Cover window, display device including the cover window, and method for manufacturing the display device

Abstract

Provided are a cover window, a display device including the cover window, and a method for manufacturing the display device. The cover window includes a glass substrate, a polymer film arranged on the glass substrate, an adhesive layer arranged between the glass substrate and the polymer film, a protective layer covering the adhesive layer and the glass substrate, and a light shielding portion arranged on at least one of the glass substrate and the polymer film. The protective layer covers the side surface of the adhesive layer, the side surface of the glass substrate, and one surface of the glass substrate. The cover window has improved strength and reliability.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0056352, filed on May 12, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. Technical Field

[0003] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a display device, and more particularly, to a cover window including a protective layer, a display device including the cover window, and a method of manufacturing the display device. Background Art

[0004] The display device displays various images through a display screen to provide information to the user. Generally, the display device displays information in an allocated screen area. In recent years, flexible display devices including foldable or bendable flexible display panels are being developed. Unlike rigid display devices, flexible display devices are foldable, rollable or bendable. Flexible display devices that can be deformed into various shapes are easy to carry and improve user convenience regardless of the original size of their display screens.

[0005] A cover window applied to a flexible display device includes a thin glass substrate, and a coating process is performed on the glass substrate to improve the strength of the glass substrate.

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

[0007] The applicant has recognized that when a coating process of a cover window is performed on a flexible display device, a coating liquid penetrates into the front surface of the glass substrate where an image is displayed.

[0008] The cover window constructed according to the principles and exemplary implementations of the present invention can improve reliability and have the transparency of a glass substrate and the flexibility of a polymer film by including a glass substrate, an adhesive layer, a polymer film, and a protective layer.

[0009] A display device including a cover window constructed according to the principles and exemplary implementations of the present invention can improve strength on the front surface thereof because a polymer film of the cover window is disposed on the front surface thereof.

[0010] The method for manufacturing a display device according to the principles and exemplary implementations of the present invention can improve the manufacturing yield of a cover window because a coating liquid can be prevented from penetrating into the front surface of a glass substrate.

[0011] Additional features of the inventive concept will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the inventive concept.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, a cover window includes: a glass substrate; a polymer film arranged on the glass substrate; an adhesive layer arranged between the glass substrate and the polymer film; a protective layer covering a side surface of the adhesive layer, a side surface of the glass substrate and a surface of the glass substrate; and a light shielding portion arranged on at least one of the glass substrate and the polymer film.

[0013] The adhesive layer may completely overlap the glass substrate, and the adhesive layer may have an area equal to or smaller than that of the glass substrate in a plane.

[0014] Each of the bonding layer and the glass substrate may have a quadrilateral shape in a plane, the bonding layer may have an area equal to or smaller than an area of ​​the glass substrate in the plane, and a length difference between each side of the bonding layer and each side of the glass substrate corresponding to each other may be within a range equal to or greater than about 0.00 mm and equal to or less than about 1.00 mm.

[0015] The side edges of the polymer film may overlap the side edges of the protective layer.

[0016] The glass substrate may include another surface spaced apart from the one surface, and the adhesive layer may be disposed adjacent to the other surface of the glass substrate.

[0017] The glass substrate may include another surface spaced apart from the one surface, and the light shielding portion may be arranged on the one surface or the other surface of the glass substrate.

[0018] The light shielding portion may be disposed on one surface of the polymer film disposed adjacent to the adhesive layer.

[0019] The polymer film and the protective layer may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other with the light shielding portion interposed therebetween.

[0020] The glass substrate may include another surface spaced apart from the one surface, and a step difference may be defined by a side surface of the adhesive layer and the other surface of the glass substrate.

[0021] The protective layer may include at least one of silicone resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, and polyimide resin.

[0022] The polymer film may include at least one of polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyurethane, and polymethyl methacrylate.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, a display device includes: a display panel including at least one folding area and a cover window arranged on the display panel. The cover window includes: a glass substrate; a polymer film arranged on the glass substrate; an adhesive layer arranged between the glass substrate and the polymer film; a protective layer covering a side surface of the adhesive layer, a side surface of the glass substrate, and a surface of the glass substrate; and a light shielding portion arranged on at least one of the glass substrate and the polymer film.

[0024] The display device may further include a housing for accommodating the display panel and the cover window. The protective layer may include a side surface protection portion covering a side surface of the adhesive layer and a side surface of the glass substrate and a lower surface protection portion covering one surface of the glass substrate, and the side surface protection portion may be arranged adjacent to the side surface of the housing.

[0025] The side surface of the adhesive layer and the case may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other with the side surface protection portion interposed therebetween.

[0026] The polymer film may be disposed on the front surface of the display device.

