Display device

Abstract

A display device includes a first substrate, pixel substrates, first connection lines, second connection lines, and touch electrodes. The pixel substrates are provided on the first substrate and are spaced apart from each other along a first direction and along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first connection lines connect the pixel substrates provided along the first direction. The second connection lines connect the pixel substrates provided along the second direction. The touch electrodes are provided between the pixel substrates in a region adjacent to a region in which the first connection lines and the second connection lines are provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to display devices, and more specifically, to an embedded touch-type stretchable display device. Background Technology

[0002] Display devices used in computer monitors, TVs, mobile phones, etc. include self-emissive organic light-emitting displays (OLEDs) and liquid crystal displays (LCDs) that require a separate light source.

[0003] Such display devices are being applied to an increasingly diverse range of fields, including not only computer monitors and TVs but also personal mobile devices. Therefore, research is underway on display devices that can have a large display area while reducing size and weight.

[0004] Recently, display devices that can be stretched in a specific direction and changed into various shapes by forming display units, lines, etc. on a flexible substrate such as plastic, which is a flexible material, have attracted much attention as the next generation of display devices. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of this disclosure is to provide a display device in which a touch system is embedded by arranging touch elements on a first substrate or a lower substrate.

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a display device that simplifies the process and reduces manufacturing costs by simultaneously forming touch elements when forming elements on a first substrate or a lower substrate.

[0007] The purpose of this disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned purposes, and other purposes not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0008] At least one objective is addressed by the independent claim. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] Additional features and aspects will be set forth in the following description and will be apparent in part from the description or may be learned by practice of the inventive concept provided herein. Other features and aspects of the inventive concept may be realized and obtained by means of structures particularly pointed out in the written description or from which they may be derived, the claims, and the drawings.

[0010] A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a lower substrate or a first substrate; a plurality of pixel substrates disposed on the lower substrate or the first substrate and spaced apart from each other along a first direction and a second direction not parallel to (preferably, perpendicular to) the first direction; a first connecting line disposed between the plurality of pixel substrates disposed along the first direction; a second connecting line disposed between the plurality of pixel substrates disposed along the second direction; and a touch electrode disposed in a region adjacent to the region in which the first connecting line and the second connecting line are disposed in the space between the plurality of pixel substrates.

[0011] A display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a first substrate; a plurality of pixel substrates disposed on the first substrate and spaced apart from each other along a first direction and a second direction not parallel to (preferably, perpendicular to) the first direction; at least one first connecting line disposed between and / or connecting the pixel substrates among the plurality of pixel substrates disposed along the first direction; at least one second connecting line disposed between and / or connecting the pixel substrates among the plurality of pixel substrates disposed along the second direction; and a touch electrode disposed between the plurality of pixel substrates in a region adjacent to the region in which the first connecting line and the second connecting line are disposed.

[0012] A display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a first substrate; a plurality of first connecting lines extending along a first direction; and a plurality of second connecting lines extending in a second direction, wherein the first connecting lines and the second connecting lines intersect each other; a plurality of pixel substrates disposed on the first substrate at the intersection of the first connecting lines and the second connecting lines; and a plurality of touch electrodes disposed between adjacent first connecting lines and adjacent second connecting lines and between pixel substrates.

[0013] A display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a lower substrate or a first substrate; a plurality of first connecting lines connecting a first pixel substrate among a plurality of pixel substrates, the first pixel substrates being arranged along a first direction; and a plurality of second connecting lines connecting a second pixel substrate among a plurality of pixel substrates, the second pixel substrates being arranged along a second direction, wherein, during a display period, a scan signal is sequentially applied to each of the plurality of first connecting lines, wherein, during a touch period, a touch driving signal is sequentially applied to a group of the plurality of first connecting lines, wherein the touch driving signal is a signal obtained by the sum of the plurality of scan signals.

[0014] A display device according to any exemplary embodiment of this disclosure may include one or more of the following features:

[0015] The touch electrode may be exposed by the pixel substrate and / or by the first connection line and / or the second connection line. That is, the touch electrode may not overlap with the pixel substrate and / or the first connection line and / or the second connection line.

[0016] The first substrate can also be called the lower substrate. The first substrate can be a flat and / or smooth substrate.

[0017] The touch electrode can be disposed in a region between multiple pixel substrates, adjacent to the region in which the first connecting line and the second connecting line are disposed.

[0018] The touch electrode can be disposed in the space between multiple pixel substrates in a region adjacent to the region where the first connecting line and the second connecting line are disposed.

[0019] The first connecting line can be connected to a pixel substrate disposed along a first direction. Additionally or optionally, the second connecting line can be connected to a pixel substrate disposed along a second direction.

[0020] The touch electrode can be disposed between two adjacent first connecting lines. Additionally or alternatively, the touch electrode can be disposed between two adjacent second connecting lines.

[0021] Multiple pixel substrates may include a first pixel substrate, a second pixel substrate, a third pixel substrate, and a fourth pixel substrate.

[0022] The first pixel substrate and the second pixel substrate may be adjacent to each other and / or spaced apart in the first direction. The second pixel substrate and the third pixel substrate may be adjacent to each other and / or spaced apart in the second direction. The third pixel substrate and the fourth pixel substrate may be adjacent to each other and / or spaced apart in the first direction. The fourth pixel substrate and the first pixel substrate may be adjacent to each other and / or spaced apart in the second direction.

[0023] A space or region may be defined between the first pixel substrate, the second pixel substrate, the third pixel substrate, and the fourth pixel substrate. Touch electrodes may be disposed within the space or region defined by the pixel substrates.

[0024] The touch electrode can be disposed between the first pixel substrate, the second pixel substrate, the third pixel substrate, and the fourth pixel substrate.

[0025] The first pixel substrate and the second pixel substrate may be flush or aligned in a first direction. The second pixel substrate and the third pixel substrate may be flush or aligned in a second direction. The third pixel substrate and the fourth pixel substrate may be flush or aligned in a first direction. The fourth pixel substrate and the first pixel substrate may be flush or aligned in a first direction.

[0026] The first pixel substrate and the third pixel substrate may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction and the second direction. The second pixel substrate and the fourth pixel substrate may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction and the second direction.

[0027] The touch electrode can be disposed between the first pixel substrate and the third pixel substrate. Alternatively or additionally, the touch electrode can be disposed between the second pixel substrate and the fourth pixel substrate.

[0028] The arrangement direction of the touch electrodes in the first region adjacent to the regions in which the first connecting line and the second connecting line are disposed may be different from the arrangement direction of the touch electrodes in the second region adjacent to the first region along the first direction and / or the arrangement direction of the touch electrodes in the third region adjacent to the first region along the second direction.

[0029] The first connection line may include at least one of a gating line, a light-emitting signal line, a high-potential power line, and a low-potential power line.

[0030] The second connection line may include at least one of a data line, a high-potential power line, a low-potential power line, and a reference voltage line.

[0031] The light-emitting element and / or the driving element for driving the light-emitting element may be disposed in or on the pixel substrate. Each pixel substrate may include at least one light-emitting element and / or at least one driving element for driving the light-emitting element.

[0032] The arrangement direction of the touch electrodes disposed in the first region, which is adjacent to each region in which the first connecting line and the second connecting line are disposed, may be different from the arrangement direction of the touch electrodes disposed in the second region adjacent to the first region along the first direction and / or the arrangement direction of the touch electrodes disposed in the third region adjacent to the first region along the second direction.

[0033] The arrangement direction of the touch electrodes in the first region adjacent to each region in which the first connecting line and the second connecting line are provided can be the same as the arrangement direction of the touch electrodes in the fourth region adjacent to the second region along the second direction and / or adjacent to the third region along the first direction.

[0034] The arrangement direction of the touch electrodes disposed in the first region, which is adjacent to each region in which the first connecting line and the second connecting line are disposed, can be the same as the arrangement direction of the touch electrodes disposed in the fourth region, which is adjacent to the second region along the second direction and / or adjacent to the third region along the first direction.

[0035] The display device may further include touch bridge wiring disposed on each of the plurality of pixel substrates. The display device may also include touch lines disposed in a region between the plurality of pixel substrates along a second direction. Each of the touch bridge wiring and touch lines may be electrically connected to a touch electrode. The touch bridge wiring and / or touch lines may be electrically connected to touch electrodes.

[0036] The touch electrode can contact the touch bridge wire and / or touch line in each of the multiple pixel substrates.

[0037] Touch electrodes, touch bridge wires, and / or touch lines can form a touch unit.

[0038] The light-emitting element and / or the driving element for driving the light-emitting element can be disposed on each of the plurality of pixel substrates. Touch electrodes and / or touch bridge wiring can be formed when forming the driving element. Touch lines can be formed when forming the second connecting line. The driving element may include touch electrodes and / or touch bridge wiring. The second connecting line may include touch lines.

[0039] The display device may include a first touch bridge wire disposed in each of a plurality of pixel substrates along a first direction. The display device may include touch lines disposed in a region between the plurality of pixel substrates along a second direction. The display device may include a second touch bridge wire disposed in a region between the plurality of pixel substrates along the first direction.

[0040] The first touch bridge wire can be electrically connected to the touch electrode, the second touch bridge wire, and / or the touch line.

[0041] A touch electrode, a first touch bridge wire, a touch line, and / or a second touch bridge wire can form a touch unit.

[0042] The support member for supporting the touch electrode can be disposed in the area adjacent to each area in which the first connecting line and / or the second connecting line are disposed.

[0043] The support member for supporting the touch electrode can be disposed in the region between multiple pixel substrates, in the region adjacent to each region in which the first connecting line and / or the second connecting line are disposed.

[0044] The touch electrodes can be disposed on the first substrate.

[0045] The display device may further include a gating driver connected to the first connection lines for sequentially applying a scan signal to each of the plurality of first connection lines during a display period and / or for sequentially applying a touch drive signal to a group of the plurality of first connection lines during a touch period. The touch drive signal may be a signal obtained by the sum of a plurality of scan signals.

[0046] The display device may further include: a data driver configured to apply a data voltage to each of the plurality of second connection lines during a display period; and / or touch circuitry for receiving touch sensing signals from the second connection lines during a touch period.

[0047] The display device may further include a first touch electrode disposed on a second substrate; and a plurality of second touch electrodes disposed on a surface of a third substrate facing the second substrate.

[0048] The first substrate may include a first region where the pixel substrate is disposed and a second region located between the first region; and a plurality of second touch electrodes are disposed facing the first region of the second substrate.

