Display Devices

Abstract

The display device includes a display panel, including a front surface, a rear surface and a folding axis; a supporting member arranged on the rear surface of the display panel, the supporting member including a first supporting member and a second supporting member; a hinge connecting the first supporting member and the second supporting member to each other; a hinge cover arranged above the hinge; a first rear cover arranged on the rear surface of the first supporting member; a second rear cover arranged on the rear surface of the second supporting member; a first blocking member arranged on a first cover surface of the first rear cover; and a second blocking member arranged on a second cover surface of the second rear cover.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0074080 filed on June 18, 2020, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a display device. Background Art

[0004] As multimedia technology develops, the importance of display devices has steadily increased. Therefore, various types of display devices, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), organic light emitting displays (OLEDs), etc., have been used.

[0005] A mobile electronic device includes a display unit for providing an image to a user. The market share of mobile electronic devices having the same or smaller volume or thickness as conventional mobile electronic devices and a larger display screen has increased. In addition, a foldable display device or a bendable display device having a structure that can be folded and unfolded to provide a larger screen has also been developed. Summary of the invention

[0006] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a display apparatus capable of blocking foreign substances introduced from the outside.

[0007] However, the aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the aspects set forth herein. The above and other aspects of the present disclosure will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains by referring to the detailed description of the present disclosure given below.

[0008] An embodiment of a display device may include a display panel, including a front surface displaying an image; a rear surface opposite to the front surface of the display panel; and a folding axis; a support member disposed on the rear surface of the display panel, the support member including a first support member disposed on one side of the folding axis; and a second support member separated from the first support member and disposed on the other side of the folding axis; a hinge connected to the first support member and the second support member; a hinge cover disposed above the hinge, and the hinge cover includes a front surface facing the hinge; and a rear surface opposite to the front surface of the hinge cover; a first rear cover disposed on the rear surface of the first support member, the first rear cover including a first cover surface, the first cover surface covering a first area of ​​the rear surface of the hinge cover in an unfolded state of the display device; a second rear cover disposed on the rear surface of the second support member, the second rear cover including a second cover surface, the second cover surface covering a second area of ​​the rear surface of the hinge cover in the unfolded state of the display device; a first blocking member disposed on the first cover surface of the first rear cover, the first blocking member including a plurality of first protrusions; and a second blocking member disposed on the second cover surface of the second rear cover, the second blocking member including a plurality of second protrusions.

[0009] The first blocking member may include a first plate including a surface on which the plurality of first protrusions are disposed, and the second blocking member may include a second plate including a surface on which the plurality of second protrusions are disposed.

[0010] The display device may further include a first adhesive member disposed between the other surface of the first plate and the first cover surface; and a second adhesive member disposed between the other surface of the second plate and the second cover surface.

[0011] The plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of second protrusions may have a diameter equal to or less than about 0.5 mm.

[0012] The plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of second protrusions may form a plurality of rows in a direction, and protrusions of a first row among the plurality of rows and protrusions of a second row among the plurality of rows may be alternately disposed with each other.

[0013] A distance between the plurality of first protrusions may be equal to or less than a distance between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the first cover surface, and a distance between the plurality of second protrusions may be equal to or less than a distance between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the second cover surface.

[0014] Each of the distances between the plurality of first protrusions and the distances between the plurality of second protrusions may be equal to or less than about 1.0 mm.

[0015] The first blocking member may cover a gap between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the first cover surface, and the second blocking member may overlap a gap between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the second cover surface.

[0016] The plurality of first protrusions may have a height equal to or less than the distance between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the first cover surface, and the plurality of second protrusions may have a height equal to or less than the distance between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the second cover surface.

[0017] The plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of second protrusions may have a height equal to or less than about 1.5 mm.

[0018] The first blocking member may be disposed between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the first cover surface, and the second blocking member may be disposed between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the second cover surface.

[0019] The first cover surface and the second cover surface may include curved surfaces, respectively, and the first blocking member and the second blocking member may be curved corresponding to shapes of the curved surfaces of the first cover surface and the second cover surface, respectively.

[0020] The rear surface of the hinge cover may have a convex shape, and the first cover surface and the second cover surface may have a concave shape corresponding to the convex shape of the rear surface of the hinge cover.

[0021] The first and second blocking members may include at least one of silicon and plastic.

[0022] The rear surface of the hinge cover may be exposed between the first rear cover and the second rear cover in a folded state of the display device.

[0023] An embodiment of a display device may include a display panel, including a folding area, a first non-folding area arranged on one side of the folding area, and a second non-folding area arranged on the other side of the folding area; a first cover arranged in the folding area; a second cover arranged in the first non-folding area, the second cover including a side adjacent to the first cover and separated from the first cover; a third cover arranged in the second non-folding area, the third cover including a side adjacent to the first cover and separated from the first cover; a first blocking member arranged on the one side of the second cover and covering a gap between the first cover and the one side of the second cover; and a second blocking member arranged on the one side of the third cover and covering a gap between the first cover and the one side of the third cover.

[0024] Each of the first blocking member and the second blocking member may include a plate and a plurality of protrusions protruding from a surface of the plate.

[0025] The plurality of protrusions may have a diameter equal to or less than about 0.5 millimeters.

[0026] The first cover may include a front surface facing the display panel and a rear surface opposite to the front surface of the first cover, the second cover may include a first cover surface covering a portion of the rear surface of the first cover, and the third cover may include a second cover surface covering another portion of the rear surface of the first cover.

[0027] The first blocking member may be disposed on the first cover surface of the second cover and cover a gap between the rear surface of the first cover and the first cover surface of the second cover, and the second blocking member may be disposed on the second cover surface of the third cover and cover a gap between the rear surface of the first cover and the second cover surface of the third cover.

[0028] An embodiment of a method for manufacturing a display device may include forming a plurality of protrusions on a surface of a board; and attaching the board to at least one cover covering a rear surface of a display module, wherein the forming of the plurality of protrusions may include performing injection molding or epitaxial growth to form the plurality of protrusions.

[0029] The display device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can prevent foreign substances from penetrating from the outside.

[0030] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and various other effects are included in this specification. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The above and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment;

[0033] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a display device in a folded state according to an embodiment;

[0034] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display module of a display device according to an embodiment;

[0035] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display panel of a display device according to an embodiment;

[0036] Figure 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment;

[0037] Figure 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a hinge cover, a first rear cover, and a second rear cover of a display device according to an embodiment;

[0038] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a display device in a folded state according to an embodiment;

[0039] Figure 8 It is along Figure 6 A schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA' in FIG.

[0040] Fig. 9 It is along Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB' in FIG.

[0041] Fig.10 It is along Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view taken along line CC' in FIG.

[0042] Fig.11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment;

[0043] Fig.12 is a schematic perspective view of a first blocking member of a display device according to an embodiment;

[0044] Fig.13 is a schematic plan view of a first blocking member of a display device according to an embodiment;

[0045] Fig.14 is a schematic plan view of a first blocking member of a display device according to another embodiment;

[0046] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15E is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first blocking member of a display device according to various embodiments;

[0047] Fig.16 is a schematic perspective view of a first blocking member of a display device according to another embodiment;

[0048] Fig.17 is a schematic plan view of a first blocking member of a display device according to another embodiment;

[0049] Fig.18 is a schematic diagram illustrating a simulation result of a display device in which the first blocking member and the second blocking member are not provided;

[0050] Fig.19 is a schematic diagram illustrating simulation results of a display device according to an embodiment; and

[0051] Fig. 20 is a schematic flowchart of a method for manufacturing a display device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some embodiments of the present invention are shown. However, the present invention can be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to make this disclosure thorough and complete and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0053] It should also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being "on another layer or substrate," it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there are no intervening elements. Throughout the specification, like reference numerals denote like components. In the drawings, the thickness of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity.

[0054] In the specification and claims, for the purpose of its meaning and interpretation, the phrase "at least one of..." is intended to include the meaning of "at least one selected from the group of..." For example, "at least one of A and B" can be understood to mean "A, B, or A and B".

[0055] Unless otherwise defined or implied herein, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. It should be further understood that 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 formal sense unless explicitly defined in the specification.

[0056] Hereinafter, some embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0057] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a display device in a folded state according to an embodiment.

