Display device including a protective window

Abstract

The display device has a flat area extending in one direction and a curved area having a curvature. The display device includes: a panel portion including a pixel array and including a first active area disposed in the flat area and a second active area disposed in the curved area; a protection window covering the panel portion; and a high-refractive member disposed on the panel portion in the curved area and including a material with a refractive index greater than that of the protection window.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to a display device including a protection window. Background Art

[0002] Generally speaking, a display device includes a display area for displaying an image and a non-display area for not displaying an image. Reducing the border defined by the non-display area perceived by the user can bring various advantages. For example, the display area can be relatively increased, the user's sense of immersion can be increased, and the aesthetics of the display device can be improved.

[0003] Therefore, various developments are being made to reduce the bezel of a display device. Summary of the invention

[0004] [Technical issues to be solved]

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device with a reduced bezel.

[0006] This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0007] [Solution to the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the purpose of the present invention, a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention has a flat area extending in one direction and a curved area having a curvature. The display device includes: a panel portion including a pixel array and including a first active area arranged in the flat area and a second active area arranged in the curved area; a protection window covering the panel portion; and a high-refractive member arranged on the panel portion in the curved area and including a material having a refractive index greater than that of the protection window.

[0009] In an embodiment, a high-refractive member is disposed between the protection window and the panel portion in the bending region.

[0010] In an embodiment, a protection window is provided between the high-refractive member and the panel portion in the bending region.

[0011] In an embodiment, the high-refractive member is disposed between the first low-refractive layer and the second low-refractive layer of the protection window in the bending region.

[0012] In an embodiment, the protection window includes glass, and the high-refractive member includes at least one selected from the group consisting of polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyimide, cyclic olefin copolymer, and polycarbonate.

[0013] In an embodiment, the protection window includes polyimide, and the high-refractive member includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a cyclic olefin copolymer and a polycarbonate.

[0014] In an embodiment, the high-refractive member includes a cured acrylic resin.

[0015] In an embodiment, the high-refractive member includes inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in a flexible polymer matrix or a cured resin.

[0016] In an embodiment, the inorganic nanoparticles include at least one selected from the group consisting of niobium oxide, barium oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, and tungsten oxide.

[0017] In an embodiment, the high-refractive member includes a metal oxide layer.

[0018] In an embodiment, the high-refractive member includes a high-refractive glass including at least 15 wt % of niobium oxide, barium oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, tungsten oxide, or a combination thereof.

[0019] In an embodiment, the display device further includes a light blocking member overlapping a non-display area of ​​the panel portion in the bending area.

[0020] In an embodiment, the thickness of the protection window in the curved area is less than the thickness of the protection window in the flat area.

[0021] In an embodiment, the pixel array includes organic light emitting diodes.

[0022] A display device according to an embodiment of the present invention has a flat area extending in one direction and a curved area having a curvature. The display device includes: a panel portion including a pixel array and including a first active area arranged in the flat area and a second active area arranged in the curved area; and a protection window covering the panel portion. The protection window includes a low refractive portion arranged in the flat area and a high refractive portion arranged in the curved area, and the refractive index of the high refractive portion is greater than the refractive index of the low refractive portion.

[0023] [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a path of light emitted from a bending area may be adjusted, so that the size of a display area perceived by a user may be increased and the size of a bezel may be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a region 'A' of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a bending region of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device that does not include a high-refractive member.

[0029] Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a curved region of a display device not including a high-refractive member.

[0030] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a display area of ​​a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figures 8 to 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] A display device according to embodiments will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some embodiments are shown. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for the same or similar elements.

[0034] Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a region "A" of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. For ease of explanation, Figure 1 The image shows the unfolded display device. Figure 2 FIG. 1 shows a display device having a bending area.

[0035] The display device according to the embodiment may be Figure 2 For example, the display device may include a flat area FA extending in one direction and a curved area BA extending from the flat area FA and curved with a curvature. For example, the curved area BA may have a uniform curvature relative to an axis extending along the first direction D1. In addition, D2 represents a second direction.

[0036] In the display device, a display surface on which an image is displayed may extend from the flat area FA to the curved area BA.

[0037] In an embodiment, the display device may include an active area that generates an image, and a non-display area NDA that does not generate an image. The active area includes a first active area AA1 disposed in the flat area FA and a second active area AA2 disposed in the curved area BA. In addition, a portion of the curved area BA may correspond to the non-display area NDA. Therefore, the second active area AA2 may be disposed between the non-display area NDA and the first active area AA1.

