Display device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display apparatus including a display panel including a display area provided with a plurality of sub-pixels, and a sensor area provided at the display area, a first hole being provided at the sensor area; a first member provided above a front surface of the display panel; a second member provided at a rear surface of the display panel and including a first hole; a third member provided at a rear surface of the second member and including a second hole overlapping the first hole; and a fourth member covering an inner surface of the first hole. The present invention can prevent noise in an optical member due to light emitted from the sub-pixels, prevent a reliability reduction of the optical member due to static electricity, and reduce production costs.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0194628, filed on December 31, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0004] With the development of the information society, the demand for display devices for displaying images is constantly increasing, and various types of display devices, such as liquid crystal displays and organic light-emitting diode displays, are being used.

[0005] Display devices used in computer monitors, TVs, mobile phones, etc., include self-emissive organic light-emitting displays (OLEDs) and liquid crystal displays (LCDs) that require a separate light source.

[0006] Display devices are widely used in personal portable devices, computer monitors, and TVs, and research is underway on display devices with reduced size and weight and large display area.

[0007] In addition, display devices include optical components such as cameras and proximity sensors to provide users with more functionality. However, since optical components, such as cameras, must be exposed to the outside to detect light, display devices are being developed in which a portion of the optical components is cut into a slit shape or formed with holes to house the optical components. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a display device that substantially eliminates one or more problems associated with the limitations and disadvantages of related conventional technologies.

[0009] One object of the present invention is to provide a display device capable of preventing noise in optical components caused by light emitted from sub-pixels.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a display device that can prevent the degradation of the reliability of optical components due to static electricity.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a display device that can reduce production costs.

[0012] Additional features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following description, which will be apparent from the description or may be understood by practice of the invention. The objects and other advantages of the invention are realized and obtained by the features described herein and in the accompanying drawings.

[0013] To achieve these and other advantages and for the purposes of embodiments of the invention, as described herein, one aspect of the invention is a display device comprising: a display panel including a display area having a plurality of subpixels and a sensor area disposed in the display area, the sensor area having a first hole; a first member disposed above a front surface of the display panel; a second member disposed on a rear surface of the display panel and including the first hole; a third member disposed on the rear surface of the second member and including a second hole overlapping the first hole; and a fourth member covering the inner surface of the first hole.

[0014] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory, and are intended to further explain the claimed invention. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are included to 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.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic plan view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is an enlarged plan view of a part of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken from line III-III' in the middle;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a fourth component in a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the process of forming a fourth component in a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating another process in forming a fourth component in a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The advantages and features of the present invention, as well as the methods of implementing them, will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms only to complete the disclosure of the invention. The present invention is provided to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0023] The shapes, dimensions, proportions, angles, quantities, etc., disclosed in the accompanying drawings for explaining embodiments of the present invention are exemplary, and the present invention is not limited to the illustrative content. Throughout the application, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. Furthermore, in describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known technologies may be omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention. When terms such as "comprising," "having," or "constituting" are used in this application, other parts may be added unless "only" is used. When components are referred to in a singular form, the plural cases are included unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0024] When interpreting components, even without a separate explicit description, it is interpreted as including a margin range.

[0025] When describing positional relationships, such as when the positional relationship between two parts is described as "on," "above," "below," "after," etc., one or more other parts may be placed between the two parts, unless "exactly," "directly," or "adjacent" is described.

[0026] When describing temporal relationships, such as when the temporal relationship is described as "after", "following", "before", etc., including discontinuous cases, unless "immediately" or "directly" is described.

[0027] Although terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Therefore, within the spirit of this invention, the "first element" mentioned below can also be a "second element."

[0028] Each feature of each embodiment of this application may be connected or combined with each other in part or in whole, and may be technically interoperable and driven. Each embodiment may be implemented independently of each other, or may be implemented together in a related relationship.