[0058] In the specification, the first direction DR1, the second direction DR2, and the third direction DR3 intersect each other. The first direction DR1 may be a transverse direction, the second direction DR2 may be a vertical direction, and the third direction DR3 may be a thickness direction. The third direction DR3 may include a Figure 1 The forward direction and orientation of the upper side Figure 1 The rearward direction of the lower side of the member. The surface facing upward can be referred to as the front surface, and the other surface facing downward can be referred to as the rear surface. However, the above examples are relative, and the following embodiments are not limited to the above directions.

[0059] The display device 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include various devices for displaying images or videos. Examples of the display device 1 may include, but are not limited to, smart phones, mobile phones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), televisions, game consoles, watch-type electronic devices, head-mounted displays, monitors of personal computers, laptop computers, car navigation systems, car dashboards, digital cameras, video cameras, external billboards, electronic billboards, various medical devices, various inspection equipment, various electrical appliances (e.g., refrigerators and washing machines including display portions DPA), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, etc.

[0060] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In a plan view, the display device 1 may have a rectangular shape including long sides in the first direction DR1 and short sides in the second direction DR2. However, the shape of the display device 1 is not limited thereto, and the display device 1 may have various shapes, such as a square shape, a circular shape, or a diamond shape.

[0061] The display device 1 may include a display surface DS. The display surface DS may provide an image to a user. At least one surface of the display device 1 may be a display surface DS. In an embodiment, the display surface DS of the display device 1 may be a front surface of the display device 1, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the display surface DS of the display device 1 may include a side surface and / or a rear surface of the display device 1.

[0062] The display surface DS may include a display area DA and a non-display area NDA. The display area DA displays an image IM. The display area DA may be disposed above a first non-folding area NFA1, a second non-folding area NFA2, and a folding area FA to be described below. The non-display area NDA does not display an image IM. The non-display area NDA may be disposed around the display area DA. In an embodiment, the display area DA may be disposed in a rectangular shape on the top surface of the display device 1, and the non-display area NDA may be disposed around the display area DA.

[0063] The display device 1 may include a folding area FA, a first non-folding area NFA1, and a second non-folding area NFA2. The folding area FA is an area that is folded or bent when the display device 1 is folded. The first non-folding area NFA1 and the second non-folding area NFA2 are areas that are not folded or bent when the display device 1 is folded. In an embodiment, the first non-folding area NFA1, the folding area FA, and the second non-folding area NFA2 may be sequentially arranged in the first direction DR1, but are not limited thereto.

[0064] The display device 1 may be a foldable device. The display device 1 may be folded or unfolded. Specifically, the display device 1 may be folded so that a portion of the display device 1 overlaps with another portion (or additional portion) of the display device 1, or is tilted relative to the other portion, or the display device 1 may be unfolded to be completely flat. A portion of the display device 1 may be a portion disposed in the first non-folding area NFA1, and another portion of the display device 1 may be a portion disposed in the second non-folding area NFA2, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. A portion of the display device 1 and / or another portion of the display device 1 may include a portion disposed in the folding area FA.

[0065] The display device 1 can be fully folded so that the angle between one part of the display device 1 and another part is about 0 degrees or about 360 degrees, can be partially folded so that the angle between one part of the display device 1 and another part is greater than about 0 degrees and less than about 180 degrees or greater than about 180 degrees and less than about 360 degrees, or can be unfolded so that the angle between one part of the display device 1 and another part is about 180 degrees.

[0066] The display device 1 can be folded inwards. Folding inwards may mean that a portion of the display surface DS of the display device 1 is folded to face another portion (or additional portion) of the display surface DS. In some embodiments, the display device 1 can be folded outwards. Folding outwards may mean that a portion of the opposite surface of the display surface DS (e.g., the rear surface of the display device 1) is folded to face another portion of the opposite surface. In some embodiments, the display device 1 can be folded inwards and folded outwards.

[0067] The display device 1 may be in a folded state and an unfolded state. The folded state may be a state in which a part of the display device 1 is bent to be inclined relative to another part (or another part). The folded state may include a first folded state and a second folded state. The first folded state may be a state in which the display device 1 is bent. In the first folded state, the angle between a part of the display device 1 and another part may be greater than about 0 degrees and less than about 180 degrees, or greater than about 180 degrees and less than about 360 degrees. The second folded state may be a state in which the display device 1 is fully folded. In the second folded state, the angle between a part of the display device 1 and another part may be about 0 degrees and / or about 360 degrees. The unfolded state may be a state in which the display device 1 is fully unfolded, and a part of the display device 1 is arranged side by side with another part on a plane. In the unfolded state, the angle between a part of the display device 1 and another part may be about 180 degrees. In one embodiment, the display device 1 may be freely switched between the folded state and the unfolded state.

[0068] During the operation for switching between the folded state and the unfolded state, the display device 1 may stop the movement of a part and / or another part of the display device 1 at an arbitrary angle, and may maintain the arbitrary angle. The arbitrary angle may be an angle formed between a part of the display device 1 and another part of the display device 1 in the folded and / or unfolded state.

[0069] The display device 1 may be folded or unfolded with respect to the folding axis FX. In an embodiment, the display device 1 may be folded or unfolded with respect to the folding axis FX disposed in the second direction DR2, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0070] The folding axis FX may include at least one axis of rotation. As an example, Figure 2 Two rotation axes RX1 and RX2 are exemplified, but the arrangement and number of at least one rotation axis are not limited thereto.

[0071] The display apparatus 1 may include a flexible display module DM and a folder member FM disposed under the display module DM to support the display module DM.

[0072] The display module DM is disposed on the folder member FM of the display device 1. The display module DM may be disposed on the first non-folding area NFA1, the folding area FA, and the second non-folding area NFA2 of the display device 1. When the folding member FM is folded or unfolded, the display module DM may be folded or unfolded. In an embodiment, the display module DM may have a long rectangular shape in the first direction DR1 in a plan view, but is not limited thereto.

[0073] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display module DM of a display device 1 according to an embodiment. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display panel 10 of a display device 1 according to an embodiment.

[0074] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the display module DM may include a display panel 10, a front stacked structure 20, and a rear stacked structure 30. In one embodiment, the display panel 10 may include a front surface (i.e., a display surface DS) on which an image is displayed, a rear surface opposite to the front surface of the display panel 10, and a folding axis FX. In one embodiment, the display panel 10 may display an image IM in a direction in which the front stacked structure 20 is located. When the display device 1 is folded or unfolded, the display panel 10, the front stacked structure 20, and the rear stacked structure 30 may be folded or unfolded. In one embodiment, the display panel 10 may include a folding area, a first non-folding area disposed on one side of the folding area, and a second non-folding area disposed on the other side of the folding area.

[0075] The display panel 10 may be a panel for displaying an image IM or a video. Examples of the display panel 10 may include not only self-luminous display panels, such as an organic light-emitting display (OLED) panel, an inorganic electroluminescent (EL) display panel, a quantum dot (QED) display panel, a micro-LED display panel, a nano-LED display panel, a plasma display panel (PDP), a field emission display (FED) panel, and a cathode ray tube (CRT) display panel, but also light-receiving display panels, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and an electrophoretic display (EPD) panel. Hereinafter, an organic light-emitting display panel will be described as an example of a display panel 10, and unless otherwise specified, an organic light-emitting display panel applied to this embodiment will be referred to as a display panel 10. However, this embodiment is not limited to an organic light-emitting display panel, and other display panels 10 described above or known in the art may also be applied within the scope of the same technical concept.

[0076] The display panel 10 may further include a touch member. The touch member may be provided as a panel or film separated from the display panel 10 and attached to the display panel 10, but may also be provided as a touch layer within the display panel 10. In the following embodiments, the touch member is illustrated as being included in the display panel 10, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0077] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The display panel 10 may include a substrate SUB, a circuit driving layer DRL on the substrate SUB, a light emitting layer EML on the circuit driving layer DRL, an encapsulation layer ENL on the light emitting layer EML, and a touch layer TSL on the encapsulation layer ENL.

[0078] The substrate SUB may be a flexible substrate including a flexible polymer material such as polyimide. Thus, the display panel 10 may be twisted, bent, folded, or rolled. In some embodiments, the substrate SUB may include sub-substrates overlapping each other in a thickness direction with a barrier layer interposed therebetween. Each of the sub-substrates may be a flexible substrate.