[0049] A method for operating a display device is disclosed. The display device may include: a first substrate; a plurality of pixel substrates arranged in a matrix on the first substrate; a plurality of first connecting lines connecting the plurality of pixel substrates arranged along a first direction; and a plurality of second connecting lines for connecting the plurality of pixel substrates arranged along a second direction, preferably between the plurality of pixel substrates. During a display period, a scan signal may be sequentially applied to each of the plurality of first connecting lines. During a touch period, a touch driving signal may be sequentially applied to a group of the plurality of first connecting lines. The touch driving signal may be a signal obtained by the sum of a plurality of scan signals. Any display device disclosed herein may be operated within this method.

[0050] During the display period, a data voltage can be applied to each of the multiple second connection lines. During the touch period, a touch sensing signal can be applied to each of the multiple second connection lines.

[0051] A display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a lower substrate on which a first touch electrode is disposed; and an intermediate substrate having a first region and a second region. The first region has a plurality of pixel substrates disposed thereon. Each first region has a light-emitting element disposed thereon and a driving element for driving the light-emitting element. The second region is located between the plurality of pixel substrates. The display device includes an upper substrate having a plurality of second touch electrodes disposed on its surface, the surface facing the lower substrate.

[0052] The lower substrate can also be called the second substrate. The middle substrate can also be called the first substrate. The upper substrate can also be called the third substrate.

[0053] Multiple second touch electrodes can be configured to correspond to a first region of the second substrate.

[0054] Any of the display devices disclosed herein may be flexible and / or bendable and / or stretchable display devices. That is, the first substrate and / or the second substrate and / or the third substrate may be flexible and / or bendable and / or stretchable.

[0055] Furthermore, in any of the display devices disclosed herein, each pixel substrate may include at least one pixel or pixel circuitry.

[0056] Further details of the exemplary embodiments are included in the detailed embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0057] This disclosure provides a display device in which a touch system is embedded by forming touch electrodes in a stretched region on a substrate where no pixel substrate is disposed.

[0058] According to this disclosure, the touch electrodes disposed in the stretching region and the touch electrodes disposed in the stretching region adjacent to the stretching region along the first and second directions are arranged in different directions, thereby providing touch electrodes that are stretchable along the first and second directions. Thus, even when the touch electrodes are disposed, they can be stretched along the first and second directions.

[0059] According to this disclosure, by forming the touch electrode, touch line, and touch bridge wire simultaneously with forming the driving element for driving the light-emitting element, the process can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0060] The effects of this disclosure are not limited to those illustrated above, and this specification includes many more effects.

[0061] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages will be or will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following figures and detailed description. All such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages are intended to be included within this specification, within the scope of this disclosure, and protected by the appended claims. Nothing in this section should be construed as limiting those claims. Other aspects and advantages are discussed below in conjunction with embodiments of this disclosure. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of this disclosure are exemplary and illustrative, intended to provide further explanation of the claimed disclosure.

[0062] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory, intended to provide further explanation of the claimed inventive concept. Attached Figure Description

[0063] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of this disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings:

[0064] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] Figure 2 It is an illustrative example Figure 1 A floor plan of the touch system.

[0066] Figure 3 This is an enlarged plan view of the touch unit TU of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] Figure 4A It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of IVa-IVa′.

[0068] Figure 4B It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of IVb-IVb′.

[0069] Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view of line VV′.

[0070] Figure 6A and Figure 6B This is an enlarged plan view of the touch unit of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0071] Figure 7A and Figure 7B Each of these illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and is along... Figure 3 The cross-sectional view taken from line VII-VII′.

[0072] Figure 8 This is a plan view of a display device according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0073] Figure 9 This is an enlarged plan view of a display device according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] Figure 10 This is a waveform diagram illustrating the voltage applied to a display device according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] Figure 11 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0076] Throughout the accompanying drawings and detailed description, unless otherwise stated, the same reference numerals should be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. The relative sizes and depictions of these elements may be exaggerated for clarity, illustrative purposes, and convenience. Detailed Implementation

[0077] The advantages and features of this disclosure and its implementation methods will become clearer from the exemplary embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described below, but can be implemented in various different forms. The exemplary embodiments are provided only to complete the disclosure and to fully provide the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art, and this disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

[0078] The shapes, dimensions, scales, angles, quantities, etc., illustrated in the accompanying drawings to describe exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are merely examples, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. Throughout the specification, similar reference numerals generally denote similar elements. Furthermore, in the following description of this disclosure, detailed explanations of known related technologies may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter of this disclosure. Terms such as “comprising,” “having,” and “consisting of” as used herein are generally intended to allow for the addition of other components, unless these terms are used in conjunction with the term “only.” Unless expressly stated otherwise, any reference to the singular may include the plural.

[0079] Even if not explicitly mentioned, components are interpreted as including a normal error range.

[0080] When using terms such as “on top of,” “above,” “below,” and “next” to describe the positional relationship between two parts, one or more parts may be located between the two parts unless these terms are used with the terms “immediately following” or “directly.”

[0081] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on" another element or layer, it can be directly on the other element or layer, or there can be an intermediary element or layer.

[0082] Although the terms "first," "second," etc., are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from others. Therefore, the first component mentioned below can be a second component in the technical concept of this disclosure.

[0083] Throughout the instruction manual, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0084] Since the dimensions and thicknesses of each component illustrated in the accompanying drawings are shown for ease of interpretation, this disclosure is not necessarily limited to the dimensions and thicknesses shown for each component.

[0085] The features of the various embodiments of this disclosure may be partially or wholly linked or combined with each other, and may be technically linked and operated in various ways, and the embodiments may be implemented independently or in association with each other.

[0086] In the following, various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0087] <Display Device>

[0088] The display device according to this disclosure can be a display device capable of displaying images even when it is bent or stretched, and can also be referred to as a stretchable display device. The display device according to this disclosure can have greater flexibility and stretchability than conventional display devices. Therefore, a user can bend or stretch the display device, and the shape of the display device can be freely changed according to the user's manipulation. For example, when a user grasps and pulls the end of the display device, the display device can be stretched by the user in the pulling direction. If the user places the display device on an uneven outer surface, the display device can be configured to bend according to the shape of the outer surface. When the force applied by the user is removed, the display device can return to its original shape.

[0089] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. (Refer to...) Figure 1 The display device 100 includes a lower substrate 110, an upper substrate US, a plurality of pixel substrates 111A, a plurality of non-pixel substrates 111N, a plurality of connecting members 120, a chip on film (COF) 140, and a printed circuit board DD.

[0090] Generally speaking, the lower substrate can also be referred to as the first substrate 110.

[0091] The lower substrate 110 is a substrate used to support and protect the various components of the display device 100. The upper substrate US is a substrate used to cover and protect the various components of the display device 100.

[0092] Each of the lower substrate 110 and the upper substrate US can be formed as a flexible substrate from an insulating material that can be bent or stretched. For example, each of the lower substrate 110 and the upper substrate US can be formed from an elastomer of silicone rubber such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyurethane (PU), or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and thus can have flexible properties. The materials of the lower substrate 110 and the upper substrate US can be the same, but are not limited thereto.

[0093] Each of the lower substrate 110 and the upper substrate US is a flexible substrate and can reversibly expand and contract. Therefore, the lower substrate 110 can be referred to as the lower flexible substrate or the first flexible substrate, and the upper substrate US can be referred to as the upper flexible substrate or the second flexible substrate. Furthermore, each of the lower substrate 110 and the upper substrate US can have an elastic modulus ranging from several MPa to several hundred MPa. Additionally, the ductile breaking rate of the lower substrate 110 and the upper substrate US can be 100% or higher. Here, ductile breaking rate refers to the elongation at which a stretched object breaks or fractures. The thickness of the lower substrate 110 can be from 10 μm to 1 mm, but is not limited to this.

[0094] The lower substrate 110 may have a display area AA and a non-display area NA surrounding the display area AA.

[0095] The display area AA is the area in the display device 100 where an image is displayed. A plurality of pixels PX are disposed in the display area AA. Furthermore, each pixel PX may include a display element and various driving elements for driving the display element. These various driving elements may refer to at least one thin-film transistor (TFT) and a capacitor, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. Additionally, each of the plurality of pixels PX may be connected to various lines. For example, each of the plurality of pixels PX may be connected to various lines such as a gate line, a data line, a high-potential power line, a low-potential power line, and a reference voltage line.

[0096] The display area AA can be further defined by a touch electrode area TA. The touch electrode area TA can be a region defined between four adjacent pixel substrates 111A. More specifically, the touch electrode area TA can be a spacing region between pixel substrates 111A in the diagonal directions of the X-axis and Y-axis directions based on a pixel substrate 111A.

[0097] The non-display area NA is the region adjacent to the display area AA. The non-display area NA is adjacent to and surrounds the display area AA. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the non-display area NA corresponds to a region in the lower substrate 110 other than the display area AA, which can be deformed and separated into various shapes. Components for driving the plurality of pixels PX disposed in the display area AA are disposed in the non-display area NA. A gating driver GD may be disposed in the non-display area NA. Furthermore, a plurality of pads connected to the gating driver GD and the data driver may be disposed in the non-display area NA, and each pad may be connected to each of the plurality of pixels PX in the display area AA.

[0098] Multiple pixel substrates 111A and multiple non-pixel substrates 111N are disposed on a lower substrate 110. The multiple pixel substrates 111A can be disposed in the display area AA of the lower substrate 110, and the multiple non-pixel substrates 111N can be disposed in the non-display area NA of the lower substrate 110. Although Figure 1 A plurality of non-pixel substrates 111N are not shown disposed in the non-display area NA above and to the left of the display area AA, but this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the plurality of non-pixel substrates 111N may be disposed in any area of ​​the non-display area NA.

[0099] Multiple pixel substrates 111A and multiple non-pixel substrates 111N are rigid substrates and are independently disposed on the lower substrate 110, spaced apart from each other. The multiple pixel substrates 111A and multiple non-pixel substrates 111N can be more rigid than the lower substrate 110. That is, the lower substrate 110 can have more flexible characteristics than the multiple pixel substrates 111A and multiple non-pixel substrates 111N, and the multiple pixel substrates 111A and multiple non-pixel substrates 111N can have more rigid characteristics than the lower substrate 110.

[0100] The multiple pixel substrates 111A and multiple non-pixel substrates 111N, which are multiple rigid substrates, can be formed of a flexible plastic material, such as polyimide (PI), polyacrylate, polyacetate, etc. In this case, the multiple pixel substrates 111A and multiple non-pixel substrates 111N can be formed of the same material, but are not limited to this, and can be formed of different materials.