[0029] In this invention, a "display device" may include a liquid crystal module (LCM), an organic light-emitting module (OLED module), and a quantum dot module, which include a display panel and a driving unit for driving the display panel. Furthermore, a "display device" may include complete products or end products comprising an LCM, an OLED module, and a QD module, such as laptops; televisions; computer monitors; equipment display devices, such as automotive display devices or other forms of vehicle display devices; and mobile electronic devices, such as smartphones or tablets. These end products may be referred to as complete devices or complete equipment.

[0030] Therefore, the display device in this invention may include display devices in the narrow sense, such as LCM, OLED modules, QD modules, etc.; and complete sets of equipment, that is, application products or end-user devices including LCM, OLED modules, QD modules, etc.

[0031] In some cases, LCM, OLED modules, and QD modules, which include display panels and driving units, can be referred to as "display devices" in the narrow sense, while electronic devices that are the final products including LCM, OLED modules, and QD modules can be referred to as "assemblies." For example, a display device in the narrow sense may include a display panel and a source PCB that serves as a control unit for driving the display panel, and an assembly may further include an assembly PCB that serves as an assembly control unit connected to the source PCB and controlling the entire assembly.

[0032] The display panel used in this invention includes all types of display panels, such as liquid crystal display panels, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panels, quantum dot (QD) display panels, and electroluminescent display panels. The display device may include an OLED display panel, which includes a flexible substrate and a backplane beneath the flexible substrate, and the display device may have a structure with curved edges. However, it is not limited thereto. Furthermore, there are no limitations on the shape or size of the display panel used in the display device according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0033] For example, an OLED display panel may include multiple gate lines and data lines, and pixels formed at the intersections of the gate lines and data lines. Furthermore, the OLED display panel may include: an array of thin-film transistors (TFTs), which are elements for selectively applying voltage to each pixel; an organic light-emitting device (OLED) layer on the array; and an encapsulation substrate (e.g., an encapsulation layer) disposed above the array to cover the OLED layer. The encapsulation layer protects the TFTs and OLED layer from external impacts and prevents moisture or oxygen from penetrating into the OLED layer. Additionally, the layers formed on the array may include inorganic light-emitting layers, such as nanoscale material layers or quantum dots.

[0034] Reference will now be made to some examples and preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic plan view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is an enlarged plan view of a part of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The display panel 140 of the display device (e.g., display apparatus) 100 is a panel that provides images and includes display elements as well as circuitry, wiring, and components for driving the display elements. A display area AA, a non-display area NA, and a camera area (e.g., a sensor area) CA are defined on the display panel 140.

[0037] The display area AA includes multiple sub-pixels SP for displaying images. Each sub-pixel SP is a separate unit that emits light, and a light-emitting element and driving circuitry may be formed in each sub-pixel SP. For example, a display element for displaying an image and a circuit for driving the display element may be formed in each sub-pixel SP. In an organic light-emitting display device 100, the display element may be a light-emitting element, such as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED). In a liquid crystal display device 100, the display element may be a liquid crystal element, such as a liquid crystal capacitor. The multiple sub-pixels SP may include red sub-pixels, green sub-pixels, and blue sub-pixels, and may or may not have additional white sub-pixels, but are not limited thereto.

[0038] The non-display area NA is the area where no image is displayed. For example, various lines and driving ICs used to drive multiple sub-pixels SP in the display area AA can be provided in the non-display area NA. For example, various ICs and driving circuits such as gate driver ICs and data driver ICs can be provided in the non-display area NA, but the invention is not limited thereto. The non-display area NA where no image is displayed can also be defined as a border area.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the non-display area NA can be set to the area surrounding the display area AA. For example, the non-display area NA can be set to the area extending from the display area AA or to the area where no multiple sub-pixels SP are set, but it is not limited to these.

[0040] A camera area (e.g., a sensor area) CA may be located within a display area AA. The camera area CA may be located between multiple sub-pixels SP within the display area AA. The camera area CA may be an area where optical components such as a camera or proximity sensor are housed. The camera area CA may include through-holes TH penetrating some components of the display device 100 for placing the optical components. Space for the optical components can be ensured by forming through-holes TH penetrating the display panel 140.

