Display device and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

This invention discloses a display device and its manufacturing method. The display device includes a display panel and a waterproof structure. The display panel includes a driving substrate and a display module. The driving substrate includes an integrated circuit. The display module is disposed on the driving substrate, and the integrated circuit is located on a first side of the display module. The waterproof structure surrounds the display module. The waterproof structure includes a first waterproof material and a second waterproof material, wherein the first waterproof material is disposed at least on the first side of the display module. By disposing the solid first waterproof material between the integrated circuit and the display module, it is unnecessary to remove the waterproof adhesive on the side where the integrated circuit is disposed. By first disposing the first waterproof material and then filling it with the second waterproof material, the upper surface of the display module facing away from the driving substrate can be flush with the upper surface of the waterproof structure facing away from the driving substrate. In this way, the size of the subsequently stacked structure is not limited by the waterproof structure, thus facilitating the manufacture of a thinner display device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a display device and a method for manufacturing the same, particularly a thinner display device. Background Technology

[0002] In applications of thin-film display devices, the waterproof adhesive may protrude from the display's waterproof membrane due to capillary action. This protruding adhesive will limit the size of structures subsequently stacked on top of the display. Alternatively, to avoid the adhesive protruding from the waterproof membrane limiting the size of structures stacked on top of the display, the structures on top of the display need to be elevated. Such a design is detrimental to manufacturing thin-film display devices.

[0003] Therefore, how to provide a thin display device that avoids the waterproof structure protruding from the water-blocking membrane remains one of the goals that the industry urgently needs to study. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a display device and its manufacturing method, which eliminates the need to remove the waterproof adhesive on the side where the integrated circuit is located by placing a solid waterproof tape (i.e., a first waterproof material) between the integrated circuit and the display module. Therefore, by first placing the first waterproof material and then filling it with a second waterproof material, the upper surface of the display module facing away from the driving substrate can be flush with the upper surface of the waterproof structure facing away from the driving substrate. This allows the size of the subsequently stacked structure to be unrestricted by the waterproof structure, thus facilitating the manufacture of thinner display devices.

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention is a display device.

[0006] In one embodiment, the display device includes a display panel and a waterproof structure. The display panel includes a driving substrate and a display module. The driving substrate includes an integrated circuit. The display module is disposed on the driving substrate, and the integrated circuit is located on a first side of the display module. The waterproof structure surrounds the display module, wherein the waterproof structure includes a first waterproof material and a second waterproof material, wherein the first waterproof material is at least disposed on the first side of the display module, and the first waterproof material is disposed between the integrated circuit and the display module.

[0007] In one embodiment, the first waterproof material is solid, and the second waterproof material is colloid.

[0008] In one embodiment, the upper surface of the display module facing away from the driving substrate is flush with the upper surface of the waterproof structure facing away from the driving substrate, and the thickness of the first waterproof material is approximately equal to the thickness of the display module.

[0009] In one embodiment, the display panel further includes a water-blocking membrane disposed on the display module, wherein the lower surface of the water-blocking membrane facing the display module is flush with the upper surface of the waterproof structure, and the sidewalls of the water-blocking membrane are substantially flush with the sidewalls of the second waterproof material.

[0010] In one embodiment, the water-blocking film is a touch film, the water-blocking film includes a printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board and the first waterproof material are located on the same side of the display module.

[0011] In one embodiment, the display device further includes a touch module disposed on the display panel and the waterproof structure, and the touch module includes a printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board of the touch module and the first waterproof material are located on the same side of the display module.

[0012] In one embodiment, the display device further includes a cover structure disposed on the display panel and the waterproof structure, and the cover structure covers the integrated circuit.

[0013] Another technical embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a display device.

[0014] In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a display device includes: disposing a display module on a driving substrate, the driving substrate including an integrated circuit, and the integrated circuit being located on a first side of the display module; disposing a first waterproof material, the first waterproof material being located at least on the first side of the display module; disposing a second waterproof material such that the first waterproof material and the second waterproof material together surround the display module; and removing a peripheral portion of the second waterproof material away from the display module, such that the upper surface of the display module facing away from the driving substrate is flush with the upper surface of the waterproof structure facing away from the driving substrate.

[0015] In one embodiment, the method of manufacturing the display device further includes providing a water-blocking film on the display module, the first waterproof material, and the second waterproof material before removing the second waterproof material from the peripheral portion away from the display module.

