Display device

Abstract

A display device is disclosed. The display device includes a cover member, a display panel disposed on the back surface of the cover member, a buffer plate disposed on the back surface of the display panel, and a through hole extending through the buffer plate. The buffer plate includes a porous member and a metal coating disposed on the back surface of the porous member. The metal coating comprises nickel (Ni) and has a thickness in the range of 0.2 μm to 0.5 μm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to display devices that include through-holes in the display area, and more specifically, this disclosure provides display devices that can reduce the occurrence of unevenness near the through-holes and improve the visibility of their front surface. Background Technology

[0002] Display devices come in a variety of forms, such as televisions, monitors, smartphones, tablets, laptops, and wearable devices.

[0003] A display device typically includes a display area for displaying a screen and a non-display area formed along the outer edge of the display area.

[0004] The non-display area is also known as the bezel area. When the bezel area is thick, the user's gaze is scattered, while when the bezel area is thin, the user's gaze is fixed on the display area of ​​the screen, thus increasing immersion.

[0005] In one example, modern display devices have various components such as camera modules and various sensor modules on the front surface of the display device where the display area is located.

[0006] In this case, the area where various components are set up as described above can be a non-display area, and an increase in non-display areas will lead to a decrease in user immersion. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In order to minimize the increase in non-display area caused by various components set on the front surface of the display device, holes can be defined in the display area, and components can be inserted into the holes.

[0008] In this way, when various components are inserted into holes defined in the display area rather than the non-display area, the reduction in the display area can be minimized without increasing the non-display area as much as possible, thereby increasing the user's immersion.

[0009] However, since the aperture is defined in the display area, there may be differences in brightness between the area with the aperture defined and the area without the aperture defined, due to differences in light transmittance.

[0010] Therefore, due to the color difference between the area with defined holes and the area without defined holes, component changes may occur that cause changes in the screen color of the display device.

[0011] Changes in the components of the display device eventually lead to unevenness around the area defining the aperture.

[0012] Furthermore, various layers can be stacked and formed within the display device. When stacking various layers of different colors with significant differences in brightness, visibility may deteriorate due to differences in light reflectivity on the front surface of the display device.

[0013] Therefore, the inventors of this disclosure have invented a display device that includes through holes in the display area, which can reduce the occurrence of unevenness near the through holes and improve the visibility of the front surface of the display device.

[0014] An embodiment of this disclosure aims to provide a display device that can reduce unevenness occurring near vias.

[0015] An embodiment of this disclosure aims to provide a display device that can improve the visibility of the front surface.

[0016] The purpose of this disclosure is not limited to those mentioned above. Other purposes and advantages not mentioned in this disclosure may be understood based on the following description and may be more clearly understood based on embodiments of this disclosure. Furthermore, it will be readily understood that the purposes and advantages of this disclosure can be achieved using the means shown in the claims and combinations thereof.

[0017] The display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a cover member, a display panel disposed on the back surface of the cover member, a buffer plate disposed on the back surface of the display panel, and a through hole extending through the buffer plate.

[0018] In this case, the buffer plate includes a porous component and a metal coating disposed on the back surface of the porous component, and the metal coating contains nickel (Ni) and has a thickness in the range of 0.2 μm to 0.5 μm.

[0019] A display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a cover member; a first connecting member disposed below the cover member; a display panel disposed below the first connecting member; a first plate disposed below the display panel; a buffer plate disposed below the first plate; and a through hole extending through the buffer plate, the first plate, the display panel, and the first connecting member, wherein the buffer plate includes a porous member, a metal coating disposed on the back surface of the porous member, and an adhesive member disposed between the porous member and the first plate, wherein the metal coating comprises nickel and has a thickness in the range of 0.2 μm to 0.5 μm, and wherein both the metal coating and the adhesive member have a gray base color.

[0020] Because the buffer plate including the porous member includes a metal coating on the back surface of the porous member, and the metal coating contains nickel (Ni) and has a thickness in the range of 0.2 μm to 0.5 μm, the display device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can achieve a gray base color.

[0021] Therefore, the occurrence of unevenness near the through hole can be greatly reduced.

[0022] Furthermore, since the buffer plate, as described above, includes porous components and a metallic coating with a gray base color, and the monochrome buffer plate is configured to correspond to the front surface of the display area, the display device according to the embodiments of this disclosure can increase the light reflectivity on its front surface to greatly improve the visibility of the front surface.

[0023] The effects of this disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art based on the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1A and Figure 1C The front and back surfaces of a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure are shown, and Figure 1B The back surface of the display device with its housing removed is shown.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of the display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 3 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a porous component according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figures 4 to 6 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device including through holes according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 7 This is a table summarizing the results obtained by measuring the L*, a*, b* color coordinates of various examples according to this disclosure.

[0029] Figure 8A and Figure 8B This is a comparative example view, where unevenness is formed in the area defining the through-hole, with black and white dots respectively.

[0030] Figure 9A and Figure 9B This is a view showing the porosity variation in high and low grayscale of a metallic coating according to a comparative example.