[0101] The modulus of the plurality of pixel substrates 111A and the plurality of non-pixel substrates 111N can be 10 times larger than, preferably 100 times larger than, and more preferably 1000 times larger than, the modulus of the lower substrate 110, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The modulus can be the elastic modulus. For example, the elastic modulus of the plurality of pixel substrates 111A and the plurality of non-pixel substrates 111N can be from 2 GPa to 9 GPa depending on the transparency. More specifically, when the plurality of pixel substrates 111A and the plurality of non-pixel substrates 111N are transparent, the elastic modulus can be 2 GPa, and when the plurality of pixel substrates 111A and the plurality of non-pixel substrates 111N are opaque, the elastic modulus can be 9 GPa. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. Therefore, compared with the lower substrate 110, the plurality of pixel substrates 111A and the plurality of non-pixel substrates 111N can be a plurality of rigid substrates with rigidity.

[0102] Multiple pixels (PX) can be disposed on multiple pixel substrates 111A, and a gate driver (GD) can be disposed on a non-pixel substrate 111N located to the left of the display area AA among multiple non-pixel substrates 111N. When manufacturing various components on the pixel substrates 111A, the gate driver (GD) can be formed on the non-pixel substrates 111N using a gate-in-panel (GIP) method. Therefore, various circuit components constituting the gate driver (GD), such as various transistors, capacitors, and lines, can be disposed on the multiple non-pixel substrates 111N. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto; the gate driver (GD) can be mounted using a chip-on-film (COF) method. Furthermore, multiple non-pixel substrates 111N are also disposed in a non-display area NA located to the right of the display area AA, and the gate driver (GD) can also be mounted on the multiple non-pixel substrates 111N located to the right of the display area AA.

[0103] The dimensions of the plurality of non-pixel substrates 111N can be larger than the dimensions of the plurality of pixel substrates 111A. Specifically, the dimensions of each of the plurality of non-pixel substrates 111N can be larger than the dimensions of each of the plurality of pixel substrates 111A. As described above, a gate driver GD is disposed on each of the plurality of non-pixel substrates 111N, and for example, a stage of the gate driver GD can be disposed on each of the plurality of non-pixel substrates 111N. Therefore, since the area occupied by the various circuit components constituting a stage of the gate driver GD is relatively larger than the area of ​​the pixel substrate 111A on which the pixel PX is disposed, the dimensions of each of the plurality of non-pixel substrates 111N can be larger than the dimensions of each of the plurality of pixel substrates 111A.

[0104] COF 140 is a film on which various components are disposed on a flexible base film 141, and is a component for providing signals to multiple sub-pixels of the display area AA. COF 140 can be bonded to multiple pads of multiple non-pixel substrates 111N disposed in the non-display area NA, and provides power supply voltage, data voltage, gating voltage, etc. to each of the multiple sub-pixels of the display area AA through the pads. COF 140 includes a base film 141 and a driver IC 142, and may also have various components disposed thereon.

[0105] The base film 141 is a layer used to support the driver IC 142 of the COF 140. The base film 141 can be formed of an insulating material, for example, it can be formed of a flexible insulating material.

[0106] The driver IC 142 is a component that processes data used to display images and drive signals used to process the data. Figure 1The driver IC 142 is illustrated using the COF 140 method, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The driver IC 142 can also be mounted using the chip-on-glass (COG) method, the tape-on-carrier (TCP) method, etc.

[0107] exist Figure 1 The illustration shows a non-pixel substrate 111N disposed in a non-display area NA above the display area AA, corresponding to a row of pixel substrates 111A disposed in the display area AA, and a COF 140 disposed in a non-pixel substrate 111N, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, a non-pixel substrate 111N and a COF 140 can be configured to correspond to multiple rows of pixel substrates 111A.

[0108] Controllers or circuit units, such as IC chips, can be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). Additionally, memory, processors, etc., can be mounted on the PCB. The PCB is the component that transmits signals used to drive the display elements from the controller to the display elements. Although an example is shown... Figure 1 One printed circuit board (DD) is used, but the number of printed circuit boards (DDs) is not limited to this. Additionally, the printed circuit board can be defined as a data driver.

[0109] Multiple connecting members 120 can be disposed between multiple pixel substrates 111A, between multiple non-pixel substrates 111N, and between multiple pixel substrates 111A and multiple non-pixel substrates 111N. (Referring below...) Figure 3 and Figure 4A The multiple connecting members 120 are described in more detail.

[0110] As described above, the display device 100 of this disclosure can realize a touch system capable of sensing touch while being stretchable. Hereinafter, reference will be made to... Figure 2 The implementation of a touch unit for touch sensing in a display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described in more detail. The touch unit may include touch circuitry and may be referred to as touch circuitry.

[0111] <Touch System>

[0112] Figure 2 It is an illustrative example Figure 1 A floor plan of the touch system. (Refer to...) Figure 2 Multiple touch electrodes 131, serving as touch sensors, are embedded in the display area AA of the display device 100. When a conductor such as a finger or pen touches the touch electrodes 131, the touch electrodes 131 recognize the touch by the capacitance change generated as a small amount of charge moves toward the touch point. The display device 100 may include a touch circuit TD for sensing touch by driving the multiple touch electrodes 131.

[0113] The touch circuit TD can sequentially drive multiple touch electrodes 131 by providing touch drive signals to them in turn. Subsequently, the touch circuit TD receives touch sensing signals from the touch electrodes 131 to which the touch drive signals were applied. The touch circuit TD can calculate the presence or absence of a touch and the touch coordinates based on the touch sensing signals received from each of the multiple touch electrodes 131.

[0114] Each of the plurality of touch electrodes 131 can form a touch unit TU. The plurality of touch units TU can be divided by grouping the plurality of pixels PX. That is, since each pixel PX is disposed on each of the plurality of pixel substrates 111A disposed on the lower substrate 110, the plurality of touch units TU can be divided by grouping some of the pixel substrates 111A.

[0115] Each touch unit TU may include a touch electrode 131 serving as a touch sensor, a touch line 132 for transmitting touch drive signals and touch sensing signals to the touch circuit TD, a touch bridge line 133 arranged in a direction intersecting the touch line 132 used to construct the touch unit TU, and a touch contact unit 134 that allows one of the multiple touch electrodes 131 to be connected to the corresponding touch unit TU.

[0116] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 3 to 5 A display device 100 including a touch unit TU according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in more detail.

[0117] <Plane Structures and Cross-Sectional Structures>

[0118] Figure 3 This is an enlarged plan view of the touch unit TU of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4A It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of IVa-IVa′. Figure 4B It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of IVb-IVb′. Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view taken from line VV′. For ease of explanation, refer to... Figure 1 Please describe. For reference, Figure 3 It could be an enlarged plan view of a touch unit TU in the display area.

[0119] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3Multiple pixel substrates 111A are disposed on the lower substrate 110 in the display area AA. The multiple pixel substrates 111A are disposed on the lower substrate 110 and spaced apart from each other. For example, the multiple pixel substrates 111A can be arranged in a matrix on the lower substrate 110, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. Multiple pixels PX can be grouped within the touch unit TU. The touch unit TU may include at least two pixels PX. Figure 3 The following description will use a touch unit TU comprising four pixels PX as an example. Each pixel substrate 111A may belong to a row of pixel substrates 111A (e.g., a first pixel substrate) and a column of pixel substrates 111A (e.g., a second pixel substrate).

[0120] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 Multiple sub-pixels SPX constituting multiple pixels PX and touch bridge wiring 133 are disposed on multiple pixel substrates 111A. The touch bridge wiring 133 is disposed in the X-axis direction, which is a first direction, and is disposed in a straight line on the multiple pixel substrates 111A. The touch bridge wiring 133 can be electrically connected to the touch electrode 131 and touch line 132 disposed on the lower substrate 110 through the first contact hole CH1 and the second contact hole CH2, thereby forming a touch unit TU.

[0121] Multiple connecting members 120 can be disposed between multiple pixel substrates 111A, multiple non-pixel substrates 111N, or between multiple pixel substrates 111A and multiple non-pixel substrates 111N. The connecting members 120 can be disposed on the same layer as the multiple pixel substrates 111A. In addition, the connecting members 120 can be formed of the same material as the multiple pixel substrates 111A and can have the same stacked structure.

[0122] Reference Figure 3 Multiple connecting members 120 have curved shapes. For example, such as Figure 3 As shown, the plurality of connecting members 120 can have a sinusoidal shape. However, the shape of the plurality of connecting members 120 is not limited to this, and for example, the plurality of connecting members 120 can extend in a zigzag manner and can have various shapes, such as a shape in which multiple rhomboid substrates are connected at their vertices to extend. Additionally, Figure 3 The number and shape of the plurality of connecting members 120 shown can be exemplary, and the number and shape of the plurality of connecting members 120 can be changed in various ways according to the design.

[0123] Reference Figure 3The number of connecting members 120 disposed between adjacent pixel substrates 111A in the X-axis direction (which is the first direction) may differ from the number of connecting members 120 disposed between adjacent pixel substrates 111A in the Y-axis direction (which is the second direction). For example... Figure 3 As shown, the number of connecting members 120 arranged in the X-axis direction is less than the number of connecting members 120 arranged in the Y-axis direction. More specifically, one of the connecting members 120 arranged in the Y-axis direction can support the touch line 132 for transmitting touch signals.

[0124] Reference Figure 3 The touch electrode area TA is defined between four pixel substrates 111A arranged adjacent to each other along the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and the connecting member 120 may also be provided in the touch electrode area TA. Figure 3 As shown, the area located in the first column of the first row in the Y-axis direction can be defined as the first touch electrode area TA1, and the area located in the second column of the first row in the Y-axis direction can be defined as the second touch electrode area TA2. Furthermore, the area located in the first column of the second row in the Y-axis direction can be defined as the third touch electrode area TA3, and the area located in the second column of the second row in the Y-axis direction can be defined as the fourth touch electrode area TA4. The connecting member 120 can be a support member 120, and can be referred to as support member 120.