[0038] An array of pixels PX is disposed in the first active area AA1 and the second active area AA2 to generate an image. In an embodiment, each pixel PX may include a light emitting element. For example, the light emitting element may be an organic light emitting diode.

[0039] Signal wiring, power wiring, driving circuit, etc. may be in the non-display area NDA.

[0040] See also Figure 2 , the display device includes a panel portion PN and a protection window 250 covering the panel portion PN. The panel portion PN and the protection window 250 may each include a flat region and a curved region.

[0041] In an implementation, the display device may include a light blocking member 300 disposed in the non-display area NDA.

[0042] Hereinafter, "display area" may refer to an image area perceived by a user in front of a display device. For example, an image generated in the first active area AA1 may be perceived as the first display area DA1, and an image generated in the second active area AA2 may be perceived as the second display area DA2.

[0043] In the bending area BA, light emitted from the panel portion PN is refracted when entering the protection window 250 disposed on the panel portion PN, and is refracted again when emitted from the protection window 250. Therefore, the size of the second display area DA2 may be determined according to the position where light reaches the exit surface of the display device after being emitted from the active area.

[0044] In an embodiment, the display device includes a high refractive member 410 disposed in the bending area BA. The high refractive member 410 includes a material having a refractive index greater than that of the protective window 250. The high refractive member 410 overlaps at least a portion of the second active area AA2. For example, the high refractive member 410 may overlap a boundary between the second active area AA2 and the non-display area NDA.

[0045] Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a bending region of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device that does not include a high-refractive member. Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a curved region of a display device not including a high-refractive member. Figure 6 1 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 and Figure 5 The interface in the curved region shown in the middle figure is flat.

[0046] See also Figure 2 and Figure 3, the light L1 emitted from the second active area AA2 of the display device according to the embodiment of the present invention and entering the high refraction member 410 is refracted at the interface.

[0047] The refraction angle of light passing through the interface of the medium is determined according to the refractive index of the medium. Therefore, the refraction angle θ1 of the light L1 entering the high-refractive member 410 having a refractive index greater than that of the protective window 250 is smaller than the refraction angle θ2 of the light L2 directly entering the protective window 250. Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown in .

[0048] Therefore, the position where light is emitted from the display device can be moved toward the outer edge of the display device. Therefore, the size of the peripheral area PA can be significantly reduced, and the size of the display area can be significantly increased.

[0049] The material used for the high-refractive member 410 may vary depending on the material used for the protection window 250 .

[0050] In an embodiment, the protective window 250 may include glass. The refractive index of the glass may vary according to the composition of the glass. For example, the protective window 250 may include glass having a refractive index equal to or less than 1.47.

[0051] In an embodiment, when the protection window 250 includes glass having a refractive index equal to or less than 1.47, the high-refractive member 410 may include a polymeric material. For example, the high-refractive member 410 may include a material having high transparency and a refractive index greater than 1.47, such as polymethyl methacrylate (refractive index: about 1.49), polyvinyl alcohol (refractive index: about 1.48), polyimide (refractive index: about 1.50), cyclic olefin copolymer (refractive index: about 1.54), polycarbonate (refractive index: about 1.58), or a combination thereof.

[0052] In an embodiment, the high-refractive member 410 may include a curing resin. For example, the curing resin may be a curing acrylic resin formed by an acrylic monomer, an acrylic oligomer, or a combination thereof. For example, the curing resin may be formed by methyl methacrylate, aliphatic urethane acrylate, epoxy acrylate, phenoxyethyl acrylate, or a combination thereof. For example, the curing resin may have a refractive index equal to or greater than 1.57.

[0053] In an embodiment, the high-refractive member 410 may include inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in a flexible polymer matrix or in a cured resin. For example, the inorganic nanoparticles may include niobium oxide, barium oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, tungsten oxide, or a combination thereof. The high-refractive member 410 including the inorganic nanoparticles may have a refractive index equal to or greater than 1.60. For example, the diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles may be about 5 nm to about 50 nm.

[0054] In an embodiment, the high refractive member 410 may include a metal oxide layer. For example, the metal oxide layer may include niobium oxide, barium oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, tungsten oxide, or a combination thereof. For example, the metal oxide layer may be formed on the surface of the protective window 250 by a deposition method such as sputtering.

