Display device and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

A display device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The display device includes: a flexible substrate having one surface and another surface, the other surface being an opposite surface of the defined one surface, and the flexible substrate includes a first substrate portion extending along a first direction, a second substrate portion connected to the first substrate portion, a third substrate portion connected to the second substrate portion, a fourth substrate portion connected to the third substrate portion, a fifth substrate portion connected to the fourth substrate portion, a sixth substrate portion connected to the fifth substrate portion, and a seventh substrate portion connected to the sixth substrate portion; and a supporting member provided on the other surface of the flexible substrate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display device and a method for manufacturing the display device. Background Art

[0002] As the information society develops, the demand for display devices for displaying images in various forms is increasing. For example, display devices are being applied to various electronic devices such as smart phones, digital cameras, notebook computers, navigation devices, and smart TVs.

[0003] The display device may be a flat panel display device, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a field emission display (FED) device, or an organic light emitting display (OLED) device. The OLED device provides desirable features such as a wide viewing angle, an excellent contrast ratio, and a fast response speed. Since the OLED device can be implemented as a bendable or foldable flexible display device, the application of the OLED device to electronic devices has increased. For example, recently, by implementing the OLED device as a flexible display device, a display device that displays an image on its side as well as on its front side has been developed.

[0004] In the case of a display device that displays an image even on its side, an integrated chip (IC) and a circuit board are mounted on a driving unit of a panel, wherein the driving unit should be disposed to face a display surface for ease of installation. Summary of the invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a display device in which a floating movement of a driving unit is minimized before a bending process of the driving unit.

[0007] Aspects of the present disclosure also provide a method for manufacturing a display device, in which a floating movement of a driving unit is minimized before a bending process of the driving unit.

[0008] However, aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the aspects set forth herein. The above and other aspects of the present disclosure will become more apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains by referring to the detailed description of the present disclosure given below.

[0009] Technical Solution

[0010] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a display device is provided, comprising: a flexible substrate having one surface and another surface, the other surface being an opposite surface of the defined one surface, and the flexible substrate comprising a first substrate portion extending along a first direction, a second substrate portion connected to the first substrate portion, a third substrate portion connected to the second substrate portion, a fourth substrate portion connected to the third substrate portion, a fifth substrate portion connected to the fourth substrate portion, a sixth substrate portion connected to the fifth substrate portion, and a seventh substrate portion connected to the sixth substrate portion; and a supporting member disposed on the other surface of the flexible substrate, wherein the second substrate portion is bent so that the third substrate portion is bent from the first substrate portion toward a thickness direction, the fourth substrate portion is bent so that the other surface of the third substrate portion and the other surface of the fifth substrate portion face each other, the sixth substrate portion is bent so that the seventh substrate portion is bent from the fifth substrate portion toward the first direction, and at the same time the other surface of the seventh substrate portion and the other surface of the first substrate portion face each other, and the thickness of a portion of the supporting member disposed to overlap with the fourth substrate portion is smaller than the thickness of a portion of the supporting member disposed on the third substrate portion and the thickness of a portion of the supporting member disposed on the fifth substrate portion.

[0011] The supporting member may include: a first part, which is arranged on the other surface of the first substrate part, the other surface of the second substrate part, and the other surface of the third substrate part; a second part, which is arranged on the other surface of the fourth substrate part; a third part, which is arranged on the other surface of the fifth substrate part; a fourth part, which is arranged on the other surface of the sixth substrate part; and a fifth part, which is arranged on the other surface of the seventh substrate part, and the thickness of the second part may be smaller than the thickness of the first part and the third part.

[0012] The supporting member may have a surface facing the flexible substrate and another surface which is an opposite surface to the defined one surface, the second portion may be bent so that the other surface of the third portion and the other surface of the first portion face each other, and the fourth portion may be bent so that the other surface of the fifth portion and the other surface of the first portion face each other.

[0013] The other surface of the first portion and the other surface of the fifth portion may contact each other, and the other surface of the first portion and the other surface of the third portion may contact each other.

[0014] Another surface of the first portion may not be in contact with another surface of the fourth portion.

[0015] Another surface of a portion of the second portion adjacent to the third substrate portion and another surface of a portion of the second portion adjacent to the fifth substrate portion may face each other.

[0016] The thickness of the fourth portion may be smaller than the thickness of the third portion and the thickness of the fifth portion.

[0017] The support member may not be disposed on the fourth substrate portion, and the support member may not be disposed on the sixth substrate portion.

[0018] The second portion may include an uneven surface, a surface height of a convex portion of the second portion may be equal to a surface height of the first portion, and a surface height of a concave portion of the second portion may be less than a surface height of the first portion.

[0019] The first portion may further include a burr-shaped portion disposed adjacent to the second portion, and the burr-shaped portion may protrude from another surface of the first portion.

[0020] The third portion may further include a burr-shaped portion disposed adjacent to the second portion and the fourth portion.

[0021] The display device may further include a data driving integrated circuit disposed on one surface of the seventh substrate portion, and the data driving integrated circuit may be disposed to overlap the first substrate portion in a thickness direction.

[0022] The display device may further include a circuit board disposed on one end of one surface of the seventh substrate portion.

[0023] The display device may further include an optical member disposed on one surface of the flexible substrate, and the optical member may be disposed on the first substrate portion, the second substrate portion, and the third substrate portion of the flexible substrate.

[0024] The display device may further include a window member disposed on the optical member.

[0025] The display device may further include a data driving integrated circuit disposed on one surface of the fifth substrate portion, and the data driving integrated circuit may be disposed to overlap the third substrate portion in a lateral direction.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a display device is provided, which includes: preparing a flexible substrate and a supporting member, the flexible substrate having one surface and another surface, the other surface being an opposite surface of the defined one surface, the supporting member being arranged to extend over the entire surface of the other surface of the flexible substrate, the flexible substrate including a first substrate portion extending along a first direction, a second substrate portion connected to the first substrate portion, a third substrate portion connected to the second substrate portion, a fourth substrate portion connected to the third substrate portion, a fifth substrate portion connected to the fourth substrate portion, a sixth substrate portion connected to the fifth substrate portion, and a seventh substrate portion connected to the sixth substrate portion, and the supporting member including a first substrate portion arranged on the first substrate portion. a first portion disposed on another surface of the bottom portion, another surface of the second substrate portion, and another surface of the third substrate portion, a second portion disposed on another surface of the fourth substrate portion, a third portion disposed on another surface of the fifth substrate portion, a fourth portion disposed on another surface of the sixth substrate portion, and a fifth portion disposed on another surface of the seventh substrate portion; mounting a data driving integrated circuit on one surface of the flexible substrate; bending the second substrate portion by providing a curved window on one surface of the flexible substrate so that the third substrate portion of the flexible substrate is bent from the first substrate portion toward a thickness direction; and making the thickness of the second portion smaller than the thickness of a portion of the supporting member adjacent to the second portion.

[0027] The method may further include making the thickness of the fourth portion smaller than the thickness of a portion of the support member adjacent to the fourth portion before or after making the thickness of the second portion smaller than the thickness of an adjacent portion.

[0028] Making the thickness of the second portion and the fourth portion smaller than the thickness of the adjacent portion may include bringing a tip of the heating block into contact with each of the second portion and the fourth portion.

