Display device

Abstract

Disclosed is a display device including a substrate including a plurality of subpixels, an insulating layer disposed on the substrate, a first electrode disposed on the insulating layer, an emitting layer disposed on the insulating layer and the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed on the emitting layer, wherein the substrate includes a left portion including one edge, a right portion including another edge, and a central portion interposed between the left portion and the right portion, a first partition and a second partition are disposed on the insulating layer between adjacent subpixels, a gap is inside the emitting layer between adjacent subpixels, a trench is disposed in the insulating layer between the first partition and the second partition, and the gap overlaps the trench.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0189675, filed on December 31, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference as fully set forth herein. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a display device. Background Technology

[0004] With the development of the information society, the demand for display devices for displaying images has increased in various forms. As a result, various display devices such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have recently been used.

[0005] Among display devices, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays are self-emissive displays that offer superior viewing angles and contrast compared to LCDs. Because OLEDs do not require a separate backlight, they are lightweight and thin, and have advantages in power consumption. Furthermore, OLEDs can be driven with low DC voltages, have fast response times, and result in low manufacturing costs.

[0006] In organic light-emitting display devices, the light generated by the light-emitting device is emitted in the vertical direction. Therefore, some of the light emitted from the outer area of ​​the panel will not pass through the color filter, which may reduce the luminous efficiency of the panel. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, this disclosure aims to provide a display device that substantially eliminates one or more problems caused by the limitations and disadvantages of the prior art.

[0008] One aspect of this disclosure is to provide a display device that has improved light efficiency by controlling the light path.

[0009] Additional advantages and features of this disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the narrator, or may be learned from practice of this disclosure. The purposes and other advantages of this disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of structures particularly pointed out in the draft specification, its claims, and the accompanying drawings.

[0010] To achieve these and other advantages and for the purposes of this disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, a display device is provided, comprising: a substrate including a plurality of sub-pixels; an insulating layer disposed on the substrate; a first electrode disposed on the insulating layer; a light-emitting layer disposed on the insulating layer and the first electrode; and a second electrode disposed on the light-emitting layer, wherein the substrate includes a left portion including one edge, a right portion including another edge, and a central portion inserted between the left portion and the right portion, a first spacer and a second spacer are disposed on the insulating layer between adjacent sub-pixels, a gap is disposed within the light-emitting layer between adjacent sub-pixels, and a trench is disposed in the insulating layer between the first spacer and the second spacer, wherein the gap overlaps with the trench.

[0011] In another aspect of this disclosure, a display device is provided, comprising: a substrate including a left portion, a right portion, and a central portion between the left and right portions; a plurality of sub-pixels including a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel, the first and second sub-pixels being arranged in the same array in each of the left, right, and central portions; a first groove disposed between the first and second sub-pixels disposed in the left portion; a second groove disposed between the first and second sub-pixels disposed in the central portion; and a third groove disposed between the first and second sub-pixels disposed in the right portion, wherein the first groove is positioned closer to the second sub-pixel than the first sub-pixel disposed in the left portion, the second groove is positioned at the center between the first and second sub-pixels in the central portion, and the third groove is positioned closer to the first sub-pixel than the second sub-pixel disposed in the right portion.

[0012] In another aspect of this disclosure, a display device is provided, comprising: a substrate including a left portion, a right portion, and a central portion between the left portion and the right portion; a plurality of sub-pixels including a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel, the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel being disposed in the same array in each of the left portion, the right portion, and the central portion; an insulating layer disposed on the substrate; a trench disposed in the insulating layer between the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel; a light-emitting layer disposed on the insulating layer, the light-emitting layer including a charge-generating layer; and a gap disposed in the light-emitting layer in a region overlapping the trench, such that the charge-generating layer is disconnected at the gap, wherein, in the left portion and the right portion, the gap is closer to the sub-pixel among the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel that is closer to the central portion, and the end of the gap is bent toward the central region.

[0013] It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of this disclosure are exemplary and illustrative, and are intended to provide further explanation of the claimed disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0014] 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 specification, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings:

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic plan view showing an example of a display device according to the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of an example organic light-emitting display device in the left portion of region I-I'.

[0017] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of an example organic light-emitting display device in the central portion of region I-I'.

[0018] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of an example organic light-emitting display device in the right part of region I-I'.

[0019] Figures 5A to 5D This is a cross-sectional view showing the process of forming a display device according to the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing the insulating layer and deposition angle of a display device according to the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the left side portion of a display device according to this disclosure.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the central portion of a display device according to this disclosure.

[0023] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the right side portion of a display device according to this disclosure.

[0024] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a display device according to the present disclosure.

[0025] Figures 11A to 11C This disclosure relates to a display device according to the present disclosure, which relates to a head-mounted display (HMD) device. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same or similar parts wherever possible.

[0027] The advantages and features of this disclosure and its implementation methods will be illustrated by the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, this disclosure is defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0028] The shapes, dimensions, ratios, angles, and numbers disclosed in the accompanying drawings to describe embodiments of this disclosure are merely examples, and therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the details shown. Throughout the text, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. In the following description, detailed descriptions of relevant known functions or configurations will be omitted where such omissions would unnecessarily obscure the essential points of this disclosure. Where 'comprising,' 'having,' and 'including' are used as described in this specification, an additional part may be added unless 'only' is used. Singular terms may include plural forms unless the opposite is true.

[0029] When interpreting components, even if not explicitly described, the components are interpreted as including a range of tolerances.

[0030] When describing positional relationships, for example, when the positional relationship between two components is described as 'on top of', 'above', 'below', and 'immediately adjacent to', one or more other components may be placed between the two components, unless 'just' or 'directly' is used.