[0055] In an embodiment, the high refractive member 410 may include a high refractive glass. The high refractive glass includes a metal oxide in a high content, and the metal oxide increases the refractive index. For example, the high refractive glass may include 15wt% or more of niobium oxide, barium oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, tungsten oxide, or a combination thereof. As desired, the high refractive glass may further include an alkali metal oxide, boron oxide, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, strontium oxide, aluminum oxide, or a combination thereof. The refractive index of the high refractive glass may be about 1.6 to about 1.85.

[0056] For example, glass frit may be coated on the surface of the protection window 250 and then heat-treated to form the high-refractive member 410 including high-refractive glass.

[0057] In an embodiment, the protection window 250 may include a polymer material having high elasticity. For example, the protection window 250 may include polyimide, polyacrylate, polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polystyrene, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, or a combination thereof.

[0058] For example, when the protection window 250 includes polyimide, the high-refractive member 410 may include a polymer material having a refractive index greater than that of polyimide, such as cyclic olefin copolymer or polycarbonate.

[0059] In addition, when the protection window 250 includes a polymer material, the high-refractive member 410 may include a cured resin, a high-refractive glass, inorganic nanoparticles, or a metal oxide layer.

[0060] In addition, when the protection window 250 includes a polymer material, the protection window 250 may include a base film including the polymer material and a hard coating layer protecting the base film.

[0061] The hard coating layer may include a cross-linked curing resin. For example, the hard coating layer may include a curing resin formed of at least one of an acrylate compound, a siloxane compound, and a silsesquioxane compound.

[0062] The protection window 250 may further include an anti-fingerprint layer covering the hard coating. The anti-fingerprint layer may be used as an anti-fouling layer to prevent the protection window from being contaminated by fingerprints, etc. For example, the anti-fingerprint layer may include a fluorine-containing compound. In an embodiment, the anti-fingerprint layer may include a fluorine-containing silane or a reaction product thereof.

[0063] The high-refractive member 410 may be combined with the protection window 250 by various methods.

[0064] For example, the protection window 250 may have a groove formed at a surface thereof to receive the high-refractive member 410. A polymer film, a composite film, a curable resin, a glass frit, or the like may be provided in the groove to form the high-refractive member 410.

[0065] Therefore, the thickness of the protection window 250 in the bent area BA may be smaller than the thickness of the protection window 250 in the flat area FA.

[0066] For example, the high-refractive member 410 having a film shape or a sheet shape may be attached to the surface of the protection window 250 by roll lamination, 3D lamination, or the like.

[0067] The high refraction member 410 may extend from the second display area DA2 to the first display area DA1. Considering the mechanical characteristics and transparency of the entire protection window 250, the high refraction member 410 may preferably be selectively disposed in the second display area DA2.

[0068] The light blocking member 300 may include a light blocking material such as carbon black, a dye or a pigment, etc. For example, the light blocking member 300 may be a black matrix. In an embodiment, the light blocking member 300 may be disposed between the high refractive member 410 and the panel portion PN in the non-display area NDA. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. For example, Figure 6 As shown in , the high refractive member 410 may be selectively disposed in the second active area AA2, and the light blocking member 300 may be combined with the surface of the protection window 250 or the surface of the panel part PN to be disposed between the protection window 250 and the panel part PN. In another embodiment, the light blocking member may be disposed between the high refractive member and the protection window.

[0069] Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a display area of ​​a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] See also Figure 7 , the pixel unit disposed in the display area DA may include a transistor disposed on the base substrate 110 and a light emitting element electrically connected to the transistor. In an implementation, the light emitting element may be an organic light emitting diode.

[0071] The buffer layer 120 may be disposed on the base substrate 110. The active pattern AP may be disposed on the buffer layer 120.

[0072] For example, the base substrate 110 may be formed of a polymer material having high elasticity. For example, the base substrate 110 may include polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyether ketone, polycarbonate, polyarylate, polyether sulfone, polyimide or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, the base substrate 110 may include a rigid material such as glass, quartz or sapphire.

[0073] The buffer layer 120 may prevent or reduce penetration of impurities, moisture, or external gas from below the base substrate 110, and may planarize the upper surface of the base substrate 110. For example, the buffer layer 120 may include an inorganic material such as oxide or nitride.

[0074] The gate electrode GE may be disposed on the active pattern AP. The first insulating layer 130 may be disposed between the active pattern AP and the gate electrode GE.