[0031] Figure 10A and Figure 10BThis is a view showing the porosity variation in high and low grayscale of a metallic coating according to a comparative example. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The advantages and features of this disclosure, as well as methods for achieving these advantages and features, will become apparent from the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms. Therefore, these embodiments are set forth only to complete this disclosure and to fully inform those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains, and this disclosure is defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0033] The shapes, dimensions, scales, angles, numbers, etc., disclosed in the accompanying drawings used to describe embodiments of this disclosure are exemplary, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. Throughout this document, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, descriptions and details of well-known steps and elements have been omitted. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in the following detailed description of this disclosure to provide a thorough understanding of it. However, it should be understood that this disclosure can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, processes, components, and circuits have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of this disclosure.

[0034] The terminology used herein is intended to describe the purpose of particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular constructions “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural constructions as well. It will also be understood that, when used in this specification, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and “comprising” specify the presence of the stated feature, integer, operation, element, and / or component, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations, elements, components, and / or portions thereof. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any one and all combinations of one or more of the associated enumerated items. Expressions such as “at least one” may modify the entire list of elements or may not modify individual elements in the list when preceding a list of elements. Errors or tolerances may occur in the interpretation of numerical values, even if they are not explicitly described.

[0035] Furthermore, it will be understood that when a first element or layer is referred to as existing “on” a second element or layer, the first element may be directly disposed on the second element or may be indirectly disposed on the second element, wherein a third element or layer is disposed between the first element or layer and the second element or layer. It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, the element or layer may be directly on the other element or layer, directly connected to or coupled to the other element or layer, or one or more intermediate elements or layers may exist. Furthermore, it will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “between” two elements or layers, the element or layer may be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intermediate elements or layers may exist.

[0036] Furthermore, as used herein, when a layer, film, region, plate, etc., is disposed "on" or "on top" of another layer, film, region, plate, etc., the former can directly contact the latter, or another layer, film, region, plate, etc., can be disposed between the former and the latter. As used herein, when a layer, film, region, plate, etc., is directly disposed "on" or "on top" of another layer, film, region, plate, etc., the former directly contacts the latter, and no other layer, film, region, plate, etc., is disposed between the former and the latter. Furthermore, as used herein, when a layer, film, region, plate, etc., is disposed "below" or "below" another layer, film, region, plate, etc., the former can directly contact the latter, or another layer, film, region, plate, etc., can be disposed between the former and the latter. As used herein, when a layer, film, region, plate, etc., is directly disposed "below" or "below" another layer, film, region, plate, etc., the former directly contacts the latter, and no other layer, film, region, plate, etc., is disposed between the former and the latter.

[0037] When describing temporal relationships, such as time priority relationships between two events like "after", "following", "before", etc., another event may occur between the two events unless it is indicated that it is "directly after", "directly following" or "directly before".

[0038] It will be understood that while the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or portions, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or portions should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or portion from another. Therefore, without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, the first element, component, region, layer, or portion described below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or portion.

[0039] Features of the various embodiments of this disclosure can be combined in part or in whole with each other, and can be technically related to or operable on each other. Embodiments can be implemented independently of each other, or can be implemented together in an associated relationship.

[0040] When interpreting numerical values, unless otherwise explicitly described, the value is interpreted to include a range of error.

[0041] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the inventive concept pertains. It will also be understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, shall be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant field and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein.

[0042] The display device disclosed herein can be applied to organic light-emitting display devices, but is not limited thereto, and can be applied to various display devices such as micro LED display devices or quantum dot display devices.

[0043] In the following, a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] Figure 1A and Figure 1C The front and back surfaces of a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure are shown, and Figure 1B The back surface of the display device with its housing removed is shown.

[0045] In this disclosure, the direction of the front surface and the upward direction refer to the Z-axis direction, and the direction of the back surface and the downward direction refer to the negative Z-axis direction.

[0046] The display device 1 may include a cover member 20 and a display panel 100 attached to the back surface of the cover member 20 (pointing towards the negative Z-axis).

[0047] The cover member 20 can be configured to cover the front surface of the display device 1 to protect the display device 1 from external impacts.

[0048] The edge of the cover member 20 may have a curved portion or a bent portion that bends along the direction of the back surface of the display device 1.

[0049] Because the cover member 20 can be configured to cover the side surface provided on the back surface of the display device 1, the cover member 20 can protect the display panel 100 from external impacts not only on the front surface of the display device 1 but also on the side surface of the display device 1.

[0050] The cover member 20 may overlap with the display area AA for displaying images. For example, the cover member 20 may be formed as a cover glass made of a transparent plastic material or a transparent glass material that can transmit images, but this disclosure is not limited to this.

[0051] The housing 40 for supporting the cover member 20 can be disposed on the back surface of the display device 1.

[0052] The housing 40 can be used as a housing to protect the back surface of the display device 1, and can be used as the outermost housing of the display device 1.

[0053] The housing 40 can be made of various materials such as plastic, metal or glass.

[0054] The intermediate frame 30 can be additionally disposed between the cover member 20 and the outer shell 40.