[0027] The adhesive layer may be disposed directly between the glass substrate and the polymer film.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a display device includes: providing a cover window on a display panel. The step of providing the cover window includes the following steps: providing an adhesive layer on a glass substrate; providing a preliminary polymer film on the adhesive layer so that the preliminary polymer film is spaced apart from the glass substrate; providing a preliminary protective layer so as to be arranged adjacent to a side surface of the adhesive layer and cover one surface of the glass substrate; removing an edge of the preliminary protective layer and an edge of the preliminary polymer film to form a protective layer and a polymer film of the cover window; and arranging the cover window so that the protective layer is arranged closer to the display panel than the polymer film.

[0029] The step of providing the preliminary protective layer may include the step of directly providing the preliminary protective layer on the side surface of the adhesive layer and one surface of the glass substrate.

[0030] The polymer film may have an area larger than that of the glass substrate in a plane.

[0031] The step of forming the protective layer and the polymer film may include the step of removing an edge of the preliminary protective layer and an edge of the preliminary polymer film so that the edge of the protective layer and the edge of the polymer film are overlapped in position with each other.

[0032] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the inventive concept.

[0034] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a display device constructed according to the principles of the present invention shown in an unfolded state.

[0035] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a display device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention shown in a folded state.

[0036] Figure 3 is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line II'.

[0037] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a cover window.

[0038] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a glass substrate and an adhesive layer.

[0039] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a cover window.

[0040] Figure 7 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a cover window.

[0041] Figure 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method of manufacturing a display device according to the principles of the present invention.

[0042] Fig. 9 It is shown Figure 8 A flowchart of multiple steps of providing a cover window.

[0043] Figures 10 to 12 is with Fig. 9 Some steps in the diagram correspond to perspective views shown in the figure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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

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

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

[0047] When an element such as a layer is referred to as being "on" another element or layer, "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on another element or layer, directly connected to or directly coupled to another element or layer, or there can be an intermediate element or layer. However, when an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on" another element or layer, "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there is no intermediate element or layer. For this purpose, the term "connection" may refer to a physical, electrical and / or fluid connection with or without an intermediate element. In addition, the D1 axis, the D2 axis, and the D3 axis are not limited to the three axes of a rectangular coordinate system, such as an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis, and can be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the D1 axis, the D2 axis, and the D3 axis can be perpendicular to each other, or different directions that are not perpendicular to each other can be represented. For the purpose of this disclosure, "at least one of X, Y, and Z" and "at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z" may be interpreted as only X, only Y, only Z, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as, for example, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

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

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

[0050] The words used herein are used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" as used herein are intended to include the plural forms as well. In addition, the terms "comprise", "comprising", "include" and / or "including" when used in this specification indicate the presence of the features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups thereof. It should also be noted that, as used herein, the terms "substantially", "about" and other similar terms are used as approximate terms, and are not used as terms of degree, and are therefore used to explain the inherent deviations in the values ​​measured, calculated and / or provided that would be recognized by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0051] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly rigid sense unless expressly defined as such herein.

[0052] Hereinafter, a cover window, a display device including the cover window, and a method of manufacturing the display device according to exemplary embodiments will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a display device constructed according to the principles of the present invention shown in an unfolded state, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a display device constructed according to the principles of the present invention shown in a folded state. The display device DD according to the exemplary embodiment may be a flexible display device that is foldable or bendable or remains in a folded state or a bent state.

[0054] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The display device DD may be a device activated in response to an electrical signal. The display device DD may be a personal digital assistant, a tablet computer, a car navigation unit, a gaming unit, or a wearable device, however, it is not limited thereto or thereby. Figure 1 and Figure 2 A portable electronic device is shown as a representative example of the display device DD.

[0055] The display device DD may display an image through the active area EA. The active area EA may include non-folding areas NFA1 and NFA2 and a folding area FA. The folding area FA may be folded around a folding axis FX substantially parallel to a direction in which the second direction axis DR2 extends.

[0056] When the display device DD is folded, the non-folding areas NFA1 and NFA2 may face each other. Accordingly, when the display device DD is completely folded, the active area EA may not be exposed to the outside, and this folded state may be referred to as "folded inward". However, this is merely exemplary, and the operation of the display device DD should not be limited thereto or thereby.

[0057] The display device DD may perform only one of the inward folding operation and the outward folding operation. As another way, the display device DD may perform both the inward folding operation and the outward folding operation. In this case, a specific area (e.g., the folding area FA) of the display device DD may be folded inward (inward folding) or folded outward (outward folding). As another way, a portion of the display device DD may be folded inward (inward folding), and another portion of the display device DD may be folded outward (outward folding).