[0075] The gate wiring pattern GP may be disposed on the gate electrode GE. The gate wiring pattern GP may include a capacitor electrode for forming a capacitor or a wiring for transmitting various signals, and the like.

[0076] The second insulating layer 140 may be disposed between the gate electrode GE and the gate wiring pattern GP. The third insulating layer 150 may be disposed on the gate wiring pattern GP.

[0077] For example, the active pattern AP may include silicon or a metal oxide semiconductor. In an embodiment, the active pattern AP may include polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si), which may be doped with n-type impurities or p-type impurities.

[0078] In another embodiment or in another transistor not shown, the active pattern may include a metal oxide semiconductor. For example, the active pattern may include a binary compound (AB x ), ternary compounds (AB x C y ) or quaternary compound (AB x C y D z ), which contains indium (In), zinc (Zn), gallium (Ga), tin (Sn), titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), hafnium (Hf), zirconium (Zr), magnesium (Mg). For example, the active pattern may include zinc oxide (ZnO x ), gallium oxide (GaO x ), titanium oxide (TiO x ), tin oxide (SnO x ), indium oxide (InO x ), indium gallium oxide (IGO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium tin oxide (ITO), gallium zinc oxide (GZO), zinc magnesium oxide (ZMO), zinc tin oxide (ZTO), zinc zirconium oxide (ZnZr x O y ), indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO), indium gallium hafnium oxide (IGHO), tin oxide-aluminum-zinc (TAZO) or indium gallium tin oxide (IGTO), etc.

[0079] The first insulating layer 130, the second insulating layer 140, and the third insulating layer 150 may include silicon oxide (SiO x ), silicon nitride (SiN x ), silicon carbide, or a combination thereof. In addition, the first insulating layer 130, the second insulating layer 140, and the third insulating layer 150 may include insulating metal oxides such as aluminum oxide, tantalum oxide, hafnium oxide, zirconium oxide, or titanium oxide. For example, the first insulating layer 130, the second insulating layer 140, and the third insulating layer 150 may each have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure including silicon nitride and / or silicon oxide, or may have structures different from each other.

[0080] The gate electrode GE and the gate wiring pattern GP may include a metal, a metal alloy, a metal nitride, or a conductive metal oxide, etc. For example, the gate electrode GE and the gate wiring pattern GP may include gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), platinum (Pt), magnesium (Mg), chromium (Cr), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta) or an alloy thereof, and may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure including different metal layers. In an embodiment, the gate electrode GE and the gate wiring pattern GP may have a multi-layer structure including at least molybdenum.

[0081] The first source metal pattern may be disposed on the third insulating layer 150. The first source metal pattern may include a source electrode SE and a drain electrode DE, which contact the active pattern AP. The source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE may each pass through an insulating layer disposed thereunder to contact the active pattern AP.

[0082] The fourth insulating layer 160 may be disposed on the first source metal pattern. The second source metal pattern may be disposed on the fourth insulating layer 160. The second source metal pattern may include a connection electrode CE to electrically connect the drain electrode DE to the organic light emitting diode 210 disposed thereon. In an embodiment, the second source metal pattern may further include a mesh power line to prevent a voltage drop of a power source applied to the organic light emitting diode 210. The fifth insulating layer 170 may be disposed on the second source metal pattern.

[0083] The first source metal pattern and the second source metal pattern may include a metal, a metal alloy, a metal nitride, or a conductive metal oxide, etc. For example, the first source metal pattern and the second source metal pattern may include gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), platinum (Pt), magnesium (Mg), chromium (Cr), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta) or an alloy thereof, and may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure including different metal layers. In an embodiment, the first source metal pattern and the second source metal pattern may have a multi-layer structure including at least aluminum. For example, the first source metal pattern and the second source metal pattern may have a stacked structure of an aluminum layer and a titanium layer.

[0084] The fourth insulating layer 160 and the fifth insulating layer 170 may include an organic material, such as phenolic resin, acrylic resin, polyimide resin, polyamide resin, siloxane resin, epoxy resin, or the like.

[0085] The organic light emitting diode 210 may be disposed on the fifth insulating layer 170. The organic light emitting diode 210 may include a first electrode 212 contacting the connection electrode CE, a light emitting layer 214 disposed on the first electrode 212, and a second electrode 216 disposed on the light emitting layer 214. The first electrode 212 may be a lower electrode of the organic light emitting diode 210, and the second electrode 216 may be an upper electrode of the organic light emitting diode 210.

