Display device

Abstract

A display apparatus includes a display panel for displaying an image, a touch sensor disposed above the display panel, at least one opening formed in the touch sensor, and a shielding member formed in the touch sensor to cover the opening.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0188231, filed on December 27, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to a display device capable of preventing the polarizing plate from fading. Background Technology

[0004] With the development of information technology, various types of small and thin display devices have been researched, such as liquid crystal displays, organic light-emitting diode displays, plasma displays, and micro-LED displays. Furthermore, these display devices are used in various electronic devices such as smartphones and tablet PCs.

[0005] In particular, on-cell display devices have recently been introduced, in which touch sensors for recognizing user touches are located on the upper part of the display panel.

[0006] However, the on-cell display device has the following problem. In the on-cell display device, due to cracks generated during the trimming process, multiple crack-blocking holes should be formed in the insulating layer to prevent these cracks from propagating through the insulation layer of the touch sensor. However, these crack-blocking holes also serve as pathways for gases or moisture generated during reliability testing, and these gases and moisture reach the polarizer through these pathways. As a result, the polarizer's color fades, and the image quality deteriorates. Summary of the Invention

[0007] One object of the present invention is to provide a display device that can prevent the polarizer from peeling and fading by providing a shielding device for shielding gas and moisture flowing in through the crack blocking hole in the touch sensor.

[0008] The display device includes: a display panel for displaying images; a touch sensor disposed above the display panel; at least one opening formed in the touch sensor; and a shielding member formed in the touch sensor to cover the opening.

[0009] The touch sensor includes: a buffer layer above the display panel; a bridging portion on the buffer layer; an interlayer insulating layer on the bridging portion; a first touch electrode and a second touch electrode on the interlayer insulating layer; and a passivation layer above the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode.

[0010] The opening is formed in the buffer layer and the interlayer insulation layer, and the shielding member is disposed above the passivation layer. The shielding member may include adhesive tape attached to the upper surface of the passivation layer, the tape being made of Al. The shielding member may include a metallic pattern formed on the upper surface of the passivation layer.

[0011] The shielding member may be a metal pattern formed on the interlayer insulating layer and may be made of the same metal as the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode.

[0012] The opening can be positioned along the edge of the touch sensor.

[0013] The shielding member can be positioned along the edge of the touch sensor to cover the opening.

[0014] The width of the shielding member may be greater than the width of the opening, so as to completely cover the opening.

[0015] The display panel may include an organic light-emitting display panel, a liquid crystal display panel, a mini LED (light-emitting diode) panel, and a micro LED panel.

[0016] Each of the at least one opening may include one or more cracks disposed in the short axis direction of the display device.

[0017] The length of the shielding member may be greater than the length of the opening, so as to completely cover the opening.

[0018] The display device may be divided into a display area for displaying images and a non-display area formed outside the display area, wherein the opening may be formed along the periphery of the non-display area.

[0019] The shielding component can be disposed on the interlayer insulation layer.

[0020] The at least one opening may include a first crack blocking opening, a second crack blocking opening, and a third crack blocking opening formed along the periphery of the display device, wherein each of the first crack blocking opening, the second crack blocking opening, and the third crack blocking opening may include a plurality of openings spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the periphery.

[0021] The gaps between adjacent cracks that block the opening can be formed so that they are not aligned with each other.

[0022] The opening may be formed in the buffer layer, the interlayer insulating layer, and the passivation layer. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The accompanying drawings, which provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and form a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic block diagram of a display device according to the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a schematic representation of a sub-pixel.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the circuit diagram of a sub-pixel of an organic light-emitting display device according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic plan view illustrating a display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 A sectional view taken by line I-I'.

[0029] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A magnified view of region A.

[0030] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A magnified view of region B.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The advantages and features of the present invention, as well as its implementation methods, will become clear from the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, to which the invention belongs only by the scope of the appended claims.

[0033] The shapes, dimensions, proportions, angles, quantities, etc., disclosed in the accompanying drawings for the purpose of describing embodiments of the present invention are exemplary, and therefore, the present invention is not limited to the details illustrated. Throughout the application, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. Furthermore, in the following description of the present invention, detailed descriptions of relevant known technologies may be omitted when it is determined that such detailed descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the focus of the present invention. Where the terms "comprising," "having," and "including" are used in the description in this application, additional parts may be added unless the term "only" is used.

[0034] When analyzing elements, even if there is no explicit description of the error range, the element should be interpreted as including such an error range.