[0029] When the data driving integrated circuit is mounted on one surface of the flexible substrate, the data driving integrated circuit may be disposed on a fifth substrate portion of the flexible substrate.

[0030] Bending the second substrate portion may include: bending the second substrate portion along a curved surface of the curved window by providing the curved window on one surface of the flexible substrate.

[0031] Additional details of example embodiments are included in the detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Beneficial Effects

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a display device and a method for manufacturing a display device, an initial bending of the display panel and the supporting member is performed while the supporting member is arranged to cover the entire surface of the lower portion of the display panel, and a lower covering member such as a heat sink is formed on the supporting member, thereby being able to reduce the floating of the display panel and the supporting member when the lower covering member is formed.

[0034] Furthermore, the recessed area is formed only in the area of ​​the support member overlapping with the portion of the display panel where the secondary bending and the tertiary bending are performed, so that the gap of the display device can be minimized after the tertiary bending is performed.

[0035] However, the effects of the embodiments are not limited to the effects set forth herein. The above and other effects of the embodiments will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments pertain by referring to the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0037] Figure 2 is a top view of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0038] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged view of part A of FIG.

[0039] Figure 4 is a plan layout diagram showing the correspondence relationship between the flexible substrate and the supporting member.

[0040] Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X1'.

[0041] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a display device after secondary bending according to an embodiment.

[0042] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a display device after being bent three times according to an embodiment.

[0043] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 5 Enlarged views of part C and part C'.

[0044] Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a display device according to an embodiment.

[0045] Figures 10 to 13 are cross-sectional views showing the sequence of a method for manufacturing a display device according to an embodiment.

[0046] Fig.14 are cross-sectional views illustrating processes of a method for manufacturing a display device according to another embodiment.

[0047] Fig.15 is based on Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Fig.16 is based on Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Fig.17 is based on Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Fig.18 is based on Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Fig.19 is based on Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Fig. 20 is based on Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Fig.21 is a plan layout diagram showing a corresponding relationship between a flexible substrate and a supporting member according to another embodiment.

[0054] Fig. 22 yes Fig.21 sectional view of .

[0055] Fig.23 is based on Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Fig.24 is based on Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Fig.25 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment.

[0058] Fig.26 is a plan view of a display device according to another embodiment.

[0059] Fig. 27 Shown along Fig.26 Cross-sectional view along line X2-X2' and line X3-X3'. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] By referring to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the beneficial effects and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving the same can be more easily understood. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein; rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that the present invention will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concept of the present invention to those skilled in the art, and the present invention will only be limited by the appended claims.

[0061] When an element or a layer is disposed “on” another element or layer, it may be directly disposed on the other element or layer, or another layer or another element may be interposed therebetween.

[0062] 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 other components. Therefore, the first component mentioned below may be the second component in the technical concept of the present disclosure.

[0063] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0064] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment, Figure 2 is a top view of a display device according to an embodiment, Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged view of part A, Figure 4 is a plan layout diagram showing the corresponding relationship between the flexible substrate and the supporting member, Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along the line X1-X1', Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a display device after secondary bending according to an embodiment, Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a display device after three-fold bending according to an embodiment, and Figure 8 It is shown Figure 5 Enlarged views of part C and part C'. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a display device after primary bending according to an embodiment.

[0065] In an embodiment, the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2 are different directions intersecting each other. Figure 2In the plan view, for the convenience of description, a first direction DR1 which is a vertical direction and a second direction DR2 which is a horizontal direction are defined. In addition, a third direction DR3 which is a thickness direction is defined. In the following embodiments, one side in the first direction DR1 represents an upward direction in the plan view, and the other side in the first direction DR1 represents a downward direction in the plan view. One side in the second direction DR2 represents a direction toward the right side in the plan view, and the other side in the second direction DR2 represents a direction toward the left side in the plan view. One side in the third direction DR3 represents a display surface (an upper surface in the case of a top-emitting display device), and the other side in the third direction DR3 represents a surface opposite to the display surface. However, it should be understood that the directions mentioned in the embodiments represent relative directions, and the embodiments are not limited to the mentioned directions.

[0066] refer to Figures 1 to 8 The display device 1 may include a window member 100 and a display panel 300 disposed on a lower portion of the window member 100. In addition, the display device 1 may further include a data driving integrated circuit 400 mounted on the display panel 300 and a printed circuit board 500.

[0067] The display panel 300 may include a flexible substrate 310 and an optical member 370 disposed on the flexible substrate 310 .

[0068] The display panel 300 may include a plane portion PS, a first side portion SS1, a second side portion SS2, a third side portion SS3, a fourth side portion SS4, a first edge portion ES1, a second edge portion ES2, a third edge portion ES3, a fourth edge portion ES4, a first corner portion CS1, a second corner portion CS2, a third corner portion CS3, a fourth corner portion CS4, and a multi-bend portion PES extending from the second side portion SS2.

[0069] The display panel 300 may include a flexible substrate 310 .

[0070] The flexible substrate 310 is a flexible substrate that can be bent, folded, curled, etc., and can be made of plastic. For example, the flexible substrate 310 may include polyethersulfone, polyacrylate (PA), polyarylate (PAR), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyallyl ester, polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), cellulose triacetate (CAT), cellulose acetate propionate (CAP), or a combination thereof. Alternatively, the flexible substrate 310 may include a metal material having good ductility.

[0071] The plane portion PS or the upper surface portion may be a portion formed to be flat without being bent. The plane portion PS may have a quadrilateral plane shape having short sides in the second direction DR2 and long sides in the first direction DR1. In the plane portion PS, a corner where the short side and the long side meet may be bent to have a predetermined curvature. The plane portion PS may include a top surface or a display surface of the display panel 300 (in the case of a top emission display device).

[0072] The first edge portion ES1 may extend from the other side of the plane portion PS in the second direction DR2. The first edge portion ES1 may be disposed between the plane portion PS and the first side portion SS1. The first edge portion ES1 may be a portion bent with a predetermined curvature between the first bending line BL1 and the fifth bending line BL5. The first bending line BL1 may be a boundary between the plane portion PS and the first edge portion ES1, and the fifth bending line BL5 may be a boundary between the first side portion SS1 and the first edge portion ES1.

[0073] The first side portion SS1 may extend from the other side of the first edge portion ES1 in the second direction DR2. The first side portion SS1 may include a left side surface of the display panel 300. The first side portion SS1 may have a quadrangular planar shape having a pair of short sides extending in the third direction DR3 and a pair of long sides extending in the first direction DR1.

[0074] The second edge portion ES2 may extend from the other side of the plane portion PS in the first direction DR1. The second edge portion ES2 may extend from the lower side of the plane portion PS. The second edge portion ES2 may be disposed between the plane portion PS and the second side portion SS2. The second edge portion ES2 may be a portion bent with a predetermined curvature between the second bending line BL2 and the sixth bending line BL6. The second bending line BL2 may be a boundary between the plane portion PS and the second edge portion ES2, and the sixth bending line BL6 may be a boundary between the second side portion SS2 and the second edge portion ES2.