[0086] The first electrode 212 may be used as an anode. For example, the first electrode 212 may be formed as a light-transmitting electrode or a light-reflecting electrode according to the emission type of the display device. When the first electrode 212 is a light-transmitting electrode, the first electrode 212 may include indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, zinc tin oxide, indium oxide, zinc oxide, or tin oxide, etc. When the first electrode 212 is a light-reflecting electrode, the first electrode 212 may include gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), platinum (Pt), magnesium (Mg), chromium (Cr), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti) or a combination thereof, and may have a stacked structure further including a material that can be used for a light-transmitting electrode.

[0087] The pixel defining layer 180 has an opening exposing at least a portion of the first electrode 212. For example, the pixel defining layer 180 may include an organic insulating material.

[0088] The light emitting layer 214 may have a single layer structure or a multilayer structure including at least one of a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an organic light emitting layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer. For example, the light emitting layer 214 may include a low molecular weight organic compound or a high molecular weight organic compound.

[0089] In an embodiment, the light emitting layer 214 may emit red light, green light, or blue light. In another embodiment, the light emitting layer 214 may emit white light. The light emitting layer 214 emitting white light may have a multilayer structure including a red emission layer, a green emission layer, and a blue emission layer, or a single layer structure including a mixture of a red emission material, a green emission material, and a blue emission material.

[0090] Depending on the emission type of the display device, the second electrode 216 may be formed as a light-transmitting electrode or a light-reflecting electrode. For example, when the second electrode 216 is a light-transmitting electrode, the second electrode 216 may include metal, metal alloy, metal nitride, metal fluoride, conductive metal oxide or a combination thereof.

[0091] For example, the second electrode 216 may continuously extend across a plurality of pixels in the display area DA. In an implementation, a capping layer and a barrier layer may be further formed on the second electrode 216 .

[0092] The display device further includes an encapsulation layer 220 covering the organic light emitting diode 210. The encapsulation layer 220 may extend to completely cover the display area DA.

[0093] For example, the encapsulation layer 220 may have a stacked structure of an inorganic thin film and an organic thin film. Figure 7 As shown in , the encapsulation layer 220 may include a first inorganic film 222, an organic film 224 disposed on the first inorganic film 222, and a second inorganic film 226 disposed on the organic film 224. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the encapsulation layer 220 may have a structure including at least two organic films and at least three inorganic films.

[0094] For example, the organic film 224 may include a cured polymer such as polyacrylate, etc. For example, the cured polymer may be formed by a cross-linking reaction of a monomer. For example, the inorganic films 222 and 226 may include an inorganic material such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, tantalum oxide, hafnium oxide, zirconium oxide, or titanium oxide, etc.

[0095] In an embodiment, the touch sensing part may be disposed on the encapsulation layer 220. The touch sensing part may sense an input position by contact. The touch sensing part may be directly formed on the encapsulation layer 220, or may be combined with the encapsulation layer 220 as a screen panel after being manufactured separately.

[0096] For example, the touch sensing electrodes TSE and the touch insulating layer 230 covering the touch sensing electrodes TSE may be disposed on the encapsulation layer 220. For example, the touch sensing electrodes TSE may include a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide or indium zinc oxide.

[0097] The polarizing layer 240 and the protective window 250 may be disposed on the touch sensing portion. An adhesive or a transparent adhesive film may be provided between the polarizing layer 240 and the touch sensing portion and between the polarizing layer 240 and the protective window 250.

[0098] In an embodiment, the panel part PN may be configured to include a transistor, an organic light emitting diode 210, an encapsulation layer 220, a touch sensing part, and a polarization layer 240. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and at least one of the touch sensing part and the polarization layer 240 may be omitted as needed.

[0099] Figures 8 to 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] See also Figure 8, the protection window may include a low-refractive portion 250 disposed in a flat region and a high-refractive portion 260 disposed in a curved region.

[0101] The high refraction portion 260 may include a material having a refractive index greater than that of the low refraction portion 250 .

[0102] For example, when the low-refractive portion 250 includes glass, the high-refractive portion 260 may include a polymer material having a refractive index greater than that of glass, a cured resin, high-refractive glass, inorganic nanoparticles, or a metal oxide layer.

[0103] In addition, when the low refractive portion 250 includes a polymer material, the high refractive portion 260 may include a polymer material having a refractive index greater than that of the polymer material for the low refractive portion 250, a cured resin, high refractive glass, inorganic nanoparticles, or a metal oxide layer.