[0079] The circuit driving layer DRL may be disposed on the substrate SUB. The circuit driving layer DRL may include a circuit driving the light emitting layer EML of the pixel. The circuit driving layer DRL may include a thin film transistor.

[0080] The light emitting layer EML may be disposed on the circuit driving layer DRL. The light emitting layer EML may include an organic light emitting layer. The light emitting layer EML may emit light at various brightness levels according to a driving signal transmitted from the circuit driving layer DRL.

[0081] The encapsulation layer ENL may be disposed on the light emitting layer EML. The encapsulation layer ENL may include an inorganic layer or a laminated or stacked layer of an inorganic layer and an organic layer.

[0082] The touch layer TSL may be disposed on the encapsulation layer ENL. The touch layer TSL is a layer for recognizing or sensing a touch input and may be used as a touch member. The touch layer TSL may include a sensing area and a sensing electrode.

[0083] Return to reference Figure 3 , the front stacked structure 20 may be disposed on the display panel 10. The front stacked structure 20 may include a polarization member 23, a cover window 22, and a cover window protective layer 21 sequentially stacked from the display panel 10 to the front.

[0084] The polarization member 23 may polarize the light passing therethrough. The polarization member 23 may reduce the reflection of external light. In one embodiment, the polarization member 23 may be a polarizing film. The polarizing film may include a polarizing layer and a protective substrate sandwiching the polarizing layer on the front and rear sides of the polarizing layer. The polarizing layer may include a polyvinyl alcohol film. The polarizing layer may be stretched in one direction. The stretching direction of the polarizing layer may be an absorption axis, and the direction perpendicular to the stretching direction may be a transmission axis. The protective substrates may be respectively disposed on one surface and the other surface of the polarizing layer. The protective substrate may be made of a cellulose resin, such as triacetyl cellulose, polyester resin, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0085] The cover window 22 may be disposed on the polarization member 23. The cover window 22 may be used to protect the display panel 10. The cover window 22 may be made of a transparent material. The cover window 22 may include, for example, glass or plastic.

[0086] In the case where the cover window 22 includes glass, the glass can be ultra-thin glass (UTG) or thin glass. In the case where the glass is ultra-thin glass or thin glass, it can have flexible properties so that it can be bent, folded or rolled. The thickness of the glass can be, for example, in the range of about 10 microns to about 300 microns, particularly in the range of about 30 microns to about 80 microns or about 50 microns. The glass of the cover window 22 can include soda-lime glass, alkali aluminosilicate glass, borosilicate glass or lithium aluminosilicate glass. The glass of the cover window 22 can include chemical or thermally strengthened glass to have strong rigidity. Chemical strengthening can be achieved by an ion exchange process in an alkaline salt. The ion exchange process can be performed twice or more.

[0087] In the case where the cover window 22 includes plastic, it may be more conducive to showing flexible properties such as folding. Examples of plastics suitable for the cover window 22 may include, but are not limited to, polyimide, polyacrylate, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polystyrene, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyether sulfone (PES), polyetherimide (PEI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyarylate (PAR), triacetyl cellulose (TAC) and cellulose acetate propionate (CAP). The cover window 22 made of plastic may include one or more of the above-mentioned plastic materials.

[0088] The cover window protection layer 21 may be disposed on the cover window 22. The cover window protection layer 21 may perform at least one of preventing scattering on the cover window 22, absorbing impact on the cover window 22, preventing scratches on the cover window 22, preventing fingerprint stains on the cover window 22, and preventing glare on the cover window 22. The cover window protection layer 21 may include a transparent polymer film. The transparent polymer film may include at least one of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyether sulfone (PES), polyimide (PI), polyarylate (PAR), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and cyclic olefin copolymer (COC).

[0089] The front stacked structure 20 may include front combining members 25_1, 25_2, and 25_3 for combining adjacently stacked members. For example, the first combining member 25_1 may be disposed between the cover window protective layer 21 and the cover window 22 to combine the cover window protective layer 21 and the cover window 22, and the second combining member 25_2 may be disposed between the cover window 22 and the polarizing member 23 to combine the cover window 22 and the polarizing member 23. The third combining member 25_3 may be disposed between the polarizing member 23 and the display panel 10 to combine the polarizing member 23 and the display panel 10. For example, the front combining members 25_1, 25_2, and 25_3 may be members that attach a layer to the surface of the display panel 10. The first combining member 25_1 may be a protective layer combining member for attaching the cover window protective layer 21, the second combining member 25_2 may be a window combining member for attaching the cover window 22, and the third combining member 25_3 may be a polarizing portion combining member for attaching the polarizing member 23. The front combining members 25_1 , 25_2 , and 25_3 may be optically transparent.

[0090] The rear stack structure 30 may be disposed under the display panel 10. The rear stack structure 30 may include a polymer film layer 31 and a heat dissipation member 32 sequentially stacked from the display panel 10 backward.

[0091] The polymer film layer 31 may include a polymer film. The polymer film layer 31 may include, for example, polyimide (PI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polysulfone (PSF), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), triacetyl cellulose (TAC), cycloolefin polymer (COP), etc. The polymer film layer 31 may include a functional layer FL on at least one surface thereof. The functional layer FL may include, for example, a light absorbing layer. The light absorbing layer may include a light absorbing material, such as a black pigment or dye. The light absorbing layer may be formed by coating or printing a black ink on the polymer film.

[0092] The heat dissipation member 32 may be disposed below the polymer film layer 31. The heat dissipation member 32 may diffuse heat generated from the display panel 10 or other components of the display device 1. The heat dissipation member 32 may be a heat sink containing graphite, carbon nanotubes, etc. In one embodiment, the heat dissipation member 32 may be separated by the folding area FA so as to facilitate Figure 3 and Figure 4 The illustrated folding of the display device 1. In some embodiments, the heat dissipation members 32 may be connected as one body or may be formed integrally with each other.

[0093] The rear stack structure 30 may include rear combining members 35_1 and 35_2 for combining adjacently stacked members. For example, the fourth combining member 35_1 may be disposed between the display panel 10 and the polymer film layer 31 to combine the display panel 10 and the polymer film layer 31, and the fifth combining member 35_2 may be disposed between the polymer film layer 31 and the heat dissipation member 32 to combine the polymer film layer 31 and the heat dissipation member 32.

[0094] In some embodiments, the rear stack structure 30 may further include a buffer member. The buffer member may be disposed, for example, between the polymer film layer 31 and the heat dissipation member 32.

[0095] Figure 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a display device 1 according to an embodiment. Figure 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a hinge cover, a first rear cover, and a second rear cover of a display device 1 according to an embodiment. Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a display device 1 in a folded state according to an embodiment.

[0096] refer to Figures 1 to 7 As described above, the display device 1 may include a display module DM and a folder member FM.

[0097] The folding member FM may include a support member 100, a hinge 200, a hinge cover 300, and a back cover 400 including a first back cover 410 and a second back cover 420. In one embodiment, the support member 100 may include a first support member 110 disposed on one side of the folding axis FX, and a second support member 120 separated from the first support member 110 and disposed on the other side of the folding axis FX.

[0098] In some embodiments, the hinge cover 300, the first rear cover 410, and the second rear cover 420 may be referred to as a first cover, a second cover, and a third cover, respectively.

[0099] The first support member 110 and the second support member 120 may be disposed below the display module DM. The first support member 110 and the second support member 120 may be sequentially disposed on the bottom surface of the display module DM (e.g., the rear surface of the display panel 10) in the first direction DR1. The first support member 110 and the second support member 120 may be symmetrically disposed with respect to the folding area FA or the folding axis FX. The first support member 110 may be disposed in the first non-folding area NFA1, and the second support member 120 may be disposed in the second non-folding area NFA2. A portion of the first support member 110 and / or the second support member 120 may be disposed above the folding area FA. The first support member 110 and the second support member 120 may have the same shape and / or size, or may have different shapes and / or sizes. In one embodiment, the first support member 110 and the second support member 120 may have a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, but is not limited thereto. The first support member 110 and the second support member 120 may include a metal plate.

[0100] The hinge 200 may be connected to the first support member 110 and the second support member 120 to connect the first support member 110 and the second support member 120 to each other. The hinge 200 may be arranged to overlap with the folding axis FX in the thickness direction. The hinge 200 may be arranged in the folding area FA. The hinge 200 may be arranged above the first non-folding area NFA1, the second non-folding area NFA2 and the folding area FA. The hinge 200 may provide a rotation axis. The first support member 110 may be rotatably connected to one side of the hinge 200 relative to the first rotation axis RX1, and the second support member 120 may be rotatably connected to the other side of the hinge 200 relative to the second rotation axis RX2. A plurality of hinges 200 may be arranged in the first direction DR1. The hinge 200 may include a first hinge 200_1 and a second hinge 200_2 arranged in the first direction DR1.