[0035] When describing positional relationships, such as when the positional relationship between two parts is described as "on," "above," "below," "next to," etc., one or more other parts can be placed between the two parts, unless "immediately following" or "directly" is used.

[0036] When describing temporal relationships, such as when the chronological order is described as "after", "following", "next", "before", etc., discontinuous situations can also be included, unless "immediately after" or "directly" is used.

[0037] Although the terms "first," "second," etc., are used to describe various components, these components are not substantially limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one component from another. Therefore, the first component described below can substantially be the second component without departing from the technical spirit of the invention.

[0038] Each feature of each embodiment of the present invention may be combined with each other in part or in whole, may be technically interlocked and driven with each other in various ways, and each embodiment may be implemented independently of each other or together in an associated relationship.

[0039] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] This invention can be applied to various display devices. For example, the display devices of this invention can be applied to display devices such as organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display devices, liquid crystal display devices, electrophoretic display devices, quantum dot display devices, micro LED (light-emitting diode) display devices, and mini LED display devices. However, in the following description, for ease of explanation, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display devices will be described as examples. The display panel of this invention may include an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, a liquid crystal display panel, a mini LED (light-emitting diode) panel, and a micro LED panel.

[0041] Figure 1 This is a schematic block diagram of an organic light-emitting display device according to the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic block diagram of a sub-pixel SP of an organic light-emitting display device according to the present invention.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, the organic light-emitting display device 100 includes an image processing unit 102, a timing control unit 104, a gate driving unit 106, a data driving unit 107, a power supply unit 108, and a display panel 109.

[0043] The image processing unit 102 outputs image data provided from an external source, as well as drive signals for driving various devices. For example, the drive signals from the image processing unit 102 may include a data enable signal, a vertical synchronization signal, a horizontal synchronization signal, and a clock signal.

[0044] Image data and drive signals are provided from image processing unit 102 to timing control unit 104. Timing control unit 104 writes and outputs gate timing control signal GDC for controlling the drive timing of gate drive unit 106 and data timing control signal DDC for controlling the drive timing of data drive unit 107 based on the drive signals from image processing unit 102.

[0045] The gate driving unit 106 outputs a scan signal to the display panel 109 in response to the gate timing control signal GDC provided from the timing control unit 104. The gate driving unit 106 outputs the scan signal via multiple gate lines GL1 to GLm. In this case, the gate driving unit 106 may be formed in the form of an integrated circuit (IC), but is not limited thereto.

[0046] The data driving unit 107 outputs a data voltage to the display panel 109 in response to the data timing control signal DDC input from the timing control unit 104. The data driving unit 107 samples and latches the digital data signal DATA provided from the timing control unit 104, and converts it into an analog data voltage based on the gamma voltage. The data driving unit 107 outputs the data voltage via multiple data lines DL1 to DLn. In this case, the data driving unit 107 can be mounted on the upper surface of the display panel 109 as an integrated circuit (IC), but is not limited thereto.

[0047] The power supply unit 108 outputs a high-potential voltage VDD and a low-potential voltage VSS, and supplies them to the display panel 109. The high-potential voltage VDD is supplied to the display panel 109 via the first power line EVDD, and the low-potential voltage VSS is supplied to the display panel 109 via the second power line EVSS. At this time, the voltage from the power supply unit 108 is applied to the data driving unit 107 or the gate driving unit 106 to drive the data driving unit 107 or the gate driving unit 106.

[0048] The display panel 109 displays images based on the data voltage from the data driving unit 107, the scan signal from the gate driving unit 106, and the power supply from the power supply unit 108.

[0049] Display panel 109 includes a plurality of subpixels SP for displaying images. Subpixels SP may include red subpixels, green subpixels, and blue subpixels. Furthermore, subpixels SP may include white subpixels, red subpixels, green subpixels, and blue subpixels. White subpixels, red subpixels, green subpixels, and blue subpixels may be formed in the same area or in different areas.

[0050] like Figure 2 As shown, a sub-pixel SP can be connected to the gate line GL1, the data line DL1, the first power line EVDD, the second power line EVSS, and the sense voltage readout line SRL. The number of transistors and capacitors in the sub-pixel SP, as well as the driving method, can be determined based on the circuit configuration.

[0051] Figure 3 This is a circuit diagram illustrating the sub-pixel SP of the organic light-emitting display device 100 according to the present invention.

[0052] like Figure 3 As shown, the organic light-emitting display device 100 according to the present invention includes gate lines GL, data lines DL, and power lines PL that intersect each other to define sub-pixels SP. Switching thin-film transistors Ts, driving thin-film transistors Td, storage capacitors Cst, and organic light-emitting devices D are disposed in the sub-pixels SP.