[0031] When describing temporal relationships, such as when time sequence is described as 'after', 'following', 'immediately after', and 'before', discontinuous cases may be included unless "exactly" or "directly" is used.

[0032] It should be understood that although the terms "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited to these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element.

[0033] In describing the elements of this disclosure, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used. Such terms are used only to distinguish the corresponding element from other elements, and the corresponding element is not limited in its nature, order, or priority by these terms. It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on" or "connected to" another element or layer, it may be directly on or directly connected to the other element or layer, or there may be an intermediate element or layer. Furthermore, it should be understood that when an element is disposed on or under another element, this may indicate that the elements are disposed in direct contact with each other, but it may also indicate that the elements are disposed in a manner that is not in direct contact with each other.

[0034] The term “at least one” should be understood to include any one or more of the associated listed elements and all combinations thereof. For example, “at least one of the first element, the second element and the third element” means a combination of all elements derived from two or more of the first element, the second element and the third element, as well as the first element, the second element or the third element.

[0035] As will be fully understood by those skilled in the art, the features of the various embodiments of this disclosure may be coupled or combined with each other in part or in whole, and may interoperate with each other and be technically driven in various ways. Embodiments of this disclosure may be performed independently of each other, or may be performed together in an interdependent relationship.

[0036] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Figure 1 This is a schematic plan view showing an example of a display device according to the present disclosure.

[0038] Reference Figure 1 The display device 1000 includes: a left portion LA including one edge; a right portion RA including another edge; and a central portion CA disposed between the left portion LA and the right portion RA. The left portion LA, the right portion RA, and the central portion CA constitute the display area of ​​the display device 1000, and each of the left portion LA, the right portion RA, and the central portion CA includes a plurality of sub-pixels P1, P2, and P3. Specifically, a first sub-pixel P1 is configured to emit light of a first color, a second sub-pixel P2 is configured to emit light of a second color, and a third sub-pixel P3 is configured to emit light of a third color. Each of the sub-pixels P1, P2, and P3 may be arranged in the same manner in each of the left portion, the right portion, and the central portion.

[0039] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1A schematic cross-sectional view of an example organic light-emitting display device in the left portion LA of region I-I', and for convenience, two adjacent sub-pixels P1 and P2 and their boundary regions are shown.

[0040] from Figure 2 As can be seen from the above, the display device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure includes a substrate 100, a circuit element layer 200, an insulating layer 300, spacers F1 and F2, a first electrode 410, a light-emitting layer 420, and a second electrode 430.

[0041] The substrate 100 can be formed of glass or plastic, but is not limited to these, and can be formed of a semiconductor material such as a silicon wafer. A plurality of sub-pixels P1 and P2 are disposed on the substrate 100.

[0042] The display device according to the first embodiment of this disclosure can be formed in a so-called top-emitting mode, in which light emitted is upward. Therefore, not only transparent materials but also opaque materials can be used as the material of the substrate 100.

[0043] A circuit element layer 200 is formed on the substrate 100.

[0044] In the circuit element layer 200, circuit elements including various signal lines, thin-film transistors (TFTs), and capacitors are provided for each sub-pixel P1 and P2. The signal lines may include gate lines, data lines, power lines, and reference lines, and the TFTs may include switching TFTs, driving TFTs, and sensing TFTs.

[0045] The switching TFT is switched according to the gate signal supplied to the gate line, and the switching TFT is used to supply the data voltage supplied from the data line to the driving TFT.

[0046] The driving TFT is switched according to the data voltage supplied from the switching TFT to generate a data current with the power supplied from the power line and the generated data current is supplied to the first electrode 410.

[0047] The sensing TFT is used to sense the threshold voltage deviation of the driving TFT, which causes image quality degradation, and in response to a sensing control signal supplied from the gate line or a separate sensing line, the sensing TFT supplies current from the driving TFT to the reference line.

[0048] The capacitor is used to hold the data voltage supplied to the driving TFT for one frame and is connected to the gate terminal and source terminal of the driving TFT.

[0049] An insulating layer 300 is formed on the circuit element layer 200. The insulating layer 300 may be formed of an organic film such as acrylic resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyamide resin, polyimide resin, etc. Alternatively, the insulating layer 300 may be formed of an inorganic layer such as silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, zirconium nitride, titanium nitride, hafnium nitride, tantalum nitride, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, or titanium oxide.

[0050] The first trench T1 is disposed in the boundary region between the two sub-pixels P1 and P2. The first trench T1 may be disposed in the insulating layer 300 between the first spacer F1 and the second spacer F2, and may extend to a certain area in the insulating layer 300 without penetrating the insulating layer 300. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first trench T1 may penetrate the insulating layer 300 and extend to a certain area inside the circuit element layer 200 below the insulating layer 300.

[0051] The first spacer F1 and the second spacer F2 form a matrix structure in the boundary region between the two sub-pixels P1 and P2, and cover both ends of the first electrode 410 disposed in the sub-pixels P1 and P2. Therefore, the exposed area of ​​the first electrode 410 that is exposed and not covered by the first spacer F1 and the second spacer F2 is the light-emitting area.

[0052] Furthermore, since the first spacer F1 and the second spacer F2 are formed to cover part of the side surface and the top surface of the end of the first electrode 410, the problems of current concentration at the end of the first electrode 410 and degradation of luminous efficiency can be prevented. Additionally, the first spacer F1 and the second spacer F2 can be formed of an inorganic insulating layer, but are not limited thereto, and can also be formed of an organic insulating layer.