[0075] The second side portion SS2 may extend from the other side of the second edge portion ES2 in the first direction DR1. The second side portion SS2 may include a lower surface of the display panel 300. The second side portion SS2 may have a quadrangular planar shape including a pair of short sides in the third direction DR3 and a pair of long sides in the second direction DR2.

[0076] The third edge portion ES3 may extend from one side of the plane portion PS in the first direction DR1. The third edge portion ES3 may extend from the upper side of the plane portion PS. The third edge portion ES3 may be disposed between the plane portion PS and the third side portion SS3. The third edge portion ES3 may be a portion bent with a predetermined curvature between the third bending line BL3 and the seventh bending line BL7. The third bending line BL3 may be a boundary between the plane portion PS and the third edge portion ES3, and the seventh bending line BL7 may be a boundary between the third side portion SS3 and the third edge portion ES3.

[0077] The third side portion SS3 may extend from one side of the third edge portion ES3 in the first direction DR1. The third side portion SS3 may include an upper surface of the display panel 300. The third side portion SS3 may have a quadrangular planar shape including a pair of short sides in the third direction DR3 and a pair of long sides in the second direction DR2.

[0078] The fourth edge portion ES4 may extend from one side of the plane portion PS in the second direction DR2. The fourth edge portion ES4 may extend from the right side of the plane portion PS. The fourth edge portion ES4 may be disposed between the plane portion PS and the fourth side portion SS4. The fourth edge portion ES4 may be a portion bent with a predetermined curvature between the fourth bending line BL4 and the eighth bending line BL8. The fourth bending line BL4 may be a boundary between the plane portion PS and the fourth edge portion ES4, and the eighth bending line BL8 may be a boundary between the fourth side portion SS4 and the fourth edge portion ES4.

[0079] The fourth side portion SS4 may extend from one side of the fourth edge portion ES4 in the second direction DR2. The fourth side portion SS4 may include a right side surface of the display panel 300. The fourth side portion SS4 may have a quadrangular planar shape having a pair of short sides extending in the third direction DR3 and a pair of long sides extending in the first direction DR1.

[0080] The first corner portion CS1 may be disposed between the first edge portion ES1 and the second edge portion ES2. Since the first corner portion CS1 is not disposed between the first side portion SS1 and the second side portion SS2, an empty space may be provided between the first side portion SS1 and the second side portion SS2. The width of the first corner portion CS1 may be smaller than the width of the first edge portion ES1 and the second edge portion ES2. A first dead space may be provided outside the first corner portion CS1. The first dead space may be defined as an empty space in the first corner region between the first edge portion ES1 and the second edge portion ES2, in which the first corner portion CS1 may not be disposed.

[0081] The second corner portion CS2 may be disposed between the first edge portion ES1 and the third edge portion ES3. Since the second corner portion CS2 is not disposed between the first side portion SS1 and the third side portion SS3, an empty space may be provided between the first side portion SS1 and the third side portion SS3. The width of the second corner portion CS2 may be smaller than the widths of the first edge portion ES1 and the third edge portion ES3. Therefore, when viewed from above the flat portion, a second dead zone may be provided outside the second corner portion CS2. The second dead zone may be defined as an empty space in the second corner region between the first edge portion ES1 and the third edge portion ES3, in which the second corner portion CS2 may not be disposed.

[0082] The third corner portion CS3 may be disposed between the second edge portion ES2 and the fourth edge portion ES4. Since the third corner portion CS3 is not disposed between the second side portion SS2 and the fourth side portion SS4, an empty space may be provided between the second side portion SS2 and the fourth side portion SS4. The width of the third corner portion CS3 may be smaller than the widths of the second edge portion ES2 and the fourth edge portion ES4. Therefore, when viewed from above the flat portion, a third dead zone may be provided outside the third corner portion CS3. The third dead zone may be defined as an empty space in the third corner region between the second edge portion ES2 and the fourth edge portion ES4, in which the third corner portion CS3 may not be disposed.

[0083] The fourth corner portion CS4 may be disposed between the third edge portion ES3 and the fourth edge portion ES4. Since the fourth corner portion CS4 is not disposed between the third side portion SS3 and the fourth side portion SS4, an empty space may be provided between the third side portion SS3 and the fourth side portion SS4. The width of the fourth corner portion CS4 may be less than the width of the third edge portion ES3 and the fourth edge portion ES4. Therefore, when viewed from above the flat portion, a fourth dead zone may be provided outside the fourth corner portion CS4. The fourth dead zone may be defined as an empty space in the fourth corner region between the third edge portion ES3 and the fourth edge portion ES4, in which the fourth corner portion CS4 may not be disposed.

[0084] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG, a first intersection CP1 between the first bending line BL1 and the second bending line BL2 may overlap with the first corner portion CS1. In this case, strain may be applied to the first corner portion CS1 by the bending force of the first edge portion ES1 and the first side portion SS1 and the bending force of the second edge portion ES2 and the second side portion SS2.

[0085] In order to eliminate the strain applied to the first corner portion CS1, the first intersection CP1 between the first bending line BL1 and the second bending line BL2 can be set not to overlap with the first corner portion CS1. That is, the first intersection CP1 between the first bending line BL1 and the second bending line BL2 can be set outside the first corner portion CS1. The description of the first intersection CP1 is also applicable to the second intersection CP2, the third intersection CP3 and the fourth intersection CP4, and therefore the description of the second intersection CP2 to the fourth intersection CP4 will be omitted.

[0086] The multi-bending portion PES may extend from the other side of the second side portion SS2 in the first direction DR1. The multi-bending portion PES may extend from a lower side of the second side portion SS2.

[0087] The multi-bending portion PES may include a plurality of bending portions BS1 and BS2 bent at a predetermined curvature by a plurality of bending lines BL9 to BL12. The multi-bending portion PES may also include flat portions FS1 and FS2, and a plurality of bending portions BS1 and BS2. The data driving integrated circuit 400 and the printed circuit board 500 may be disposed on the multi-bending portion PES. Each of the bending portions BS1 and BS2 of the multi-bending portion PES may be bent in a predetermined direction, and the multi-bending portion PES may be disposed so that one end thereof faces the plane portion PS of the display panel 300.

[0088] The first bending portion BS1 may be connected to the second side portion SS2. The first bending portion BS1 may be disposed between the first flat portion FS1 and the second side portion SS2. The first bending portion BS1 may be a portion bent with a predetermined curvature between a ninth bending line BL9 and a tenth bending line BL10. The ninth bending line BL9 may be a boundary between the second side portion SS2 and the first bending portion BS1, and the tenth bending line BL10 may be a boundary between the first bending portion BS1 and the first flat portion FS1. The first bending portion BS1 may be a portion bent at the time of secondary bending of the display device 1 as will be described below.

[0089] The first flat portion FS1 may be connected to the first bending portion BS1. The first flat portion FS1 may be disposed between the first bending portion BS1 and the second bending portion BS2. The first flat portion FS1 may have a quadrilateral planar shape including a pair of short sides in the first direction DR1 and a pair of long sides in the second direction DR2.