[0053] The switching thin-film transistor Ts is connected to the gate line GL and the data line DL. The driving thin-film transistor Td and the storage capacitor Cst are connected between the switching thin-film transistor Ts and the power line PL. The organic light-emitting device D is connected to the driving thin-film transistor Td.

[0054] In an organic light-emitting display device with this structure, when the switching thin-film transistor Ts is turned on according to the gate signal applied to the gate line GL, the data signal applied to the data line DL is applied to the gate of the driving thin-film transistor Td and one electrode of the storage capacitor Cst via the switching thin-film transistor Ts.

[0055] The driving thin-film transistor Td is turned on according to the data signal applied to the gate. As a result, a current proportional to the data signal is supplied from the power line PL through the driving thin-film transistor Td to the organic light-emitting device D, and then the organic light-emitting device D emits light with a brightness proportional to the current flowing through the driving thin-film transistor Td.

[0056] At this time, the storage capacitor Cst is charged with a voltage proportional to the data signal to keep the gate voltage of the driving thin-film transistor Td constant within a frame.

[0057] The figure shows only two thin-film transistors Td and Ts and one capacitor Cst, but the invention is not limited thereto. In this invention, three or more thin-film transistors and two or more capacitors may be provided.

[0058] Figure 4 This is a schematic plan view illustrating a display device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] like Figure 4 As shown, the display device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is divided into a display area AA for displaying images and a non-display area NA formed outside the display area AA.

[0060] The display area AA is the area where the actual image is displayed. Multiple sub-pixels are arranged in a matrix within the display area AA. The non-display area NA is formed outside the display area AA, and various driving devices and wiring for applying signals to the display area AA are located in the non-display area NA.

[0061] To improve process efficiency, multiple display devices 100 are formed on a large-area mother substrate and then processed to separate them into individual display devices 100. Furthermore, as shown in the figure, since the corners of the display devices 100 have a rounded shape, the separated display devices 100 must also be processed to achieve a rounded shape.

[0062] The display device 100 is processed using a laser or a cutting wheel. However, when the display device 100 is processed using a laser or a cutting wheel, an impact is applied to the cut side surface, which can cause cracks inside the display device 100.

[0063] Cracks can occur in any of the layers. Cracks can occur in the encapsulation layer inside the display device 100 or in the insulating layer inside the touch sensor.

[0064] In the display device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, cracks generated at the cut surface can be blocked, which will be described in more detail below.

[0065] Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 A sectional view taken from line I-I'.

[0066] like Figure 5 As shown, the first substrate 110 includes a display area AA and a non-display area NA.

[0067] A first buffer layer 121 is formed on a first substrate 110, and a thin film transistor is disposed on the first buffer layer 121 in the display area AA.

[0068] The first substrate 110 may be made of a foldable plastic material. For example, the first substrate 110 may include at least one of polyimide (PI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polycarbonate (PC), polyethersulfone (PES), polyarylate (PAR), polysulfone (PSF), and cyclic olefin copolymer (COC). However, the first substrate 110 of the present invention is not limited to these plastic materials, but may be made of foldable thin glass.

[0069] The first buffer layer 121 protects the thin-film transistor formed in subsequent processes from impurities such as alkali ions leaking from the first substrate 110, or blocks external moisture. The first buffer layer 121 may be a single layer or multiple layers made of silicon oxide (SiOx) or silicon nitride (SiNx).

[0070] Thin-film transistors are formed in each of a plurality of sub-pixels. The thin-film transistor includes: a semiconductor layer 111 formed on a buffer layer 121 in the sub-pixel; a gate insulating layer 122 formed on a first substrate 110 on which the semiconductor layer 111 is formed; a gate 112 formed on the gate insulating layer 122; a first interlayer insulating layer 124 formed on the first substrate 110 to cover the gate 112; and a source 114 and a drain 116 located on the first interlayer insulating layer 124 and connected to the semiconductor layer 111 via contact holes 114a and 116a formed in the first interlayer insulating layer 124, respectively.

[0071] The semiconductor layer 111 may be formed of an amorphous semiconductor such as amorphous silicon (a-Si), a crystalline semiconductor such as polycrystalline silicon (p-Si), or an oxide semiconductor such as indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO). In this case, the semiconductor layer 111 includes a channel layer located in the central region and doped layers located on both sides of the channel layer, so that the source 114 and the drain 116 are respectively in contact with the doped layers.