[0016] In one embodiment, removing the peripheral portion of the second waterproof material away from the display module further includes removing the portion of the water-blocking membrane that overlaps with the peripheral portion of the second waterproof material, such that the sidewall of the water-blocking membrane is substantially flush with the sidewall of the second waterproof material.

[0017] In one embodiment, the water-blocking film includes a printed circuit board, and setting the water-blocking film further includes positioning the printed circuit board and the first waterproof material on the same side of the display module.

[0018] In one embodiment, the method of manufacturing the display device further includes, after removing the peripheral portion of the second waterproof material away from the display module, setting a touch module on the display module and the waterproof structure.

[0019] In one embodiment, the method of manufacturing the display device further includes, after removing the peripheral portion of the second waterproof material away from the display module, setting a cover structure on the display panel and the waterproof structure.

[0020] In the above embodiments, by placing a solid waterproof tape (i.e., the first waterproof material) between the integrated circuit and the display module, it is unnecessary to remove the waterproof adhesive on the side where the integrated circuit is located. Therefore, by first placing the first waterproof material and then filling it with the second waterproof material, the upper surface of the display module facing away from the driving substrate can be flush with the upper surface of the waterproof structure facing away from the driving substrate. In this way, the size of the subsequently stacked structure is not limited by the waterproof structure, thus facilitating the manufacture of thinner display devices. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a top view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 For along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of line segment 2-2.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a top view of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a top view of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a top view of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figures 8 to 9 for Figure 1 and Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of an intermediate step in the manufacturing method of a display device.

[0029] Explanation of key figure labels:

[0030] 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e - Display device; 110 - Reflective display panel; 112 - Driver substrate; 1122 - Integrated circuit; 114 - Display module; 114S - Top surface; 1142 - First side; 1144 - Second side; 1146 - Third side; 1148 - Fourth side; 116, 116a - Water-resistant film; 116S - Top surface; 1162 - Sidewall; 1164 - Printed circuit board; 12 0 - Waterproof structure; 122, 122a, 122b, 122c - First waterproof material; 124, 124M, 124a, 124b, 124c - Second waterproof material; 1242 - Sidewall; 1242M - Peripheral part; 120S, 122S, 124S - Upper surface; 130 - Cover structure; 132 - Protective cover; 134 - Printed coating; 140 - Adhesive layer; 150 - Touch module; 152 - Printed circuit board; C - Cut-out. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Several embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed below with reference to the accompanying drawings. For clarity, many practical details will be described in the following description. However, it should be understood that these practical details are not intended to limit the invention. That is, in some embodiments of the invention, these practical details are not essential. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, some conventional structures and elements will be illustrated in the drawings in a simple schematic manner. And for clarity, the thickness of layers and regions in the drawings may be exaggerated, and the same element symbols denote the same elements in the description of the drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a top view of a display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 For along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of line segment 2-2. See also... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The display device 100 includes a reflective display panel 110, a waterproof structure 120, a cover structure 130, and an adhesive layer 140. The reflective display panel 110 includes a driving substrate 112, a display module 114, and a water-blocking film 116. The driving substrate 112 includes an integrated circuit 1122. The display module 114 is disposed on the driving substrate 112, and the integrated circuit 1122 is located on a first side 1142 of the display module 114. To clearly illustrate the waterproof structure 120, [details omitted]. Figure 1 The water-blocking membrane 116 and the cover plate structure 130 are omitted. The above-mentioned display panel 110 can also be a non-reflective display panel or other types of display panels. The present invention is not limited to reflective display panels.

[0033] A waterproof structure 120 surrounds the display module 114. The waterproof structure 120 includes a first waterproof material 122 and a second waterproof material 124. The first waterproof material 122 is a solid, such as waterproof tape. The second waterproof material 124 is a gel, such as waterproof adhesive. In this embodiment, the first waterproof material 122 is disposed on the first side 1142 of the display module 114. In other words, the first waterproof material 122 is disposed between the integrated circuit 1122 and the display module 114. The second waterproof material 124 is located on the second side 1144, the third side 1146, and the fourth side 1148 of the display module 114.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, the upper surface 114S of the display module 114 facing away from the driving substrate 112 is flush with the upper surface 120S of the waterproof structure 120 facing away from the driving substrate 112. In other words, the upper surfaces 122S and 124S of the first waterproof material 122 and the second waterproof material 124 are flush with the upper surface 114S of the display module 114. Specifically, since the first waterproof material 122 is solid, its thickness can be approximately equal to the thickness of the display module 114. Furthermore, the upper surface 120S of the entire waterproof structure 120 surrounding the display module 114 can be planar by first setting the first waterproof material 122 and then filling it with the second waterproof material 124. The detailed manufacturing method of the above features will be described in detail in subsequent paragraphs.