[0104] According to an embodiment, the protection window may completely include a high refractive material in the curved area. Therefore, when light reaches the light exit surface of the protection window after exiting from the second active area AA2, the position of the light L3 may move toward the outer edge of the display device. Therefore, the second display area DA2 may be expanded.

[0105] See also Fig. 9 , the high refractive member 420 may be embedded in the protection window 250. For example, the high refractive member 420 may be disposed between the first low refractive layer 252 and the second low refractive layer 251 of the protection window 250 in the bending region.

[0106] Therefore, when the light L4 emitted from the edge of the second active area AA2 enters the high refraction member 420 from the first low refraction layer 252, the refraction angle decreases. Therefore, a portion of the light reaching the light exit surface of the protection window can move toward the outer edge of the display device. Therefore, the second display area DA2 can be expanded.

[0107] See also Fig.10 , the high-refractive member 430 may be disposed on the outer side surface of the protection window 250 .

[0108] Therefore, when the light L5 emitted from the edge of the second active area AA2 enters the high-refractive member 430 from the protective window 250, the refraction angle decreases. Therefore, a portion of the light reaching the light exit surface of the display device may move toward the outer edge of the display device. Therefore, the second display area DA2 may be expanded.

[0109] The foregoing is an illustration of the embodiments and should not be construed as limiting thereof. Although several embodiments have been described, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications are possible in the embodiments without substantially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the inventive concept. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the inventive concept as defined in the claims. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing is an illustration of various embodiments and should not be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and modifications to the disclosed embodiments and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

[0110] [Industrial Applicability]

[0111] The present invention can be applied to various display devices. For example, the present invention can be applied to a vehicle display device, a ship display device, an aircraft display device, a portable communication device, a display device for display or for information transmission, a medical display device, etc.

Claims

1. A display device having a flat area extending in one direction and a curved area having a curvature, the display device comprising: a panel portion including a pixel array and including a first active area disposed in the flat area and a second active area disposed in the curved area; A protective window covering the panel portion; a high-refractive member disposed only on the panel portion in the bending region and comprising a material having a refractive index greater than that of the protection window; and A light blocking member overlaps a non-display area of ​​the panel portion in the bending area. 2 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the high-refractive member is disposed between the protection window and the panel portion in the bending area. 3 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the protection window is disposed between the high-refractive member and the panel portion in the bending area. 4 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the high-refractive member is disposed between a first low-refractive layer and a second low-refractive layer of the protection window in the bending region. 5 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the protection window comprises glass, and the high-refractive member comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyimide, cyclic olefin copolymer, and polycarbonate. 6 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the protection window comprises polyimide, and the high-refractive member comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a cyclic olefin copolymer and a polycarbonate. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the high-refractive member comprises a cured acrylic resin. 8 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the high-refractive member comprises inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in a flexible polymer matrix or a curing resin. 9 . The display device of claim 8 , wherein the inorganic nanoparticles include at least one selected from the group consisting of niobium oxide, barium oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, and tungsten oxide. 10 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the high-refractive member comprises a metal oxide layer. 11 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the high-refractive member comprises a high-refractive glass including at least 15 wt % of niobium oxide, barium oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, tungsten oxide, or a combination thereof. 12 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the protection window in the curved area is smaller than a thickness of the protection window in the flat area.

13. The display device of claim 1, wherein the pixel array comprises organic light emitting diodes.

14. A display device having a flat area extending in one direction and a curved area having a curvature, the display device comprising: a panel portion including a pixel array and including a first active area disposed in the flat area and a second active area disposed in the curved area; and A protective window covering the panel portion, The protection window includes a low-refractive portion disposed only in the flat region and a high-refractive portion disposed only in the curved region, and a refractive index of the high-refractive portion is greater than a refractive index of the low-refractive portion.

15. The display device of claim 14, wherein the protection window comprises glass or polyimide. 16 . The display device of claim 14 , wherein the high refractive portion comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyimide, cyclic olefin copolymer, and polycarbonate.

17. The display device of claim 14, wherein the high refractive portion comprises a cured acrylic resin.

18. The display device of claim 14, wherein the high refractive portion comprises inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in a flexible polymer matrix or a curing resin.

19. The display device of claim 14, wherein the high-refractive portion comprises a high-refractive glass comprising at least 15 wt% of niobium oxide, barium oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, tungsten oxide, or a combination thereof.

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