[0125] The connecting member 120 arranged in the first touch electrode region TA1 and the connecting member 120 arranged in the fourth touch electrode region TA4 may have the same arrangement direction, while the connecting member 120 arranged in the second touch electrode region TA2 and the connecting member 120 arranged in the third touch electrode region TA3 may have the same arrangement direction. The arrangement direction of the connecting member 120 arranged in the first touch electrode region TA1 and the fourth touch electrode region TA4 may be different from the arrangement direction of the connecting member 120 arranged in the second touch electrode region TA2 and the third touch electrode region TA3. Furthermore, the connecting member 120 provided in the first touch electrode region TA1 and the fourth touch electrode region TA4 may have a shape that facilitates stretching when the lower substrate 110 is stretched in the X-axis direction, and the connecting member 120 provided in the second touch electrode region TA2 and the third touch electrode region TA3 may have a shape that facilitates stretching when the lower substrate 110 is stretched in the Y-axis direction. The touch electrode 131 is provided in the touch electrode region TA according to the shape of the connecting member 120. Therefore, even when a touch system is implemented by providing the touch electrode 131 in the display device 100, the display device 100 according to this disclosure can be stretched in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions. Figure 3 and Figure 4AAs shown, in a display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a touch system can be implemented within the display device 100 by forming the connecting member 120 in the touch electrode area TA where the connecting member 120 was not previously provided, and then providing the touch electrode 131 on the connecting member 120.

[0126] Reference Figures 3 to 5 Multiple connecting lines 180, multiple touch electrodes 131, and multiple touch lines 132 can be disposed on multiple connecting members 120. These connecting lines 180, touch electrodes 131, and touch lines 132, disposed on the multiple connecting members 120, can have shapes corresponding to the multiple connecting members 120. For example, the multiple connecting lines 180, touch electrodes 131, and touch lines 132 can have the same shape as the connecting members 120. Figure 3 As shown, the multiple connecting lines 180, multiple touch electrodes 131, and multiple touch lines 132 can have a sinusoidal shape.

[0127] Reference Figures 3 to 5 Multiple connecting lines 180 electrically connect pads on adjacent pixel substrates 111A among multiple pixel substrates 111A and can extend in a shape that bends between the respective pads 190. For example, as Figure 3 As shown, multiple connecting lines 180 can extend in a zigzag pattern. The multiple connecting lines 180 can have various shapes, such as multiple diamond-shaped lines connected at the vertices to form an extended shape.

[0128] The connecting line 180 may include a first connecting line 181 and a second connecting line 182. The first connecting line 181 and the second connecting line 182 may be disposed on a plurality of pixel substrates 111A and a plurality of connecting members 120. Specifically, the first connecting line 181 may include a line disposed on a connecting member 120 extending in the X-axis direction (a first direction) and a line disposed on the plurality of pixel substrates 111A. The second connecting line 182 may include a line disposed on a connecting member 120 extending in the Y-axis direction (a second direction) and a line disposed on the plurality of pixel substrates 111A. The connecting line 180 may be formed of a metallic material such as copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), or molybdenum (Mo), or may be formed of a laminated structure of metallic materials such as copper / molybdenum-titanium (Cu / Moti) or titanium / aluminum / titanium (Ti / Al / Ti), but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0129] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3The first connection line 181 can connect to pads on two adjacent pixel substrates 111A (e.g., adjacent first pixel substrates 111A) arranged side-by-side in a plurality of pixel substrates 111A adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. The first connection line 181 can be used as a gate line, a light-emitting signal line, a high-potential power line, or a low-potential power line, but is not limited thereto. Figure 3 As shown, the first connection line 181 can be used as a power line for transmitting high-potential voltage in the power supply voltage, and can be electrically connected to the pads on two pixel substrates 111A arranged side by side in the X-axis direction.

[0130] Reference Figure 3 The second connection line 182 can connect two pixel substrates 111A arranged side-by-side among a plurality of pixel substrates 111A adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction (e.g., adjacent second pixel substrates 111A). The second connection line 182 can be used as a data line, a high-potential power line, a low-potential power line, or a reference voltage line, but is not limited thereto. For example, the second connection line 182 can be used as a data line and can be electrically connected to data lines on two pixel substrates 111A arranged side-by-side in the Y-axis direction.

[0131] Touch electrode 131 can be disposed in a touch electrode region TA between four pixel substrates 111A arranged adjacent to each other in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. For example, touch electrode 131 can be disposed on a connecting member 120 located in the touch electrode region TA. Touch electrode 131 can be disposed in a region adjacent to the region where the first connecting line 181 and the second connecting line 182 are disposed in the space between the multiple pixel substrates 111A. Touch electrode 131 can also be disposed in a region where the first connecting line 181 and the second connecting line 182 are not disposed in the space between the multiple pixel substrates 111A.

[0132] The arrangement direction of the touch electrode 131 disposed in the first region TA1 of the touch electrode region TA is different from the arrangement direction of the touch electrode 131 disposed in the second region TA2 adjacent to the first region TA1 in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the arrangement direction of the touch electrode 131 disposed in the first region TA1 may also be different from the arrangement direction of the touch electrode 131 disposed in the third region TA3 adjacent to the first region TA1 in the Y-axis direction. Conversely, the arrangement direction of the touch electrode 131 disposed in the first region TA1 of the touch electrode region TA may be the same as the arrangement direction of the touch electrode 131 disposed in the fourth region TA4 adjacent to the second region TA2 and the third region TA3. The fourth region TA4 of the touch electrode region TA may be a region adjacent to the first region TA1 in a diagonal direction. In the touch unit TU, the touch electrode 131 may be electrically connected to the touch bridge wiring 133 disposed on each pixel substrate 111A. The touch electrode 131 may have a curved shape in the touch electrode region TA. However, the shape of the touch electrode 131 is not limited to this and may have various stretchable shapes. For example, the touch electrode 131 can be shaped in a Z-shape. Alternatively, the touch electrode 131 can be shaped to bend upwards and downwards.

[0133] Touch lines 132 can be arranged in the same direction as the plurality of second connecting lines 182. That is, touch lines 132 can be arranged between pixel substrates 111A arranged in the Y-axis direction. Touch lines 132 can be electrically connected to touch electrodes 131. Touch lines 132 can extend in a curved shape. However, the shape of the plurality of touch lines 132 is not limited to this, and the plurality of touch lines 132 can have various stretchable shapes. For example, touch lines 132 can be shaped in a Z-shape. In addition, touch lines 132 can be formed into upward and downward curved shapes.

[0134] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4B Touch lines 132 can be disposed on multiple pixel substrates 111A and connecting members 120. Specifically, touch lines 132 may include a first touch line 132a disposed on the upper surface of the connecting member 120 and a second touch line 132b disposed on the upper surface of the pixel substrate 111A. The first touch line 132a may be formed of the same material as the first connecting line 181 or the second connecting line 182, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the second touch line 132b may be formed of the same material as the source electrode 153 and the drain electrode 154, but is not limited thereto. When the first touch line 132a and the second touch line 132b are integrally formed, the first touch line 132a and the second touch line 132b may be formed of the same material as the first connecting line 181 or the second connecting line 182.

[0135] like Figure 3As shown, the first touch line 132a and the second touch line 132b can be electrically connected through touch line contact holes CH0, CH2, and CH3. Touch line 132 can be electrically connected to touch electrode 131 through the second contact hole CH2. More specifically, considering in sequence... Figure 4B IVb to IVb', the second touch line 132b contacts and is electrically connected to the first touch line 132a through the second contact hole CH2. The first touch line 132a is formed on the side surface of the planarization layer 115 and the upper surface of the connecting member 120. The first touch line 132a contacts and is electrically connected to the second touch line 132b through the third contact hole CH3. The second touch line 132b is disposed on the pixel substrate 111A. The second touch line 132b overlaps with the touch bridge wiring 133 but is not connected through a contact hole. The second touch line 132b contacts and is electrically connected to the first touch line 132a through the touch line contact hole CH0.

[0136] Reference Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 5 Multiple inorganic insulating layers are disposed on multiple pixel substrates 111A. For example, the multiple inorganic insulating layers may include a buffer layer 112, a gate insulating layer 113, and an interlayer insulating layer 114, but are not limited thereto. Furthermore, various inorganic insulating layers may be additionally disposed on the multiple pixel substrates 111A. Alternatively, at least one of the buffer layer 112, the gate insulating layer 113, and the interlayer insulating layer 114 may be omitted.

[0137] Reference Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 5 A buffer layer 112 may be disposed on multiple pixel substrates 111A. The buffer layer 112 is formed on the multiple pixel substrates 111A to protect the various components of the display device 100 from the infiltration of moisture (H2O) and oxygen (O2) from the lower substrate 110 and the multiple pixel substrates 111A. The buffer layer 112 may be formed of an insulating material; for example, an inorganic layer formed of silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon oxynitride (SiON), etc., may be formed as a single layer or multiple layers. However, the buffer layer 112 may be omitted depending on the structure or characteristics of the display device 100.

[0138] In this case, the buffer layer 112 may be formed only in the region overlapping with the plurality of pixel substrates 111A and the plurality of non-pixel substrates 111N. As described above, since the buffer layer 112 can be formed of an inorganic material, damage such as cracks may easily occur during the stretching of the display device 100. Therefore, the buffer layer 112 is not formed in the region between the plurality of pixel substrates 111A and the plurality of non-pixel substrates 111N, but is patterned into the shape of the plurality of pixel substrates 111A and the plurality of non-pixel substrates 111N, and may be formed only on the plurality of pixel substrates 111A and the plurality of non-pixel substrates 111N. Therefore, in the display device 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the buffer layer 112 is formed only in the region overlapping with the plurality of pixel substrates 111A and the plurality of non-pixel substrates 111N, which are rigid substrates, so that even when the display device 100 is deformed (e.g., bent or stretched), damage to the buffer layer 112 can be prevented.

[0139] Reference Figure 4A A transistor 150, comprising a gate electrode 151, an active layer 152, a source electrode 153, and a drain electrode 154, is formed on a buffer layer 112.

[0140] The active layer 152 is disposed on the buffer layer 112. For example, the active layer 152 may be formed of oxide semiconductor, amorphous silicon (a-Si), polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si), organic semiconductor, etc.

[0141] A gate insulating layer 113 is disposed on the active layer 152. The gate insulating layer 113 is a layer used to electrically insulate the gate electrode 151 and the active layer 152 and can be formed of an insulating material. For example, the gate insulating layer 113 can be formed as a single layer of silicon nitride (SiNx) or silicon oxide (SiOx) as an inorganic material, or as a multilayer of silicon nitride (SiNx) or silicon oxide (SiOx), but is not limited thereto.