[0072] The gate 112 may be formed by a single layer or multiple layers of metals such as Cr, Mo, Ta, Cu, Ti, Al, or Al alloys. The gate insulating layer 122 may be formed by a single layer of inorganic materials such as SiOx or SiNx, or by a double layer of inorganic materials including SiOx and SiNx. The interlayer insulating layer 124 may be formed by a single layer or multiple layers of inorganic materials such as SiOx or SiNx, but is not limited thereto.

[0073] The source 114 and drain 116 may be made of Cr, Mo, Ta, Cu, Ti, Al or Al alloy, but are not limited thereto.

[0074] Although the driving thin-film transistor has a specific structure in the figures and above description, the driving thin-film transistor of the present invention is not limited to this structure, and any driving thin-film transistor with any structure can be used.

[0075] A first passivation layer 126 is formed over a first substrate 110 on which a thin-film transistor is formed, and a planarization layer 129 is formed on the first passivation layer 126.

[0076] The first passivation layer 126 may be formed by a single layer made of inorganic material or by a multilayer made of inorganic and organic materials, and the planarization layer 129 may be formed by an organic material such as photoacrylic, but is not limited thereto.

[0077] The organic light-emitting device E is formed on the planarization layer 129 in the display area AA and is connected to the drain 116 of the driving thin film transistor via a contact hole 129a formed in the first passivation layer 126 and the planarization layer 129.

[0078] The organic light-emitting device E includes a first electrode 152 connected to the drain 116 of a driving thin-film transistor via a contact hole 129a, an organic light-emitting layer 154 formed on the first electrode 152, and a second electrode 156 formed on the organic light-emitting layer 154.

[0079] The first electrode 152 is connected to the drain 116 of the thin-film transistor to receive image signals from the outside. The first electrode 152 may be formed of a transparent metal oxide such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO). In the case of a top-emitting display device that emits light in an upward direction, the first electrode 152 may be formed of a transparent metal oxide and a metal layer underneath it. The metal layer may be formed of a metal such as Ca, Ba, Mg, Al, Ag, or alloys thereof.

[0080] The second electrode 156 may be formed by a single layer or multiple layers of metals such as Ca, Ba, Mg, Al, Ag or alloys thereof. In the case of a top-emitting display device, the second electrode 156 may be formed to have a thin thickness so that light emitted from the organic light-emitting layer 154 can pass through the second electrode 156.

[0081] The organic light-emitting layer 154 is an R organic light-emitting layer formed in R (red) pixels to emit red light, a G organic light-emitting layer formed in G (green) pixels to emit green light, and a B organic light-emitting layer formed in B (blue) pixels to emit blue light. Alternatively, the organic light-emitting layer 154 can be a white organic light-emitting layer formed over the entire display device 100 to emit white light. When the organic light-emitting layer 154 is a white organic light-emitting layer, R, G, and B color filter layers are formed in the upper regions of the white organic light-emitting layer in the R, G, and B pixels to convert the white light emitted from the white organic light-emitting layer into red, green, and blue light, respectively. The white organic light-emitting layer can be formed by mixing various organic materials that emit monochromatic light of R, G, and B, respectively. Furthermore, the white organic light-emitting layer can be formed by stacking multiple organic light-emitting layers for emitting monochromatic light of R, G, and B, respectively.

[0082] The organic light-emitting layer can be made of inorganic light-emitting materials other than organic light-emitting materials, such as quantum dots.

[0083] The organic light-emitting layer 154 includes not only the light-emitting layer, but also an electron injection layer and a hole injection layer for injecting electrons and holes into the light-emitting layer, respectively, and an electron transport layer and a hole transport layer for transporting the injected electrons and holes into the organic light-emitting layer 154, respectively.

[0084] A barrier layer 132 is formed on the planarization layer 129 in the boundary region of a pixel. The barrier layer 132 is a barrier rib that separates each pixel to prevent light of a specific color output from a pixel from mixing with light of other colors output from adjacent pixels.

[0085] Although a portion of the dam layer 132 is formed on the first electrode 152 in the figure, the dam layer 132 may be formed only on the planarization layer 129, and the first electrode 152 may be formed on the side of the dam layer 132. When the first electrode 152 extends on the side surface of the dam layer 132, since the first electrode 152 is also formed in the edge region of the boundary between the dam layer 132 and the planarization layer 129, a signal is also applied to the organic light-emitting layer 154 located in this edge region, thereby emitting light from the organic light-emitting layer 154 located in this edge region, and thus an image can be displayed in this region. As a result, the non-display area within a pixel where no image is displayed can be minimized.