[0101] The hinge cover 300 may be disposed at the rear side of the hinge 200 to cover or overlap the rear surface of the hinge 200. The hinge cover 300 may have a cover shape that accommodates the hinge 200 at its open side. The hinge cover 300 may have a substantially rectangular shape that is elongated in the first direction DR1 in a plan view. The hinge cover 300 may have a shape corresponding to the outer surface of the hinge 200 (e.g., the rear surface of the hinge 200). In an embodiment, the hinge cover 300 may be disposed in the folding area FA.

[0102] The hinge cover 300 may include a front surface 300_FS facing the hinge 200 or the display panel 10 and having a concave or recessed shape, and a rear surface 300_RS opposite to the front surface 300_FS. The hinge 200 may be accommodated in the front surface 300_FS of the hinge cover 300.

[0103] The first rear cover 410 may be disposed on the rear side of the first support member 110. The first rear cover 410 may overlap with the first support member 110 in the thickness direction. The first rear cover 410 may overlap or cover the rear surface of the first support member 110. The first rear cover 410 may be disposed above the first support member 110 and the hinge 200. The first rear cover 410 may be disposed in the first non-folding area NFA1. The first rear cover 410 may be disposed above the first non-folding area NFA1 and the folding area FA. The first rear cover 410 may have a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. The corners of the first rear cover 410 may be rounded. The first rear cover 410 may be empty inside, or may be fastened with the first support member 110 to form an empty space between the first rear cover 410 and the first support member 110. The first rear cover 410 may include a front surface 411 having a rectangular shape and three side walls 412 disposed at the edge of the front surface 411 to surround the front surface 411 and protrude forward. For example, a side of the first rear cover 410 adjacent to the hinge 200 and / or the hinge cover 300 may be open without a side wall. In an embodiment, the first rear cover 410 may include a side adjacent to the hinge cover 300 and separated from the hinge cover 300.

[0104] The second back cover 420 may be disposed on the rear side of the second support member 120. The second back cover 420 may overlap with the second support member 120 in the thickness direction. The second back cover 420 may overlap or cover the rear surface of the second support member 120. The second back cover 420 may be disposed above the second support member 120 and the hinge 200. The second back cover 420 may be disposed in the second non-folding area NFA2. The second back cover 420 may be disposed above the second non-folding area NFA2 and the folding area FA. The second back cover 420 may have a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. The corners of the second back cover 420 may be rounded. The inside of the second back cover 420 may be empty, or may be fastened with the second support member 120 to form an empty space between the second back cover 420 and the second support member 120. The second back cover 420 may include a front surface 421 having a rectangular shape and three side walls 422 disposed at the edge of the front surface 421 to surround the front surface 421 and protrude forward. For example, a side of the second rear cover 420 adjacent to the hinge 200 and / or the hinge cover 300 may be open without a side wall. In an embodiment, the second rear cover 420 may include a side adjacent to the hinge cover 300 and separated from the hinge cover 300.

[0105] The first back cover 410 and the second back cover 420 may cover the hinge cover 300. For example, at least a portion of the first back cover 410 and the second back cover 420 may overlap with a portion of the hinge cover 300 in the thickness direction. In detail, the first back cover 410 may overlap or cover a portion of the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300, and the second back cover 420 may overlap or cover another portion of the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300. In one embodiment, when the display device 1 is unfolded, the first back cover 410 and the second back cover 420 may cover or overlap the hinge cover 300, and when the display device 1 is folded, the first back cover 410 and the second back cover 420 may not cover the hinge cover 300. In some embodiments, when the display device 1 is folded or unfolded, the first back cover 410 and the second back cover 420 may cover at least a portion of the hinge cover 300. In this case, an area of ​​the hinge cover 300 covered by the first and second rear covers 410 and 420 when the display device 1 is folded may be smaller than an area of ​​the hinge cover 300 covered by the first and second rear covers 410 and 420 when the display device 1 is unfolded.

[0106] The first back cover 410 and the second back cover 420 may respectively further include a first cover surface 413 that overlaps or covers a portion (e.g., a first area) of the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 when the display device 1 is in the unfolded state, and a second cover surface 423 that overlaps or covers another portion (e.g., a second area) of the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 when the display device 1 is in the unfolded state.

[0107] The first cover surface 413 and the second cover surface 423 may be respectively disposed on one side of the first rear cover 410 and one side of the second rear cover 420, the side of the first rear cover 410 and the side of the second rear cover 420 being adjacent to the hinge 200. In detail, the side of the first rear cover 410 and the side of the second rear cover 420 may extend in the second direction DR2, and the first cover surface 413 and the second cover surface 423 may be respectively elongated in the second direction DR2 along the side of the first rear cover 410 and the side of the second rear cover 420. The first cover surface 413 may be a part of the front surface 411 of the first rear cover 410, and the second cover surface 423 may be a part of the front surface 421 of the second rear cover 420. In an embodiment, the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 may have a convex shape, and the first cover surface 413 and the second cover surface 423 may have a concave (or concave) shape corresponding to the convex shape of the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300.

[0108] The display apparatus 1 may further include a blocking member 500 including a first blocking member 510 disposed on the first back cover 410 and a second blocking member 520 disposed on the second back cover 420 .

[0109] The first blocking member 510 and the second blocking member 520 may be adjacent to the hinge 200 and are respectively disposed on one side of the first rear cover 410 extending in the second direction DR2 and one side of the second rear cover 420 extending in the second direction DR2. In one embodiment, the first blocking member 510 may be disposed on the first cover surface 413, and the second blocking member 520 may be disposed on the second cover surface 423. The first blocking member 510 may extend along the side of the first rear cover 410 in the second direction DR2, and the second blocking member 520 may extend along the side of the second rear cover 420 in the second direction DR2. At least a portion of the side of the first rear cover 410 and at least a portion of the side of the second rear cover 420 may be spaced apart from the hinge 200. In one embodiment, the hinge 200 may be connected to one side of the first support member 110 extending in the second direction DR2 and one side of the second support member 120 extending in the second direction DR2, and the hinge cover 300 may be connected to the hinge 200, but the first rear cover 410 and the second rear cover 420 may be completely spaced apart from the hinge cover 300.

[0110] like Figure 7 As illustrated, the first blocking member 510 and the second blocking member 520 may block foreign substances introduced from the outside of the display apparatus 1 .

[0111] In detail, when the display device 1 is folded, at least a portion of the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 may be exposed to the outside between the first rear cover 410 and the second rear cover 420. In one embodiment, as the angle between the first support member 110 and the second support member 120 and / or the angle between the first rear cover 410 and the second rear cover 420 becomes smaller, the exposed area of ​​the hinge cover 300 may become larger. The angle may be an angle on the side where the display module DM or the display surface DS is located.

[0112] When the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 is exposed to the outside, the gap G between the first rear cover 410 and the hinge cover 300 and the gap G between the second rear cover 420 and the hinge cover 300 may be exposed to the outside. Specifically, the display device 1 can be designed so that the gap G is formed between the first rear cover 410 and the hinge cover 300 and between the second rear cover 420 and the hinge cover 300. This can prevent friction from being generated between the first rear cover 410 and the second rear cover 420 and the hinge cover 300 during the folding operation of the display device 1. For example, the width of the gap G can be about 0.1 mm to about 2.0 mm. As another example, the width of the gap G can be about 1.5 mm.

[0113] In case of foreign matter such as dust or sand 900 Figure 7If the light is introduced into the display device 1 through the gap G in the direction of the arrow illustrated in FIG. 1 , a malfunction or failure of the display device 1 may be caused. Figure 5 and Figure 7 , the foreign matter 900 infiltrated into the display device 1 may pass through the gap G between the first rear cover 410 and the hinge cover 300 and the gap G between the second rear cover 420 and the hinge cover 300, and may infiltrate between the display module DM and the first supporting member 110 and / or between the display module DM and the second supporting member 120. The foreign matter 900 may cause the surface of the display module DM to wrinkle due to its volume, and may cause malfunction of the display module DM.