[0053] The first spacer F1 is formed on one side of the first groove T1, for example, at the left end, spaced apart by a first interval d1, and the second spacer F2 is formed on the other side of the first groove T1, for example, at the right end, spaced apart by a second interval d2. Here, as Figure 2 As shown, when the second spacer F2 is positioned closer to the central portion CA of the display device 1000 than the first spacer F1, the size of the second gap d2 can be smaller than the size of the first gap d1. Furthermore, relative to the end of the first electrode 410 disposed in the first sub-pixel P1, the first trench T1 can be positioned closer to the end of the first electrode 410 disposed in the second sub-pixel P2. That is, relative to the first sub-pixel P1, the first trench T1 can be positioned closer to the second sub-pixel P2.

[0054] A first electrode 410 is disposed on the insulating layer 300. The first electrode 410 is patterned for each sub-pixel P1 and P2 and can be used as the anode of the display device. The first electrode 410 is connected to a driving TFT disposed in the circuit element layer 200. Furthermore, the height of the first electrode 410 may be lower than the height of the first spacer F1 and the second spacer F2.

[0055] A light-emitting layer 420 is formed on the insulating layer 300, the first spacer F1 and the second spacer F2, and the first electrode 410. That is, the light-emitting layer 420 is formed in the boundary region between the two sub-pixels P1 and P2.

[0056] The light-emitting layer 420 can be configured to emit white W light. For this purpose, the light-emitting layer 420 may include multiple stacked layers that emit light of different colors. Specifically, the light-emitting layer 420 may include a first stacked layer 421, a second stacked layer 423, and a charge-generating layer CGL422 disposed between the first stacked layer 421 and the second stacked layer 423.

[0057] The first stack 421 may include a hole injection layer, a first hole transport layer, a first organic light-emitting layer and a first electron transport layer stacked sequentially. The second stack 423 may include a second hole transport layer, a second organic light-emitting layer, a second electron transport layer and an electron injection layer. The charge generation layer 422 may include an N-type charge generation layer for supplying electrons to the first stack 421 and a P-type charge generation layer for supplying holes to the second stack 423.

[0058] The light-emitting layer 420 is formed inside and above the first trench T1. When the light-emitting layer 420 is formed inside the first trench T1, at least a portion of the light-emitting layer 420 can be disconnected, thereby preventing leakage current between adjacent sub-pixels P1 and P2.

[0059] The first stack 421 may be formed on the side and bottom surfaces of the first trench T1. In this case, at least a portion of the first stack 421 may be disconnected and not continuous in the first trench T1. For example, at least one of the hole injection layer, the first hole transport layer, the first organic light-emitting layer, and the first electron transport layer constituting the first stack 421 may be disconnected in the first trench T1. A portion of the first stack 421 may be continuous in the first trench T1. For example, some of the hole injection layer, the first hole transport layer, the first organic light-emitting layer, and the first electron transport layer constituting the first stack 421 may be formed as continuous on the side and bottom surfaces of the first trench T1.

[0060] A charge generation layer 422 is disposed on the first stack 421. In this case, the charge generation layer 422 can be disconnected from the interior of the first trench T1 or from the region overlapping with the first trench T1. Therefore, charge cannot pass through the charge generation layer 422 between the sub-pixels P1 and P2 arranged adjacent to each other, wherein the first trench T1 is between the sub-pixels P1 and P2.

[0061] The second stack 423 can be continuous on the charge generation layer 422 without being disconnected between the adjacent sub-pixels P1 and P2, wherein the first trench T1 is between the sub-pixels P1 and P2. Therefore, charge can pass through the second stack 423 between the adjacent sub-pixels P1 and P2, wherein the first trench T1 is between the sub-pixels P1 and P2.

[0062] In this configuration, the thickness of the second stack 423 overlapping the region of the first trench T1 can be less than the thickness of the second stack 423 not overlapping the region of the first trench T1. Specifically, since the second stack 423 is deposited spaced apart from each other and then in contact with each other on the upper surfaces of the left and right charge generation layers 422—where the first trench T1 lies between the left and right charge generation layers 422—a portion of the lower surface of the second stack 423 can be disconnected above the first trench T1. For example, at least one of the second hole transport layer, the second organic light-emitting layer, and the second electron transport layer constituting the second stack 423 can be disconnected in the region overlapping the first trench T1.

[0063] Due to the structure of the first stack 421, the charge generating layer 422, and the second stack 423 described above, a first gap G1 is provided in the light-emitting layer 420. Specifically, the first gap G1 can be provided inside the first trench T1 and can extend to the upper part of the first trench T1. In this case, the end of the first gap G1 is formed at a position higher than the charge generating layer 422, so that the charge generating layer 422 can be disconnected from the first trench T1 through the first gap G1. In addition, the width of the first gap G1 can be formed to decrease from the bottom to the top of the first gap G1, and the end of the first gap G1 can be bent toward the area where the second spacer F2 is provided, that is, toward the central portion CA of the display device 1000. Therefore, the light emitted from the light-emitting layer 420 provided in the first sub-pixel P1 and the second sub-pixel P2 can be completely reflected from the side surface of the first gap G1 and emitted in the direction of the second sub-pixel P2, which is the direction in which the end of the first gap G1 faces. That is, the light efficiency of the display device can be improved.

[0064] A second electrode 430 is formed on the second stack 423. The second electrode 430 can be used as the cathode of the display device. Like the light-emitting layer 420, the second electrode 430 is also formed in both the two sub-pixels P1 and P2 and the boundary region between the two sub-pixels P1 and P2. Since the second stack 423 is not disconnected, the second electrode 430 can be stably deposited on the light-emitting layer 420.

[0065] Since the display device according to the first embodiment of this disclosure is formed in a top-emitting mode, the second electrode 430 can be formed of a transparent metallic material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO), so that light emitted from the light-emitting layer 420 can be transmitted upward. Furthermore, the second electrode 430 can be formed of a single layer or multiple layers.