[0058] Figure 1 and Figure 2 One folding area FA and two non-folding areas NFA1 and NFA2 are shown as representative examples, however, the number of folding areas and the number of non-folding areas should not be limited thereto or thereby. For example, the display device DD may include three or more non-folding areas and a plurality of folding areas arranged between non-folding areas adjacent to each other.

[0059] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The display device DD is shown with the folding axis FX substantially parallel to the short axis of the display device DD, however, exemplary embodiments should not be limited thereto or thereby. For example, the folding axis FX may be substantially parallel to the long axis of the display device DD, ie, the direction in which the first direction axis DR1 extends.

[0060] The display device DD may include a sensing area SA surrounded by the active area EA. For example, the sensing area SA may overlap with the camera module. Figure 1 One sensing area SA is shown, however, exemplary embodiments should not be limited thereto or thereby. The display device DD may include a plurality of sensing areas.

[0061] The display device DD may include a housing HU. The housing HU may accommodate the display panel DP and the cover window CW therein (see Figure 3 ).

[0062] Figure 3 is along Figure 11-1'. The display device DD may include a display panel DP, an adhesive auxiliary layer ADL, and a cover window CW. The adhesive auxiliary layer ADL may be disposed between the display panel DP and the cover window CW. The display panel DP and the cover window CW may be coupled to each other through the adhesive auxiliary layer ADL.

[0063] The adhesive auxiliary layer ADL may be provided to attach the cover window CW to the display panel DP. The adhesive auxiliary layer ADL may be a transparent adhesive layer such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) film, an optically clear adhesive (OCA) film, or an optically clear resin (OCR). However, exemplary embodiments should not be limited thereto or thereby, and the adhesive auxiliary layer ADL may be omitted.

[0064] The cover window CW may include a glass substrate GL, an adhesive layer DH, a polymer film PF, a protective layer RT, and a light shielding part BM. The cover window CW disposed over the display panel DP may be disposed such that the protective layer RT of the cover window CW is disposed adjacent to the display panel DP.

[0065] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a cover window CW. Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a glass substrate and an adhesive layer. Figure 6 and Figure 7 yes Figure 3 sectional views of other exemplary embodiments of the cover window CW.

[0066] The cover windows CW, CW-1, and CW-2 may include a glass substrate GL, an adhesive layer DH, a polymer film PF, a protective layer RT, and a light shielding portion BM. The polymer film PF may be disposed on the glass substrate GL. The adhesive layer DH may be disposed between the glass substrate GL and the polymer film PF. Figure 4 , the glass substrate GL, the adhesive layer DH, and the polymer film PF may be sequentially stacked on one another in a direction in which the third directional axis DR3 extends.

[0067] The glass substrate GL may have a thickness T1 equal to or greater than about 10 micrometers and equal to or less than about 80 micrometers. The glass substrate GL may be tempered glass. The glass substrate GL may include one surface GL-F1 and another surface GL-F2 spaced apart from the one surface GL-F1. The one surface GL-F1 and the other surface GL-F2 of the glass substrate GL may be spaced apart from each other in the direction in which the third directional axis DR3 extends. Each of the one surface GL-F1 of the glass substrate GL and the other surface GL-F2 of the glass substrate GL may be substantially parallel to the direction in which the second directional axis DR2 extends. The one surface GL-F1 of the glass substrate GL and the other surface GL-F2 of the glass substrate GL may be connected to each other through the side surfaces GL-S1 and GL-S2 of the glass substrate GL. The side surfaces GL-S1 and GL-S2 of the glass substrate GL may be substantially parallel to the direction in which the third directional axis DR3 extends.

[0068] The adhesive layer DH may be disposed on the glass substrate GL. The adhesive layer DH may be disposed directly on the other surface GL-F2 of the glass substrate GL. The adhesive layer DH may be disposed directly between the glass substrate GL and the polymer film PF. The adhesive layer DH may couple the glass substrate GL and the polymer film PF.

[0069] The adhesive layer DH may have a thickness T2 equal to or greater than about 5 micrometers and equal to or less than about 100 micrometers. The adhesive layer DH may be transparent. For example, the adhesive layer DH may be a transparent adhesive layer such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) film, an optically clear adhesive (OCA) film, or an optically clear resin (OCR).

[0070] The adhesive layer DH may completely overlap with the glass substrate GL. One surface of the adhesive layer DH may overlap with the glass substrate GL. When viewed in a plane, the adhesive layer DH may have an area equal to or smaller than that of the glass substrate GL. When viewed in a plan view, the area of ​​the adhesive layer DH may be equal to that of the glass substrate GL, or the area of ​​the adhesive layer DH may be smaller than that of the glass substrate GL. When viewed in a plane, each of the adhesive layer DH and the glass substrate GL may have a quadrilateral shape, and the area of ​​the adhesive layer DH may be equal to or smaller than that of the glass substrate GL.