[0114] In the display apparatus 1 according to an embodiment, the first blocking member 510 and the second blocking member 520 are respectively disposed between the first rear cover 410 and the hinge cover 300 and between the second rear cover 420 and the hinge cover 300 , thereby blocking foreign substances 900 introduced from the outside of the display apparatus 1 .

[0115] In the following, reference will be made to Figures 8 to 18 The first blocking member 510 and the second blocking member 520 are described in detail. Figures 8 to 18 In the drawings, for the convenience of description, the illustration of the hinge 200 is simplified or omitted.

[0116] Figure 8 It is along Figure 6 A schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA'. Fig. 9 It is along Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB'. Fig.10 It is along Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view taken along line CC'.

[0117] refer to Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , the first support member 110 and / or the first back cover 410 can rotate in one direction relative to the first rotation axis RX1, and the second support member 120 and / or the second back cover 420 can rotate in another direction relative to the second rotation axis RX2. Therefore, the angle between the first support member 110 and the second support member 120 and / or the angle between the first back cover 410 and the second back cover 420 can change, and the display device 1 can be folded or unfolded. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , one direction may be a clockwise direction and the other direction may be a counterclockwise direction.

[0118] refer to Figure 6 and Figures 8 to 10As described above, the first blocking member 510 may be disposed on the first cover surface 413 of the first rear cover 410, and the second blocking member 520 may be disposed on the second cover surface 423 of the second rear cover 420. In one embodiment, the first blocking member 510 and the second blocking member 520 may be disposed only on a portion of the first cover surface 413 and the second cover surface 423. The portion of the first cover surface 413 and the second cover surface 423 may be a portion adjacent to one end of the first rear cover 410 and one end of the second rear cover 420, respectively. Figures 8 to 10 As shown, the first blocking member 510 and the second blocking member 520 may be curved or bent so that at least a portion thereof has a concave or recessed shape corresponding to the shape of the first cover surface 413 and the second cover surface 423. In an embodiment, the first cover surface 413 and the second cover surface 423 may include curved surfaces, respectively, and the first blocking member 510 and the second blocking member 520 may be curved corresponding to the shape of the curved surface of the first cover surface 413 and the curved surface of the second cover surface 423, respectively.

[0119] refer to Figure 8 , the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 may include a first convex surface 300_RS_C1 and a second convex surface 300_RS_C2. The rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 may further include a flat surface 300_RS_F between the first convex surface 300_RS_C1 and the second convex surface 300_RS_C2.

[0120] When the display device 1 is unfolded, the first and second convex surfaces 300_RS_C1 and 300_RS_C2 may be overlapped or covered by the first and second cover surfaces 413 and 423, respectively. The first and second convex surfaces 300_RS_C1 and 300_RS_C2 may have first curvature radii D1 with respect to the first and second rotation axes RX1 and RX2, respectively.

[0121] The first cover surface 413 and the second cover surface 423 may include a first concave surface 413_C1 and a second concave surface 423_C1, respectively. In some embodiments, each of the first cover surface 413 and the second cover surface 423 may further include a flat surface.

[0122] The first concave surface 413_C1 and the second concave surface 423_C1 may have a second curvature radius D2 greater than the first curvature radius D1 relative to the first rotation axis RX1 and the second rotation axis RX2, respectively. The difference between the second curvature radius D2 and the first curvature radius D1 may be the width of the gap G between the first rear cover 410 and the hinge cover 300 and / or the width of the gap G between the second rear cover 420 and the hinge cover 300. The first concave surface 413_C1 and the first convex surface 300_RS_C1 may have the same center of curvature, and the second concave surface 423_C1 and the second convex surface 300_RS_C2 may have the same center of curvature. For example, the center of curvature may be the first rotation axis RX1 and / or the second rotation axis RX2.

[0123] The first concave surface 413_C1 may extend from one end of the first back cover 410 to the rear surface of the first supporting member 110, and the second concave surface 423_C1 may extend from one end of the second back cover 420 to the rear surface of the second supporting member 120. Therefore, the inner space 410_IS between the first back cover 410 and the first supporting member 110 and the inner space 420_IS between the second back cover 420 and the second supporting member 120 may be blocked or sealed from the outside.

[0124] When the display device 1 is unfolded, the first cover surface 413 may face a portion of the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300, and the second cover surface 423 may face another portion of the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300. In some embodiments, even in the folded state of the display device 1, a portion of the first cover surface 413 and the second cover surface 423 may face the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300. When the display device 1 is unfolded, one end of the first cover surface 413 and one end of the second cover surface 423 may contact or be spaced apart from each other.

[0125] In the case where the display device 1 is unfolded, the first blocking member 510 may be disposed between the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 and the first cover surface 413, and the second blocking member 520 may be disposed between the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 and the second cover surface 423. In one embodiment, the first blocking member 510 may cover the gap G between the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 and the first cover surface 413, and the second blocking member 520 may cover the gap G between the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 and the second cover surface 423. In the case where the display device 1 is folded, the first blocking member 510 may face a portion of the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300, and the second blocking member 520 may face another portion of the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300. The first blocking member 510 and the second blocking member 520 may contact the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 or be spaced apart therefrom. In one embodiment, the height of each of the first blocking member 510 and the second blocking member 520 may be equal to or less than the difference between the second radius of curvature D2 and the first radius of curvature D1. In some embodiments, the height of each of the first blocking member 510 and the second blocking member 520 may be equal to or greater than the difference between the second radius of curvature D2 and the first radius of curvature D1. In one embodiment, the first blocking member 510 may overlap with the first supporting member 110 in the thickness direction, and the second blocking member 520 may overlap with the second supporting member 120 in the thickness direction.

[0126] refer to Fig. 9 , when the display device 1 is folded, the first rear cover 410 and the second rear cover 420 may rotate relative to the first rotation axis RX1 and the second rotation axis RX2, respectively, and the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 may be exposed to the outside.

[0127] When the display device 1 is folded, the distance between the first cover surface 413 and the second cover surface 423 in the first direction DR1 may be greater than the distance between the first cover surface 413 and the second cover surface 423 in the first direction DR1 when the display device 1 is unfolded. When the display device 1 is folded, the exposed area of ​​the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 may be greater than the exposed area of ​​the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 when the display device 1 is unfolded. When the display device 1 is unfolded, the area of ​​the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 covered by the first cover surface 413 and the second cover surface 423 may be greater than the area of ​​the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 covered by the first cover surface 413 and the second cover surface 423 when the display device 1 is folded. In some embodiments, when the display device 1 is unfolded, the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 may be completely covered by the first cover surface 413 and the second cover surface 423. In some embodiments, when the display apparatus 1 is unfolded, a portion of the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 may be exposed due to a space between the first cover surface 413 and the second cover surface 423 .

[0128] In a case where the display device 1 is folded, the first blocking member 510 may overlap or cover the gap G between one side of the first rear cover 410 and the hinge cover 300, and the second blocking member 520 may cover the gap G between one side of the second rear cover 420 and the hinge cover 300. In detail, the first blocking member 510 may cover the gap G between the first cover surface 413 and the first convex surface 300_RS_C1, and the second blocking member 520 may cover the gap G between the second cover surface 423 and the second convex surface 300_RS_C2.

[0129] When the display device 1 is completely folded, one end of the first blocking member 510 and one end of the second blocking member 520 may contact one end of the first convex surface 300_RS_C1 and one end of the second convex surface 300_RS_C2, respectively. Fig. 9As illustrated, the closed space formed by the hinge cover 300, the first back cover 410, the second back cover 420, the first support member 110, the second support member 120 and the display module DM can be substantially sealed from the outside. When the display device 1 is fully folded, the first back cover 410 and the second back cover 420 can be arranged in parallel and / or the angle between the first back cover 410 and the second back cover 420 can be about 0 degrees or about 360 degrees. In some embodiments, when the display device 1 is fully folded, the first blocking member 510 and the second blocking member 520 may not overlap with the first convex surface 300_RS_C1 and the second convex surface 300_RS_C2, respectively. For example, the first blocking member 510 and the second blocking member 520 may not overlap or cover the first convex surface 300_RS_C1 and the second convex surface 300_RS_C2, respectively. In some embodiments, when the display apparatus 1 is completely folded, at least a portion of the first and second blocking members 510 and 520 may overlap the first and second convex surfaces 300_RS_C1 and 300_RS_C2 , respectively.