[0066] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of an example organic light-emitting display device in the central portion CA of region I-I', where the structures of the insulating layer 300 and the light-emitting layer 420 are modified. In the following text, only the different configurations will be described.

[0067] The second groove T2 is set in the boundary region between the two sub-pixels P1 and P2.

[0068] The second trench T2 can be disposed in the insulating layer 300 between the first spacer F1 and the second spacer F2, and can extend to a certain area of ​​the insulating layer 300, or can extend through the insulating layer 300 to a certain area of ​​the circuit element layer 200. Specifically, the first spacer F1 is formed to be spaced apart from one end of the second trench T2 by a third interval d3, and the second spacer F2 is formed to be spaced apart from the other end of the second trench T2 by the same third interval d3. That is, the distance between the first spacer F1 and one end of the second trench T2 and the distance between the second spacer F2 and the other end of the second trench T2 can be the same. In addition, the second trench T2 can be located at the center between the end of the first electrode 410 disposed in the first sub-pixel P1 and the end of the first electrode 410 disposed in the second sub-pixel P2. That is, the second trench T2 can be located at the center between the first sub-pixel P1 and the second sub-pixel P2.

[0069] The light-emitting layer 420 can be formed on the insulating layer 300, the first spacer F1 and the second spacer F2, and the first electrode 410, and may include a first stack 421, a charge-generating layer 422, and a second stack 423. (As described above) Figure 2Similarly, at least a portion of the first stack 421 may be discontinuous and disconnected within the second trench T2, and in some cases, a portion of the first stack 421 may be continuous within the trench T2. Furthermore, the charge-generating layer 422 may be disconnected within the second trench T2 or in the region overlapping with the second trench T2. Additionally, the second stack 423 may be continuous without being disconnected between adjacent sub-pixels P1 and P2, wherein the second trench T2 is located between sub-pixels P1 and P2. In this case, the thickness of the second stack 423 overlapping the region of the second trench T2 may be less than the thickness of the second stack 423 not overlapping the region of the second trench T2.

[0070] Therefore, due to the structure of the first stack 421, the charge generating layer 422, and the second stack 423, a second gap G2 is provided in the light-emitting layer 420. Specifically, the second gap G2 can be provided in the second trench T2 and can extend above the second trench T2. In this case, the end of the second gap G2 is formed at a position higher than the charge generating layer 422, so that the charge generating layer 422 can be disconnected on the second trench T2 due to the second gap G2. In addition, the width of the second gap G2 can decrease from the bottom to the top of the second gap G2, and the second gap G2 can be formed in the vertical direction. Therefore, the light emitted from the light-emitting layer 420 provided in the first sub-pixel P1 and the second sub-pixel P2 is not affected by the second gap G2 and is emitted vertically toward the central portion CA. That is, the light efficiency of the display device can be improved.

[0071] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of an example organic light-emitting display device in the right-hand portion RA of region I-I', where the above-mentioned... Figure 2 The structure of the insulating layer 300 and the light-emitting layer 420 in the display device. In the following text, only the different configurations will be described.

[0072] The third groove T3 is set in the boundary region between the two sub-pixels P1 and P2.

[0073] The third trench T3 can be disposed in the insulating layer 300 between the first spacer F1 and the second spacer F2, and extend to a certain area of ​​the insulating layer 300, or extend through the insulating layer 300 to a certain area of ​​the circuit element layer 200. Specifically, the first spacer F1 is formed to be spaced apart from one end of the third trench T3 by a fourth space d4, and the second spacer F2 is formed to be spaced apart from the other end of the third trench T3 by a fifth space d5. Here, as Figure 4As shown, when the first spacer F1 is positioned closer to the central portion CA of the display device 1000 than the second spacer F2, the size of the fourth interval d4 can be smaller than the size of the fifth interval d5. Furthermore, compared to the end of the first electrode 410 disposed in the second sub-pixel P2, the third trench T3 can be positioned closer to the end of the first electrode 410 disposed in the first sub-pixel P1. That is, compared to the second sub-pixel P2, the third trench T3 can be positioned closer to the first sub-pixel P1.

[0074] The light-emitting layer 420 can be formed on the insulating layer 300, the first spacer F1 and the second spacer F2, and the first electrode 410, and can include the first stacked layer 421, the charge-generating layer 422, and the second stacked layer 423 described above. Figure 2 Similarly, at least a portion of the first stack 421 may be discontinuous and disconnected within the third trench T3, and in some cases, a portion of the first stack 421 may be continuous within the third trench T3. Furthermore, the charge-generating layer 422 may be disconnected within the third trench T3 or in the region overlapping with the third trench T3. Additionally, the second stack 423 may be continuous without being disconnected between adjacent sub-pixels P1 and P2, wherein the third trench T3 is inserted between sub-pixels P1 and P2. In this case, the thickness of the second stack 423 overlapping the region of the third trench T3 may be less than the thickness of the second stack 423 not overlapping the region of the third trench T3.

[0075] Therefore, due to the structure of the first stack 421, the charge generating layer 422, and the second stack 423, a third gap G3 can be provided in the light-emitting layer 420. Specifically, the third gap G3 can be provided in the third trench T3 and can extend upward to the upper side of the third trench T3. In this case, the end of the third gap G3 is formed at a position higher than the charge generating layer 422, so that the charge generating layer 422 can be disconnected on the third trench T3 due to the third gap G3. In addition, the width of the third gap G3 can be formed to decrease from the bottom to the top of the third gap G3, and the end of the third gap G3 can be formed to be bent toward the area where the first spacer F1 is provided, that is, toward the central portion CA of the display device 1000. Therefore, the light emitted from the light-emitting layer 420 provided in the first sub-pixel P1 and the second sub-pixel P2 can be completely reflected from the side surface of the third gap G3 and can be emitted in the direction of the first sub-pixel P1, which is the direction facing the end of the third gap G3. That is, the light efficiency of the display device can be improved.

