage ELVDD to the pixel PX. The driving voltage line 172 can extend from the driving voltage transmission line 60 in the second direction y.

[0099] The data conductor may include a metal such as aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), titanium (Ti), chromium (Cr), tantalum (Ta), etc., and may be formed of a single-layer or multi-layer structure (e.g., Ti / Al / Ti, Mo / Al / Mo, Mo / Cu / Mo, etc.). The driving voltage transmission line 60 and / or the common voltage transmission line 70 may be formed of a conductor provided at a different layer from the data conductor.

[0100] The source electrode 173 and the drain electrode 175 can be connected to the source region and the drain region of the semiconductor layer 154 through the opening formed in the second insulating layer 160. The gate electrode 124, the source electrode 173, and the drain electrode 175 together with the semiconductor layer 154 constitute a transistor TR. The transistor TR can be a driving transistor in the pixel PX of the emissive display device, or can be a transistor electrically connected to the driving transistor. The transistor TR can be a top-gate type in which the gate electrode 124 is positioned above the semiconductor layer 154 as shown, but it can be variously modified. For example, the transistor TR can be a bottom-gate transistor in which the gate electrode is disposed below the semiconductor layer, or can be a vertical transistor in which the source electrode and the drain electrode are stacked.

[0101] The third insulating layer 180 may be disposed on the second insulating layer 160 and the gate conductor. The third insulating layer 180 may be referred to as a planarization layer and may include an organic insulating material. The third insulating layer 180 may be used to eliminate steps and perform planarization to increase the luminous efficiency of the light-emitting diode display to be formed thereon. The third insulating layer 180 may include an organic insulating material. A passivation layer, which may include an inorganic insulating material, may be disposed between the data conductor and the third insulating layer 180. Although not specifically shown, in the driver area GDA adjacent to the display area DA, elements (transistors, capacitors, etc.) and wiring constituting a driving unit such as a gate driver may be disposed between the first substrate 110 and the third insulating layer 180.

[0102] The pixel electrode 191 and the connecting member 195 may be disposed on the third insulating layer 180. The pixel electrode 191 and the connecting member 195 may be formed using the same material in the same process. The pixel electrode 191 may be connected to the source electrode 173 or the drain electrode 175 of the transistor TR through the opening of the third insulating layer 180. The connecting member 195 may be connected to the common voltage transmission line 70. The pixel electrode 191 and the connecting member 195 may be formed of a reflective conductive material or a transflective conductive material, or may be formed of a transparent conductive material. The pixel electrode 191 and the connecting member 195 may include transparent conductive materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), and gold (Au).

[0103] A fourth insulating layer 360 may be disposed on the third insulating layer 180, the pixel electrode 191, and the connecting member 195. The fourth insulating layer 360 may be referred to as a pixel defining layer or partition wall. The fourth insulating layer 360 may have an opening 610 that exposes the pixel electrode 191. The opening 610 may define a region corresponding to the emission region of the pixel PX. The fourth insulating layer 360 may include an organic insulating material such as polyimide, polyacrylate, and polyamide.

[0104] The light-emitting member 260 may be disposed on the pixel electrode 191. The light-emitting member 260 may include a first organic common layer, an emission layer, and a second organic common layer stacked sequentially. The first organic common layer may include at least one of a hole injection layer and a hole transport layer. The emission layer may include an organic material that uniquely emits light of a primary color such as red, green, or blue, and may have a structure in which organic material layers emitting light of different colors are stacked. The second organic common layer may include at least one of an electron transport layer and an electron injection layer.