[0086] An encapsulation layer EN is formed on the light-emitting device E and the diaphragm layer 132. The encapsulation layer EN includes a first encapsulation layer 142 made of inorganic material, a second encapsulation layer 144 made of organic material, and a third encapsulation layer 146 made of inorganic material.

[0087] In this case, inorganic materials may include, but are not limited to, SiNx and SiOx. Organic materials may include, but are not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, polyimide, polyethylene sulfonate, polyoxymethylene, polyarylate, or mixtures thereof.

[0088] A partition wall 134 of a predetermined width may be formed between pixels on the upper surface of the dam layer 132. The partition wall 134 prevents air and moisture from penetrating the interface between the dam layer 132 and the first encapsulation layer 142. The partition wall 134 may comprise a single layer made of inorganic or organic materials, or multiple layers made of inorganic and organic layers.

[0089] A dam 136 is disposed on the first substrate 110 of the non-display area NA to surround the display area AA. The dam 136 may have a stacked structure of a first buffer layer 122, a gate insulating layer 124, and a first interlayer insulating layer 126, but is not limited thereto. When an organic material is coated to form the second encapsulation layer 144, the dam 136 prevents the coated organic material from flowing to the external area of ​​the display device 100. Furthermore, when cracks occur in the side surface of the display device 100, the dam 136 can block the propagation of the cracks to the display area AA.

[0090] The second encapsulation layer 144 and the third encapsulation layer 146 extend into the non-display area NA, but do not reach the weir 136. On the other hand, the first encapsulation layer 142 extends beyond the side and top surfaces of the weir 136 to reach the outer edge of the weir 136.

[0091] In the diagram, two weirs 136 are formed, but only one weir 136 may be formed, or three or more weirs 136 may be formed.

[0092] A transparent adhesive 148 is applied to the encapsulation layer EN in the display area AA and the non-display area NA to attach the second substrate 160 to the first substrate 110. The adhesive 148 may include, but is not limited to, thermosetting resins, optically curable resins, etc.

[0093] Adhesive 148 is used not only to attach the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 160 together, but also as another encapsulation layer to minimize the penetration of moisture into the organic light-emitting display device. Therefore, although the term 148 is referred to as adhesive in the detailed description of the invention, this is for convenience of description, and adhesive may refer to filler or fourth encapsulation layer.

[0094] The second substrate 160 is an encapsulation cap used to encapsulate the organic light-emitting display device. A protective film such as polystyrene (PS) film, polyethylene (PE) film, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) film, or polyimide (PI) film can be used as the second substrate 160.

[0095] A touch sensor T is disposed on a second substrate 160. The touch sensor T includes: a second buffer layer 172 located on a third encapsulation layer 146, a bridging portion 174 located on the second buffer layer 172, a second interlayer insulating layer 173 located on the bridging portion 174, a first touch electrode 176a and a second touch electrode 176b located on the second interlayer insulating layer 173, and a protective layer (i.e., a second passivation layer) 175 located on the first touch electrode 176a and the second touch electrode 176b.

[0096] The second buffer layer 172 and the second interlayer insulating layer 173 may be made of inorganic materials such as SiOx or SiNx, but are not limited thereto. In addition, the protective layer 175 may be made of organic materials such as photo acrylic, but are not limited thereto.

[0097] A contact hole 173a is formed in the second interlayer insulating layer 173, and a first touch electrode 176a disposed on the second interlayer insulating layer 173 is connected to a bridging portion 174 disposed on the second buffer layer 172 via the contact hole 173a, thereby electrically connecting a plurality of first touch electrodes 176a arranged on the second buffer layer 172 in the first direction (i.e., the y-axis direction) to each other.

[0098] Although not shown in the figure, a connection pattern is formed on the second interlayer insulating layer 173, thereby electrically connecting a plurality of second touch electrodes arranged in a second direction (i.e., the x-axis direction) perpendicular to the first direction to each other.

[0099] Multiple crack-blocking openings 178 are formed on the second buffer layer 172 and the second interlayer insulating layer 173 in the non-display area NA. The crack-blocking openings 178 are formed with a predetermined width along the periphery of the display device 100 to prevent cracks generated at the cut surface of the display device from propagating to the display area AA when the outside of the display device is cut.

[0100] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 An enlarged view of region A, showing the crack blocking opening 178.