[0076] Although not shown, an encapsulation layer and a color filter may be provided on the second electrode 430.

[0077] Therefore, in this disclosure, by disconnecting the charge generation layer 422 in the boundary region between adjacent sub-pixels P1 and P2 through gaps G1 to G3 provided in the light-emitting layer 420, the occurrence of lateral leakage current flowing in the boundary region between adjacent sub-pixels P1 and P2 can be prevented. Specifically, the charge generation layer 422 has a higher conductivity than the first stack 421 and the second stack 423. In particular, since the N-type charge generation layer constituting the charge generation layer 422 may include a metallic material, its conductivity is higher than that of the first stack 421 and the second stack 423. That is, the charge between the adjacent sub-pixels P1 and P2 can be mainly transferred through the charge generation layer 422, and the amount of charge transferred through the second stack 423 is small. Therefore, by forming the charge generation layer 422 to be disconnected inside the first trench T1 to the third trench T3, the transfer of charge between the adjacent sub-pixels P1 and P2 can be reduced, thereby preventing leakage current.

[0078] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, in the display device 1000, each of the first gap G1 to the third gap G3 is formed with a different shape, thereby improving the light efficiency of the display device. Specifically, the ends of gaps G1 to G3 may be bent toward the center of the display device 1000, or they may be formed in a vertical direction. Therefore, since the light emitted from the light-emitting layer 420 is completely reflected from the surfaces of gaps G1 to G3, the path of the light emitted from the light-emitting layer 420 can be adjusted so that the light emitted from the light-emitting layer 420 is guided toward the center of the display device 1000, thereby improving the light efficiency of the display device.

[0079] Figures 5A to 5D This is a cross-sectional view showing the process of forming a display device according to the present disclosure.

[0080] Reference Figure 5A A first electrode 410 is formed on an insulating layer 300, and first trenches T1 to third trenches T3 are formed in the insulating layer 300. A first spacer F1 and a second spacer F2 are formed on the insulating layer 300 and the first electrode 410. Specifically, the first electrode 410 is patterned on the insulating layer 300 in the first sub-pixel P1 and the second sub-pixel P2. Furthermore, the first trenches T1 to third trenches T3 are formed by etching the insulating layer 300 in the region between the first sub-pixel P1 and the second sub-pixel P2. Additionally, the first spacer F1 and the second spacer F2 are formed on the insulating layer 300. As described above, the first spacer F1 and the second spacer F2 are formed to cover both ends of the first electrode 410.

[0081] Here, as described above, in the left portion LA, the first trench T1 can be positioned closer to the end of the first electrode 410 in the second sub-pixel P2 than the end of the first electrode 410 disposed in the first sub-pixel P1. Furthermore, since the size of the second interval d2 is smaller than the size of the first interval d1, the second spacer F2 is formed closer to the first trench T1 than the first spacer F1.

[0082] As described above, in the central portion CA, the second trench T2 can be located at the center between the end of the first electrode 410 disposed in the first sub-pixel P1 and the end of the first electrode 410 disposed in the second sub-pixel P2. Furthermore, the first spacer F1 and the second spacer F2 are formed to be spaced apart from the second trench T2 by the same distance.

[0083] Furthermore, as described above, in the right-side portion RA, the third trench T3 can be positioned closer to the end of the first electrode 410 in the first sub-pixel P1 than the end of the first electrode 410 located in the second sub-pixel P2. Additionally, since the size of the fourth interval d4 is smaller than the size of the fifth interval d5, the first spacer F1 is formed closer to the third trench T3 than the second spacer F2.

[0084] Reference Figure 5B A first stack 421 is formed on the insulating layer 300 and the first electrode 410. The first stack 421 can be formed by a deposition process, and can also be formed on the inner and lower surfaces of the first trench T1 to the third trench T3. In addition, since the first stack 421 is deposited unevenly due to the step difference between the first spacer F1 and the second spacer F2 and the first trench T1 to the third trench T3, at least a portion of the first stack 421 may not be continuous and may be disconnected in the first trench T1 to the third trench T3, and in some cases, a portion of the first stack 421 may be continuous in the first trench T1 to the third trench T3.

[0085] Reference Figure 5C A charge generation layer 422 can be formed on the first stack 421. The charge generation layer 422 can also be formed by a deposition process. Here, as the steps increase the height of the first stack 421, the shading effect can be further increased, so that a portion of the charge generation layers 422 formed on both sides of the first trench T1 to the third trench T3 can be disconnected from each other.

[0086] In the left portion LA, since the size of the second gap d2 is smaller than the size of the first gap d1, the amount of deposited material differs between the region between the second spacer F2 and the first trench T1 and between the first spacer F1 and the first trench T1. That is, the amount of material deposited in the region between the first spacer F1 and the first trench T1 can be greater than the amount of material deposited in the region between the second spacer F2 and the first trench T1. Therefore, in the region between the first spacer F1 and the first trench T1, material can be deposited such that the area of ​​the upper surface of the charge generation layer 422 is greater than the area of ​​the lower surface of the charge generation layer 422, and in the region between the second spacer F2 and the first trench T1, material can be deposited such that the area of ​​the upper surface of the charge generation layer 422 is smaller than the area of ​​the lower surface of the charge generation layer 422. Therefore, the separation region of the charge generation layer 422 can be formed to be curved in the direction of the second spacer F2.

[0087] In the central portion CA, the first spacer F1 and the second spacer F2 are formed with the same spacing as the second trench T2. Therefore, the height of the charge generation layer 422 formed in the region between the first spacer F1 and the second trench T2 and the height of the charge generation layer 422 formed in the region between the second spacer F2 and the second trench T2 can be equal. Thus, a separation region of the charge generation layer 422 can be formed in the vertical direction.