[0142] A gate electrode 151 is disposed on a gate insulating layer 113. The gate electrode 151 is configured to overlap with the active layer 152. The gate electrode 151 may be formed of any of the following metallic materials, such as molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper (Cu), and alloys of two or more of these, or multilayers thereof, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0143] An interlayer insulating layer 114 is disposed on the gate electrode 151. The interlayer insulating layer 114 is a layer used to insulate the gate electrode 151 from the source electrode 153 and the drain electrode 154, and can be formed from an inorganic material in the same manner as the buffer layer 112. For example, the interlayer insulating layer 114 can be formed from any of various metallic materials such as molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper (Cu), alloys of two or more of these, or multilayers thereof, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0144] Source electrode 153 and drain electrode 154, respectively in contact with active layer 152, are disposed on interlayer insulating layer 114. Source electrode 153 and drain electrode 154 are spaced apart from each other on the same layer. Source electrode 153 and drain electrode 154 can be electrically connected to active layer 152 in a manner that allows them to contact active layer 152. Source electrode 153 and drain electrode 154 can be formed of any of the following metals: molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper (Cu), alloys of two or more of these metals, or multilayers of such metals, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0145] Furthermore, the gate insulating layer 113 and the interlayer insulating layer 114 can be patterned and formed only in the regions overlapping with the plurality of pixel substrates 111A. Since the gate insulating layer 113 and the interlayer insulating layer 114 can also be formed from the same inorganic material as the buffer layer 112, damage such as cracks may easily occur during the stretching of the display device 100. Therefore, the gate insulating layer 113 and the interlayer insulating layer 114 are not formed in the regions between the plurality of pixel substrates 111A, but are patterned to the shape of the plurality of pixel substrates 111A and can be formed only on the plurality of pixel substrates 111A.

[0146] For ease of explanation, Figure 4A Only driving transistors among various transistors that may be included in the display device 100 are illustrated, but switching transistors, capacitors, etc., may also be included in the display device 100. Furthermore, although transistor 150 has been described herein as having a coplanar structure, various transistors, such as those having an interleaved structure, may also be used.

[0147] Reference Figure 4A A gate pad 191, one of the plurality of pads 190, is disposed on the gate insulating layer 113. The gate pad 191 is a pad used to transmit a gate signal to the plurality of sub-pixels SPX. The gate pad 191 may be formed of the same material as the gate electrode 151, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0148] The gate pad 191 is connected to a first connection line 181, which serves as a gate line. The first connection line 181 is configured to extend from the upper surface of the connection member 120 to the upper surface of the interlayer insulating layer 114 while contacting the side surfaces of the buffer layer 112, the gate insulating layer 113, and the interlayer insulating layer 114. The first connection line 181 can contact the gate pad 191 through a contact hole in the interlayer insulating layer 114. Therefore, the first connection line 181 can be electrically connected to the gate pad 191 and transmit a gate signal to the gate pad 191.

[0149] Reference Figure 4A and Figure 5 The touch bridge wiring 133 is disposed on the gate insulating layer 113. The touch bridge wiring 133 is connected to the touch electrode 131 through the first contact hole CH1, thereby forming the touch unit TU. In this case, the first contact hole CH1 can be disposed on the pixel substrate 111A. The touch bridge wiring 133 can be formed of the same material as the gate electrode 151 of the transistor 150, but is not limited thereto.

[0150] Reference Figure 4A A power pad 192, one of the plurality of pads 190, is disposed on the interlayer insulating layer 114. The power pad 192 is used to apply power signals or power voltages to the plurality of sub-pixels SPX. The power pad 192 may be formed of the same material as, but is not limited to, the source electrode 153 or drain electrode 154 of the transistor 150.

[0151] Reference Figure 4A A planarization layer 115 is formed on the transistor 150, the power pad 192, and the interlayer insulating layer 114. The planarization layer 115 planarizes the upper portion of the transistor 150 and the lower portion of the light-emitting element 170. The planarization layer 115 can be formed as a single layer or multiple layers and can be formed from organic materials. Therefore, the planarization layer 115 can be referred to as an organic insulating layer. For example, the planarization layer 115 can be formed from a propylene-based organic material, but is not limited thereto.

[0152] In some exemplary embodiments, a passivation layer may be formed between the transistor 150 and the planarization layer 115. That is, a passivation layer may be formed covering the transistor 150 to protect the transistor 150 from the infiltration of moisture and oxygen. The passivation layer may be formed of an inorganic material and may be formed as a single layer or multiple layers, but is not limited thereto.

[0153] Reference Figure 4A The first connecting electrode CE1 and the second connecting electrode CE2 are disposed on the planarization layer 115.

[0154] The first connection electrode CE1 is an electrode that electrically connects the transistor 150 and the light-emitting element 170. The first connection electrode CE1 can be disposed on the planarization layer 115 to contact the light-emitting element 170, and can contact the drain electrode 154 of the transistor 150 through contact holes formed in the planarization layer 115. Therefore, the light-emitting element 170 and the drain electrode 154 of the transistor 150 can be electrically connected to each other through the first connection electrode CE1. However, this embodiment is not limited to this; depending on the type of transistor 150, the first connection electrode CE1 can be connected to the source electrode 153 of the transistor 150.

[0155] The second connection electrode CE2 is an electrode that electrically connects the light-emitting element 170 and the power pad 192. The second connection electrode CE2 can be disposed on the planarization layer 115 and can contact the light-emitting element 170 and can contact the power pad 192 through contact holes formed in the planarization layer 115. Therefore, the light-emitting element 170 and the power pad 192 can be electrically connected to each other through the second connection electrode CE2.

[0156] Reference Figure 4A and Figure 5 Touch electrode 131 is disposed on planarization layer 115. Touch electrode 131 serves as a sensor for sensing touch, and as... Figure 3 The touch electrode 131 is shown to be disposed in the touch electrode area TA. The touch electrode 131 can be electrically connected to the touch bridge wiring 133 through the first contact hole CH1. Furthermore, the touch electrode 131 can be electrically connected to the touch line 132 through the second contact hole CH2. For example, the touch unit TU may include multiple touch electrode areas TA. Additionally, the touch electrode 131 can be disposed in each of the multiple touch electrode areas TA. The touch electrodes 131 disposed in the multiple touch electrode areas TA can be electrically connected to each other through the touch bridge wiring 133 and the touch line 132. Therefore, the multiple touch electrode areas TA disposed in the touch unit TU can be electrically connected to form groups.

[0157] As described above, in the display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, touch electrodes 131, touch lines 132, and touch bridge lines 133 capable of implementing a touch system can be formed during the manufacturing process. Therefore, while implementing a touch system in the display device 100, manufacturing costs can be reduced by simplifying the manufacturing process.

[0158] Reference Figure 4AA dam 116 is disposed on the first connecting electrode CE1, the second connecting electrode CE2, and the planarization layer 115. The dam 116 may be configured to include a black material to prevent light emitted from the light-emitting element 170 from being transmitted to its adjacent sub-pixel SPX and causing color mixing. The dam 116 may be formed of an organic insulating material and may be formed of the same material as the planarization layer 115. For example, the dam 116 may be formed of an acrylic resin, a benzocyclobutene (BCB)-based resin, or a polyimide, but is not limited thereto.

[0159] A light-emitting element 170 is disposed on the first connecting electrode CE1, the second connecting electrode CE2, and the planarization layer 115. The light-emitting element 170 is a component disposed corresponding to each of the plurality of sub-pixels SPX and emits light within a specific wavelength range. For example, the light-emitting element 170 may be a blue light-emitting element that emits blue light, a red light-emitting element that emits red light, or a green light-emitting element that emits green light, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0160] The light-emitting element 170 can be defined differently depending on the type of display device 100. When the display device 100 is an organic light-emitting display device, the light-emitting element 170 can be an organic light-emitting element 170 including an anode, an organic light-emitting layer 172, and a cathode. When the display device 100 is an inorganic light-emitting display device, the light-emitting element 170 can be a light-emitting diode (LED) including an n-type semiconductor layer, a light-emitting layer 172, and a p-type semiconductor layer; specifically, it can be a micro light-emitting diode (LED). In the following description, it is assumed that the light-emitting element 170 is a micro LED formed of inorganic light-emitting material, but this disclosure is not limited thereto, and a light-emitting element 170 formed of organic light-emitting material can also be used.

[0161] The light-emitting element 170 includes a first semiconductor layer 171, a light-emitting layer 172, a second semiconductor layer 173, a first electrode 174, and a second electrode 175. In the following description, although it is assumed that the light-emitting element 170 is a micro-LED with a flip-chip structure, the light-emitting element 170 can be a micro-LED with a lateral or vertical structure, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0162] A first electrode 174 is disposed on a first connecting electrode CE1, and a second electrode 175 is disposed on a second connecting electrode CE2. The first electrode 174 and the second electrode 175 are electrically connected to the first connecting electrode CE1 and the second connecting electrode CE2, respectively. The first electrode 174 can transfer voltage from the drain electrode 154 of the transistor 150 to the first semiconductor layer 171, and the second electrode 175 can transfer voltage from the power pad 192 to the second semiconductor layer 173.

[0163] Furthermore, a plurality of connection patterns BP are disposed between the first connection electrode CE1 and the second connection electrode CE2 and the light-emitting element 170. The plurality of connection patterns BP are a medium for bonding each of the plurality of light-emitting elements 170 to the first connection electrode CE1 and the second connection electrode CE2. For example, the plurality of connection patterns BP may be gold (Au) bumps or solder bumps, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0164] The plurality of connection patterns BP include a first connection pattern BP1 and a second connection pattern BP2. The first connection pattern BP1 is disposed between the first connection electrode CE1 and the first electrode 174, while the second connection pattern BP2 is disposed between the second connection electrode CE2 and the second electrode 175. Each of the plurality of light-emitting elements 170 can be bonded to the pixel substrate 111A by means of the plurality of connection patterns BP disposed between the first electrode 174 and the first connection electrode CE1 and between the second electrode 175 and the second connection electrode CE2. In addition, among the plurality of connection patterns BP, the second connection pattern BP2 disposed between the second electrode 175 and the second connection electrode CE2 can compensate for the step difference between the second electrode 175 and the second connection electrode CE2 of the light-emitting element 170.

[0165] A first semiconductor layer 171 is disposed on the first electrode 174, and a second semiconductor layer 173 is disposed on the first semiconductor layer 171. The first semiconductor layer 171 and the second semiconductor layer 173 can be formed by implanting n-type or p-type impurities into gallium nitride (GaN). For example, the first semiconductor layer 171 is a p-type semiconductor layer formed by implanting p-type impurities into gallium nitride, and the second semiconductor layer 173 is an n-type semiconductor layer formed by implanting n-type impurities into gallium nitride, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the p-type impurity can be magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), beryllium (Be), etc., while the n-type impurity can be silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), etc. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0166] A light-emitting layer 172 is disposed between a first semiconductor layer 171 and a second semiconductor layer 173. The light-emitting layer 172 can receive holes and electrons from the first semiconductor layer 171 and the second semiconductor layer 173 and emit light. The light-emitting layer 172 can have a single-layer or multiple quantum well (MQW) structure. For example, the light-emitting layer 172 can be formed of indium gallium nitride (InGaN) or gallium nitride (GaN), but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0167] Reference Figure 4A and Figure 5 The upper substrate US is disposed on the light-emitting element 170 and the lower substrate 110.