[0035] The display device of the present invention is a thin, flexible display device, therefore, the waterproof adhesive may extend above the water-blocking film 116 due to capillary action. In other words, the waterproof adhesive will protrude from the upper surface 116S of the water-blocking film 116 facing away from the display module 114. To meet the requirements of thinning, the waterproof adhesive protruding from the upper surface 116S must be removed in a subsequent process, such as using a laser cutting process. However, the integrated circuit 1122 is connected to the first side 1142 of the display module 114, and if the waterproof adhesive is placed on the first side 1142, the cutting process cannot be performed on the first side 1142. As a result, the waterproof adhesive protruding from the upper surface 116S will limit the size of the structure subsequently stacked on top of the reflective display panel 110. For example, when the waterproof adhesive extends to the upper surface 116S of the water-blocking film 116, the top view profile of the cover structure 130 must be smaller than the top view profile of the water-blocking film 116, otherwise it will overlap with the waterproof adhesive protruding from the water-blocking film 116 and fail to adhere. Alternatively, to avoid the waterproof adhesive protruding above the water-resistant membrane 116 limiting the size of the cover structure 130, the cover structure 130 needs to be raised, which would be detrimental to the manufacture of a thin display device.

[0036] Since the display device of the present invention places a solid waterproof tape (i.e., the first waterproof material 122) between the integrated circuit 1122 and the display module 114, the first waterproof material 122 does not extend above the water-blocking membrane 116. Therefore, the previously described step of removing the waterproof adhesive is unnecessary. Furthermore, since the second waterproof material 124 is fluid, it can fill the space between the first waterproof material 122 and the second waterproof material 124, forming a complete waterproof structure 120 surrounding the display module 114. After removing the waterproof adhesive (i.e., the second waterproof material 124) extending above the water-blocking membrane 116, the lower surface of the water-blocking membrane 116 facing the display module 114 (i.e., the upper surface 114S of the display module 114) is flush with the upper surface 120S of the waterproof structure 120, and the sidewall 1162 of the water-blocking membrane 116 is substantially flush with the sidewall 1242 of the second waterproof material 124.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, since the waterproof structure 120 does not extend to the upper surface 116S of the water-blocking membrane 116, the cover structure 130 can extend to cover the entire reflective display panel 110 and the waterproof structure 120, thereby achieving a fully planar design of the display device 100. The cover structure 130 includes a protective cover 132 and a printed coating 134. The cover structure 130 can be directly attached to the water-blocking membrane 116 via the adhesive layer 140, which is beneficial for manufacturing a thinner display device. In addition, the cover structure 130 can cover the integrated circuit 1122 and shield the waterproof structure 120 and the integrated circuit 1122 through the printed coating 134.

[0038] Figure 3 This is a top view of a display device 100a according to another embodiment of the present invention. The display device 100a is substantially the same as the display device 100, except that the integrated circuit 1122 of the display device 100a is located on the first side 1142 and the second side 1144 of the display module 114. Therefore, the first waterproof material 122a of the display device 100a is disposed on the first side 1142 and the second side 1144 of the display module 114. In other embodiments, the third side 1146 or the fourth side 1148 may also have the first waterproof material 122a. In other words, it is sufficient that the first waterproof material 122a is at least disposed between the display module 114 and the integrated circuit 1122. The display device 100a has the same technical effects as the display device 100, and will not be described again here.

[0039] Figure 4This is a top view of a display device 100b according to another embodiment of the present invention. The display device 100b is substantially the same as the display device 100, except that a first waterproof material 122b is disposed on the first side 1142, the second side 1144, and the fourth side 1148 of the display module 114. In other words, the first waterproof material 122b is at least disposed on the side of the display module 114 facing the integrated circuit 1122. The display device 100b has the same technical effects as the display device 100, which will not be described again here.