[0088] In the right-hand portion RA, because the size of the fourth interval d4 is smaller than the size of the fifth interval d5, the amount of deposited material differs between the region between the first spacer F1 and the third trench T3 and between the second spacer F2 and the third trench T3. That is, the amount of material deposited in the region between the first spacer F1 and the third trench T3 can be less than the amount of material deposited in the region between the second spacer F2 and the third trench T3. Therefore, in the region between the first spacer F1 and the third trench T3, the area of ​​the upper surface of the charge generation layer 422 is smaller than the area of ​​the lower surface of the charge generation layer 422, and in the region between the second spacer F2 and the third trench T3, the area of ​​the upper surface of the charge generation layer 422 can be larger than the area of ​​the lower surface of the charge generation layer 422. Therefore, the separation region of the charge generation layer 422 can be formed to be curved in the direction of the first spacer F1.

[0089] Reference Figure 5D A second stack 423 and a second electrode 430 are formed on the charge generation layer 422.

[0090] The second stack 423 can be formed on the charge generation layer 422 and can be formed by a deposition process. Here, due to the charge generation layer 422, the shadowing effect is further increased, and the second stack 423 is deposited on each of the separated surfaces of the charge generation layer 422 in a separated state, and then contacts each other, thereby forming the first gap G1 to the third gap G3 in the first trench T1 to the third trench T3.

[0091] In the left portion LA, the amount of material deposited in the region between the first spacer F1 and the first trench T1 can be gradually increased, and the amount of material deposited in the region between the second spacer F2 and the first trench T1 can be gradually decreased. Therefore, the spaced and deposited second stack 423 can contact the first trench T1, and a first gap G1 with a width decreasing from bottom to top can be formed. Furthermore, the first gap G1 can be formed to be more curved towards the second spacer F2.

[0092] In the central portion CA, the amount of material deposited in the region between the second spacer F2 and the second trench T2 can be increased to the same amount as the amount of material deposited in the region between the first spacer F1 and the second trench T2. Therefore, the spaced and deposited second stack 423 can contact on the second trench T2, and a second gap G2 with a width decreasing from bottom to top can be formed. Furthermore, the second gap G2 can be formed in the vertical direction.

[0093] In the right-hand portion RA, the amount of material deposited in the region between the first spacer F1 and the third trench T3 can be gradually reduced, while the amount of material deposited in the region between the second spacer F2 and the third trench T3 can be gradually increased. Therefore, the spaced and deposited second stack 423 can contact on the third trench T3, and a third gap G3 with a decreasing width from bottom to top can be formed. Furthermore, the third gap G3 can be formed to be more curved towards the first spacer F1.

[0094] Figure 6 Part (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the insulating layer 300 of the display device according to the present disclosure, and Figure 6 Part (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the deposition angle. Here, X is the distance from the top of the spacer F to the inlet of the trench T, Y is the height between the top of the spacer F and the inlet of the trench T, and α is the angle of the shading effect, which can also be expressed as... In addition, β L β represents the minimum deposition angle. C This represents the central deposition angle, and β H This indicates the maximum deposition angle.

[0095] To enhance the shading effect, it is preferable to set the value of α to be small, and for this purpose, it is preferable to increase the value of Y.

[0096] As described above, the bending gaps in the left portion LA and the right portion RA should be formed using a shading effect, and preferably, no shading effect should occur in the central portion CA. For this purpose, it is preferable that the value of α is greater than β. L The value is less than β C The value of β. For example, β L The value can be 50 degrees, and β C The value can be 60 degrees.

[0097] Figures 7 to 9 This is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the left side portion LA, the central portion CA, and the right side portion RA of a display device according to this disclosure. This is a structure in which the insulating layer 300 and the shapes of the first spacer F1 and the second spacer F2 are... Figures 2 to 4 The display device will be modified. In the following text, only the different configurations will be described.

[0098] As described above, the shadowing effect increases with the increase in height between the uppermost ends of the first spacer F1 and the second spacer F2 and the entrances of the first trench T1 to the third trench T3. Therefore, for this purpose, the height of the insulating layer 300 disposed in the boundary region between sub-pixels P1 and P2 can be configured to be smaller than the height of the insulating layer 300 disposed in the two sub-pixels P1 and P2.

[0099] Specifically, during the patterning of the first electrode 410 disposed on the insulating layer 300, the insulating layer 300 disposed in the boundary region between the two sub-pixels P1 and P2 can be etched together to reduce the height of the insulating layer 300. Subsequently, by forming a first spacer F1 and a second spacer F2 on the first electrode 410 and the insulating layer 300, the height of the insulating layer 300 disposed in the boundary region between the two sub-pixels P1 and P2 can be reduced.

[0100] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a display device according to the present disclosure.

[0101] Reference Figure 10 A display device according to another example of the present disclosure shows the boundary regions between the first to third sub-pixels P1, P2 and P3 and their neighboring sub-pixels.

[0102] The insulating layer 300 may include first insulating layers to fourth insulating layers 310, 320, 330, and 340. A first reflective electrode 510 may be disposed on the upper surface of the first insulating layer 310 in the first sub-pixel region P1, a second reflective electrode 520 may be disposed on the upper surface of the second insulating layer 320 in the second sub-pixel region P2, and a third reflective electrode 530 may be disposed on the upper surface of the third insulating layer 330 in the third sub-pixel region P3. Furthermore, the fourth insulating layer 340 may be formed to cover the third reflective electrode 530.

[0103] The first to third reflective electrodes 510, 520 and 530 are formed of silver (Ag) or a silver (Ag)-containing metal material and reflect light emitted from the light-emitting layer 420 in the direction of the second electrode 430.