[0168] The upper substrate US is a substrate used to support various components disposed below the upper substrate US. Specifically, the upper substrate US is formed by coating the lower substrate 110 and the pixel substrate 111A with a material constituting the upper substrate US and then curing it, and the upper substrate US can be configured to contact the lower substrate 110, the pixel substrate 111A, the connecting member 120 and the connecting line 180.

[0169] The upper substrate US is a flexible substrate and can be formed from an insulating material that can be bent or stretched. The upper substrate US is flexible and can reversibly expand and contract. Furthermore, the upper substrate US can have an elastic modulus from several MPa to several hundred MPa, and the ductile fracture rate of the upper substrate US can be 100% or higher. The thickness of the upper substrate US can be from 10 μm to 1 mm, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0170] The upper substrate US can be formed of the same material as the lower substrate 110. For example, the upper substrate US can be formed of an elastomer such as silicone (e.g., polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyurethane (PU), or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)), and thus can have flexible properties. However, the material of the upper substrate US is not limited to this.

[0171] In addition, although Figure 4A and Figure 5 Although not shown, a polarizing layer may be disposed on the upper substrate US. The polarizing layer can polarize light incident from the outside of the display device 100 and reduce external light reflection. In addition, optical films other than the polarizing layer may be disposed on the upper substrate US.

[0172] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 6A and Figure 6B The touch unit TU will be described in more detail. A difference between the display device according to another exemplary embodiment of this disclosure and the one described below is that the touch bridge wiring of the display device according to the exemplary embodiment of this disclosure is divided into a first touch bridge wiring and a second touch bridge wiring, and therefore the contact relationship of the touch electrodes is different. Hereinafter, the display device according to another exemplary embodiment of this disclosure and the display device according to the exemplary embodiment of this disclosure will be described in more detail.

[0173] <Other structures of the touch unit>

[0174] Figure 6A and Figure 6B This is an enlarged plan view of the touch unit of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0175] Reference Figure 6A and Figure 6BAccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, display devices 600 and 600' include touch electrodes 610 and 610', touch lines 620, a first touch bridge wiring 630, and a second touch bridge wiring 640. (The remaining text is omitted.) Figure 6A and Figure 6B The display devices 600 and 600' shown, besides being used as... Figures 3 to 5 The following is a detailed description of the components of the display device 100 shown, excluding the touch electrodes 610 and 610', touch line 620, first touch bridge wiring 630, and second touch bridge wiring 640.

[0176] Touch electrodes 610 and 610′ are disposed on a connecting member 120, which is arranged in a touch electrode region TA defined between four pixel substrates 111A disposed adjacent to each other in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

[0177] like Figure 6A and Figure 6BAs shown, the area located in the first column of the first row in the Y-axis direction can be defined as the first touch electrode area TA1, and the area located in the second column of the first row in the Y-axis direction can be defined as the second touch electrode area TA2. Furthermore, the area located in the first column of the second row in the Y-axis direction can be defined as the third touch electrode area TA3, and the area located in the second column of the second row in the Y-axis direction can be defined as the fourth touch electrode area TA4. The touch electrodes 610 and 610' disposed in the first touch electrode area TA1 and the touch electrodes 610 and 610' disposed in the fourth touch electrode area TA4 can have the same arrangement orientation, and the touch electrodes 610 and 610' disposed in the second touch electrode area TA2 and the third touch electrode area TA3 can have the same arrangement orientation. However, the arrangement orientation of the touch electrodes 610 and 610' disposed in the first touch electrode area TA1 and the fourth touch electrode area TA4 is different from the arrangement orientation of the touch electrodes 610 and 610' disposed in the second touch electrode area TA2 and the third touch electrode area TA3. Touch electrodes 610 and 610' disposed in the first touch electrode region TA1 and the fourth touch electrode region TA4 have shapes that facilitate stretching when the substrate 110 is stretched in the X-axis direction. Touch electrodes 610 and 610' disposed in the second touch electrode region TA2 and the third touch electrode region TA3 can also have shapes that facilitate stretching when the substrate 110 is stretched in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, display devices 600 and 600' according to another exemplary embodiment of this disclosure can realize a touch system by providing touch electrodes 610 and 610' capable of sensing touch in display devices 600 and 600', and can be stretched in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions. Having a "shape that facilitates stretching in one direction" should be understood to include a shape that has better elasticity in that direction than in other directions. For example... Figure 6A The touch electrode 610 in the first touch area TA1 shown has better elasticity in the X-axis direction than in the Y-axis direction. This may be because the length of the touch electrode 610 in the first touch area TA1 in the X-axis direction is less than its length in the Y-axis direction. Figure 6BIn the example shown, the touch electrode 610' in the first touch area TA1 may have a shape that facilitates upward stretching in a third direction with an angular offset (e.g., 45 degrees) from the first direction, and the touch electrode 610' in the second touch electrode area TA2 may have a shape that facilitates stretching in a fourth direction with an angular offset (e.g., 45 degrees) from the second direction. The third direction may be perpendicular to the fourth direction. In one embodiment, touch electrode 610 may be combined with touch electrode 610' such that display device 600 or 600' may have touch electrodes 610, 610' whose shapes facilitate stretching in the first, second, third, and fourth directions.

[0178] Touch electrodes 610 and 610' can be electrically connected to the first touch bridge wiring 630 disposed on each pixel substrate 111A. Specifically, touch electrodes 610 or 610' can contact and be electrically connected to the first touch bridge wiring 630 disposed on the pixel substrate 111A through the fifth contact hole CH5. Touch electrodes 610 or 610' extend in a curved shape rather than a straight shape in the touch electrode area TA.

[0179] like Figure 6A and Figure 6B As shown, in display devices 600 and 600' according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, touch electrodes 610 and 610' with different shapes are provided, and the positions of the contact portions of the touch electrodes 610 and 610' with the first touch bridge wiring 630 can vary. For example, referring to... Figure 6A The touch electrode 610 contacts and is electrically connected to the first touch bridge wiring 630 disposed on the pixel substrate 111A located in the first row and second column via the fifth contact hole CH5. Additionally, the touch electrode 610 contacts and is electrically connected to the touch line 620 disposed on the pixel substrate 111A located in the second row and first column via the second contact hole CH2. Furthermore, referring to… Figure 6B Touch electrode 610' contacts and is electrically connected to the first touch bridge wiring 630 disposed on the pixel substrate 111A located in the first row and second column via the fifth contact hole CH5. Additionally, touch electrode 610' contacts and is electrically connected to the touch line 620 disposed on the pixel substrate 111A located in the second row and first column via the second contact hole CH2. This can vary depending on the arrangement orientation of touch electrodes 610 and 610'.

[0180] Touch lines 620 can be disposed on multiple pixel substrates 111A and connecting members 120. Specifically, touch lines 620 may include a first touch line 620a disposed on the upper surface of the connecting member 120, and a second touch line 620b electrically connected to the first touch line 620a and disposed on the upper surface of the pixel substrate 111A. The first touch line 620a may be formed of the same material as the first connecting line 181 or the second connecting line 182, but is not limited thereto. Additionally, the second touch line 620b may be formed of the same material as the source electrode 153 and the drain electrode 154, but is not limited thereto. Figure 3 As shown, the first touch line 620a and the second touch line 620b can be electrically connected through touch line contact holes CH0, CH2, and CH3. Additionally, touch line 620 can be electrically connected to touch electrode 131 through the second contact hole CH2. For example, as... Figure 6A As shown, the second touch line 620b of the touch line 620 can be electrically connected to the touch electrode 131 through the second contact hole CH2.

[0181] The first touch bridge connection 630 is disposed on each of the plurality of pixel substrates 111A. The first touch bridge connection 630 is disposed on the plurality of pixel substrates 111A in the same direction as the X-axis direction. That is, the first touch bridge connection 630 is disposed in the same direction as the first connecting line 181. Since the first touch bridge connection 630 is disposed on the pixel substrate 111A, it extends in a straight line shape. The first touch bridge connection 630 may be formed of the same material as the gate electrode 151 of the transistor 150, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0182] The first touch bridge wire 630 is electrically connected to each of the touch electrode 610 and the second touch bridge wire 640. Both sides of the first touch bridge wire 630 contact and are electrically connected to the second touch bridge wire 640 through the fourth contact hole CH4 and the fifth contact hole CH5. Additionally, the first touch bridge wire 630 is electrically connected to the touch electrode 610 through the fifth contact hole CH5. Therefore, the first touch bridge wire 630 is electrically connected to the touch electrode 610 and the second touch bridge wire 640, thereby forming the touch unit TU.

[0183] The second touch bridge wire 640 is used to electrically connect to the first touch bridge wire 630 disposed on the pixel substrate 111A in the X-axis direction. One side of the second touch bridge wire 640 is electrically connected to the first touch bridge wire 630 disposed on the pixel substrate 111A in the first row and first column through the fourth contact hole CH4, and the other side of the second touch bridge wire 640 is electrically connected to the first touch bridge wire 630 through the fifth contact hole CH5 disposed in the pixel substrate 111A in the first row and second column.

[0184] The second touch bridge wire 640 is disposed on one of a plurality of connecting members 120 extending in the X-axis direction. That is, the second touch bridge wire 640 is disposed in the same direction as the first connecting line 181. The second touch bridge wire 640 extends in a curved shape rather than a straight shape. However, the shape of the second touch bridge wire 640 is not limited to this and can have various stretchable shapes.

[0185] As described above, in display devices 600 and 600' according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a second touch bridge connection 640 is formed on one of a plurality of connecting members 120 in the X-axis direction, and a touch line 620 is formed on one of a plurality of connecting members 120 in the Y-axis direction. The connecting members 120 and the touch electrode 610 are disposed in areas where existing connecting members 120 are not disposed. The touch electrode 610, the touch line 620 and the second touch bridge connection 640 are configured to be electrically connected to a first touch bridge connection 630 disposed on a pixel substrate 111A, thereby enabling a touch system to be easily implemented in the display device 100.