[0071] Reference Figure 5, the length differences TL1, TL2 between each side of the adhesive layer DH and each side of the glass substrate GL corresponding to each other may be equal to or greater than about 0.00 mm and equal to or less than about 1.00 mm. In the direction in which the second direction axis DR2 extends, the length difference TL1 between the sides of the adhesive layer DH and the sides of the glass substrate GL that are substantially parallel to each other may be equal to or greater than about 0.00 mm and equal to or less than about 1.00 mm. In the direction in which the first direction axis DR1 extends, the length difference TL2 between the sides of the adhesive layer DH and the sides of the glass substrate GL that are substantially parallel to each other may be equal to or greater than about 0.00 mm and equal to or less than about 1.00 mm. The length of each side of the adhesive layer DH may be shorter than the length of each side of the glass substrate GL corresponding to each side of the adhesive layer DH. The length of each side of the adhesive layer DH may be shorter than the length of each corresponding side of the glass substrate GL by a length equal to or greater than about 0.00 mm and equal to or less than about 1.00 mm.

[0072] For example, the length differences TL1, TL2 between each side of the adhesive layer DH and each side of the glass substrate GL corresponding to each side of the adhesive layer DH may be equal to or greater than about 0.05 mm and equal to or less than about 0.34 mm. In the direction in which the second direction axis DR2 extends, the length difference TL1 between the side of the adhesive layer DH and the side of the glass substrate GL that are substantially parallel to each other may be equal to or greater than about 0.05 mm and equal to or less than about 0.34 mm. In the direction in which the first direction axis DR1 extends, the length difference TL2 between the side of the adhesive layer DH and the side of the glass substrate GL that are substantially parallel to each other may be equal to or greater than about 0.05 mm and equal to or less than about 0.34 mm. However, this is merely exemplary, and exemplary embodiments should not be limited thereto or thereby.

[0073] Figure 5 Each of the adhesive layer DH and the glass substrate GL shown in FIG. 4 has a rectangular shape defined by two short sides and two long sides, however, the shapes of the adhesive layer DH and the glass substrate GL should not be limited thereto or thereby.

[0074] The length differences between the four sides of the adhesive layer DH and the four sides of the glass substrate GL corresponding to the four sides of the adhesive layer DH may be constant. The length difference TL2 between the short side of the adhesive layer DH and the short side of the glass substrate GL corresponding to the short side of the adhesive layer DH may be equal to the length difference TL1 between the long side of the adhesive layer DH and the long side of the glass substrate GL corresponding to the long side of the adhesive layer DH. As another way, the length differences between the four sides of the adhesive layer DH and the four sides of the glass substrate GL corresponding to the four sides of the adhesive layer DH may be different. The length difference TL2 between the short side of the adhesive layer DH and the short side of the glass substrate GL corresponding to the short side of the adhesive layer DH may be smaller than the length difference TL1 between the long side of the adhesive layer DH and the long side of the glass substrate GL corresponding to the long side of the adhesive layer DH. According to another embodiment, the length difference TL2 between the short side of the adhesive layer DH and the short side of the glass substrate GL corresponding to the short side of the adhesive layer DH may be greater than the length difference TL1 between the long side of the adhesive layer DH and the long side of the glass substrate GL corresponding to the long side of the adhesive layer DH.

[0075] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 ,like Figure 4 As shown in , when the area of ​​the adhesive layer DH is smaller than the area of ​​the glass substrate GL when viewed in a plane, a step difference HH may be defined by the side surfaces DH-S1 and DH-S2 of the adhesive layer DH and the other surface GL-F2 of the glass substrate GL. The other surface GL-F2 of the glass substrate GL may be in contact with the adhesive layer DH. The area of ​​the adhesive layer DH may be smaller than the area of ​​the glass substrate GL, and a portion of the other surface GL-F2 of the glass substrate GL may not overlap with the adhesive layer DH. The side surfaces DH-S1 and DH-S2 of the adhesive layer DH may not overlap with the side surfaces GL-S1 and GL-S2 of the glass substrate GL. Therefore, a step difference HH may be formed by the side surfaces DH-S1 and DH-S2 of the adhesive layer DH and the other surface GL-F2 of the glass substrate GL, however, exemplary embodiments should not be limited thereto or thereby. That is, when the area of ​​the adhesive layer DH is equal to the area of ​​the glass substrate GL when viewed in a plane, the step difference HH may not be formed.