[0104] Furthermore, the distance between the first reflective electrode 510 and the second electrode 430 can be greater than the distance between the second reflective electrode 520 and the second electrode 430, and the distance between the second reflective electrode 520 and the second electrode 430 can be greater than the distance between the third reflective electrode 530 and the second electrode 430. As described above, by forming different distances between the first to third reflective electrodes 510, 520, and 530 and the second electrode 430, different colors of light can be extracted using microcavity characteristics.

[0105] Specifically, as the distances between the first to third reflective electrodes 510, 520, and 530 and the second electrode 430 increase, the extraction efficiency of long-wavelength light can be improved, thereby improving the extraction efficiency of red light from the first and second reflective electrodes 510 and 430. Furthermore, as the distances between the first to third reflective electrodes 510, 520, and 530 and the second electrode 430 decrease, the extraction efficiency of short-wavelength light can be improved, thereby improving the extraction efficiency of blue light between the third reflective electrode 530 and the second electrode 430. Additionally, since the distance between the second reflective electrode 520 and the second electrode 430 is shorter than the distance between the first and second reflective electrodes 510 and 430 but longer than the distance between the third reflective electrode 530 and the second electrode 430, the extraction efficiency of green light can be improved.

[0106] Therefore, the light extraction efficiency of red light is improved to emit red light in the first sub-pixel P1, the light extraction efficiency of green light is improved to emit green light in the second sub-pixel P2, and the light extraction efficiency of blue light is improved to emit blue light in the third sub-pixel P3.

[0107] Figures 11A to 11C This application relates to a display device according to another embodiment of the present application, which relates to a head-mounted display (HMD) device.

[0108] Reference Figure 11A The HMD device according to this application includes a storage housing 10 and a headband 12.

[0109] The storage housing 10 houses the display device, lens array, and eyepiece. A headband 12 is attached to the storage housing 10.

[0110] The headband 12 is shown as having an upper surface and two side surfaces formed around the user's head, but is not limited thereto. The headband 12 is used to secure the HMD to the user's head and can be replaced by a structure in the form of eyeglass frames or a helmet.

[0111] Reference Figure 11B The HMD device with a virtual reality (VR) structure according to this disclosure may include a left eye display device 2a and a right eye display device 2b, a lens array 11, and a left eyepiece 20a and a right eyepiece 20b.

[0112] The left eye display device 2a and the right eye display device 2b, the lens array 11, and the left eyepiece 20a and the right eyepiece 20b are housed in the aforementioned storage housing 10.

[0113] The left-eye display device 2a and the right-eye display device 2b can display the same image, and in this case, the user can view a 2D image. Alternatively, the left-eye display device 2a can display a left-eye image, and the right-eye display device 2b can display a right-eye image. In this case, the user can view a stereoscopic image. Each of the left-eye display device 2a and the right-eye display device 2b can include the aforementioned display device. For example, each of the left-eye display device 2a and the right-eye display device 2b can be an organic light-emitting display.

[0114] Each of the left-eye display device 2a and the right-eye display device 2b may include a plurality of sub-pixels, a circuit element layer 200, an insulating layer 300, a first electrode 410, a light-emitting layer 420, and a second electrode 430, and displays various images by combining the colors of light emitted from each sub-pixel in various ways.

[0115] Lens array 11 can be disposed between the left eyepiece 20a and the left-eye display device 2a, and can be spaced apart from each of the left eyepiece 20a and the left-eye display device 2a. That is, lens array 11 can be located in front of the left eyepiece 20a and behind the left-eye display device 2a. Similarly, lens array 11 can be disposed between the right eyepiece 20b and the right-eye display device 2b, and can be spaced apart from each of the right eyepiece 20b and the right-eye display device 2b. That is, lens array 11 can be located in front of the right eyepiece 20b and behind the right-eye display device 2b.

[0116] Lens array 11 can be a microlens array. Lens array 11 can be replaced by a pinhole array. Due to lens array 11, the image displayed on the left eye display device 2a or the right eye display device 2b can be magnified for the user to see.

[0117] The user's left eye (LE) can be located at the left eyepiece 20a, and the user's right eye (RE) can be located at the right eyepiece 20b.

[0118] Reference Figure 11C The HMD device with augmented reality (AR) structure according to this disclosure includes a left-eye display device 2a, a lens array 11, a left-eye eyepiece 20a, a transmissive reflector 13, and a transmissive window 14. For convenience, Figure 11C Only the left eye configuration is shown, and the right eye configuration is the same as the left eye configuration.

[0119] The left eye display device 2a, lens array 11, left eyepiece 20a, transmissive reflector 13 and transmissive window 14 are housed in the aforementioned storage housing 10.

[0120] The left-eye display device 2a can be arranged on one side of the transmissive reflector 13, for example, on the upper side, without obstructing the transmission window 14. Therefore, the left-eye display device 2a can provide an image to the transmissive reflector 13 without obstructing the external background viewed through the transmission window 14.

[0121] The left eye display device 2a may include the display device described above. Here, the upper part of the surface on which the image is displayed faces the transmissive reflector 13.

[0122] The lens array 11 can be positioned between the left eyepiece 20a and the transmissive reflector 13.

[0123] The user's left eye is located in the left eyepiece 20a.

[0124] A transmissive reflector 13 is disposed between the lens array 11 and the transmissive window 14. The transmissive reflector 13 may include a reflective surface 13a, which transmits a portion of the light and reflects another portion of the light. The reflective surface 13a is formed such that the image displayed on the left-eye display device 2a moves to the lens array 11. Therefore, the user can view both the external background through the transmissive window 14 and the image displayed through the left-eye display device 2a. In other words, augmented reality (AR) can be achieved because the user can view a single image by overlaying a real background and a virtual image.