[0055] The intermediate frame 30 can accommodate the display panel 100 therein, and one end of the intermediate frame 30 can contact the cover member 20 to support the cover member 20.

[0056] The intermediate frame 30 can be used as a housing to protect the back surface of the display panel 100.

[0057] The intermediate frame 30 may have the following structure: it houses the display panel 100 and additional components such as a battery disposed on the back surface of the display panel 100 and applied with electricity to drive the display device 1, but this structure may not be particularly limited.

[0058] For example, the intermediate frame 30 may cover the back surface of the display panel 100 to have a structure in which the display panel 100 is housed in the direction of one surface of the intermediate frame 30 and additional components such as batteries are housed in the direction of the other surface of the intermediate frame 30.

[0059] Furthermore, the intermediate frame 30 can be formed as part of the back surface of the display panel 100 to have a structure in which the display panel 100 and additional components such as batteries are accommodated to contact each other without dividing the parts.

[0060] The front surface FP of the display panel 100 can be positioned below the cover member 20.

[0061] A pixel array and signal wiring are provided on the front surface FP so that an image can be displayed. The pixel array includes pixels with multiple light-emitting elements and driving transistors, and the signal wiring is used to send driving signals to the pixels.

[0062] The front surface FP may include a display area (active area, AA) for displaying an image and a non-display area (non-active area, NA) other than the display area AA. The non-display area NA may be formed at the edge surrounding the display area AA.

[0063] The display area AA and the non-display area NA can be applied equally to the cover component 20.

[0064] The area through which the image is transmitted in the cover component 20 can be the display area AA.

[0065] The area surrounding the display area AA that does not transmit the image can be the non-display area NA.

[0066] The non-display area NA can be defined as the border area.

[0067] Reference Figure 1B The buffer plate 300 can be set on the back surface of the display panel 100.

[0068] The buffer plate 300 can have a gray-based color or be a single color.

[0069] The monochrome buffer plate 300 can be configured to correspond to the entire area of ​​the display area AA. Accordingly, the visibility of the front surface can be greatly improved by increasing the light reflectivity on the front surface of the display device 1.

[0070] In addition, at least one through hole h can be defined in the display area AA.

[0071] Reference Figure 1A and Figure 1B The through-hole h can be limited to the upper end of the display device 1 and near the central area of ​​the display device 1, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The number and position of the through-holes can vary depending on the design orientation of the display device 1.

[0072] Various identification sensors, such as fingerprint sensors, infrared sensors, and camera sensors, can be inserted and set in the through hole h.

[0073] Thus, according to the embodiments of this disclosure, since the various recognition sensors are not located in a separate non-display area NA, but are inserted into a through-hole h (which is a display in-hole (HID) structure) provided in the display area AA, the user's immersion can be increased by minimizing the reduction of the display area AA without increasing the non-display area NA.

[0074] The display panel 100 disposed below the cover member 20 may include a flexible portion extending from one end of the front surface FP and bending in a downward direction.

[0075] The flexible portion may be located at the outermost part of the display panel 100 and may be easily exposed to external impacts, and may easily deform or be damaged when an impact is applied to it. Therefore, the impact can be absorbed by adding support members or reinforcing members to protect the flexible portion.

[0076] The structure of the display device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0077] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of the display device 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] The display device 1 may include a cover member 20 located at the top and a display panel 100 disposed below the cover member 20.

[0079] The display device 1 may include: a display panel 100, which includes a front surface FP, a flexible portion BND, and a pad PAD that bends from the flexible portion BND and is located behind the front surface FP; a buffer plate 300 disposed between the front surface FP and the pad PAD; and a second connecting member 400 that fixes the pad PAD to the buffer plate 300.

[0080] The first plate 210, the buffer plate 300, the second connecting member 400, the second plate 220, and the pad PAD can be arranged sequentially below the front surface FP of the display panel 100.

[0081] The first connecting member 150 may be disposed between the cover member 20 and the display panel 100.

[0082] The first connecting member 150 can connect or couple the cover member 20 and the display panel 100 to each other.

[0083] For example, the first connecting member 150 may be a fixed member and may not be limited by terminology.

[0084] Because the first connecting member 150 can be configured to overlap with the display area AA, a material that can transmit images through the display panel 100 can be used.

[0085] For example, the first connecting member 150 may be made of a material such as optically transparent adhesive (OCA), optically transparent resin (OCR), or pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), or may contain a material such as optically transparent adhesive (OCA), optically transparent resin (OCR), or pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0086] The display panel 100 disposed below the cover member 20 may include a front surface FP, a flexible portion BND, and pads PAD based on the display substrate 110.

[0087] The front surface FP of the display panel 100 can be disposed below the first connecting member 150. For example, the front surface FP can be a portion for displaying an image and can include a display substrate 110, a pixel array 120, an encapsulation portion 130, and a polarizing plate 140.

[0088] The flexible portion BND of the display panel 100 may be a portion that extends from one end of the front surface FP and bends downward (negative Z-axis) and then bends again in the plane (Y-axis) direction.

[0089] The bendable portion BND may include a display substrate 110 and signal wiring.