[0076] and Figure 4 Cover window CW and Figure 7 The cover window CW-2 is different in Figure 6 In the cover window CW-1 shown in FIG, the area of ​​the glass substrate GL and the area of ​​the adhesive layer DH are the same as each other. In a plane, the area of ​​the glass substrate GL and the area of ​​the adhesive layer DH may be the same as each other. Each of the glass substrate GL and the adhesive layer DH may have a quadrilateral shape in a plane, and the length of each side of the glass substrate GL may be equal to the length of the corresponding side among the multiple sides of the adhesive layer DH.

[0077] Refer again Figure 4 , the polymer film PF may be arranged on the adhesive layer DH. The polymer film PF may have a thickness T3 equal to or greater than about 10 microns and equal to or less than about 80 microns. The polymer film PF may include at least one of polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyurethane, and polymethyl methacrylate. However, this is only exemplary, and the material for the polymer film PF should not be limited thereto or thereby. The polymer film PF may include a material having transparency.

[0078] The polymer film PF may be arranged on the front surface of the display panel DP. The polymer film PF may transmit an image provided thereto from the display panel DP, and may protect the glass substrate GL from external impacts. The polymer film PF may help to improve the front strength of the glass substrate GL. When viewed in a plane, the area of ​​the polymer film PF may be larger than the area of ​​the glass substrate GL. Accordingly, when a coating process is performed to form the protective layer RT, the coating liquid can be prevented from penetrating into the front surface of the glass substrate GL. The polymer film PF having an area larger than the area of ​​the glass substrate GL in a plane may help to improve the manufacturing yield of the cover windows CW, CW-1, and CW-2.

[0079] Since the cover windows CW, CW-1, and CW-2 may include a glass substrate GL and a polymer film PF, the cover windows CW, CW-1, and CW-2 may have properties of the glass substrate GL and the polymer film PF. For example, the cover windows CW, CW-1, and CW-2 may have the transparency of the glass substrate GL and the flexibility of the polymer film PF.

[0080] The light shielding part BM may be disposed on at least one of the glass substrate GL and the polymer film PF. Figure 4 and Figure 6 The cover windows CW and CW-1 including the light shielding portion BM arranged on the polymer film PF are shown. Different from the above, Figure 7 A cover window CW-2 including a light shielding portion BM disposed on a glass substrate GL is shown. The light shielding portion BM may be formed by using an organic light shielding material or an inorganic light shielding material including a black pigment or dye. However, exemplary embodiments should not be limited thereto or thereby, and the light shielding portion BM may have other colors instead of black.

[0081] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 6 The light shielding portion BM may be disposed below the polymer film PF. The light shielding portion BM may be disposed on the rear surface of the polymer film PF. The front surface of the polymer film PF may be in contact with the active area EA of the display device DD (refer to Figure 1) overlap. The rear surface of the polymer film PF may be spaced apart from the front surface of the polymer film PF. The rear surface of the polymer film PF may be in contact with the adhesive layer DH. The light shielding part BM may be arranged on the rear surface of the polymer film PF spaced apart from the front surface of the polymer film PF. When the light shielding part BM is arranged below the polymer film PF, the polymer film PF may be spaced apart from the protective layer RT with the light shielding part BM interposed therebetween.

[0082] The light shielding portion BM may be disposed on the glass substrate GL. The light shielding portion BM may be disposed on or below the glass substrate GL. Figure 7 , the light shielding portion BM is arranged on the glass substrate GL and is arranged adjacent to the adhesive layer DH. Although not shown in the figure, the light shielding portion BM may be arranged below the glass substrate GL. The light shielding portion BM arranged below the glass substrate GL may be spaced apart from the adhesive layer DH. The adhesive layer DH may be arranged on the other surface GL-F2 of the glass substrate GL, and the light shielding portion BM may be arranged on one surface GL-F1 of the glass substrate GL. The light shielding portion BM and the adhesive layer DH may be spaced apart from each other with the glass substrate GL interposed therebetween.

[0083] The protective layer RT may have a thickness T0 equal to or greater than about 1 micron and equal to or less than about 10 microns. The protective layer RT may include at least one of a silicone resin, an epoxy resin, a polyurethane resin, and a polyimide resin. However, this is merely exemplary, and the material for the protective layer RT should not be limited thereto or thereby. The protective layer RT may include a polymer resin having transparency.

[0084] The protective layer RT may cover the adhesive layer DH and the glass substrate GL. According to an embodiment, the protective layer RT may cover the side surfaces DH-S1 and DH-S2 of the adhesive layer DH, the side surfaces GL-S1 and GL-S2 of the glass substrate GL, and one surface GL-F1 of the glass substrate GL. When the area of ​​the adhesive layer DH is smaller than the area of ​​the glass substrate GL in a plane, the protective layer RT may cover a portion of the other surface GL-F2 of the glass substrate GL where the adhesive layer DH is not disposed.