[0105] A common electrode 270 that transmits a common voltage ELVSS may be provided on the light emitting member 260. The common electrode 270 may include a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO). The common electrode 270 may be light-transmitting. The common electrode 270 may include a metal such as calcium (Ca), barium (Ba), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), or silver (Ag). The common electrode 270 may be connected to the connecting member 195 through the opening 620 of the fourth insulating layer 360. Since the connecting member 195 is connected to the common voltage transmission line 70, the common electrode 270 may be electrically connected to the common voltage transmission line 70 through the connecting member 195 and may receive the common voltage ELVSS from the common voltage transmission line 70. The display panel 10 may not include the connecting member 195, and the common electrode 270 may be directly connected to the common voltage transmission line 70. At least one passivation layer or functional layer may be provided on the common electrode 270.

[0106] The pixel electrode 191, the light-emitting member 260, and the common electrode 270 of each pixel PX may constitute a light-emitting diode (LED) as an organic light-emitting diode. The pixel electrode 191 may be an anode serving as a hole-injecting electrode, and the common electrode 270 may be a cathode serving as an electron-injecting electrode, or vice versa. When holes and electrons are injected from the pixel electrode 191 and the common electrode 270 into the light-emitting member 260, excitons formed by the combination of the injected holes and electrons are emitted when they drop from an excited state to a ground state.

[0107] The second substrate 210 facing the first substrate 110 may be an insulating substrate made of glass, quartz, ceramic, etc. and may be optically transparent. The second substrate 210 may be bonded to the first substrate 110 by a sealant 50 .

[0108] A touch sensor layer including touch signal lines 410 and touch electrodes 420 may be provided on the second substrate 210. The touch sensor layer may be used to detect contact and / or contactless touch / input by a user. The touch signal lines 410 may be positioned in the non-display area NA, and the touch electrodes 420 may be positioned in the display area DA. The touch signal lines 410 may be formed of a metal or a metal alloy, and the touch electrodes 420 may be formed of a transparent conductive material, a metal mesh, or a conductive polymer. A passivation layer 430, which serves as an insulating layer, may be provided on the touch signal lines 410 and the touch electrodes 420. The touch electrodes 420 may be provided on the touch signal lines 410, or vice versa, or the touch signal lines 410 and the touch electrodes 420 may be positioned on the same layer. The touch signal lines 410 and the touch electrodes 420 may be positioned on the inner surface of the second substrate 210 (i.e., the surface facing the first substrate 110) and may be formed on a separate substrate to be attached to the second substrate 210.

[0109] A sealant 50 for bonding the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 210 may be disposed between the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 210. The sealant 50 may include an inner surface 51 facing the display area DA and an outer surface 52 forming part of the outer surface of the display panel 10. When the display panel 10 has a substantially quadrilateral shape, the inner surface 51 of the sealant 50 may have a substantially quadrilateral shape in a plan view and may be curved at the four corners. The outer surface 52 of the sealant 50 may substantially coincide with the edges of the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 210. The outer surface 52 of the sealant 50 may protrude beyond the edges of the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 210. In this case, the edges of the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 210 may not be substantially damaged by an impact on the display device.

[0110] Heat applied or generated during the formation of the sealant 50 may cause the common voltage transmission line 70 overlapping the center of the sealant 50 to partially melt, causing the metal to melt and flow toward the driving voltage transmission line 60. Since the dam 80 is provided between the common voltage transmission line 70 and the driving voltage transmission line 60, even when the metal melts, the molten metal can be prevented from flowing to the driving voltage transmission line 60. The portions of the driving voltage transmission line 60, the common voltage transmission line 70, and the dam 80 that overlap with the sealant 50 may contact the sealant 50 in the corresponding areas overlapping with the sealant 50.

[0111] The common voltage transmission line 70 may function as a reflective layer that increases the efficiency of utilizing laser light irradiated when forming the sealant 50. Openings such as slits may be formed in the common voltage transmission line 70 to increase adhesion by increasing the contact area of ​​the lower end portion of the sealant 50. The connection member 195 may directly contact the common voltage transmission line 70 at the left end portion, the right end portion, and / or the upper end portion of the display panel 10.

[0112] Figure 12 An equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel of a display device according to an embodiment is shown.