[0186] In the following, a display device according to another exemplary embodiment (third exemplary embodiment) of the present disclosure will be described. Compared with the display device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in yet another exemplary embodiment (third exemplary embodiment) of the display device according to the present disclosure, the connecting member 120 can be omitted from the touch electrode area TA, and accordingly, the arrangement of the touch electrodes is changed. In the following, the arrangement of the touch electrodes will be mainly described as along... Figure 3 The cross-sectional view taken by line VII-VII′ shown. Figure 7A and Figure 7B .

[0187] <Another structure of the touch unit>

[0188] Figure 7A and Figure 7B It is along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view taken from line VII-VII′.

[0189] The enlarged plan view of another exemplary embodiment (the third exemplary embodiment) of this disclosure is identical to the enlarged plan view of the exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, but the cross-sectional view of the other exemplary embodiment (the third exemplary embodiment) of this disclosure is different from the cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. Therefore, in the following, reference will be made to... Figure 7A and Figure 7B A display device is described according to another exemplary embodiment (a third exemplary embodiment) of the present disclosure.

[0190] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 7A and Figure 7B In another exemplary embodiment of the display devices 700 and 700' according to the present disclosure, touch electrodes 731 and 731' are disposed in a touch electrode region TA defined between four pixel substrates 111A that are adjacent to each other in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

[0191] In this case, in the touch electrode area TA, the touch electrode 731 or 731' is not supported by the connecting member 120. That is, the connecting member 120 is only provided in the area where the existing first connecting line 181 and second connecting line 182 are provided, and the connecting member 120 is not provided in the area where the first connecting line 181 and second connecting line 182 are not provided.

[0192] In other words, such as Figure 7A and Figure 7B As shown, touch electrode 731 or 731' is disposed on the lower substrate 110. That is, the connecting member 120 is not disposed on the local area of ​​the lower substrate 110 that overlaps with the touch electrode 731.

[0193] Specifically, such as Figure 7A As shown, the touch electrode 731 can be spaced apart from the lower substrate 110. Therefore, a separation space can be formed between the touch electrode 731 and the lower substrate 110.

[0194] Alternative locations, such as Figure 7B As shown, the touch electrode 731' can contact the lower substrate 110. Therefore, a separation space does not need to be formed between the touch electrode 731 and the lower substrate 110.

[0195] Therefore, in display devices 700 and 700' according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, it is not necessary to form the connecting member 120 in the area where the first connecting line 181 and the second connecting line 182 are not provided (i.e., in the touch electrode area TA), which further simplifies the process of implementing the touch system in display devices 700 and 700'.

[0196] Hereinafter, a display device according to yet another exemplary embodiment (fourth exemplary embodiment) of the present disclosure will be described. Compared with the display device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the display device according to yet another exemplary embodiment (fourth exemplary embodiment) of the present disclosure does not have a separate touch electrode but has a different touch driving method. Hereinafter, the differences between the yet another exemplary embodiment (fourth exemplary embodiment) of the present disclosure and another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be mainly described.

[0197] <Arrangement structure of touch electrodes in display devices>

[0198] Figure 8This is a plan view of a display device according to yet another exemplary embodiment (fourth exemplary embodiment) of the present disclosure.

[0199] Figure 9 This is an enlarged plan view of a display device according to yet another exemplary embodiment (fourth exemplary embodiment) of the present disclosure.

[0200] Figure 10 This is a waveform diagram illustrating the voltage applied to a display device according to yet another exemplary embodiment (fourth exemplary embodiment) of the present disclosure.

[0201] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, each of the multiple first connecting lines 881 connects to the multiple pixel substrates 111A arranged along the first direction, while each of the multiple second connecting lines 882 connects to the multiple pixel substrates 111A arranged along the second direction.

[0202] In the display device 800 according to yet another exemplary embodiment (fourth exemplary embodiment) of the present disclosure, no separate touch electrode is provided. That is, in the display device 800 according to yet another exemplary embodiment (fourth exemplary embodiment) of the present disclosure, a plurality of first connecting lines 881 and a plurality of second connecting lines 882 are used as touch electrodes.

[0203] In other words, the display device 800 according to another exemplary embodiment (fourth exemplary embodiment) of the present disclosure can be driven time-divided during the display period and the touch period.

[0204] During the display period, each of the multiple first connection lines 881 can function as a gating line to apply a gating voltage to multiple pixels PX, and each of the multiple second connection lines 882 can function as a data line to apply a data voltage RGB to multiple pixels PX.

[0205] In addition, during the touch period, each of the plurality of first connection lines 881 can perform the function of a touch transmitting electrode (Tx electrode) for applying a touch driving signal, and each of the plurality of second connection lines 882 can perform the function of a touch receiving electrode (Rx electrode) for which a touch sensing signal is applied.

[0206] More specifically, refer to Figure 10 When the synchronization signal Tsync is high, this corresponds to a display period. Therefore, the scan signal is sequentially applied to each of the multiple first connection lines 881.

[0207] For example, the first connection line 881-1 connected to the plurality of pixel substrates 111A in the first row outputs a pulse as a first scan signal SCAN1. Subsequently, the first connection line 881-2 connected to the pixel substrates 111A in the second row outputs a pulse as a second scan signal SCAN2. Subsequently, the first connection line 881-3 connected to the plurality of pixel substrates 111A in the third row outputs a pulse as a third scan signal SCAN3. Subsequently, the first connection line 881-4 connected to the plurality of pixel substrates 111A in the fourth row outputs a pulse as a fourth scan signal SCAN4. Subsequently, the first connection line 881-(n-3) connected to the plurality of pixel substrates 111A in the (n-3)th row outputs a pulse as a (n-3)th scan signal SCAN(n-3). Subsequently, the first connection line 881-(n-2) connected to the plurality of pixel substrates 111A in the (n-2)th row outputs a pulse as a (n-2)th scan signal SCAN(n-2). Subsequently, the first connection line 881-(n-1) connected to the plurality of pixel substrates 111A in the (n-1)th row outputs as a pulse of the (n-1)th scan signal SCAN(n-1). Subsequently, the first connection line 881-n connected to the plurality of pixel substrates 111A in the nth row outputs as a pulse of the nth scan signal SCAN(n).

[0208] In addition, during the display period, the data voltage RGB is applied to each of the multiple second connection lines 882.

[0209] Additionally, when the synchronization signal is at a low level, this corresponds to the touch period. Therefore, touch drive signals are sequentially applied to multiple sets of first connection lines 881.

[0210] For example, the first touch drive signal Tx_first can be applied to the first connection line of the first group, namely, the first connection line 881-1 connected to the plurality of pixel substrates 111A in the first row, the first connection line 881-2 connected to the plurality of pixel substrates 111A in the second row, the first connection line 881-3 connected to the plurality of pixel substrates 111A in the third row, and the first connection line 881-4 connected to the plurality of pixel substrates 111A in the fourth row.

[0211] The first touch drive signal Tx_first can be the sum of the first scan signal SCAN1, the second scan signal SCAN2, the third scan signal SCAN3, and the fourth scan signal SCAN4.

[0212] In addition, the last touch drive signal Tx_last can be applied to the last group of first connection lines, namely, the first connection line 881-(n-3) connected to the multiple pixel substrates 111A in the (n-3) row, the first connection line 881-(n-2) connected to the multiple pixel substrates 111A in the (n-2) row, the first connection line 881-(n-1) connected to the multiple pixel substrates 111A in the (n-1) row, and the first connection line 881-n connected to the multiple pixel substrates 111A in the nth row.

[0213] The last touch drive signal Tx_last mentioned above can be the sum of the (n-3)th scan signal SCAN(n-3), the (n-2)th scan signal SCAN(n-2), the (n-1)th scan signal SCAN(n-1), and the nth scan signal SCAN(n).

[0214] During the display period, a reference voltage can be applied to each of the multiple second connection lines 882, thereby enabling the detection of touch sensing signals.

[0215] By employing the time-division driving described above, in a display device according to yet another exemplary embodiment (fourth exemplary embodiment) of the present disclosure, the mutual capacitance formed between the first connection line 881 and the second connection line 882 can be detected by touch sensing signals. Therefore, in a display device according to yet another exemplary embodiment (fourth exemplary embodiment) of the present disclosure, the touch of a finger or pen can be sensed using mutual capacitance during the touch period, and multiple pixels can emit light to realize an image during the display period.

[0216] <Arrangement structure of touch electrodes in display devices>

[0217] Figure 11 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device according to yet another exemplary embodiment (fifth exemplary embodiment) of the present disclosure.

[0218] Reference Figure 11 According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure (the fifth exemplary embodiment), the display device 1000 includes a lower substrate 1100, an upper substrate 1200, and an intermediate substrate 1300.

[0219] Typically, the lower substrate can be referred to as the first substrate. The middle substrate can be referred to as the second substrate. The upper substrate can be referred to as the third substrate.

[0220] The lower substrate 1100 is a substrate used to support and protect various components of the display device 1000. The lower substrate 1100 may be a flexible substrate and may be formed of an insulating material that can be bent or stretched. A first touch electrode 1110 is disposed on the upper surface of the lower substrate 1100. The first touch electrode 1110 is disposed in either the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction. The first touch electrode 1110 may be a touch transmitting electrode (Tx electrode).

[0221] The upper substrate 1200 is disposed above the lower substrate 1100 and serves to cover and protect the various components of the display device 1000. A plurality of second touch electrodes 1210, corresponding to the first touch electrode 1110, are disposed on the lower surface of the upper substrate 1200 (i.e., the surface of the upper substrate 1200 facing the lower substrate 1100). The plurality of second touch electrodes 1210 may be formed of a transparent conductive material. The second touch electrodes 1210 may be touch receiving electrodes (Rx electrodes).

[0222] The intermediate substrate 1300 is a substrate on which various components of the display device 1000 are disposed. The intermediate substrate 1300 may include a first region 1310 having pixel substrates and a second region 1320 in which no pixel substrates are disposed. Pixels and driving elements for driving the pixels are disposed in the pixel substrates. Multiple pixel substrates are independently disposed on the lower substrate 1100 and spaced apart from each other, with the region where the pixel substrates are disposed being the first region 1310 and the spacing region between the pixel substrates being the second region 1320. Compared to the lower substrate 1100, the pixel substrates can be rigid. That is, compared to the pixel substrates, the lower substrate 1100 can have more flexible characteristics, and compared to the lower substrate 1100, the pixel substrates can have more rigid characteristics.