[0085] Reference Figure 3 The protective layer RT may include a side surface protection portion RT-SP (refer to Figure 3 ) and the lower surface protection part RT-WP (refer to Figure 3). The side surface protection portion RT-SP of the protective layer RT may cover the side surfaces DH-S1 and DH-S2 of the adhesive layer DH and the side surfaces GL-S1 and GL-S2 of the glass substrate GL. The lower surface protection portion RT-WP of the protective layer RT may cover one surface GL-F1 of the glass substrate GL. The side surface protection portion RT-SP of the protective layer RT may be adjacent to the side surface of the housing HU. The side surfaces DH-S1 and DH-S2 of the adhesive layer DH and the side surface of the housing HU may be spaced apart from each other with the side surface protection portion RT-SP interposed therebetween.

[0086] The side surface edge of the protective layer RT may overlap with the side surface edge of the polymer film PF. Each of the side surface edge of the protective layer RT and the side surface edge of the polymer film PF may be substantially parallel to the direction in which the third directional axis DR3 extends. That is, the side surface edge of the protective layer RT and the side surface edge of the polymer film PF may be on the same line.

[0087] The protective layer RT may protect the glass substrate GL. As described above, the glass substrate GL has a thin thickness, and the side surface of the glass substrate GL is susceptible to external impact. Accordingly, the protective layer RT may be provided to improve the strength of the glass substrate GL. The protective layer RT may cover one surface GL-F1 of the glass substrate GL and the side surfaces GL-S1 and GL-S2 of the glass substrate GL to prevent the glass substrate GL from being damaged by external impact.

[0088] Figure 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method of manufacturing a display device according to the principles of the present invention. Fig. 9 It is shown Figure 8 A flowchart of multiple steps of providing a cover window. Figures 10 to 12 is with Fig. 9 In other words, Figures 10 to 12 is a view showing a process of providing a cover window CW according to an exemplary embodiment. Figures 10 to 12 In the same reference numerals, Figures 3 to 7 , and therefore, detailed description of the same elements will be omitted.

[0089] The manufacturing method of the display device DD may include providing a cover window CW on the display panel DP (S100) and accommodating the display panel DP and the cover window CW in the housing HU (S200). The display device DD may include the display panel DP and the cover window CW. The cover window CW may include a glass substrate GL, an adhesive layer DH, a polymer film PF, and a protective layer RT. The protective layer RT may be arranged on the display panel DP and adjacent to the display panel DP. The cover window CW may be arranged on the display panel DP so that the protective layer RT is arranged adjacent to the display panel DP. The display device DD according to the exemplary embodiment (refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 ) can be manufactured by a manufacturing method of a display device. The above-mentioned cover window CW (refer to Figure 4 ) can be manufactured by the manufacturing method of the display device DD.

[0090] Reference Fig. 9 , providing the cover window CW may include: providing an adhesive layer DH on the glass substrate GL (S110), providing a preliminary polymer film P-PF on the adhesive layer DH so that the preliminary polymer film P-PF is spaced apart from the glass substrate GL (S120), providing a preliminary protective layer P-RT to cover a side surface of the adhesive layer DH and one surface of the glass substrate GL (S130), removing an edge of the preliminary protective layer P-RT and an edge of the preliminary polymer film P-PF to form a protective layer RT and a polymer film PF of the cover window CW (S140), and arranging the cover window CW so that the protective layer RT is arranged closer to the display panel DP than the polymer film PF (S150).

[0091] Fig.10 FIG. 2 shows that an adhesive layer DH is provided on the glass substrate GL (S110). When viewed in a plane, the area of ​​the adhesive layer DH may be equal to or smaller than the area of ​​the glass substrate GL. Fig.10 In the embodiment, each of the adhesive layer DH and the glass substrate GL may have a quadrilateral shape, and the area of ​​the adhesive layer DH may be smaller than that of the glass substrate GL. However, this is merely exemplary, and the area of ​​the adhesive layer DH may be equal to that of the glass substrate GL.

[0092] The adhesive layer DH may be disposed on the glass substrate GL, and then the preliminary polymer film P-PF may be disposed on the adhesive layer DH. Fig.11 In the process, when the preliminary light shielding portion P-BM is arranged on the preliminary polymer film P-PF, the preliminary polymer film P-PF is set on the adhesive layer DH. The preliminary light shielding portion P-BM arranged on the preliminary polymer film P-PF can be formed by a printing process. The edge of the preliminary light shielding portion P-BM may overlap with the edge of the preliminary polymer film P-PF. When viewed in a plane, the preliminary polymer film P-PF may have an area greater than the area of ​​the glass substrate GL. Accordingly, when a coating process is performed to form the preliminary protective layer P-RT, the coating liquid can be prevented from penetrating into the front surface of the glass substrate GL, and the manufacturing yield of the cover window CW can be improved.