[0090] The second bending portion BS2 may be connected to the first flat portion FS1. The second bending portion BS2 may be disposed between the first flat portion FS1 and the second flat portion FS2. The second bending portion BS2 may be a portion bent with a predetermined curvature between the eleventh bending line BL11 and the twelfth bending line BL12. The eleventh bending line BL11 may be a boundary between the first flat portion FS1 and the second bending portion BS2, and the twelfth bending line BL12 may be a boundary between the second bending portion BS2 and the second flat portion FS2. The second bending portion BS2 may be a portion bent at the time of three bends of the display device 1 as will be described below.

[0091] The second flat portion FS2 may be connected to the second bending portion BS2. The second flat portion FS2 may include one end of the multi-bending portion PES. The second flat portion FS2 may have a quadrilateral planar shape including a pair of short sides in the first direction DR1 and a pair of long sides in the second direction DR2.

[0092] The second flat portion FS2 may include a first pad area PA1 and a second pad area PA2. The first pad area PA1 may be disposed between the second bending portion BS2 and one end of the second flat portion FS2, and the second pad area PA2 may be disposed between one end of the first pad area PA1 and the second flat portion FS2. The first pad area PA1 may be provided with a plurality of first pads, and the data driver integrated circuit 400 may be mounted on the first pads. The data driver integrated circuit 400 may be disposed on the first pad area PA1 in the form of a driver integrated chip (IC).

[0093] The second pad area PA2 may be provided with a plurality of second pads, and the printed circuit board 500 may be disposed on the second pads. The printed circuit board 500 and the data driving integrated circuit 400 may be electrically connected.

[0094] The window member 100 may be disposed on the display panel 300 and may cover the outside of the display panel 300. The window member 100 may have substantially the same shape as the display panel 300. The window member 100 may include a plane portion 100PS, a first side portion 100SS1, a second side portion 100SS2, a third side portion 100SS3, a fourth side portion 100SS4, a first edge portion 100ES1, a second edge portion 100ES2, a third edge portion 100ES3, and a fourth edge portion 100ES4.

[0095] The window member 100 may be made of a transparent material. The window member 100 may be made of, for example, glass or plastic. When the window member 100 includes plastic, the window member 100 may have a flexible property.

[0096] The window member 100 may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following plastic materials: polyimide, polyacrylate, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polystyrene, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyether sulfone, polyetherimide (PEI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyallyl ester, triacetyl cellulose (TAC) and cellulose acetate propionate (CAP). The plastic window member 100 may include one or more of the plastic materials listed above.

[0097] When the window member 100 includes plastic, the window member 100 may also include a coating (not shown) disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the plastic. In one embodiment, the coating may be a hard coating, which includes an organic layer and / or an organic-inorganic composite layer containing an acrylate compound. The organic layer may include an acrylate compound. The organic-inorganic composite layer may be a layer in which inorganic materials such as silicon oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, tantalum oxide, niobium oxide, glass beads, etc. are dispersed in an organic material such as an acrylate compound. In another embodiment, the coating may include a metal oxide layer. The metal oxide layer may include metal oxides such as titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, molybdenum oxide, tantalum oxide, copper oxide, indium oxide, tin oxide, and tungsten oxide, but is not limited thereto.

[0098] The plane portion 100PS of the window member 100 may correspond to the plane portion PS of the display panel 300, the side portions 100SS1 to 100SS4 of the window member 100 may correspond to the side portions SS1 to SS4 of the display panel 300 disposed adjacent thereto, and the edge portions 100ES1 to 100ES4 of the window member 100 may correspond to the edge portions ES1 to ES4 disposed adjacent thereto of the display panel 300. The shapes of the respective corresponding portions are substantially identical to each other, and thus a redundant description thereof will be omitted.

[0099] refer to Figure 4 , the display device 1 may further include a support member 350 disposed on the display panel 300. An adhesive member may be further disposed between the support member 350 and the display panel 300. The adhesive member may include a conventional adhesive or a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The support member 350 may be disposed over the entire surface of the display panel 300. That is, the support member 350 may have a planar shape and size substantially the same as the display panel 300. The support member 350 may be divided into a plurality of portions corresponding to the plurality of portions PS, ES2, SS2, and PES of the display panel 300.

[0100] For example, the supporting member 350 may include: a first portion 351, which corresponds to the plane portion PS, the second edge portion ES2 and the second side portion SS2; a second portion 353, which corresponds to the first bending portion BS1; a third portion 355, which corresponds to the first flat portion FS1; a fourth portion 357, which corresponds to the second bending portion BS2; and a fifth portion 359, which corresponds to the second flat portion FS2.

[0101] The first portion 351 may be disposed on a second surface (also referred to as “another surface”) of the first substrate portion 311 to the third substrate portion 313, the second portion 353 may be disposed on a second surface of the fourth substrate portion 314, the third portion 355 may be disposed on a second surface of the fifth substrate portion 315, the fourth portion 357 may be disposed on a second surface of the sixth substrate portion 316, and the fifth portion 359 may be disposed on a second surface of the seventh substrate portion 317.

[0102] Each of the portions 351, 353, 355, 357, and 359 of the support member 350 may have a substantially same planar shape and size as each of the corresponding portions PS, ES2, SS2, BS1, FS1, BS2, and FS2 of the display panel 300. The portions 351, 353, 355, 357, and 359 of the support member 350 may be integrally formed. As described above, the display panel 300 may be bent in a predetermined direction in each of the bent portions BS1 and BS2, and the stress generated in the bent portion may be greater than the stress generated in the flat portion. Since the support member 350 disposed over the entire surface of the display panel 300 is coupled to the display panel 300 and bent together with the display panel 300, the stress may vary according to the physical characteristics, arrangement, and shape of the support member 350. In view of the foregoing, the support member 350 according to one embodiment may be formed such that the thickness of the portions 353 and 357 respectively combined with the bending portions BS1 and BS2 of the display panel 300 is smaller than the thickness of other adjacent portions 351, 355, and 359, thereby reducing stress generated in the multi-bending portion PES of the display device 1. The thickness and shape of each of the portions 351, 353, 355, 357, and 359 of the support member 350 will be described below.

[0103] Figure 5 4 shows an initial bending state in which the second edge portion ES2 of the display panel 300 is bent and the multi-bending portion PES is unfolded. Figure 6 1 and 2 show a secondary bending state in which the second edge portion ES2 and the first bending portion BS1 of the display panel 300 are bent and the first flat portion FS1, the second bending portion BS2, and the second flat portion FS2 are unfolded, and Figure 7The display panel 300 is shown in a three-fold bent state in which the second edge portion ES2 , the first bent portion BS1 , and the second bent portion BS2 are bent.

[0104] First, refer to Figure 5 In the initial bending state, the flexible substrate 310 may be disposed along the plane portion PS, the second edge portion ES2, the second side portion SS2, and the multi-bending portion PES of the display panel 300. The flexible substrate 310 may include a first substrate portion 311 disposed along the plane portion PS, a second substrate portion 312 disposed along the second edge portion ES2, a third substrate portion 313 disposed along the second side portion SS2, a fourth substrate portion 314 disposed along the first bending portion BS1, a fifth substrate portion 315 disposed along the first flat portion FS1, a sixth substrate portion 316 disposed along the second bending portion BS2, and a seventh substrate portion 317 disposed along the second flat portion FS2.