[0125] The transmission window 14 is arranged in front of the transmission reflector 13.

[0126] According to this disclosure, by forming a light-emitting layer with gaps, there is an effect of improving light efficiency and controlling the light path.

[0127] The features, structures, and effects described above in this disclosure are included in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, but are not limited to only one embodiment. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can achieve the features, structures, and effects described in at least one embodiment of this disclosure through combinations or modifications of other embodiments. Therefore, content associated with combinations and modifications should be interpreted as being within the scope of this disclosure.

[0128] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to this disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Therefore, this disclosure is intended to cover any modifications and variations thereof that fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: A substrate includes a left portion, a right portion, and a central portion between the left portion and the right portion, and includes a plurality of sub-pixels disposed in each of the left portion, the right portion, and the central portion; An insulating layer disposed on the substrate; A first electrode is disposed in each of the plurality of sub-pixels on the insulating layer; A first spacer and a second spacer are disposed on the insulating layer and cover the end of the first electrode; A light-emitting layer disposed on the insulating layer, the first spacer, the second spacer, and the first electrode; The second electrode is disposed on the light-emitting layer; as well as A trench in the insulating layer between the first spacer and the second spacer between adjacent sub-pixels. in, The trench includes a first trench disposed in the left side portion, a second trench disposed in the central portion, and a third trench disposed in the right side portion. The distance from the first spacer to one end of the first groove is greater than the distance from the second spacer to the other end of the first groove; as well as A first gap is provided inside the light-emitting layer in the region overlapping with the first trench, and The first gap has a width that decreases from bottom to top, and the end of the first gap bends toward the area where the second spacer is disposed.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The second spacer, located on the other side of the first groove, is positioned closer to the central portion than the first spacer located on one side of the first groove.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The distance from the first spacer to one end of the second groove is equal to the distance from the second spacer to the other end of the second groove.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein, A second gap is provided inside the light-emitting layer in the region overlapping with the second trench, and the second gap has a width that decreases from bottom to top and is disposed in the vertical direction.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The distance from the first spacer to one end of the third groove is shorter than the distance from the second spacer to the other end of the third groove.

6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein, The first spacer, located on one side of the third groove, is closer to the central portion than the second spacer, located on the other side of the third groove.

7. The display device according to claim 5, wherein, A third gap is provided inside the light-emitting layer in the region overlapping with the third trench, and the third gap has a width that decreases from bottom to top, and the end of the third gap is bent toward the region where the first spacer is provided.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The light-emitting layer includes: A first stacked layer disposed on the insulating layer; A charge generation layer disposed on the first stack; and The second stacked layer is disposed on the charge generation layer. The charge-generating layer is disconnected in the trench.

9. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: The first reflective electrode, the second reflective electrode, and the third reflective electrode are located inside the insulating layer.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein, The plurality of sub-pixels includes a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, and a third sub-pixel. The insulating layer includes a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer, and a third insulating layer. The first reflective electrode is disposed on the first insulating layer in the first sub-pixel region. The second reflective electrode is disposed on the second insulating layer in the second sub-pixel region, and The third reflective electrode is disposed on the third insulating layer in the third sub-pixel region.

11. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The height of the insulating layer set in the boundary region between sub-pixels is less than the height of the insulating layer set in the sub-pixels.

12. A display device, comprising: A substrate comprising a left portion, a right portion, and a central portion between the left portion and the right portion; Multiple sub-pixels, including a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel, are arranged in the same array in each of the left portion, the right portion, and the central portion; A first groove is provided between the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel in the left-side portion; A second groove is provided between the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel in the central portion; as well as A third groove is provided between the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel in the right-side portion. Specifically, compared to the first sub-pixel disposed in the left portion, the first groove is positioned closer to the second sub-pixel; the second groove is positioned at the center between the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel disposed in the central portion; and compared to the second sub-pixel disposed in the right portion, the third groove is positioned closer to the first sub-pixel.

13. The display device according to claim 12, further comprising: A first gap is provided in the region overlapping with the first groove, a second gap is provided in the region overlapping with the second groove, and a third gap is provided in the region overlapping with the third groove. The first gap, the second gap, and the third gap have different shapes.

14. The display device according to claim 13, wherein, The first gap has a width that decreases from bottom to top, and the ends of the first gap are bent toward the second sub-pixel.

15. The display device according to claim 13, wherein, The second gap has a width that decreases from bottom to top and is positioned in the vertical direction.

16. The display device according to claim 13, wherein, The third gap has a width that decreases from bottom to top, and the end of the third gap bends toward the first sub-pixel.

17. The display device according to claim 12, further comprising: The light-emitting layer includes a first stack, a charge-generating layer disposed on the first stack, and a second stack disposed on the charge-generating layer. The charge generation layer is disconnected in the first trench, the second trench, and the third trench.

18. A display device, comprising: A substrate comprising a left portion, a right portion, and a central portion between the left portion and the right portion; Multiple sub-pixels, including a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel, are arranged in the same array in each of the left portion, the right portion, and the central portion; An insulating layer disposed on the substrate; A trench disposed in the insulating layer between the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel; A light-emitting layer disposed on the insulating layer, the light-emitting layer including a charge-generating layer; and A gap is provided in the region of the light-emitting layer that overlaps with the trench, so that the charge-generating layer is disconnected at the gap. In the left and right portions, the gap is closer to the sub-pixel that is closer to the central portion between the first and second sub-pixels, and the end of the gap bends toward the central portion.

19. A head-mounted display device, comprising: A left-eye display device, comprising the display device according to any one of claims 1-18; as well as A right-eye display device, comprising the display device according to any one of claims 1-18.

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