[0101] like Figure 6As shown, the crack blocking opening 178 includes a first crack blocking opening 178a, a second crack blocking opening 178b, and a third crack blocking opening 178c formed along the periphery of the display device. Each of the crack blocking openings 178a, 178b, and 178c includes a plurality of openings spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the periphery. In this case, since cracks can propagate in the interval regions between the crack blocking openings 178a, 178b, and 178c, the interval regions of adjacent crack blocking openings 178a, 178b, and 178c are formed to intersect each other (i.e., not aligned with each other). Therefore, viewed from a side cross-section of the display device 100, at least one crack blocking opening 178a, 178b, and 178c is always positioned in the direction toward the display area AA to reliably block the propagation of cracks.

[0102] Although crack blocking openings 178a, 178b and 178c are formed in the second buffer layer 172 and the second interlayer insulation layer 173 in the figure, crack blocking openings 178a, 178b and 178c may be formed in the second buffer layer 172, the second interlayer insulation layer 173 and the protective layer 175.

[0103] Return to reference Figure 5 A polarizing plate 184 is disposed on the touch sensor T and attached to the touch sensor T by an adhesive 182. The polarizing plate 184 prevents reflection of light input from the outside, thereby improving the visibility of the display device 100. The polarizing plate 184 only transmits light with a specific polarization direction from externally incident light and absorbs the rest. External light passing through the polarizing plate 184 is reflected inside the display device 100 and then incident again on the polarizing plate 184. At this time, because the polarization direction of the reflected external light has changed, the light incident again on the polarizing plate 184 is absorbed by the polarizing plate 184 and is not output to the outside, thus preventing reflection of external light.

[0104] The polarizer 184 can be a circular polarizer. When using a circular polarizer, a retardation film of λ / 4 can be further disposed below the polarizer 184.

[0105] The polarizer 184 is made of a polymer film mainly composed of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based resin (containing iodine or dichroic dyes) and protective films on both sides thereof. In this case, the iodine or dichroic dye is uniaxially stretched, thereby aligning the iodine or dichroic dye in one direction. Furthermore, the polarizer 184 can be made of materials other than PVA-based resins. For example, an O-type polarizing material (containing a liquid crystal component of a dichroic material and a liquid crystal compound aligned in a predetermined direction) can be used as the polarizer 184. An E-type polarizer (where the lyotropic liquid crystal is aligned in a predetermined direction) can also be used as the polarizer 184.

[0106] The protective film of polarizer 184 is made of a transparent film without phase retardation to protect the polymer film from external moisture or contamination. For example, the protective film may be made of tricellulose acetate (TAC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), cyclic olefin polymer (COP), or combinations thereof.

[0107] Adhesive 182 is a transparent optical adhesive. While OCA (Optically Transparent Adhesive) is primarily used as adhesive 182, it is not limited to this and can also use OCR (Optically Transparent Resin) or PSA (Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive).

[0108] A shielding component, such as a gas shielding tape 183, is disposed on the protective layer (i.e., the second passivation layer 175) in the region corresponding to the crack blocking openings 178a, 178b, and 178c. The gas shielding tape 183 prevents gas and moisture from flowing into the polarizer 184 through the crack blocking openings 178a, 178b, and 178c.

[0109] When the display device 100 is driven for an extended period of time, gases and moisture may be generated. For example, when the display device 100 is driven for an extended period of time, NH3 gas and moisture may be generated in the first encapsulation layer 142 and the third encapsulation layer 146 made of inorganic materials such as SiNx.

[0110] The generated gases and moisture reach the polarizer 184 via cracks and blocking openings 178a, 178b, and 178c formed in the touch sensor T. These gases and moisture reduce the adhesive force of the adhesive 182 used to attach the polarizer 184 to the touch sensor T, thereby causing defects in the polarizer 184 that result in lifting of the polarizer 184 in the corresponding areas. Furthermore, the arriving gases and moisture can cause the polarizer 184 to fade.

[0111] Because the lifting or fading of the polarizer 184 causes light to leak through the polarizer 184, the brightness uniformity of the display device 100 is reduced or defects such as spots appear.

[0112] In this invention, a gas shielding strip 183 is provided on the second passivation layer 175 to prevent defects caused by gases and moisture generated in the inorganic film. A crack blocking opening 178 may be provided along the edge of the touch sensor T. The gas shielding strip 183 may be provided along the edge of the touch sensor T to shield the crack blocking opening 178.

[0113] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A magnified view of region B. (Refer to...) Figure 6 and Figure 7 Detailed description of gas shielding strip 183.