[0130] When the display device 1 is folded, the display module DM may be folded to have a predetermined radius of curvature relative to a predetermined center of curvature CC. The folding axis FX may include the center of curvature CC of the display module DM. The first radius of curvature D1 and / or the second radius of curvature D2 may be greater than the radius of curvature of the display module DM.

[0131] refer to Figures 8 to 9 , the elastic sheet 700 may be disposed between the first supporting member 110 and the second supporting member 120. The variable distance between the first supporting member 110 and the second supporting member 120 may be overlapped or covered by the elastic sheet 700.

[0132] In some embodiments, at least one adhesive layer 610 and at least one adhesive layer 620 may be disposed between the display module DM and the first supporting member 110 and between the display module DM and the second supporting member 120 , respectively.

[0133] In some embodiments, a sub display module DM′ separated from the display module DM may be additionally disposed on the rear surface of the second back cover 420 .

[0134] refer to Figure 6 and Fig.10, the first cover surface 413 of the first back cover 410 may further include a third concave surface 413_C2 and a fourth concave surface 413_C3, arranged in a manner that the first concave surface 413_C1 is interposed therebetween, and the second cover surface 423 of the second back cover 420 may further include a fifth concave surface 423_C2 and a sixth concave surface 423_C3, arranged in a manner that the second concave surface 423_C1 is interposed therebetween. In one embodiment, the second back cover 420 may be substantially the same as or similar to the first back cover 410, and thus the third concave surface 413_C2 and the fourth concave surface 413_C3 of the first back cover 410 will be mainly described below.

[0135] The third concave surface 413_C2 and the fourth concave surface 413_C3 may be connected to one side and the other side of the first concave surface 413_C1 extending in the second direction DR2, respectively, and may be bent or curved toward the hinge cover 300 and / or the first rotation axis RX1. The third concave surface 413_C2 and the fourth concave surface 413_C3 may overlap or cover at least a portion of the end of the hinge cover 300. Therefore, the third concave surface 413_C2 and the fourth concave surface 413_C3 may overlap with the hinge cover 300 in the second direction DR2. In a cross-sectional view, the third concave surface 413_C2 and the fourth concave surface 413_C3 may surround the corners of one end and the other end of the hinge cover 300. In an embodiment, the first concave surface 413_C1 , the third concave surface 413_C2 , and the fourth concave surface 413_C3 may be spaced apart from the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 to form a gap G, and the first blocking member 510 may overlap or cover the gap G.

[0136] The first blocking member 510 may be elongated in the second direction DR2 on the first concave surface 413_C1, the third concave surface 413_C2, and the fourth concave surface 413_C3. Therefore, in a cross-sectional view, a portion of the first blocking member 510 disposed on the first concave surface 413_C1 may be disposed straightly in the second direction DR2, but a portion of the first blocking member 510 disposed on the third concave surface 413_C2 and the fourth concave surface 413_C3 may be bent along the shape of the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300. In an embodiment, a portion of the first blocking member 510 disposed on the third concave surface 413_C2 and the fourth concave surface 413_C3 may be bent toward the first rotation axis RX1.

[0137] In one embodiment, the first concave surface 413_C1 may be curved to have a curvature relative to any axis in the second direction DR2 (e.g., the first rotation axis RX1), and the third concave surface 413_C2 and the fourth concave surface 413_C3 may be curved to have two or more curvatures relative to two or more axes (e.g., any axis in the second direction DR2 and the first direction DR1). The third concave surface 413_C2 and the fourth concave surface 413_C3 may include a hyperbolic surface.

[0138] Fig.11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device 1 a according to another embodiment.

[0139] Fig.11 The embodiment of the present invention is different from the embodiment of the present invention in that the first blocking member 510a and the second blocking member 520a are arranged. Figures 5 to 10 Embodiment of the invention.

[0140] refer to Fig.11 , the first blocking member 510a and the second blocking member 520a may be disposed on the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300. In detail, the first blocking member 510a may be disposed on a portion of the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300, and the second blocking member 520a may be disposed on another portion (or additional portion) of the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300. A portion and another portion of the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 may be portions overlapped or covered by the first cover surface 413 of the first rear cover 410 and the second cover surface 423 of the second rear cover 420, respectively. In an embodiment, when the display device 1 is folded, at least a portion of the first cover surface 413 and the second cover surface 423 may overlap with at least a portion of the hinge cover 300. When the display device 1 is folded, the first blocking member 510a and the second blocking member 520a may be disposed only on portions of the first cover surface 413 and the second cover surface 423 that overlap with the first blocking member 510a and the second blocking member 520a in the thickness direction. For example, when the display device 1 is folded, the first blocking member 510a and the second blocking member 520a may be provided only in unexposed areas of the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300. These areas may be an end of the first convex surface 300_RS_C1 of the hinge cover 300 adjacent to the first rear cover 410 and an end of the second convex surface 300_RS_C2 of the hinge cover 300 adjacent to the second rear cover 420, respectively.

[0141] Fig.12 is a schematic perspective view of a first blocking member 510 of a display apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. Fig.13 is a schematic plan view of a first blocking member 510 of a display apparatus 1 according to an embodiment.

[0142] Hereinafter, the first blocking member 510 and the second blocking member 520 will be described in detail. In one embodiment, the first blocking member 510 and the second blocking member 520 are substantially the same or similar, so the first blocking member 510 will be mainly described below.

[0143] refer to Fig.12 and Fig.13 The first blocking member 510 may include a plate 511 and a protrusion 512 (eg, a plurality of protrusions 512 ). The first blocking member 510 may further include an adhesive member 513 .

[0144] The plate 511 may have a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. The protrusion 512 may be provided on one surface of the plate 511, and the other surface (or additional surface) of the plate 511 may be attached to the first cover surface 413 of the first rear cover 410. In one embodiment, the adhesive member 513 may be provided between the other surface of the plate 511 and the first cover surface 413. One surface of the plate 511 may be the front surface of the plate 511, and the other surface of the plate 511 may be the rear surface of the plate 511.

[0145] like Figures 8 to 10 As illustrated, the plate 511 may be attached to the first cover surface 413 of the first rear cover 410. In this case, at least a portion of the plate 511 may be bent or curved corresponding to the shape of the first cover surface 413. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As illustrated, the plate 511 may be bent to have a predetermined radius of curvature with respect to any axis in the second direction DR2 corresponding to the shape of the first concave surface 413_C1. Therefore, the front surface of the plate 511 may include a concave shape, and the rear surface of the plate 511 may include a convex shape. Any axis in the second direction DR2 may include the first rotation axis RX1. Similarly, Fig.10 As illustrated, the portion adjacent to the end of the plate 511 may be bent or curved corresponding to the shape of the third concave surface 413_C2 and the fourth concave surface 413_C3. The portion of the plate 511 disposed on the third concave surface 413_C2 and the fourth concave surface 413_C3 may have two or more curvatures. The portion of the plate 511 disposed on the third concave surface 413_C2 and the fourth concave surface 413_C3 may include a hyperbolic surface.

[0146] The protrusion 512 may be disposed on a surface of the plate 511. Fig.13 As illustrated, the protrusions 512 may be disposed at regular intervals on a surface of the plate 511 .

[0147] The protrusions 512 may form rows and / or columns. In one embodiment, the protrusions 512 may form a plurality of rows extending in a direction. The direction may include a direction parallel to one side of the first rear cover 410, a direction of the folding axis FX, and a second direction DR2.

[0148] refer to Fig.13 The protrusions 512 of one row and the protrusions 512 of another row adjacent to the row may be arranged alternately with each other. Fig.13 The protrusions 512 of the first row on the upper side and the protrusions 512 of the second row adjacent to the first row and arranged immediately below the first row may be arranged alternately with each other in another direction. The other direction may be a direction intersecting with the direction in which the row extends. In one embodiment, the other direction may be perpendicular to the direction in which the row extends.

[0149] The protrusions 512 may form a column extending in another direction. In some embodiments, the protrusions 512 of the third row disposed immediately below the second row may form a column with the protrusions 512 of the first row.

[0150] In some embodiments, the one direction and the other direction may be directions intersecting the direction extending from one side of the first rear cover 410, the direction of the folding axis FX, and / or the second direction DR2. For example, the one direction and / or the other direction may intersect the direction extending from one side of the first rear cover 410, the direction of the folding axis FX, and / or the second direction DR2 at an angle of about 45 degrees.