[0105] The second substrate portion 312 of the flexible substrate 310 can be bent so that the third substrate portion 313 is bent from the first substrate portion 311 extending in the first direction DR1 toward the other side in the third direction DR3, and the third substrate portion 313 to the seventh substrate portion 317 of the flexible substrate 310 can extend to the other side in the third direction DR3.

[0106] The flexible substrate 310 may have a first surface (also referred to as “one surface”) facing the window member 100 and a second surface which is an opposite surface to the first surface.

[0107] The support member 350 described above may be disposed on the second surface of the flexible substrate 310. The support member 350 and the flexible substrate 310 may be combined by an adhesive member or the like disposed therebetween.

[0108] The first part 351 of the supporting member 350 can be arranged on the second surfaces of the first substrate part 311, the second substrate part 312 and the third substrate part 313, the second part 353 can be arranged on the second surface of the fourth substrate part 314, the third part 355 can be arranged on the second surface of the fifth substrate part 315, the fourth part 357 can be arranged on the second surface of the sixth substrate part 316, and the fifth part 359 can be arranged on the second surface of the seventh substrate part 317.

[0109] The thickness of the second portion 353 of the support member 350 may be smaller than the thicknesses of the first portion 351 and the third portion 355. In addition, the thickness of the fourth portion 357 of the support member 350 may be smaller than the thicknesses of the third portion 355 and the fifth portion 359 adjacent thereto.

[0110] More specifically, if Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first portion 351 may have a first thickness t1 from the second surface of the third substrate portion 313 of the flexible substrate 310. In other words, the surface 351a of the first portion 351 may have a surface height corresponding to the first thickness t1 from the second surface of the third substrate portion 313.

[0111] The third portion 355 may have a first thickness t1 from the second surface of the fifth substrate portion 315 of the flexible substrate 310. In other words, a surface 355a of the third portion 355 may have a surface height from the second surface of the fifth substrate portion 315 corresponding to the first thickness t1.

[0112] The fifth portion 359 may have a first thickness t1 from the second surface of the seventh substrate portion 317 of the flexible substrate 310. In other words, a surface 359a of the fifth portion 359 may have a surface height from the second surface of the seventh substrate portion 317 corresponding to the first thickness t1.

[0113] The second portion 353 may have a second thickness t2 from the second surface of the fourth substrate portion 314. In other words, a surface of the second portion 353 may have a surface height from the second surface of the fourth substrate portion 314 corresponding to the second thickness t2.

[0114] The fourth portion 357 may have a third thickness t3 from the second surface of the sixth substrate portion 316. In other words, a surface of the fourth portion 357 may have a surface height from the second surface of the sixth substrate portion 316 corresponding to the third thickness t3.

[0115] The second thickness t2 may be smaller than the first thickness t1. In addition, the third thickness t3 may be smaller than the first thickness t1. That is, the second portion 353 and the fourth portion 357 may be recessed portions having a surface height recessed below the surface of the adjacent portions 351, 355, and 359.

[0116] The recessed portion may be formed by hot pressing using a heating block to be described below in a manufacturing process. When a heating block including a tip having the same shape, width, and compression depth is used, the second portion 353 and the fourth portion 357 may be formed to have the same thickness and width. In this case, the second thickness t2 and the third thickness t3 may be equal to each other, the second portion 353 may have a first width W1, and the fourth portion 357 may have a second width W2. The first width W1 and the second width W2 may be equal to each other.

[0117] The burr 361 or burr-shaped portion may be further located on the surface 351a of the first portion 351, the surface 355a of the third portion 355, and the surface 359a of the fifth portion 359. The burr 361 may have a shape protruding from the surfaces 351a, 355a, and 359a in the thickness direction. When the recessed portions 353 and 357 are formed by the heating block described above, the material of the support member 350 in the corresponding portion may be melted by the heat of the heating block and may move, which may form the burr 361.

[0118] The optical member 370 may also be disposed between the flexible substrate 310 and the window member 100. The optical member 370 may be disposed on the first to third substrate portions 311 to 313, and a portion of the optical member 370 may be disposed on the fourth substrate portion 314. The optical member 370 may not be disposed on the fifth to seventh substrate portions 315 to 317.

[0119] The optical member 370 may include a polarizing film.

[0120] A bending protection layer 380 may be further disposed between the optical member 370 and the data driving integrated circuit 400. The bending protection layer 380 may be in contact with one side surface of the optical member 370, and may not be in contact with the data driving integrated circuit 400.

[0121] like Figure 6 As shown in , the display panel 300 is bent secondary after the primary bending. During the secondary bending, when the first bending portion BS1 is bent from the second side portion SS2 extending in the third direction DR3 at a predetermined curvature, the fourth substrate portion 314 may be bent from the third substrate portion 313 extending in the third direction DR3 at a first curvature. Therefore, the second surfaces of the fifth substrate portion 315 to the seventh substrate portion 317 may face the second surface of the first substrate portion 311. The first curvature may be smaller than the second curvature to be described below. That is, the fourth substrate portion 314 and the second portion 353 combined therewith may be bent at a curvature smaller than the curvature of the sixth substrate portion 316 and the fourth portion 357 combined therewith.

[0122] The support member 350 may have a first surface (also referred to as “one surface”) facing the flexible substrate 310 and a second surface (also referred to as “the other surface”) which is an opposite surface to the defined first surface.

[0123] When the secondary bending is performed, the second surfaces of the third portion 355 , the fourth portion 357 , and the fifth portion 359 may each face the second surface of the first portion 351 .

[0124] As described above, the thickness of the second portion 353 of the support member 350 is smaller than the thickness of the adjacent first portion 351 and third portion 355 , so that during secondary bending, the occurrence of bending stress can be reduced by the second portion 353 of the support member 350 .

[0125] Then, if Figure 7 As shown in , the display panel 300 is bent three times after the second bending. During the third bending, when the second bending portion BS2 is bent from the first flat portion FS1 extending in the third direction DR3 with a predetermined curvature, the sixth substrate portion 316 may be bent from the fifth substrate portion 315 extending in the third direction DR3 with a predetermined curvature. Therefore, the second surface of the fifth substrate portion 315 may face the second surface of the third substrate portion 313, and the second surface of the seventh substrate portion 317 may face the second surface of the first substrate portion 311.

[0126] When performing three bends, the second surface of the third portion 355 may face the second surface of the first portion 351. In some embodiments, the second surface of the third portion 355 may contact the second surface of the first portion 351. Figure 8 As shown in , although the second surface of the fourth portion 357 and the second surface of the first portion 351 may face each other, they may not contact each other. In addition, the second surface of the fifth portion 359 may face the second surface of the first portion 351. In some embodiments, the second surface of the fifth portion 359 may contact the second surface of the first portion 351.

[0127] In some embodiments, the second surface of the fourth portion 357 and the second surface of the first portion 351 are not in contact with each other, while the second surface of the adjacent third portion 355 and the second surface of the first portion 351 are in contact with each other, and the second surface of the fifth portion 359 and the second surface of the first portion 351 are in contact with each other. Therefore, the second surface of the fourth portion 357, the side surface of the adjacent third portion 355, the side surface of the fifth portion 359, and the second surface of the first portion 351 may form an empty space or gap.