[0040] Figure 5 This is a top view of a display device 100c according to another embodiment of the present invention. The display device 100c is substantially the same as the display device 100, except that the integrated circuit 1122 of the display device 100c is located on the first side 1142 and the third side 1146 of the display module 114. A first waterproof material 122c of the display device 100c is disposed on the first side 1142, the third side 1146, and the fourth side 1148 of the display module 114. In other words, the first waterproof material 122c is at least disposed on the side of the display module 114 facing the integrated circuit 1122. The display device 100c has the same technical effects as the display device 100, which will not be described again here.

[0041] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device 100d according to another embodiment of the present invention. The display device 100d is substantially the same as the display device 100, except that the display device 100d further includes a touch module 150 disposed on a water-resistant film 116. In this embodiment, the printed circuit board 152 of the touch module 150 is disposed on the side of the first side 1142 corresponding to the display module 114. In other words, the printed circuit board 152 of the touch module 150 and the first waterproof material 122 are disposed on the same side. In other embodiments, for example... Figure 4 The display device 100b shown can have the printed circuit board 152 of the touch module 150 disposed on the second side 1144 having the first waterproof material 122. This eliminates the need to perform the previously described step of removing the waterproof adhesive on the side where the printed circuit board 152 is disposed. Furthermore, this design allows the touch module 150 to be approximately the same size as the water-resistant film 116, and the touch module 150 can be directly attached to the water-resistant film 116 via the adhesive layer 140, which facilitates the manufacture of a thinner display device 100d.

[0042] Figure 7This is a cross-sectional view of a display device 100e according to another embodiment of the present invention. The display device 100e is substantially the same as the display device 100, except that the water-resistant film 116a of the display device 100e is a touch film. In other words, the water-resistant film 116a includes touch electrodes (not shown) and a printed circuit board 1164. As mentioned above, the printed circuit board 1164 of the water-resistant film 116a is disposed on the same side as the first waterproof material 122. This eliminates the need to perform the previously described step of removing the waterproof adhesive on the side where the printed circuit board 1164 is disposed. Furthermore, this design further reduces the thickness of the display device 100e.

[0043] Figures 8 to 9 for Figure 1 and Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of an intermediate step in the manufacturing method of the display device 100. (See attached image.) Figure 8 As shown, in the manufacturing method of the display device 100, a display module 114 is first disposed on a driving substrate 112, and an integrated circuit 1122 of the driving substrate 112 is located on a first side 1142 of the display module 114. Next, a first waterproof material 122 of a waterproof structure 120 is disposed, and the first waterproof material 122 is at least located on the first side 1142 of the display module 114. Since the first waterproof material 122 is solid, its thickness can be approximately equal to the thickness of the display module 114.

[0044] Next, after setting the first waterproof material 122, a second waterproof material 124M is set for the waterproof structure 120. Since the second waterproof material 124M is a fluid, it can fill the space between the first waterproof material 122 and the second waterproof material 124M, so that the first waterproof material 122 and the second waterproof material 124M form a complete waterproof structure 120 surrounding the display module 114 (see...). Figure 1 Subsequently, a water-blocking membrane 116 is provided on the display module 114, the first waterproof material 122, and the second waterproof material 124M.

[0045] like Figure 8 As shown, the second waterproof material 124M extends onto the water-blocking membrane 116. Therefore, the outer portion 1242M of the second waterproof material 124M away from the display module 114 needs to be removed so that the upper surface 114S of the display module 114 facing away from the driving substrate 112 is flush with the upper surface 120S of the waterproof structure 120 facing away from the driving substrate 112.

[0046] The step of removing the outer portion 1242M of the second waterproof material 124M away from the display module 114 can be performed by laser cutting. For example, from Figure 8The middle cut C vertically cuts off the outer portion 1242M of the second waterproof material 124 away from the display module 114, as well as the portion of the water-blocking membrane 116 that overlaps with the outer portion 1242M.