[0114] like Figure 6 and 7 As shown, crack-blocking openings 178a, 178b, and 178c are formed in the second buffer layer 172 and the second interlayer insulating layer 173 along the periphery of the non-display area NA of the display device 100. Each of the crack-blocking openings 178a, 178b, and 178c includes one or more cracks disposed in the short axis direction of the display device 100, for example, in a direction from the outer surface of the display device 100 inward. In this case, the distances between the crack-blocking openings 178a, 178b, and 178c may be the same or different. The crack-blocking openings 178a, 178b, and 178c may all have the same width or may have different widths.

[0115] A gas shielding band 183 is formed on the second protective layer 175. At this time, the gas shielding band 183 is aligned with the crack blocking openings 178a, 178b, and 178c. The width b of the gas shielding band 183 is greater than the width a of each of the crack blocking openings 178a, 178b, and 178c (b>a). Furthermore, since the length of the gas shielding band 183 is also greater than the length of each of the crack blocking openings 178a, 178b, and 178c, the crack blocking openings 178a, 178b, and 178c are completely covered by the gas shielding band 183.

[0116] Since the crack blocking openings 178a, 178b and 178c are completely blocked by the gas shielding strip 183, moisture and gas generated in inorganic insulating layers such as the first encapsulation layer 142 and the third encapsulation layer 146 and permeating to the upper polarizing plate 184 through the crack blocking openings 178a, 178b and 178c can be completely blocked.

[0117] The gas shielding strip 183 is made of a metal such as Al, but the invention is not limited thereto and it can be made of various materials.

[0118] In an embodiment of the invention, a gas shielding strip 183 in the form of adhesive tape is attached to the upper surface of the touch sensor T, for example, the upper surface of the second passivation layer 175. A polarizer 184 with its lower surface coated with adhesive is then disposed on the gas shielding strip 183, and the adhesive is then cured. The gas shielding strip 183 may include a metallic pattern formed on the upper surface of the second passivation layer 175.

[0119] However, the present invention is not limited to this structure. The gas shielding band 183 can be formed by depositing a metal such as Al on the second passivation layer 175 using a sputtering method and then etching the deposited metal.

[0120] As described above, in the display device 100 according to the present invention, since an opening is formed in the touch sensor T along the periphery of the non-display area NA, the propagation of cracks generated during the cutting process of the display device 100 to the display area can be prevented.

[0121] Furthermore, in the display device 100 according to the invention, by depositing tape over the opening, moisture and gas generated from the inorganic layer can be blocked from penetrating into the polarizing plate through the opening, thereby preventing deterioration such as lift-off and fading of the polarizing plate.

[0122] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device 200 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this case, descriptions of components identical to those in the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified, and only other components will be described in detail.

[0123] like Figure 8 As shown, the display device 200 of this embodiment includes a display panel, a touch sensor T disposed on the display panel, and a polarizing plate 284 disposed on the touch sensor T.

[0124] The display panel includes a thin-film transistor in a display area AA on a first substrate 210 and an organic light-emitting device E above the thin-film transistor.

[0125] The thin-film transistor includes a semiconductor layer 211 formed on a buffer layer 221 in a pixel, a gate insulating layer 222 formed on a first substrate 210 on which the semiconductor layer 211 is formed, a gate 212 disposed on the gate insulating layer 222, a first interlayer insulating layer 224 covering the gate 212 over the first substrate 210, and a source 214 and a drain 216 connected to the semiconductor layer 211 via contact holes 214a and 216a formed in the first interlayer insulating layer 224, respectively.

[0126] An organic light-emitting device E is formed above a thin-film transistor. The organic light-emitting device E includes a first electrode 252 connected to the drain 216 of the thin-film transistor via a contact hole 229a, an organic light-emitting layer 254 on the first electrode 252, and a second electrode 256 on the organic light-emitting layer 254.

[0127] An encapsulation layer EN is formed over the organic light-emitting device E to encapsulate the display panel. In this case, the encapsulation layer EN includes a first encapsulation layer 242 made of inorganic material, a second encapsulation layer 244 made of organic material, and a third encapsulation layer 246 made of inorganic material.

[0128] The touch sensor T includes a second buffer layer 272 located on a third encapsulation layer 246 of the display panel, a bridging portion 274 located on the second buffer layer 272, a second interlayer insulating layer 273 located on the bridging portion 274, a first touch electrode 276a and a second touch electrode 276b located on the second interlayer insulating layer 273, and a passivation layer 275 located on the first touch electrode 276a and the second touch electrode 276b.