[0128] Results, such as Figure 7 As shown in , the first bent portion BS1 is substantially flipped about 180 degrees with a first curvature, so that the second surface of the second portion 353 adjacent to the second side portion SS2 and the second surface of the second portion 353 adjacent to the first flat portion FS1 can face each other. In addition, the second bent portion BS2 can be bent at about 90 degrees with a second curvature.

[0129] The data driving integrated circuit 400 and the printed circuit board 500 may be disposed to overlap the first substrate portion 311 .

[0130] As described above, the thickness of the fourth portion 357 of the support member 350 is smaller than the thickness of the third portion 355 and the fifth portion 359 adjacent thereto, so that the occurrence of bending stress can be reduced by the fourth portion 357 of the support member 350 during the third bending.

[0131] According to the display device 1 according to an embodiment, the support member 350 coupled to the display panel 300 is not subjected to processing such as reducing the thickness except for the second portion 353 and the fourth portion 357 as the bending portion, so that even when performing secondary bending and tertiary bending, the area of ​​the empty space or gap formed inside the support member 350 can be significantly reduced. If the area of ​​the empty space or gap formed inside the support member 350 is large, foreign matter and / or moisture may enter through the empty space or gap. The support member 350 according to an embodiment may have a recessed portion selectively formed only in the portion where the secondary bending and tertiary bending are performed, so that the formation area of ​​the empty space or gap can be prevented from being increased unnecessarily, and thus the introduction of foreign matter and / or moisture penetration can be prevented.

[0132] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a display device according to an embodiment will be described. In the following embodiment, the same components as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted or simplified for convenience of description.

[0133] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing a display device according to an embodiment, and Figures 10 to 13 are cross-sectional views showing the sequence of a method for manufacturing a display device according to an embodiment.

[0134] refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , combined with Figures 5 to 7In operation S10, a flexible substrate 310 and a supporting member 350a are prepared, wherein the flexible substrate 310 has a first surface (also referred to as "one surface") and a second surface (also referred to as "the other surface") which is an opposite surface to the first surface, the supporting member 350a is provided to cover the entire surface of the second surface of the flexible substrate 310, and the flexible substrate 310 includes a first substrate portion 311 extending in a first direction DR1, a second substrate portion 312 connected to the first substrate portion 311, a third substrate portion 313 connected to the second substrate portion 312, a fourth substrate portion 314 connected to the third substrate portion 313, and a fourth substrate portion 315 connected to the fourth substrate portion 316. The supporting member 350a includes a fifth substrate portion 315 arranged on the first substrate portion 311 to the third substrate portion 313, a sixth substrate portion 316 connected to the fifth substrate portion 315, and a seventh substrate portion 317 connected to the sixth substrate portion 316, and the supporting member 350a includes a first portion 351 arranged on the second surface of the first substrate portion 311 to the third substrate portion 313, a second portion 353 arranged on the second surface of the fourth substrate portion 314, a third portion 355 arranged on the second surface of the fifth substrate portion 315, a fourth portion 357 arranged on the second surface of the sixth substrate portion 316, and a fifth portion 359 arranged on the second surface of the seventh substrate portion 317.

[0135] like Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 1 , in the operation of preparing the flexible substrate 310 and the support member 350 a , the first to seventh substrate portions 311 to 317 extend in the first direction DR1 without being bent.

[0136] Likewise, the first to fifth portions 351 to 359 extend in the first direction DR1 without being bent during the manufacturing operation. The support member 350a may have a first surface (also referred to as "one surface") facing the flexible substrate 310 and a second surface (also referred to as "the other surface") as an opposite surface to the first surface, and the second surfaces of the first to fifth portions 351 to 359 may be flat.

[0137] A carrier film SF may be further disposed on the second surface of the support member 350 a .

[0138] refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.11 , combined with Figure 4 In operation S20, the data driver integrated circuit 400 is disposed on the first surface of the pad region of the flexible substrate 310. As described above, the portion where the data driver integrated circuit 400 is disposed may be Figure 4 The second flat portion FS2.

[0139] The operation S20 of disposing the data driving integrated circuit 400 may be performed after disposing the first stage ST1 on the other side of the carrier film SF in the third direction DR3 .

[0140] According to the method for manufacturing a display device according to an embodiment, the operation of forming the concave portion in the support member 350a is performed after the operation of mounting the data driver integrated circuit 400, and thus the thickness of the support member 350a is uniform in the multi-bending portion PES of the display device 1. Therefore, when the data driver integrated circuit 400 is mounted, a step difference hardly occurs between a portion corresponding to the bending portion of the support member 350a and an adjacent portion, and thus the convenience of mounting the data driver integrated circuit 400 can be increased.

[0141] When the above operations are completed, the first stage ST1 is removed, and the carrier film SF is peeled off from the supporting member 350a.

[0142] Then, refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.12 , combined with Figure 5 In operation S30, the second substrate portion 312 of the flexible substrate 310 is initially bent.

[0143] In one embodiment, the operation of bending the second substrate portion 312 may include bending the second substrate portion 312 along a curved surface of the curved window member 100 by disposing the curved window member 100 on the first surface of the flexible substrate 310 .

[0144] When the second substrate portion 312 is initially bent, the second substrate portion 312 is bent from the first substrate portion 311 extending in the first direction DR1 toward the other side in the third direction DR3 so that a portion of the second substrate portion 312 spaced apart from the first substrate portion 311 and interposed therebetween can extend in the third direction DR3. Figure 5 The illustrated support members 350 have substantially the same shape, and thus redundant description thereof will be omitted.

[0145] Then, refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.13 , combined with Figure 5 In operation S40, the thickness of the second portion 353 and the fourth portion 357 is made smaller than the thickness of the portions 351, 355 and 359 adjacent thereto.

[0146] That is, operation S40 is an operation of forming a concave portion in each of the second portion 353 and the fourth portion 357 .

[0147] Operation S40 of making the thickness of the second portion 353 and the fourth portion 357 smaller than the thickness of the portions 351, 355 and 359 adjacent thereto may be performed by using a heating block 600. The heating block 600 may include a first tip portion TP1. The heating block 600 moves in the first direction DR1 and applies heat when it contacts the support member 350a, and applies pressure to the support member 350a. The support member 350a may have a recessed portion corresponding to the first tip portion TP1 of the heating block 600. When pressure is applied to the support member 350a by the heating block 600, the display device including the support member 350a may be pushed away in the direction of applying pressure. In order to prevent such an event, a second stage ST2 may be provided on the outer side of the display device (i.e., on the upper surface of the window member 100 and on one display surface of the display panel 300). The second stage ST2 partially in contact with the outer contour of the display device may fix the display device to which pressure is applied by the heating block 600 to prevent the display device from being pushed away. Since physical damage occurs when corresponding areas where the data driver integrated circuit 400 and the printed circuit board 500 are disposed are in direct contact with the second stage ST2, the second stage ST2 may further include a groove GR recessed toward the other side in the first direction DR1 to avoid interference with the data driver integrated circuit 400 and the printed circuit board 500.

[0148] The operation of forming the recessed portion in each of the second portion 353 and the fourth portion 357 may be performed by forming the recessed portion in the fourth portion 357 after forming the recessed portion in the second portion 353 , but the present disclosure is not limited to this order.