[0090] The pads PAD of the display panel 100 can extend from the flexible portion BND and can be positioned below the front surface FP.

[0091] The pad PAD may include a display substrate 110, signal wiring, and pad electrodes connected to the signal wiring. Driving circuitry or flexible circuit boards for driving pixels may be mounted on the pad electrodes.

[0092] The display panel 100 may include a polarizing plate 140 disposed on top of the front surface FP. Additionally, a functional layer for improving the display performance of the display device may be further disposed between the first connecting member 150 and the polarizing plate 140.

[0093] The polarizing plate 140 can increase the outdoor visibility and contrast of the image displayed on the display panel 100 by preventing the reflection of external light.

[0094] The display panel 100 may include a display substrate 110, a pixel array 120 disposed on the display substrate 110, and an encapsulation portion 130 disposed to cover the pixel array 120.

[0095] The display substrate 110 can be located at the bottom of the display panel 100.

[0096] The display substrate 110 can be formed in the front surface FP, the flexible portion BND, and the pads PAD.

[0097] The display substrate 110 can be made of a flexible plastic material to have flexible properties.

[0098] The display substrate 110 may contain polyimide and may be made of a flexible thin glass material.

[0099] The pixel array 120 can be disposed on the display substrate 110. The pixel array 120 can display images. The portion where the pixel array 120 is disposed can be a display area AA.

[0100] Therefore, the area corresponding to the pixel array 120 relative to the cover member 20 can be the display area AA, and the area other than the display area AA can be the non-display area NA.

[0101] The pixel array 120 may include light-emitting elements, thin-film transistors for driving the light-emitting elements, and signal wiring on the display substrate 110 including gate lines, data lines and pixel driving power lines.

[0102] The pixel array 120 may include pixels that display an image in response to a signal provided to the signal wiring, and the pixels may include light-emitting elements and thin-film transistors.

[0103] The light-emitting element may include an anode electrode electrically connected to a thin-film transistor, a light-emitting layer formed on the anode electrode, and a cathode electrode for providing a common voltage.

[0104] A thin-film transistor may include a gate electrode, a semiconductor layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode.

[0105] The semiconductor layer of a thin-film transistor may contain silicon such as amorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon, or low-temperature polycrystalline silicon, or oxides such as indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0106] In each pixel region, the anode electrode can be configured to correspond to an opening region defined by a pixel-based pattern shape, for electrical connection to a thin-film transistor.

[0107] The light-emitting element may include a light-emitting layer formed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode.

[0108] The emissive layer can be implemented to emit light of the same color, such as white light, for each pixel, or to emit light of different colors, such as red, green, or blue light, for each pixel.

[0109] The encapsulation portion 130 can be disposed on the display substrate 110 to cover the pixel array 120.

[0110] The encapsulation portion 130 can prevent oxygen, moisture or foreign substances from penetrating into the light-emitting layer of the pixel array 120.

[0111] The encapsulation portion 130 may be formed as a multilayer structure in which organic material layers and inorganic material layers are alternately stacked, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0112] The front surface FP of the display panel 100 may include a display substrate 110, a pixel array 120 and an encapsulation portion 130, and may be formed as a planar state except for the edges.

[0113] The first plate 210, which will be described later, can be connected to or coupled to the bottom of the front surface FP in order to maintain the planar state of the front surface FP.

[0114] In the bendable portion BND of the display panel 100, the pixel array 120, the encapsulation portion 130, and the first plate 210 (described later) may be omitted, but the display substrate 110 may be provided. The bendable portion BND may be a portion that can be easily bent in a direction desired by the user.

[0115] The pads of the display panel 100 may be the portion of the panel that does not have the pixel array 120 and the package portion 130.

[0116] In order to keep the pads flat, the second board 220, which will be described later, can be connected to or coupled to the bottom of the pads.

[0117] Therefore, the front surface FP of the display panel 100 can be set in the direction of the display screen, and the pad PAD can be bent from the flexible portion BND in the downward direction of the front surface FP to be positioned below the front surface FP, that is, behind the front surface FP.

[0118] The first plate 210 disposed below the front surface FP of the display panel 100 and the second plate 220 disposed below the pad PAD can be disposed below the display substrate 110 to maintain the front surface FP as a planar shape and at the same time supplement the rigidity of the display substrate 110.

[0119] The first plate 210 and the second plate 220 may have a certain strength and thickness to supplement the rigidity of the display substrate 110, and may not be formed in the flexible portion BND area where the flexible portion BND is provided.

[0120] Based on the shape of the display panel 100 before it is bent, the first plate 210 and the second plate 220 can be disposed below the display substrate 110 and spaced apart from each other.

[0121] Based on the shape of the display panel 100 after it is bent, the first plate 210 can be disposed below the front surface FP, and the second plate 220 can be disposed on top of the pad PAD.

[0122] The first plate 210 and the second plate 220 can be back plates disposed on the back surface of the display substrate 110.

[0123] The first plate 210 and the second plate 220 can be formed into a rigid plastic film.

[0124] For example, the first plate 210 and the second plate 220 may be made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), etc., but this disclosure is not limited to these.