[0047] See also Figure 8 and Figure 9 After removing the peripheral portion 1242M of the second waterproof material 124M away from the display module 114, the upper surface 114S of the display module 114 facing away from the driving substrate 112 is flush with the upper surface 120S of the waterproof structure 120 facing away from the driving substrate 112. Furthermore, the sidewall 1162 of the water-blocking membrane 116 is approximately flush with the sidewall 1242 of the second waterproof material 124. In this embodiment, only the removal of the second waterproof material 124M located on the second side 1144 is used as an example; however, this step can be applied to other sides where the second waterproof material 124M is provided, for example... Figure 1 The third side 1146 and the fourth side 1148 are shown.

[0048] Next, layers such as those on the water-resistant membrane 116 can be stacked. Figure 7 The touch module 150 and cover structure 130 are shown. In this way, the size of the touch module 150 is approximately the same as that of the conductive film, and the cover structure 130 can extend to cover the entire reflective display panel 110 and the waterproof structure 120, which is beneficial for manufacturing a thin display device.

[0049] In summary, the display device of the present invention, by placing a solid waterproof tape (i.e., a first waterproof material) between the integrated circuit and the display module, eliminates the need to remove the waterproof adhesive on the side where the integrated circuit is located. Therefore, by first applying the first waterproof material and then filling in the second waterproof material, the upper surface of the display module facing away from the driving substrate can be flush with the upper surface of the waterproof structure facing away from the driving substrate. In this way, the size of the subsequently stacked structure is not limited by the waterproof structure, thus facilitating the manufacture of a thinner display device.

[0050] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A display device, characterized in that, Include: Display panel, including: A driving substrate, comprising integrated circuits; and A display module is disposed on the driving substrate, and the integrated circuit is located on the first side of the display module; as well as A waterproof structure surrounds the display module, wherein the waterproof structure includes a first waterproof material and a second waterproof material, wherein the first waterproof material is disposed at least on the first side of the display module, the first waterproof material is disposed between the integrated circuit and the display module, and the first waterproof material is solid, while the second waterproof material is colloidal.

2. The display device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The upper surface of the display module facing away from the driving substrate is flush with the upper surface of the waterproof structure facing away from the driving substrate, and the thickness of the first waterproof material is equal to the thickness of the display module.

3. The display device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The display panel also includes a water-blocking membrane disposed on the display module, and the lower surface of the water-blocking membrane facing the display module is flush with the upper surface of the waterproof structure, and the sidewall of the water-blocking membrane is flush with the sidewall of the second waterproof material.

4. The display device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, The water-blocking film is a touch-sensitive film, and the water-blocking film includes a printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board of the water-blocking film is located on the same side of the display module as the first waterproof material.

5. The display device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a touch module disposed on the display panel and the waterproof structure, and the touch module includes a printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board of the touch module and the first waterproof material are located on the same side of the display module.

6. The display device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a cover plate structure disposed on the display panel and the waterproof structure, and the cover plate structure covers the integrated circuit.

7. A method for manufacturing a display device, characterized in that, Include: A display module is disposed on a driving substrate, the driving substrate including an integrated circuit, and the integrated circuit is located on a first side of the display module; A waterproof structure is provided, including: A first waterproof material is configured as a solid, and the first waterproof material is located at least on the first side of the display module; and A second waterproof material is configured as a gel, such that the first waterproof material and the second waterproof material together surround the display module; as well as Remove the outer portion of the second waterproof material away from the display module, so that the upper surface of the display module facing away from the driving substrate is flush with the upper surface of the waterproof structure facing away from the driving substrate.

8. The method for manufacturing a display device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, Also includes: Before removing the peripheral portion of the second waterproof material away from the display module, a water-blocking membrane is provided on the display module, the first waterproof material, and the second waterproof material.

9. The method for manufacturing a display device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, Removing the peripheral portion of the second waterproof material away from the display module further includes: Remove a portion of the water-blocking membrane that overlaps with the outer portion of the second waterproof material, so that the sidewall of the water-blocking membrane is flush with the sidewall of the second waterproof material.

10. The method for manufacturing a display device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, The water-blocking film includes a printed circuit board, and the water-blocking film is configured such that the printed circuit board and the first waterproof material are located on the same side of the display module.

11. The method for manufacturing a display device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, Also includes: After removing the peripheral portion of the second waterproof material away from the display module, a touch module is disposed on the display module and the waterproof structure.

12. The method for manufacturing a display device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, Also includes: After removing the peripheral portion of the second waterproof material away from the display module, a cover plate structure is provided on the display panel and the waterproof structure.

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