[0149] After the above operations, the Figure 5 The display device described in the above reference Figure 5 The shape of the supporting member 350 a is described, and thus a redundant description will be omitted hereinafter.

[0150] Then, the display device is bent for a second time.

[0151] In operation S50, the fourth substrate portion 314 is bent so that the second surface of the third substrate portion 313 and the second surface of the fifth substrate portion 315 face each other. Figure 6 The secondary bending of the display device is described, and thus a redundant description thereof will be omitted.

[0152] Then, the display device is bent three times.

[0153] In operation S60, the sixth substrate portion 316 is bent such that the seventh substrate portion 317 is bent from the fifth substrate portion 315 toward the first direction DR1, and at the same time, the second surface of the seventh substrate portion 317 and the second surface of the first substrate portion 311 face each other. Figure 7 Three bends of the display device are described, and thus redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0154] The method for manufacturing a display device according to an embodiment may further include an operation of disposing a lower covering member (such as a heat sink, etc.) on the second surface of the first portion 351 of the support member 350a between the operation S30 of performing the primary bending of the second substrate portion 312 of the flexible substrate 310 and the operation S40 of making the thickness of the fourth portion 357 smaller than the thickness of the adjacent portions 351, 355, and 359. In the above operation, the support member 350a has no concave portion and has an equal surface height, and thus there is no space for the support member 350a to float, so that the lower covering member can be easily attached.

[0155] Fig.14 are cross-sectional views illustrating processes of a method for manufacturing a display device according to another embodiment.

[0156] refer to Fig.14 According to the method for manufacturing a display device of this embodiment and according to Fig. 9 The method for manufacturing the display device of the embodiment of FIG. 600_1 is different in that a recessed portion is simultaneously formed in the second portion 353 and the fourth portion 357. That is, the heating block 600_1 includes a first tip portion TP1 and a second tip portion TP2.

[0157] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a display device according to an embodiment will be described. In the following embodiment, the same components as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted or simplified for convenience of description.

[0158] Fig.15 is based on Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0159] refer to Fig.15 According to the display device of this embodiment Figure 8 The display device of FIG. 1 is different in that the second thickness t2_1 of the second portion 353_1 is smaller than the third thickness t3_1 of the fourth portion 357_1.

[0160] As reference Figure 7 and Figure 8As described, the second portion 353_1 is bent with a curvature smaller than that of the fourth portion 357_1, and thus when the thickness of the second portion 353_1 is made smaller than that of the fourth portion 357_1, the overall bending stress of the display device can be reduced.

[0161] Fig.16 is based on Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0162] refer to Fig.16 According to the display device of this embodiment Figure 8 The embodiment of FIG. 1 is different in that the first width W1_1 of the second portion 353_2 is greater than the second width W2_1 of the fourth portion 357_2.

[0163] References Figure 8 Other components are described, and thus redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0164] Fig.17 is based on Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0165] refer to Fig.17 According to the display device of this embodiment Figure 8 The difference between the embodiments is that the second part 353_3 includes a second-first part 353a having a second thickness t2, a second-second part 353b positioned between the second-first part 353a and the first part 351, and a second-third part 353c positioned between the second-first part 353a and the third part 355, and the fourth part 357_3 includes a fourth-first part 357a having a third thickness t3, a fourth-second part 357b positioned between the fourth-first part 357a and the third part 355, and a fourth-third part 357c positioned between the fourth-first part 357a and the fifth part 359.

[0166] More specifically, the second-first portion 353a may have a second thickness t2, and the second-second portion 353b and the second-third portion 353c may each have a fourth thickness t4. The fourth thickness t4 may have a value between the second thickness t2 and the first thickness t1. As the distance from the second-first portion 353a increases, the fourth thickness t4 may gradually increase.

[0167] In addition, the fourth-first portion 357a may have a third thickness t3, and the fourth-second portion 357b and the fourth-third portion 357c may each have a fifth thickness t5. The fifth thickness t5 may have a value between the third thickness t3 and the first thickness t1. As the distance from the fourth-first portion 357a increases, the fifth thickness t5 may gradually increase.

[0168] Fig.18 is based on Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0169] refer to Fig.18 According to the display device of this embodiment Figure 8 The embodiment of FIG. 5 is different in that the second portion 353_4 and the fourth portion 357_4 have curved surfaces.

[0170] References Figure 8 Other components are described, and thus redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0171] Fig.19 is based on Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0172] refer to Fig.19 According to the display device of this embodiment Figure 8 The implementation method of Figure 8 The second part 353 and the fourth part 357.

[0173] That is, the support member according to the present embodiment may not be provided on the second surface of the fourth substrate portion 314 and the second surface of the sixth substrate portion 316 .

[0174] Fig. 20 is based on Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0175] refer to Fig. 20 According to the display device of this embodiment Figure 8 The implementation method of Figure 8 The burr 361.

[0176] More specifically, in the present embodiment, the recessed portion of the support member may be formed using a cutting device such as a knife so that the burr 361 is not formed, or the formed burr 361 may be removed by a cleaning liquid, a laser, or the like.

[0177] Fig.21 is a plan layout diagram showing a corresponding relationship between a flexible substrate and a supporting member according to another embodiment. Fig. 22 yes Fig.21 sectional view of .

[0178] refer to Fig.21 According to the display device of this embodiment Figure 3 The embodiment of FIG. 1 is different in that the data driving integrated circuit 400 is disposed on the first flat portion FS1.

[0179] That is, the data driving integrated circuit 400 may be disposed on the first planar portion FS1 in an overlapping manner.

[0180] According to the present embodiment, the bending protection layer 380 may be provided only on the fourth substrate portion 314 and the fifth substrate portion 315, and may not be provided on the sixth substrate portion 316 and the seventh substrate portion 317. Therefore, the material cost required for forming the bending protection layer 380 can be reduced. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and thus Figure 7 As in the embodiment of the present invention, the bending protection layer 380 may also be disposed on the sixth substrate portion 316 and the seventh substrate portion 317. In this case, the bending protection layer 380 may cover the surface of the data driving integrated circuit 400.

[0181] Fig.23 is based on Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0182] refer to Fig.23 According to the display device of this embodiment Figure 8 The embodiment differs in that the second surface or surface of the second portion 353_5 and the fourth portion 357_5 comprises an uneven surface.

[0183] The convex portions of the second portion 353_5 and the fourth portion 357_5 may have a first thickness t1, and the concave portions of the second portion 353_5 and the fourth portion 357_5 may have a thickness less than the first thickness t1. Fig.24 is based on Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0184] refer to Fig.24 According to the display device of this embodiment Figure 8 The embodiment is different in that side surfaces of the first portion 351, the third portion 355, and the fifth portion 359 adjacent to the second portion 353 and the fourth portion 357 and the surfaces or second surfaces of the second portion 353 and the fourth portion 357 include uneven surfaces.

[0185] Fig.25 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment.

[0186] refer to Fig.25 According to the display device of this embodiment Figure 7 The difference between the display device and the like is that the multi-bending portion further includes two bending portions.