[0125] The first plate 210 and the second plate 220 may be made of the same material and may have the same thickness, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0126] Based on the shape of the display panel 100 after it is bent, the buffer plate 300 can be disposed between the first plate 210 and the second plate 220.

[0127] The buffer plate 300 can be positioned below the first plate 210.

[0128] The buffer plate 300 may include an adhesive member 310, a porous member 320, and a metal coating 330. The porous member 320 may be a metal foam.

[0129] The porous component 320 can be used as a buffer layer of the buffer plate 300 to mitigate the impact of various components that may come into contact with the buffer plate 300.

[0130] The porous component 320 with impact mitigation function can enhance the rigidity of the buffer plate 300.

[0131] Reference Figure 3 The porous component 320 can be a porous metal structure including a conductive metal 321 and a plurality of holes 323 located inside the conductive metal 321.

[0132] Because the conductive metal 321 of the porous component 320 is a metal with high thermal conductivity, the porous component 320 itself can provide excellent heat dissipation. Because the porous component 320 has a metal structure with multiple holes 323, the porous component 320 can also provide excellent cushioning.

[0133] Furthermore, because the porous component 320 includes multiple holes 323 inside the conductive metal 321, the total surface area is increased, enabling the porous component 320 itself to provide excellent heat dissipation.

[0134] As an example, the porous component 320 can be formed by the following preparation method, but the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0135] The porous component 320 can be formed by sintering a metal foam precursor containing metal powder.

[0136] Metal foam precursors refer to structures that are formed prior to processes such as sintering to create porous components 320.

[0137] For example, metal foam precursors can be formed using a slurry containing metal powder, dispersant, and binder.

[0138] The metal powder may be one or more of the following metal powders mixed together: copper powder, nickel powder, iron powder, SUS powder, molybdenum powder, silver powder, platinum powder, gold powder, aluminum powder, chromium powder, indium powder, tin powder, magnesium powder, phosphorus powder, zinc powder, and manganese powder; or it may be an alloy powder of one or more metals, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0139] In one example, alcohol may be used as a dispersant, but this disclosure is not limited to this.

[0140] In this case, the alcohols that can be used are: monohydric alcohols having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, pentanol, octanol, 2-methoxyethanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, 2-butoxyethanol, glycerol, alcohol esters, or terpineol; dihydric alcohols having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, hexanediol, octanediol, or pentanediol; or polyhydric alcohols, but this disclosure is not limited to these.

[0141] The type of adhesive is not particularly restricted and can be selected based on the type of metal component or dispersant used in the preparation of the slurry.

[0142] For example, as an adhesive, the following can be used: alkyl cellulose having an alkyl group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, such as methyl cellulose or ethyl cellulose; polyalkylene carbonate having an alkylene unit containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, such as polypropylene carbonate or polyethylene carbonate; or adhesives based on polyvinyl alcohol, such as polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinyl acetate, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0143] After forming a slurry containing the above-mentioned metal powder, dispersant and binder, a metal foam precursor can be formed by injecting the slurry into a mold with a predetermined shape or by coating the slurry onto a substrate.

[0144] The resulting metal foam precursor can be sintered into a porous component 320.

[0145] In this case, the conditions of the sintering process are not particularly limited, as long as sintering is carried out within the temperature and time range at which the solvent contained in the slurry can be removed to the desired level. For example, sintering can be carried out for a predetermined time in a temperature range of about 50°C to 250°C, but this disclosure is not limited to this.

[0146] The buffer plate 300 can be formed by attaching the adhesive member 310 to one surface of the porous member 320 after the porous member 320 has been formed.

[0147] Alternatively, the buffer plate 300, including the porous member 320, can be formed by forming a metal foam precursor on the adhesive member 310 and sintering the metal foam precursor. There are no particular limitations on the manufacturing method of the buffer plate 300.

[0148] The adhesive member 310 may have a predetermined thickness on one surface of the porous member 320.

[0149] The adhesive member 310 may include an adhesive component, and the porous member 320 may be fixed to the first plate 210.

[0150] The adhesive component 310 may be made of or contain materials such as optically transparent adhesive (OCA), optically transparent resin (OCR), or pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA).

[0151] A metal coating 330 of a predetermined thickness can be formed on another surface opposite to one surface of the porous member 320 on which the adhesive member 310 is disposed.

[0152] The second connecting member 400 and the second plate 220 can be disposed below the buffer plate 300.

[0153] The second connecting member 400 can be disposed between the buffer plate 300 and the pad PAD.

[0154] When the display panel 100 is bent at the bendable portion BND such that the pads PAD of the display panel 100 are positioned below the front surface FP of the display panel 100, a restoring force can be strongly applied to attempt to restore the display panel 100 to its state before bending.

[0155] When a strong restoring force is applied, a lifting phenomenon may occur in which the pads of the bent display panel 100 are not fixed and are lifted.

[0156] The second connecting member 400 can be used as a fixing member for fixing the curved display panel 100 to maintain its curved shape.

[0157] The second connecting member 400 can be formed to have a constant thickness in the thickness direction to constantly maintain the curvature of the bendable portion BND.