[0093] The preliminary protective layer P-RT may be disposed adjacent to the side surfaces DH-S1 and DH-S2 of the adhesive layer DH and may cover one surface GL-F1 of the glass substrate GL. The preliminary protective layer P-RT may be formed by a coating process. For example, the preliminary protective layer P-RT may be formed by a slit coating process.

[0094] When manufacturing a conventional cover window, an adhesive layer is provided after forming a protective layer on the side surface and one surface of a glass substrate. After a process of forming a protective layer on a glass substrate using a jig, an adhesive layer is provided, and a polymer film is provided on the adhesive layer. When a protective layer is formed on a glass substrate before forming an adhesive layer on the glass substrate, a coating liquid for forming the protective layer penetrates into the front surface of the glass substrate, and as a result, the manufacturing yield of the cover window is reduced.

[0095] In addition, when viewed in a plane, the adhesive layer has the same area as the area of ​​the polymer film. The polymer film completely overlaps the adhesive layer, and the side edge of the adhesive layer and the side edge of the polymer film coincide with each other in position. Since the adhesive layer is provided after the protective layer is formed, the protective layer only covers the side surface and one surface of the glass substrate, and does not cover the side surface of the adhesive layer.

[0096] According to the manufacturing method of the display device DD according to the exemplary embodiment, the preliminary protective layer P-RT may be formed after providing the adhesive layer DH and the preliminary polymer film P-PF on the glass substrate GL. The manufacturing method of the display device DD according to the exemplary embodiment may include providing a cover window CW. Providing the cover window CW may include forming the preliminary protective layer P-RT after providing the adhesive layer DH on the glass substrate GL and providing the preliminary polymer film P-PF on the adhesive layer DH. Accordingly, the coating liquid for forming the protective layer RT can be prevented from penetrating into the front surface of the glass substrate GL. That is, the glass substrate GL and the polymer film PF can be bonded to each other by the adhesive layer DH, and therefore, the coating liquid for forming the protective layer RT can be prevented from penetrating into the front surface of the glass substrate GL. Therefore, the manufacturing yield of the display device DD can be improved.

[0097] Fig.12 The process of removing the edge of the preliminary protective layer P-RT and the edge of the preliminary polymer film P-PF after providing the preliminary protective layer P-RT is shown. Figure 4 The protective layer RT shown in FIG. 1 and can be formed by removing the edge of the preliminary polymer film P-PF Figure 4 The polymer film PF shown in . The edge of the preliminary protective layer P-RT and the edge of the preliminary polymer film P-PF may be removed so that the edge of the protective layer RT and the edge of the polymer film PF are overlapped with each other in position by removing the edge of each of the preliminary protective layer P-RT and the preliminary polymer film P-PF (S140). The edge of the preliminary light shielding portion P-BM arranged on the preliminary polymer film P-PF may be removed together with the edge of the preliminary polymer film P-PF. The edge of the light shielding portion BM formed by the preliminary light shielding portion P-BM may overlap with the edge of the polymer film PF in position.

[0098] Then, if Figure 3 As shown in , a cover window CW including a protective layer RT and a polymer film PF may be arranged on the display panel DP. As described above, the cover window CW may be arranged on the display panel DP so that the protective layer RT of the cover window CW is arranged adjacent to the display panel DP. The cover window CW may be arranged on the display panel DP so that the protective layer RT of the cover window CW is arranged closer to the display panel DP than the polymer film PF of the cover window CW. That is, the protective layer RT may be arranged closer to the display panel DP than the polymer film PF.

[0099] The cover window according to the exemplary embodiment may include a glass substrate, an adhesive layer, a polymer film and a protective layer. The polymer film may be arranged on the glass substrate, and the adhesive layer may be arranged between the glass substrate and the polymer film. The protective layer may cover the side surface of the adhesive layer, the side surface of the glass substrate and one surface of the glass substrate, and therefore, the protective layer may help to improve the strength of the side surface of the glass substrate. The polymer film may help to improve the strength of the front surface of the glass substrate. Accordingly, the reliability of the cover window can be improved. In addition, since the cover window may include a glass substrate and a polymer film, the cover window may have the transparency of the glass substrate and the flexibility of the polymer film.

[0100] The display device according to the exemplary embodiment may include a cover window, and the polymer film covering the window may be disposed on the front surface of the display device. Accordingly, the display device according to the exemplary embodiment may have improved strength on the front surface thereof.