[0187] More specifically, the flexible substrate according to the present embodiment may further include an eighth substrate portion 318 connected to the seventh substrate portion 317, a ninth substrate portion 319 connected to the eighth substrate portion 318, a tenth substrate portion 320 connected to the ninth substrate portion 319, and an eleventh substrate portion 321 connected to the tenth substrate portion 320. The supporting member according to the present embodiment may further include a sixth portion 363 connected to the fifth portion 359, a seventh portion 365 connected to the sixth portion 363, an eighth portion 367 connected to the seventh portion 365, and a ninth portion 369 connected to the eighth portion 367.

[0188] The thickness of the sixth portion 363 and the eighth portion 367 may be smaller than the thickness of adjacent portions.

[0189] The sixth substrate portion 316 may be bent in the form of vertically flipping the fourth substrate portion 314, the eighth substrate portion 318 may be bent in the same manner as the fourth substrate portion 314, and the tenth substrate portion 320 may be bent in the same manner as the fourth substrate portion 314. Figure 7 The sixth substrate portion 316 is bent in the same manner.

[0190] Fig.26 is a plan view of a display device according to another embodiment, and Fig. 27 Shown along Fig.26 A cross-sectional view taken along line X2-X2' and line X3-X3'.

[0191] The display device 1_1 according to the present embodiment is different from the display device 1 according to the above embodiment in that it is configured as a tiled display device.

[0192] That is, the above reference Figure 1 The display panel 300 is described as being provided in plural and arranged in a matrix direction, and one window member 100_1 may be provided on the display panel 300 .

[0193] The other components are described above, and thus redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0194] Although the subject matter of the present disclosure has been specifically shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims and their equivalents. The exemplary embodiments should be understood in a descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: a flexible substrate having one surface and another surface, the other surface being an opposite surface to the defined one surface, and the flexible substrate including a first substrate portion extending along a first direction, a second substrate portion connected to the first substrate portion, a third substrate portion connected to the second substrate portion, a fourth substrate portion connected to the third substrate portion, a fifth substrate portion connected to the fourth substrate portion, a sixth substrate portion connected to the fifth substrate portion, and a seventh substrate portion connected to the sixth substrate portion; as well as a supporting member disposed on the other surface of the flexible substrate, in: The second substrate portion is bent so that the third substrate portion is bent from the first substrate portion toward the thickness direction, the fourth substrate portion is bent so that the other surface of the third substrate portion and the other surface of the fifth substrate portion face each other, the sixth substrate portion is bent such that the seventh substrate portion is bent from the fifth substrate portion toward the first direction and at the same time the other surface of the seventh substrate portion and the other surface of the first substrate portion face each other, and a thickness of at least a portion of a portion of the support member disposed to overlap the fourth substrate portion being smaller than a thickness of a portion of the support member disposed on the third substrate portion and a thickness of a portion of the support member disposed on the fifth substrate portion, and Wherein, the supporting member comprises: a first portion disposed on the other surface of the first substrate portion, the other surface of the second substrate portion, and the other surface of the third substrate portion; a second portion disposed on the other surface of the fourth substrate portion; a third portion disposed on the other surface of the fifth substrate portion; a fourth portion disposed on the other surface of the sixth substrate portion; and a fifth portion disposed on the other surface of the seventh substrate portion, and The thickness of the second portion is smaller than the thickness of the first portion and the third portion.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The supporting member has one surface facing the flexible substrate and another surface which is an opposite surface to the defined one surface, the second portion is bent so that the other surface of the third portion and the other surface of the first portion face each other, and the fourth portion is bent so that the other surface of the fifth portion and the other surface of the first portion face each other.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The other surface of the first portion and the other surface of the fifth portion are in contact with each other, and the other surface of the first portion and the other surface of the third portion are in contact with each other.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: The other surface of the first portion does not contact the other surface of the fourth portion.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein: The other surface of a portion of the second portion adjacent to the third substrate portion and the other surface of a portion of the second portion adjacent to the fifth substrate portion face each other.

6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein: The thickness of the fourth portion is smaller than the thickness of the third portion and the thickness of the fifth portion.

7. The display device according to claim 6, wherein: The support member is not disposed on the fourth substrate portion, and the support member is not disposed on the sixth substrate portion.

8. The display device according to claim 6, wherein: The second portion includes an uneven surface, a surface height of a convex portion of the second portion is equal to a surface height of the first portion, and a surface height of a concave portion of the second portion is smaller than the surface height of the first portion.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The support member has one surface facing the flexible substrate and another surface being an opposite surface to the defined one surface, the first portion includes a burr-shaped portion disposed adjacent to the second portion, and the burr-shaped portion protrudes from the other surface of the first portion.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein: The third portion includes a burr-shaped portion disposed adjacent to the second portion and the fourth portion.

11. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising a data driver integrated circuit disposed on the one surface of the seventh substrate portion, in, The data driving integrated circuit is disposed to partially overlap with the first substrate in the thickness direction. 12 . The display device according to claim 11 , further comprising a circuit board provided on one end of the one surface of the seventh substrate portion.

13. The display device according to claim 12, further comprising an optical member provided on the one surface of the flexible substrate, in, The optical member is disposed on the first substrate portion, the second substrate portion, and the third substrate portion of the flexible substrate. The display device according to claim 13 , further comprising a window member disposed on the optical member.

15. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising a data driver integrated circuit disposed on the one surface of the fifth substrate portion, in, The data driving integrated circuit is disposed to partially overlap the third substrate in a lateral direction.

16. A method for manufacturing a display device, comprising: preparing a flexible substrate and a supporting member, the flexible substrate having one surface and another surface, the other surface being an opposite surface of the defined one surface, the supporting member being provided over the entire surface of the other surface of the flexible substrate, the flexible substrate comprising a first substrate portion extending along a first direction, a second substrate portion connected to the first substrate portion, a third substrate portion connected to the second substrate portion, a fourth substrate portion connected to the third substrate portion, a fifth substrate portion connected to the fourth substrate portion, a sixth substrate portion connected to the fifth substrate portion, and a seventh substrate portion connected to the sixth substrate portion, and the supporting member comprising a first portion provided on the other surface of the first substrate portion, the other surface of the second substrate portion, and the other surface of the third substrate portion, a second portion provided on the other surface of the fourth substrate portion, a third portion provided on the other surface of the fifth substrate portion, a fourth portion provided on the other surface of the sixth substrate portion, and a fifth portion provided on the other surface of the seventh substrate portion; mounting a data driving integrated circuit on the one surface of the flexible substrate; The second substrate portion is bent by providing a curved window on the one surface of the flexible substrate, so that the third substrate portion of the flexible substrate is bent from the first substrate portion toward a thickness direction; as well as The thickness of the second portion is made smaller than the thickness of a portion of the support member adjacent to the second portion.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: Before or after the thickness of the second portion is made smaller than the thickness of the adjacent portion, the thickness of the fourth portion is made smaller than the thickness of a portion of the support member adjacent to the fourth portion.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: Making the thickness of the second portion and the fourth portion smaller than the thickness of the adjacent portion includes bringing a tip of a heating block into contact with each of the second portion and the fourth portion.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein: When the data driving integrated circuit is mounted on the one surface of the flexible substrate, the data driving integrated circuit is disposed on the fifth substrate portion of the flexible substrate.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein: Bending the second substrate portion includes: bending the second substrate portion along a curved surface of the curved window by providing the curved window on the one surface of the flexible substrate.

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