[0158] The second connecting member 400 may be a double-sided tape with adhesive force that can fix the second plate 220 and the metal coating 330, but the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0159] Alternatively, the second connecting member 400 may be formed as an adhesive foam strip or foam pad to further mitigate the impact.

[0160] The second plate 220 can be located below the second connecting member 400.

[0161] To set up the second plate 220, the second plate 220 can first be attached to the bottom surface of the pad PAD, and then the flexible portion BND can be bent, and then the second plate 220 can be attached to and fixed to the bottom surface of the second connecting member 400.

[0162] With the second plate 220 fixed to the second connecting member 400, the second plate 220 may have a structure that is set on the pad PAD.

[0163] For example, the second connecting member 400 and the second plate 220 can be disposed between the metal coating 330 of the buffer plate 300 and the pad PAD.

[0164] With the second plate 220 fixed to the second connecting member 400, the outer surface of the flexible portion BND as the top surface can be exposed to the outside, while the bottom surface of the flexible portion BND as the inside can be set to face the side surface of the buffer plate 300 and the second connecting member 400.

[0165] The reinforcing member 600 can be disposed on the top surface of the flexible portion BND of the display panel 100 as the exterior.

[0166] The reinforcing member 600 may cover the flexible portion BND and may extend to cover at least a portion of each of the front surface FP and the pad PAD.

[0167] The reinforcing member 600 may comprise a resin. For example, the reinforcing member 600 may comprise an ultraviolet (UV) curable acrylic resin, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0168] Because the reinforcing member 600 can cover the various signal wirings set between the encapsulation portion 130 of the display panel 100 and the pad PAD, the reinforcing member 600 can prevent moisture from penetrating into the signal wirings and protect the signal wirings from external impacts.

[0169] Because other components besides the display substrate 110 and signal wiring can be omitted from the flexible portion BND to increase the flexibility of the display panel 100, the reinforcing member 600 can supplement the rigidity of the flexible portion BND where other components are omitted.

[0170] In one example, the drive circuit 160 may be disposed on another surface opposite to one surface of the display panel 100 where the pads PAD are disposed on the second board 220.

[0171] The driving circuit 160 may be provided in the form of a chip-on-plastic (COP) mounted on the display substrate 110, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0172] The drive circuit 160 can generate data signals and gate control signals based on image data and timing synchronization signals provided from an external host drive system.

[0173] The driving circuit 160 can provide data signals to the data lines of each pixel via the display pads, and can provide gate control signals to the gate driving circuit.

[0174] The driving circuit 160 can be installed in the chip mounting area defined on the display substrate 110 to be electrically connected to the display pads, and can be connected to each of the signal lines and gate driving circuits of the pixel array 120 disposed on the display substrate 110.

[0175] The display pads can be set on the far end of the display substrate 110 on which the drive circuit 160 is mounted.

[0176] The display pads can be electrically connected to the flexible circuit board 500, on which the circuit board is mounted at a position on one surface of the display substrate 110.

[0177] The flexible circuit board 500 can be electrically connected to the display pads disposed at the far end of the display substrate 110 via a film adhesion process mediated by a conductive adhesive layer, and can be disposed on the back surface of the display panel 100.

[0178] As an example, anisotropic conductive film (ACF) can be used as a conductive adhesive layer.

[0179] The circuit board can provide image data and timing synchronization signals from the host drive system to the drive circuit 160, and can provide the required voltages for each of the drive pixel array 120, the gate drive circuit, and the drive circuit 160.

[0180] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 4 to 6 Various embodiments of a display device including through-holes are described according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0181] Reference Figure 4 The display device 1 may include a cover member 20, a display panel 100 disposed on the back surface of the cover member 20, a buffer plate 300 disposed on the back surface of the display panel 100, and a through hole h extending through the buffer plate 300.

[0182] exist Figures 4 to 6 In the middle, the direction of the back surface can refer to the negative Z-axis direction.

[0183] Because the through hole h extends through the buffer plate 300, a portion of the buffer plate 300 can be removed in the area corresponding to the through hole.

[0184] Furthermore, the first plate 210 may be included between the display panel 100 and the buffer plate 300, and the through hole h may extend through the first plate 210.

[0185] Because the through hole h extends through the first plate 210, a portion of the area of ​​the first plate 210 corresponding to the through hole can be removed.

[0186] Therefore, in the area corresponding to the through hole h, a portion of the display panel 100 can be exposed to the outside in the direction of the back surface.

[0187] Various identification sensor modules, such as fingerprint recognition sensor modules and infrared sensor modules, can be inserted into the through hole h, through which a portion of the display panel 100 is exposed.

[0188] The buffer plate 300 may include a porous member 320 and a metal coating 330 disposed on the back surface of the porous member 320.

[0189] The metal coating 330 may contain nickel (Ni) and may be formed with a thickness ranging from 0.2 μm to 0.5 μm.

[0190] As described above, the metal coating 330 containing nickel and having a thickness ranging from 0.2 μm to 0.5 μm can be achieved with a gray base color.