[0101] The manufacturing method of the display device according to the exemplary embodiment may include providing a cover window, and the protective layer of the cover window may be formed after forming the glass substrate, the adhesive layer and the polymer film. Therefore, the coating liquid for forming the protective layer can be prevented from penetrating into the front surface of the glass substrate, and thus the manufacturing yield of the cover window can be improved.

[0102] Although certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and variations will be apparent from this description. Accordingly, the inventive concept is not limited to these embodiments, but to the broader scope of the appended claims and to various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A cover window, comprising: Glass substrate; a polymer film disposed on the glass substrate; an adhesive layer disposed between the glass substrate and the polymer film; a protective layer covering a side surface of the adhesive layer, a side surface of the glass substrate, and one surface of the glass substrate; as well as a light shielding portion disposed on at least one of the glass substrate and the polymer film, The polymer film has an area larger than that of the glass substrate in a plane.

2. The cover window according to claim 1, wherein: The adhesive layer completely overlaps the glass substrate, and in a plan view, the adhesive layer has an area equal to or smaller than an area of ​​the glass substrate.

3. The cover window according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the adhesive layer and the glass substrate has a quadrilateral shape in a plan view, the adhesive layer has an area equal to or smaller than an area of ​​the glass substrate in the plan view, and A length difference between each side of the adhesive layer and each side of the glass substrate corresponding to each other is within a range of equal to or greater than 0.00 mm and equal to or less than 1.00 mm.

4. The cover window according to claim 1, wherein: The side edge of the polymer film overlaps the side edge of the protective layer.

5. The cover window according to claim 1, wherein: The glass substrate includes another surface spaced apart from the one surface, and the adhesive layer is arranged adjacent to the another surface of the glass substrate.

6. The cover window according to claim 1, wherein: The glass substrate includes another surface spaced apart from the one surface, and The light shielding portion is arranged on the one surface or the other surface of the glass substrate.

7. The cover window according to claim 1, wherein: The light shielding portion is disposed on one surface of the polymer film disposed adjacent to the adhesive layer.

8. The cover window according to claim 7, wherein: The polymer film and the protective layer are disposed to be spaced apart from each other with the light shielding portion interposed therebetween.

9. The cover window according to claim 1, wherein: The glass substrate includes another surface spaced apart from the one surface, and a step difference is defined by the side surface of the adhesive layer and the other surface of the glass substrate.

10. The cover window according to claim 1, wherein: The protective layer includes at least one of silicone resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin and polyimide resin.

11. The cover window according to claim 1, wherein: The polymer film includes at least one of polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyurethane, and polymethyl methacrylate.

12. A display device, comprising: a display panel, the display panel comprising at least one folding area; as well as A cover window, wherein the cover window is arranged on the display panel, and the cover window comprises: Glass substrate; a polymer film disposed on the glass substrate; an adhesive layer disposed between the glass substrate and the polymer film; a protective layer covering a side surface of the adhesive layer, a side surface of the glass substrate, and one surface of the glass substrate; and a light shielding portion disposed on at least one of the glass substrate and the polymer film, The polymer film has an area larger than that of the glass substrate in a plane.

13. The display device according to claim 12, further comprising a housing that accommodates the display panel and the cover window, in, The protective layer comprises: a side surface protecting portion covering the side surface of the adhesive layer and the side surface of the glass substrate; and a lower surface protection portion covering the one surface of the glass substrate, and The side surface protection portion is arranged adjacent to a side surface of the housing.

14. The display device according to claim 13, wherein: The side surface of the adhesive layer and the case are disposed to be spaced apart from each other with the side surface protecting portion interposed therebetween.

15. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: The polymer film is disposed on the front surface of the display device.

16. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: The adhesive layer is disposed directly between the glass substrate and the polymer film.

17. A method for manufacturing a display device, comprising: providing a cover window on the display panel, The step of providing the cover window comprises the following steps: providing an adhesive layer on the glass substrate; providing a preliminary polymer film on the adhesive layer so that the preliminary polymer film is spaced apart from the glass substrate; providing a preliminary protective layer to be arranged adjacent to a side surface of the adhesive layer and to cover one surface of the glass substrate; removing an edge of the preliminary protective layer and an edge of the preliminary polymer film to form a protective layer and a polymer film of the cover window, wherein the polymer film has an area larger than that of the glass substrate in a plane; and The cover window is arranged such that the protection layer is arranged closer to the display panel than the polymer film.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein: The step of providing the preliminary protective layer includes the step of directly providing the preliminary protective layer on the side surface of the adhesive layer and the one surface of the glass substrate.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein: The step of forming the protective layer and the polymer film includes the step of removing the edge of the preliminary protective layer and the edge of the preliminary polymer film so that the edge of the protective layer and the edge of the polymer film are overlapped in position with each other.

Images