[0151] The protrusion 512 may have a substantially circular shape in a plan view, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the protrusion 512 may have any various shapes in a plan view, such as a triangle, a quadrilateral, a rhombus, a trapezoid, a hexagon, or an ellipse. The diameter W of the protrusion 512 may be equal to or less than the width of the gap G between the first rear cover 410 and the hinge cover 300. For example, the diameter W of the protrusion 512 may be equal to or less than one-third of the width of the gap G. In one embodiment, the diameter W of the protrusion 512 may be equal to or less than about 0.5 millimeters. In this case, the width of the gap G between the first rear cover 410 and the hinge cover 300 may be about 1.5 millimeters. In some embodiments, the diameter W of the protrusion 512 may be equal to or less than about 1.0 millimeters. The diameter W of the protrusion 512 may have a micrometer size. In some embodiments, the diameter W of the protrusion 512 may be about 1 micron to about 1000 microns.

[0152] The protrusion 512 may have a structure such as a brush and / or a filter in which the substrate is gathered. For example, one to one million protrusions 512 may be provided on the surface of the plate 511. The first blocking member 510 and the second blocking member 520 may block foreign matter, but may form a passage through which air passes. For example, the passage may be used as a passage for adjusting the pressure in the display device 1 and / or a passage for dissipating heat from the display device 1.

[0153] The distance G1 between the protrusions 512 may be equal to or less than the width of the gap G between the first rear cover 410 and the hinge cover 300. In one embodiment, the distance G1 between the protrusions 512 may be equal to or less than the distance between the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 and the first cover surface 413. The distance G1 between the protrusions 512 may be equal to or greater than the diameter W of the protrusions 512. For example, the diameter W of the protrusion 512 may be equal to or greater than one-third of the width of the gap G, and equal to or less than two-thirds of the width of the gap G. The distance G1 between the protrusions 512 may be the distance between the columns or the distance between the rows. In one embodiment, the distance between the protrusions 512 in one direction and / or another direction may be equal to or less than about 1.0 mm. In this case, the diameter W of the protrusion 512 is about 0.5 mm, and the width of the gap G between the first rear cover 410 and the hinge cover 300 may be about 1.5 mm.

[0154] In the case where the distance G1 between the protrusions 512 is greater than or equal to the diameter W of the protrusion 512 , the protrusions 512 may be disposed so as not to overlap with each other in one direction and / or another direction.

[0155] The height H of the protrusion 512 may be equal to or greater than the diameter W of the protrusion 512 and / or the distance G1 between the protrusions 512. For example, the height H of the protrusion 512 may be about 2 to 4 times the diameter and about 1 to 2 times the distance. The height H of the protrusion 512 may be equal to or less than the width of the gap G between the first rear cover 410 and the hinge cover 300. In one embodiment, the protrusion 512 may have a height H equal to or less than the distance between the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 and the first cover surface 413. In one embodiment, the height H of the protrusion 512 may be equal to or less than about 1.5 mm. In some embodiments, the sum of the height H of the protrusion 512 and the thickness of the plate 511 may be equal to or less than about 1.5 mm.

[0156] The plate 511 and the protrusion 512 may be integrally injection molded. The plate 511 and the protrusion 512 may include injection moldable materials. The material may include a material having elasticity and / or flexibility. For example, the first barrier member 510, specifically the floor 511, may include at least one of silicon and plastic. The plastic may include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polycarbonate and / or polyvinylidene chloride.

[0157] Fig.14 is a schematic plan view of a first blocking member 510 of a display apparatus 1 according to another embodiment.

[0158] exist Fig.14 In the embodiment of the present invention, the relationship between the diameter W of the protrusion 512 and the distance G1 between the protrusions 512 is different from Fig.13 Embodiment of the invention.

[0159] refer to Fig.14 , the diameter W of the protrusion 512 may be greater than the distance G1 between the protrusions 512. Specifically, the diameter W of the protrusion 512 may be greater than the distance between the protrusions 512 in one direction and / or another direction. Therefore, the protrusions 512 may overlap each other in one direction and / or another direction. The one direction and the other direction may be the direction in which the row extends and the direction in which the column extends, respectively. For example, the one direction may be Fig.14 in a left-to-right direction, and the other direction may be Fig.14 In one embodiment, the diameter W of the protrusion 512 is about 0.5 mm, and the distance G1 between the protrusions 512 may be less than about 0.5 mm.

[0160] In addition to the relationship between the diameter W of the protrusion 512 and the distance G1 between the protrusions 512, Fig.14 Examples and Fig.13 The embodiments of the present invention are substantially the same or similar, and thus repeated descriptions will be omitted below.

[0161] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15E is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first blocking member 510 of the display apparatus 1 according to various embodiments.

[0162] refer to Figures 12 to 15E , the protrusion 512 may have various cross-sectional shapes.

[0163] refer to Fig.15A , the protrusion 512a may have a columnar shape protruding from the plate 511. Each protrusion 512a may include a circular or polygonal column. In an embodiment, the protrusion 512a may protrude from the surface of the plate 511 to have a predetermined width. The end of each protrusion 512a may have a substantially rectangular shape.

[0164] refer to Fig. 15B , the protrusion 512b may have Fig.15A Therefore, the area of ​​each protrusion 512b contacting the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 can be reduced.

[0165] refer to Fig. 15C , each protrusion 512c may have a triangular shape in a cross-sectional view. The width and / or diameter of each protrusion 512c may decrease as it moves away from the plate 511. The end of each protrusion 512c may include a peak. Each protrusion 512c may have a shape such as a cone, a triangular pyramid, a quadrangular pyramid, or a multi-sided pyramid.

[0166] refer to Fig.15D , the width and / or diameter of each protrusion 512d may increase as it moves away from the plate 511. Each protrusion 512d may include a head at one end thereof. Therefore, the area of ​​the protrusion 512d contacting the rear surface 300_RS of the hinge cover 300 may increase. The protrusion 512d may have a height different from other adjacent protrusions 512d. Similarly, FIG. 15A to FIG. 15C and Fig.15E The protrusions 512a, 512b, 512c and 512e in the embodiment may have different heights from each other.

[0167] refer to Fig.15E Each protrusion 512e may include at least one branch portion at one end thereof. In an embodiment, a cross section of the protrusion 512e may have a Y-shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0168] Fig.16 is a schematic perspective view of a first blocking member 510 of a display apparatus 1 according to another embodiment. Fig.17 is a schematic plan view of a first blocking member 510 of a display apparatus 1 according to another embodiment.

[0169] Fig.16 Examples and Fig.12 The embodiment of FIG. 5 is different in that the protrusion 512f includes a nanowire.

[0170] refer to Fig.16 and Fig.17 , the protrusion 512f may include a nanowire. Each nanowire may refer to a wire structure having a nanometer-scale size. For example, the diameter of the nanowire may be about 1 nanometer to about 1000 nanometers. In one embodiment, the nanowire may be formed using epitaxial growth. Epitaxial growth may refer to a phenomenon in which a crystalline film having a directionality grows on a substrate or layer. Epitaxial growth may include chemical vapor deposition (CVD), liquid phase epitaxy (LPE), molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), etc.

[0171] The board 511f may include a first layer 511f_x1 including indium phosphide and a second layer 511f_x2 disposed on the first layer 511f_x1 and including silicon dioxide. The board 511 may further include an adhesive member 513 under the first layer 511f_x1.

[0172] In one embodiment, the nanowires can be grown by a selective area epitaxy (SAE) method. In detail, the first layer can be masked with a second layer including a patterned opening, and the nanowires can be synthesized using a vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) or vapor-solid growth mechanism, in which nanoparticles are used as catalysts to continuously feed one-dimensional material growth.

[0173] Fig.18 is a diagram illustrating a simulation result of the display apparatus 1 in which the first blocking member 510 and the second blocking member 520 are not provided. Fig.19 is a diagram illustrating simulation results of the display device 1 according to an embodiment.

[0174] Fig.18 and Fig.19 The results obtained by using a computer simulation of whether foreign matter invades when a fluid containing foreign matter flows toward the hinge cover 300 of the display device 1 are illustrated. In the simulation, the height H of the protrusion 512 is set to 1.5 mm, and the distance between the protrusions 512 is set to 0.5 mm.