[0191] Therefore, refer to, as Figure 1B The rear view of the display device 1 with the housing 40 removed shows that the buffer plate 300 can be implemented as a monochrome layer of gray base color when the metal coating 330 implemented in gray base color is exposed in the direction of the back surface.

[0192] Thus, in the display device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the buffer plate 300 includes a porous member 320 and a monochrome metallic coating 330 having a gray base color, and the monochrome buffer plate 300 having a gray base color is configured to correspond to the entire area of ​​the display area AA, thereby increasing the light reflectivity on the front surface of the display device 1 to greatly improve the visibility of the front surface.

[0193] The values ​​in the a* color coordinates of the buffer plate 300, including the metallic coating 330 with a gray base color, can be in the range of 1.5 to 2.0, and the values ​​in the b* color coordinates can be in the range of 5.8 to 6.4.

[0194] Figure 7This is a table summarizing the results obtained by measuring the L*, a*, b* color coordinates of a metallic coating 330 with a gray base color according to the first to sixth examples of this disclosure.

[0195] The reflective color of the surface layer of the metal coating was measured using a Minolta CM2600D instrument, and the reflective color values ​​of the CIE 1976 L*, a*, b* color coordinates were obtained under D65 light source conditions.

[0196] Light incident on the surface of an object and reflected at the same angle is called specular reflection light, while light that is not specularly reflected but is scattered and reflected in various directions is called diffuse reflection light.

[0197] Color measurement methods used to measure the color of light excluding specular reflection are called the Excluded Specular Component (SCE) method, while color measurement methods used to measure the color of light including specular reflection are called the Included Specular Component (SCI) method.

[0198] from Figure 7 The a* and b* color coordinates of the SCI and SCE disclosed herein reveal that the values ​​in the a* color coordinates of the metallic coating 330 with a gray base color, as exemplified by this disclosure, range from 1.5 to 2.0, and the values ​​in the b* color coordinates range from 5.8 to 6.4.

[0199] Figure 8A and Figure 8B This is a comparative example view, where unevenness is formed in the area defining the through hole h, with black and white dots respectively.

[0200] When the via h is defined in this way, the phenomenon of high grayscale unevenness where the via appears dark on a bright screen or low grayscale unevenness where the via appears bright on a dark screen may occur centrally in the region of the via h.

[0201] For example, when the value in the a* color coordinate of the metal coating 330 is less than 1.5 or the value in the b* color coordinate is less than 5.8, the metal coating 330 may become darker than the gray according to the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0202] In this case, it can be found that, Figure 9A As shown, it gradually darkens in high grayscale and as... Figure 9B The phenomenon shown is that the light gradually brightens in low grayscale, and the hole change phenomenon based on color coordinate characteristics can be discovered through the attached figure.

[0203] Therefore, the difference in light reflectivity between the region with defined apertures and the region without defined apertures may increase.

[0204] Furthermore, when the value in the a* color coordinate of the metal coating 330 is greater than 2.0 or the value in the b* color coordinate is greater than 6.4, the metal coating 330 may become brighter than the gray according to the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0205] In this case, it can be found that, Figure 10A As shown, it gradually brightens in high grayscale and... Figure 10B The phenomenon shown is a gradual darkening at low gray levels, which allows us to observe the hole variation based on color coordinate characteristics through the attached diagram.

[0206] Therefore, the difference in light reflectivity between the region with defined apertures and the region without defined apertures may increase.

[0207] As described above, the through hole h of the display device 1 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be provided within the display area AA of the display panel 100.

[0208] When the area defined by the via h that causes non-uniformity is exposed to light, leakage current may increase, which may cause the threshold voltage (Vth) to shift in the positive direction, resulting in component changes.

[0209] Therefore, the buffer plate 300 according to the embodiments of this disclosure includes a metal coating 330 containing nickel and having a thickness in the range of 0.2 μm to 0.5 μm with a gray base color, thereby greatly reducing the occurrence of unevenness.

[0210] By using a buffer plate 300 that includes a metallic coating 330 with a gray base color, the difference in light reflectivity between the area other than the through hole h and the area of ​​the through hole h can be greatly reduced, thereby greatly reducing the occurrence of unevenness near the through hole h.

[0211] The focus will be on describing based on references Figure 5 The display device 1 and reference of the described embodiments Figure 4 The differences in display device 1 are described, and common content will be omitted.

[0212] The adhesive member 310 can be disposed on the other surface of the porous member 320 opposite to the surface on which the metal coating 330 is disposed.

[0213] In this case, the adhesive member 310 can be formed to achieve the gray base color.

[0214] The method for achieving the adhesive component 310 with a gray base color is not particularly limited. For example, the gray base color can be achieved by mixing black resin and white resin with each other.

[0215] Thus, since not only the metal coating 330 but also the adhesive member 310 is formed to achieve the gray base color, the buffer plate 300 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can greatly reduce the difference in light reflectivity between the area other than the through hole h and the area of ​​the through hole h, so as to significantly reduce the occurrence of unevenness near the through hole h.