[0113] Reference Figure 12 , the pixel PX may include transistors T1 to T7 connected to the signal lines 121 , 127 , 152 , 153 , 158 , 171 and 172 , a storage capacitor CS and a light emitting diode LED.

[0114] The transistors T1 to T7 include a driving transistor T1 , a switching transistor T2 , a compensation transistor T3 , an initialization transistor T4 , an operation control transistor T5 , an emission control transistor T6 , and a bypass transistor T7 .

[0115] The signal lines 121 , 127 , 152 , 153 , 158 , 171 and 172 may include a scan line 121 , an initialization voltage line 127 , a previous stage scan line 152 , an emission control line 153 , a bypass control line 158 , a data line 171 and a driving voltage line 172 .

[0116] The scan line 121 can transmit the scan signal GW to the switching transistor T2 and the compensation transistor T3. The previous stage scan line 152 can transmit the previous stage scan signal GI to the initialization transistor T4. The emission control line 153 can transmit the light emission control signal EM to the operation control transistor T5 and the emission control transistor T6. The bypass control line 158 can transmit the bypass signal GIn to the bypass transistor T7.

[0117] The data line 171 can receive the data voltage Vdat, and the driving voltage line 172 and the initialization voltage line 127 can receive the driving voltage ELVDD and the initialization voltage Vint respectively. The driving voltage line 172 is connected to the driving voltage transmission line 60. The initialization voltage Vint can initialize the driving transistor T1.

[0118] Each transistor T1 to T7 includes a gate electrode G1 to G7, a source electrode S1 to S7 and a drain electrode D1 to D7, and the storage capacitor CS includes a first electrode C1 and a second electrode C2. The electrodes of the transistors T1 to T7 and the storage capacitor CS may be as follows: Figure 12 The anode of the light emitting diode LED, which can be an organic light emitting diode, can be connected to the drain electrode D1 of the driving transistor T1 through the emission control transistor T6. The cathode of the light emitting diode LED can be connected to the common voltage transmission line 70 that transmits the common voltage ELVSS through the above-mentioned connection member 195, or can be directly connected to the common voltage transmission line 70.

[0119] In the circuit structure of the pixel PX, transistors, capacitors, and related connections may be configured according to embodiments.

[0120] Although example embodiments have been described, actual embodiments are not limited to the described embodiments and encompass various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: first base; a driving voltage transmission line, disposed on the first substrate and configured to transmit a driving voltage; a common voltage transmission line, disposed on the first substrate and configured to transmit a common voltage; a dam, disposed between the driving voltage transmission line and the common voltage transmission line, electrically isolated from at least one of the driving voltage transmission line and the common voltage transmission line, and disposed on the first substrate; a second substrate, overlapping the first substrate; as well as a sealant disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and overlapping each of the driving voltage transmission line, the common voltage transmission line, and the dam, wherein the driving voltage transmission line, the common voltage transmission line, and the dam are made of the same material, and wherein the dam includes a plurality of dam members separated from each other.

2. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising an insulating layer disposed on the first substrate, wherein Each of the driving voltage transmission line, the common voltage transmission line, and the dam directly contacts the insulating layer.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The dam directly contacts the sealant.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The driving voltage transmission line includes an elongated portion extending parallel to an edge of the sealant and each of the dams in a plan view of the display device.

5. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: Each of the plurality of dam members has a linear structure in a plan view of the display device.

6. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: Each of the plurality of dam members has a W-shaped structure in a plan view of the display device.

7. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The plurality of dam members are spaced apart from each other in an extending direction of an edge of the driving voltage transmission line.

8. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The dam is positioned between an edge of the driving voltage transmission line and an edge of the common voltage transmission line, wherein each of the plurality of dam members is oriented obliquely with respect to the edge of the driving voltage transmission line in a plan view of the display device.

9. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: Each of the plurality of dam members has a square bracket shape in a plan view of the display device.

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