[0129] A planarization layer 229 is formed on the first passivation layer 226. A dam layer 232 is formed on the planarization layer 229 in the boundary region of the pixels. A partition wall 234 with a defined width may be formed on the upper surface of the dam layer 232 between the pixels. A weir 236 is disposed on the first substrate 210 of the non-display area NA to surround the display area AA. A transparent adhesive 248 is applied on the encapsulation layer EN in the display area AA and the non-display area NA to attach the second substrate 260 to the first substrate 210. A polarizing plate 284 is disposed on the touch sensor T and attached to the touch sensor T by adhesive 282.

[0130] Multiple crack blocking openings 278 are formed in the second buffer layer 272 and the second interlayer insulating layer 273 in the non-display area NA, thereby blocking the propagation of cracks generated at the processing surface when the outer surface of the display device is processed.

[0131] A shielding component, such as a gas shielding pattern 283, is disposed on the second interlayer insulation layer 273. The gas shielding pattern 283 may be a metallic pattern formed on the second interlayer insulation layer 273. The crack blocking opening 278 is completely covered by the gas shielding pattern 283, thereby preventing the penetration of gas and moisture through the crack blocking opening 278, thus preventing the polarizing plate 284 from peeling and fading.

[0132] The gas shielding pattern 283 can be formed using various materials and various processes. For example, the gas shielding pattern 283 can be formed on the second interlayer insulating layer 273 using the same material and the same process as the first touch electrode 276a and the second touch electrode 276b, but is not limited thereto. The gas shielding pattern 283 can also be formed using other materials and other processes.

[0133] The features, structures, effects, etc., described in the examples of this application are included in at least one example of the invention, and are not necessarily limited to one example. Furthermore, the features, structures, effects, etc., illustrated in at least one example of this application can be combined or modified by those skilled in the art to which this application pertains with other examples. Therefore, the content related to these combinations and modifications should be interpreted as being included within the scope of this application.

[0134] This application is not limited to the embodiments and drawings described above. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various substitutions, modifications, and variations are possible without departing from the technical essence of the invention. Therefore, the scope of this application is defined by the appended claims, and all variations or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be interpreted as being included within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A display device, divided into a display area for displaying an image and a non-display area formed outside the display area, the display device comprising: Display panel used to display images; A touch sensor is located above the display panel; At least one crack blocking opening is formed in the non-display area of ​​the touch sensor; as well as A shielding member is formed in the touch sensor to cover the crack and block the opening. The crack blocking opening is formed in an insulating layer that extends to the side surface of the display device and is included in the touch sensor.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the touch sensor comprises: A buffer layer above the display panel; The bridging portion on the buffer layer; Interlayer insulation layer on the bridging portion; The first and second touch electrodes are on the interlayer insulating layer; as well as A passivation layer above the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the crack blocking opening is formed in the buffer layer and the interlayer insulation layer.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein the shielding member is disposed above the passivation layer.

5. The display device of claim 4, wherein the shielding member comprises an adhesive tape attached to the upper surface of the passivation layer.

6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein the tape is made of Al.

7. The display device of claim 4, wherein the shielding member comprises a metal pattern formed on the upper surface of the passivation layer.

8. The display device according to claim 3, wherein the shielding member is a metal pattern formed on the interlayer insulating layer.

9. The display device of claim 8, wherein the metal pattern is made of the same metal as the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode.

10. The display device of claim 1, wherein the crack blocking opening is disposed along the edge of the touch sensor.

11. The display device of claim 10, wherein the shielding member is disposed along the edge of the touch sensor to shield the crack blocking opening.

12. The display device of claim 11, wherein the width of the shielding member is greater than the width of the crack blocking opening, so as to completely cover the crack blocking opening.

13. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display panel includes an organic light-emitting display panel, a liquid crystal display panel, a mini LED (light-emitting diode) panel, and a micro LED panel.

14. The display device according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least one crack blocking opening comprises one or more cracks disposed in the minor axis direction of the display device.

15. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the shielding member is greater than the length of the crack blocking opening, so as to completely cover the crack blocking opening.

16. The display device of claim 1, wherein the crack blocking opening is formed along the periphery of the non-display area.

17. The display device according to claim 3, wherein the shielding member is disposed on the interlayer insulation layer.

18. The display device of claim 1, wherein the at least one crack blocking opening comprises a first crack blocking opening, a second crack blocking opening, and a third crack blocking opening formed along the periphery of the display device, wherein each of the first crack blocking opening, the second crack blocking opening, and the third crack blocking opening comprises a plurality of openings spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the periphery.

19. The display device of claim 18, wherein the spacing regions of the crack blocking openings that are adjacent to each other are formed to be misaligned.

20. The display device of claim 2, wherein the crack blocking opening is formed in the buffer layer, the interlayer insulating layer, and the passivation layer.

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