[0223] exist Figure 11 In the middle, the intermediate substrate 1300 can be located in all components except the lower substrate 110, the touch electrode 131, and the first touch bridge wiring 133 to communicate with... Figure 1 The same state is set up in the same way. As described above, the intermediate substrate 1300 is bonded to the lower substrate 1100 through the first adhesive layer 1111 and to the upper substrate 1200 through the second adhesive layer 1211.

[0224] The first touch electrode 1110 can be disposed on the entire surface of the lower substrate 1100, independent of the first region 1310 and the second region 1320 of the intermediate substrate 1300. Furthermore, the second touch electrode 1210 can be disposed corresponding to the first region 1310 of the intermediate substrate 1300. As described above, in a display device 1000 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first touch electrode 1110 is disposed on the upper surface of the lower substrate 1100, and the second touch electrode 1210 is disposed on the surface of the upper substrate 1200 facing the lower substrate 1100, such that the touch of a finger, pen, etc., can be sensed using the peripheral capacitance formed between the first touch electrode 1110 and the second touch electrode 1210.

[0225] Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure can also be described as follows:

[0226] A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a lower substrate; a plurality of pixel substrates disposed on the lower substrate and spaced apart from each other along a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a first connecting line disposed between the plurality of pixel substrates disposed along the first direction; a second connecting line disposed between the plurality of pixel substrates disposed along the second direction; and a touch electrode disposed in a region adjacent to the region where the first connecting line and the second connecting line are disposed in the space between the plurality of pixel substrates.

[0227] The arrangement direction of the touch electrodes in the first region, which is adjacent to each region in which the first connecting line and the second connecting line are disposed, in the region between multiple pixel substrates, may be different from the arrangement direction of the touch electrodes in the second region adjacent to the first region along the first direction and the arrangement direction of the touch electrodes in the third region adjacent to the first region along the second direction.

[0228] The arrangement direction of the touch electrodes in the first region, which is located in a region between multiple pixel substrates and is adjacent to the regions where the first connecting line and the second connecting line are located, can be the same as the arrangement direction of the touch electrodes in the fourth region, which is adjacent to the second region along the second direction and to the third region along the first direction.

[0229] The display device may also include touch bridge wiring disposed on each of the plurality of pixel substrates. The touch lines may be disposed along a second direction in the region between the plurality of pixel substrates.

[0230] Each of the touch bridge wires and touch wires can be electrically connected to the touch electrode.

[0231] The touch electrode can contact the touch bridge wire or touch line in each of the multiple pixel substrates.

[0232] Touch electrodes, touch bridge wires, and touch lines can form a touch unit.

[0233] The light-emitting element and the driving element for driving the light-emitting element can be disposed on each of the multiple pixel substrates.

[0234] Touch electrodes and touch bridge wiring can be formed when forming the driving element.

[0235] A touch line can be formed when the second connecting line is formed.

[0236] The display device may further include: a first touch bridge wire disposed in each of a plurality of pixel substrates along a first direction; a touch line disposed in a region between the plurality of pixel substrates along a second direction; and a second touch bridge wire disposed in a region between the plurality of pixel substrates along the first direction.

[0237] The first touch bridge wire can be electrically connected to the touch electrode, the second touch bridge wire, and the touch line.

[0238] A touch electrode, a first touch bridge wire, a touch wire, and a second touch bridge wire can form a touch unit.

[0239] The support member for supporting the touch electrode can be disposed in the region between multiple pixel substrates, in the region adjacent to each region in which the first connecting line and the second connecting line are disposed.

[0240] The touch electrodes can be disposed on the lower substrate.

[0241] During the display period, data voltage can be applied to each of the multiple second connection lines.

[0242] During the touch period, a touch sensing signal can be applied to each of the multiple second connection lines.

[0243] A display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a lower substrate having a first touch electrode disposed thereon; an intermediate substrate defining a first region having a plurality of pixel substrates and a second region located between the plurality of pixel substrates, wherein light-emitting elements and driving elements for driving the light-emitting elements are disposed in the pixel substrates; and an upper substrate having a plurality of second touch electrodes disposed on its surface facing the lower substrate.

[0244] Multiple second touch electrodes can be configured to correspond to a first region of the intermediate substrate.

[0245] Cross-reference to related applications

[0246] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0189510, filed in Korea on December 31, 2020.

Claims

1. A display device, the display device comprising: lower base plate; A plurality of pixel substrates are disposed on the lower substrate and spaced apart from each other along a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; A first connecting line is disposed between adjacent first pixel substrates in the plurality of pixel substrates, and the adjacent first pixel substrates are disposed along the first direction. The second connecting line is disposed between adjacent second pixel substrates in the plurality of pixel substrates, and the adjacent second pixel substrates are disposed along the second direction; A touch electrode is disposed in a region adjacent to the region in which the first connecting line and the second connecting line are disposed, and the region in which the touch electrode is disposed is the space between the plurality of pixel substrates; A touch bridge wiring, wherein the touch bridge wiring is disposed on each of the plurality of pixel substrates; as well as A touch line, wherein the touch line is disposed along the second direction in the region between the plurality of pixel substrates. Each of the touch bridge wire and the touch wire is electrically connected to the touch electrode.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The arrangement direction of the first touch electrode in the first region adjacent to the corresponding region where the first connecting line and the second connecting line are disposed is different from the arrangement direction of the second touch electrode in the second region adjacent to the first region along the first direction and the arrangement direction of the third touch electrode in the third region adjacent to the first region along the second direction.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein, The arrangement direction of the first touch electrode in the first region adjacent to the corresponding region where the first connecting line and the second connecting line are disposed is the same as the arrangement direction of the fourth touch electrode in the fourth region adjacent to the second region along the second direction and adjacent to the third region along the first direction.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The touch electrode is in contact with the touch bridge wire or the touch line in each of the plurality of pixel substrates.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The touch electrode, the touch bridge wire, and the touch line form a touch unit.

6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, A light-emitting element and a driving element for driving the light-emitting element are disposed on each of the plurality of pixel substrates. The touch electrode and the touch bridge wiring are formed during the formation of the driving element, and The touch line is formed when the second connecting line is formed.

7. A display device, the display device comprising: lower base plate; A plurality of pixel substrates are disposed on the lower substrate and spaced apart from each other along a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; A first connecting line is disposed between adjacent first pixel substrates in the plurality of pixel substrates, and the adjacent first pixel substrates are disposed along the first direction. The second connecting line is disposed between adjacent second pixel substrates in the plurality of pixel substrates, and the adjacent second pixel substrates are disposed along the second direction; A touch electrode is disposed in a region adjacent to the region in which the first connecting line and the second connecting line are disposed, and the region in which the touch electrode is disposed is the space between the plurality of pixel substrates; A first touch bridge wire is disposed along the first direction in each of the plurality of pixel substrates; A touch line, the touch line being disposed along the second direction in the region between the plurality of pixel substrates; as well as The second touch bridge wiring is disposed along the first direction in the region between the plurality of pixel substrates.

8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein, The first touch bridge wire is electrically connected to the touch electrode, the second touch bridge wire, and the touch line.

9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein, The touch electrode, the first touch bridge wire, the touch line, and the second touch bridge wire form a touch unit.

10. The display device according to claim 7, wherein, The support member for supporting the touch electrode is disposed in the region between the plurality of pixel substrates, in a region adjacent to the corresponding region in which the first connecting line and the second connecting line are disposed.

11. The display device according to claim 7, wherein, The touch electrode is disposed on the lower substrate.

12. The display device according to claim 7, further comprising: A first touch electrode in a first region, the first region being located between the plurality of pixel substrates; A second touch electrode in a second region, the second region being adjacent to the first region along the first direction; A third touch electrode in a third region, the third region being adjacent to the first region along the second direction; as well as A fourth touch electrode in a fourth region, the fourth region being adjacent to the second region and the third region, the fourth region being separated from the first region through one of the plurality of pixel substrates; The first touch electrode and the third touch electrode have a first arrangement. The second touch electrode and the fourth touch electrode have a second arrangement, which is different from the first arrangement.

13. A display device comprising: lower base plate; A plurality of pixel substrates are disposed on the lower substrate and spaced apart from each other along a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; A first connecting line is disposed between adjacent first pixel substrates in the plurality of pixel substrates, and the adjacent first pixel substrates are disposed along the first direction. The second connecting line is disposed between adjacent second pixel substrates in the plurality of pixel substrates, and the adjacent second pixel substrates are disposed along the second direction; A touch electrode is disposed in a region adjacent to the region in which the first connecting line and the second connecting line are disposed, and the region in which the touch electrode is disposed is the space between the plurality of pixel substrates; A first touch electrode in a first region, the first region being located between the plurality of pixel substrates; A second touch electrode in a second region, the second region being adjacent to the first region along the first direction; A third touch electrode in a third region, the third region being adjacent to the first region along the second direction; as well as The fourth touch electrode is located in the fourth region, which is adjacent to the second and third regions, and is separated from the first region by one of the plurality of pixel substrates. Wherein, the first touch electrode has a first shape that facilitates stretching in the first direction, the second touch electrode has a second shape that facilitates stretching in the second direction, the third touch electrode has a third shape that facilitates stretching in the third direction, and the fourth touch electrode has a fourth shape that facilitates stretching in the fourth direction. Wherein, the third direction is offset by 45 degrees from the first direction, and the fourth direction is offset by 45 degrees from the second direction.

14. A display device comprising: lower base plate; Multiple pixel substrates are arranged in a matrix on the lower substrate; Multiple first connecting lines connect to a first pixel substrate among the multiple pixel substrates, and the first pixel substrate is arranged along a first direction; Multiple second connecting lines are used to connect a second pixel substrate among the multiple pixel substrates, and the second pixel substrate is arranged along a second direction; First touch electrodes, each of the first touch electrodes being disposed in a corresponding first region between the plurality of pixel substrates; as well as Second touch electrodes, each of which is disposed in a corresponding second region between the plurality of pixel substrates. The first touch electrode has a first shape, which is configured to stretch upward in a third direction. The second touch electrode has a second shape, which is configured to be stretched in a fourth direction, the fourth direction being perpendicular to the third direction. During the display period, the scan signal is sequentially applied to each of the plurality of first connection lines. During the touch period, touch drive signals are sequentially applied to the group of the plurality of first connection lines, and The touch drive signal is a signal obtained by summing multiple scan signals.

15. The display device according to claim 14, wherein, During the display period, a data voltage is applied to each of the plurality of second connection lines, wherein during the touch period, a touch sensing signal is applied to each of the plurality of second connection lines.

16. The display device according to claim 14, wherein, The third direction is offset by 45 degrees from the first direction, and the fourth direction is offset by 45 degrees from the second direction.

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