[0216] The focus will be on describing based on references Figure 6 The display device 1 and reference of the described embodiments Figure 4 The differences in display device 1 are described, and common content will be omitted.

[0217] The first plate 210 may be included between the display panel 100 and the buffer plate 300, and the through hole h may extend through the first plate 210.

[0218] Furthermore, the first connecting member 150 may be included between the display panel 100 and the cover member 20, and the through hole h may extend through the display panel 100 and the first connecting member 150.

[0219] Therefore, the through hole h can extend through the buffer plate 300, the first plate 210, the display panel 100 and the first connecting member 150, and the portion of the cover member 20 corresponding to the through hole h can be exposed to the outside in the direction of the back surface.

[0220] The camera module can be inserted into the through hole h, in which a portion of each of the buffer plate 300, the first plate 210, the display panel 100, and the first connecting member 150 is thus removed.

[0221] Therefore, according to the embodiments of this disclosure, by including a metal coating 330 implemented with a gray base color in the buffer plate 300, the difference in light reflectivity between the area other than the through hole h and the area of ​​the through hole h can be greatly reduced, thereby greatly reducing the occurrence of unevenness near the through hole h.

[0222] One aspect of this disclosure provides a display device comprising: a cover member, a display panel disposed on a back surface of the cover member, a buffer plate disposed on the back surface of the display panel, and a through hole extending through the buffer plate, wherein the buffer plate comprises a porous member and a metal coating disposed on the back surface of the porous member, wherein the metal coating comprises nickel (Ni) and has a thickness in the range of 0.2 μm to 0.5 μm.

[0223] In one implementation, the porous component includes a conductive metal and a plurality of holes disposed within the conductive metal.

[0224] In one implementation, the values ​​in the a* color coordinates of the metal coating are in the range of 1.5 to 2.0, and the values ​​in the b* color coordinates are in the range of 5.8 to 6.4.

[0225] In one implementation, the metallic coating has a gray base color.

[0226] In one implementation, the buffer plate further includes an adhesive member disposed between the porous member and the display panel, and the adhesive member has a gray base color.

[0227] In one implementation, the display panel includes a display area and a non-display area, and a through-hole is disposed within the display area.

[0228] In one implementation, the buffer is configured to correspond to the display area.

[0229] In one implementation, the display device further includes a first plate disposed between the display panel and the buffer plate, and a through hole extends through the first plate.

[0230] In one implementation, the display device further includes a first connecting member disposed between the display panel and the cover member, and a through hole extending through the display panel and the first connecting member.

[0231] In one implementation, the sensor module or camera module is inserted into the through-hole.

[0232] The scope of protection of this disclosure should be interpreted according to the scope of the claims, and all technical ideas within the scope of the claims should be interpreted as including within the scope of this disclosure. Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, this disclosure is not necessarily limited to these embodiments. This disclosure can be implemented in various modifications without departing from the technical ideas of this disclosure. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in this disclosure are not intended to limit the technical ideas of this disclosure, but rather to describe this disclosure. The scope of the technical ideas of this disclosure is not limited by the embodiments. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of protection of this disclosure should be interpreted according to the claims, and all technical ideas within the scope of this disclosure should be interpreted as including within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: Cover components; A display panel is located below the cover component; A buffer plate is installed below the display panel; as well as Extending through the through-hole of the buffer plate, The buffer plate includes a porous component and a metal coating disposed on the back surface of the porous component. The metal coating comprises nickel and has a thickness ranging from 0.2 μm to 0.5 μm. The values ​​in the a* color coordinates of the metal coating are in the range of 1.5 to 2.0, and the values ​​in the b* color coordinates are in the range of 5.8 to 6.

4.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The porous component includes a conductive metal and a plurality of holes disposed inside the conductive metal.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The metal coating has a gray base color.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The buffer plate also includes adhesive components. The adhesive component is disposed between the porous component and the display panel. The adhesive component has a gray base color.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The display panel includes a display area and a non-display area. The through hole is located within the display area.

6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein, The buffer plate is configured to correspond to the display area.

7. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising a first plate disposed between the display panel and the buffer plate. in, The through hole extends through the first plate.

8. The display device according to claim 7, further comprising a first connecting member disposed between the display panel and the cover member. in, The through-hole extends through the display panel and the first connecting member.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The sensor module or camera module is inserted into the through hole.

10. A display device, comprising: Cover components; A first connecting member is disposed below the cover member; A display panel located below the first connecting member; The first plate is located below the display panel; A buffer plate positioned below the first plate; as well as The through-hole extends through the buffer plate, the first plate, the display panel, and the first connecting member. The buffer plate includes a porous component, a metal coating on the back surface of the porous component, and an adhesive component disposed between the porous component and the first plate. The metal coating comprises nickel and has a thickness ranging from 0.2 μm to 0.5 μm. Both the metal coating and the adhesive component have a gray base color, and The values ​​in the a* color coordinates of the metal coating are in the range of 1.5 to 2.0, and the values ​​in the b* color coordinates are in the range of 5.8 to 6.

4.

11. The display device according to claim 10, wherein, The sensor module or camera module is inserted into the through hole.

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