[0175] refer to Fig.18 , without providing the first blocking member 510 and the second blocking member 520, it can be seen that a large amount of foreign matter 900 is introduced into the gap G between the first rear cover 410 and the hinge cover 300 and between the second rear cover 420 and the hinge cover 300. As described above, the intruded foreign matter 900 may cause malfunction and / or failure of the display device 1.

[0176] refer to Fig.19 , in the case where the first blocking member 510 and the second blocking member 520 are provided, it can be seen that since the gap G between the first rear cover 410 and the hinge cover 300 and between the second rear cover 420 and the hinge cover 300 is substantially blocked, foreign matter 900 is hardly introduced into the display device 1. For example, as a result of computer simulation, in the case where the first blocking member 510 and the second blocking member 520 are provided, 99% or more of foreign matter 900 from the outside can be blocked.

[0177] Fig. 20 is a schematic flowchart of a method for manufacturing a display device 1 according to an embodiment.

[0178] The display device 1 manufactured by the method of manufacturing the display device 1 may include Figures 1 to 17Embodiment of the invention.

[0179] refer to Fig. 20 , the method of manufacturing the display device 1 may include forming a protrusion 512 (e.g., a plurality of protrusions 512) on a surface of a plate 511 (S101), and attaching the plate 511 on which the protrusions 512 are formed to at least one cover overlapping or covering a rear surface of a display module DM (S102).

[0180] The step of forming the protrusion 512 may include integrally injection-molding the protrusion 512 and the plate 511 , and epitaxially growing the protrusion 512 on one surface of the plate 511 .

[0181] The step of integrally injection molding the protrusion 512 and the plate 511 may include melting a material including silicon and / or plastic, injecting the molten material into a mold, cooling the mold, and removing the plate 511 with the protrusion 512 formed thereon from the mold, and finishing the plate 511 with the protrusion 512 formed thereon.

[0182] The step of epitaxially growing the protrusion 512 may include preparing a first layer including indium phosphide, depositing a second layer including an opening on the first layer, and growing the protrusion 512 through the opening by supplying nanoparticles.

[0183] The step of attaching a plate 511 having a protrusion 512 formed thereon to at least one cover may include attaching the first plate 511 to a first cover surface 413 of the first rear cover 410 disposed on one side of the hinge cover 300, and attaching the second plate 511 to a second cover surface 423 of the second rear cover 420 disposed on the other side of the hinge cover 300.

[0184] The method of manufacturing the display device 1 may further include disposing an adhesive member 513 on the other surface of the plate 511 , and bending the plate 511 to correspond to the shape of the at least one cover.

[0185] refer to Figures 1 to 17 , the method of manufacturing the display device 1 may not include at least part of the above steps, or may include one or more other steps.

[0186] In summarizing the detailed description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing substantially from the principles of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments of the present invention are used in a general and descriptive sense only, and not for the purpose of limitation.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: Display panel, including: A front surface showing an image; a rear surface opposite to the front surface of the display panel; and Folding axis; A supporting member disposed on the rear surface of the display panel, the supporting member comprising: A first support member disposed on one side of the folding axis; and a second supporting member, separated from the first supporting member and disposed on the other side of the folding axis; a hinge connected to the first support member and the second support member; A hinge cover is arranged on the hinge, and the hinge cover comprises: a front surface facing the hinge; and a rear surface opposite the front surface of the hinged cover; a first rear cover disposed on a rear surface of the first supporting member, the first rear cover comprising a first cover surface, the first cover surface covering a first area of ​​the rear surface of the hinge cover in an unfolded state of the display device; a second rear cover disposed on the rear surface of the second supporting member, the second rear cover comprising a second cover surface, the second cover surface covering a second area of ​​the rear surface of the hinge cover in the unfolded state of the display device; a first blocking member disposed on the first cover surface of the first rear cover, the first blocking member comprising a plurality of first protrusions; and a second blocking member disposed on the second cover surface of the second rear cover, the second blocking member comprising a plurality of second protrusions, wherein the first blocking member is disposed between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the first cover surface in the folded state and the unfolded state and is arranged to cover a gap between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the first cover surface, and The second blocking member is disposed between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the second cover surface in the folded state and the unfolded state and is arranged to cover a gap between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the second cover surface.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The first blocking member includes a first plate including a surface on which the plurality of first protrusions are disposed, and The second blocking member includes a second plate including a surface on which the plurality of second protrusions are disposed.

3. The display device according to claim 2, further comprising: a first adhesive member disposed between the other surface of the first plate and the first cover surface; and A second adhesive member is provided between the other surface of the second plate and the second cover surface. 4 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of second protrusions have a diameter equal to or smaller than 0.5 mm.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of second protrusions form a plurality of rows in one direction, and The protrusions of a first row among the plurality of rows and the protrusions of a second row among the plurality of rows are arranged alternately with each other.

6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The distance between the plurality of first protrusions is equal to or smaller than the distance between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the first cover surface, and A distance between the plurality of second protrusions is equal to or smaller than a distance between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the second cover surface. 7 . The display device of claim 6 , wherein each of a distance between the plurality of first protrusions and a distance between the plurality of second protrusions is equal to or less than 1.0 mm.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of first protrusions have a height equal to or smaller than a distance between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the first cover surface, and The plurality of second protrusions have a height equal to or smaller than a distance between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the second cover surface. 9 . The display device of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of second protrusions have a height equal to or less than 1.5 mm.

10. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The first cover surface and the second cover surface each include a curved surface, and The first blocking member and the second blocking member are curved corresponding to shapes of the curved surface of the first cover surface and the curved surface of the second cover surface, respectively.

11. The display device according to claim 10, wherein: The rear surface of the hinge cover has a convex shape, and The first cover surface and the second cover surface have concave shapes corresponding to the convex shape of the rear surface of the hinge cover. 12 . The display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second blocking members include at least one of silicon and plastic. 13 . The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the rear surface of the hinge cover is exposed between the first rear cover and the second rear cover in a folded state of the display device.

14. A display device comprising: Display panel, including: Folding area; A first unfolding region disposed on one side of the folding region; and a second unfolding region disposed on the other side of the folding region; a first cover disposed in the folding region; a second cover disposed in the first unfolded region, the second cover including a side adjacent to and separated from the first cover; a third cover disposed in the second unfolded region, the third cover including a side adjacent to the first cover and separated from the first cover; a first blocking member disposed at the one side of the second cover, between the first cover and the one side of the second cover in a folded state and an unfolded state, and covering a gap between the first cover and the one side of the second cover; and A second blocking member is provided on the one side of the third cover, between the first cover and the one side of the third cover in the folded state and the unfolded state, and covers a gap between the first cover and the one side of the third cover. 15 . The display apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein each of the first and second blocking members comprises a plate and a plurality of protrusions protruding from one surface of the plate. 16 . The display device of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of protrusions have a diameter equal to or smaller than 0.5 mm.

17. The display device according to claim 14, wherein: The first cover includes a front surface facing the display panel and a rear surface opposite to the front surface of the first cover, The second cover includes a first cover surface covering a portion of the rear surface of the first cover, and The third cover includes a second cover surface covering another portion of the rear surface of the first cover.

18. The display device according to claim 17, wherein: The first blocking member is disposed on the first cover surface of the second cover and covers a gap between the rear surface of the first cover and the first cover surface of the second cover, and The second blocking member is disposed on the second cover surface of the third cover and covers a gap between the rear surface of the first cover and the second cover surface of the third cover.

19. A method for manufacturing a display device, comprising: forming a plurality of protrusions on a surface of the plate; as well as attaching the plate to at least one cover covering the rear surface of the display module, wherein said forming of said plurality of protrusions comprises performing injection molding or epitaxial growth to form said plurality of protrusions, wherein the plate comprises a first plate and a second plate, and the attaching of the plate to the at least one cover covering the rear surface of the display module comprises: attaching the first plate to a first cover surface of a first rear cover disposed on one side of a hinge cover, and attaching the second plate to a second cover surface of a second rear cover disposed on the other side of the hinge cover, wherein the first plate is disposed between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the first cover surface in the folded state and the unfolded state and is arranged to cover the gap between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the first cover surface, and The second plate is disposed between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the second cover surface in the folded state and the unfolded state and is arranged to cover a gap between the rear surface of the hinge cover and the second cover surface.

Images