[0041] Light emitted from multiple sub-pixels SP can propagate towards a camera region CA, such as a through-hole TH, disposed between the multiple sub-pixels SP. When light from the multiple sub-pixels SP is transmitted to optical components (e.g., a camera) in the through-hole TH, noise is generated and the reliability of the optical components deteriorates. In the display device 100 of the present invention, in order to block light from the sub-pixels SP from entering the through-hole TH, a ( Figure 3 The fourth component 170 may be a conductive light-shielding component, a light-shielding film, or a shield, but is not limited thereto.

[0042] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 The cross-sectional view taken from line III-III' in the diagram.

[0043] Reference Figure 3 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the display device 100 includes a first component 110, an adhesive layer 120, a polarizing plate 130, a display panel 140, a second component 150, and a third component 160.

[0044] The first component 110 may be disposed above the display panel 140. The first component 110 protects the polarizing plate 130 and the display panel 140 below it from external impacts, moisture, heat, etc. The first component 110 may be made of a material that is impact-resistant and light-transmitting. For example, the first component 110 may be a substrate made of glass, or a plastic film made of plastic materials such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyimide (PI), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The first component 110 may be a cover window, a front component, or a cover glass, but is not limited thereto. The first component 110 is disposed on the image display side of the display panel 140, for example, above the front surface.

[0045] A polarizing plate 130 may be disposed between the first member 110 and the display panel 140. The polarizing plate 130 selectively transmits light to reduce the reflection of external light incident on the display panel 140. For example, the display panel 140 comprises various metallic materials used in thin-film transistors, lines (e.g., wiring), light-emitting elements, etc. Therefore, external light incident on the display panel 140 is reflected by the metallic materials, and the visibility of the display device 100 is reduced due to the reflection of external light. In the display device 100 of the present invention, by providing a polarizing plate 130 on one surface of the display panel 140, the reflection of external light can be prevented, and the outdoor visibility of the display device 100 can be improved.

[0046] An adhesive layer 120 may be formed between the polarizing plate 130 and the first member 110, and the first member 110 may be bonded and disposed on the polarizing plate 130. The adhesive layer 120 may be made of a material with adhesive properties. For example, the adhesive layer 120 may be formed of optically transparent adhesive (OCA), pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0047] The second component 150 may be disposed below the display panel 140. When the substrate constituting the display panel 140 is made of a plastic material such as polyimide, a support substrate made of glass is disposed below the substrate to perform the manufacturing process of the display device 100. The support substrate may be released at the end of the manufacturing process of the display device. After the support substrate is released, a component is needed to support the substrate, and the second component 150 may be disposed below the substrate of the display panel 140 to support the substrate. The second component 150 may support the display panel 140 and protect it from external moisture, heat, impact, etc. The second component 150 may be a film made of polyimide (PI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), but is not limited thereto. The second component 150 may be a backplate, a first plate, or a support substrate, but is not limited thereto.

[0048] The third component 160 may be disposed below the second component 150. The third component 160 may protect and support the structure on the third component 160. Since the third component 160 is made of a rigid material, defects such as dents caused by external impacts can be minimized. In addition, the third component 160 may serve as a heat dissipation (or thermal radiation) component to dissipate heat generated when the display device 100 is driven. The third component 160 may be made of a material with excellent electrical conductivity and may, together with the fourth component 170, release static electricity generated in the first component 110 to the outside. The third component 160 may be made of a material with excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. For example, the third component 160 may be made of copper (Cu) or graphite, but is not limited thereto. The third component 160 may be a metal plate, a second plate, or a rigid component, but is not limited thereto.

[0049] Through-holes TH can be formed in the remaining components of the display device 100, excluding the first component 110. The through-holes TH can be formed through the adhesive layer 120, polarizing plate 130, display panel 140, second component 150, and third component 160. The through-holes TH can serve as space for arranging optical components (e.g., a camera) in the display area AA. The optical components can be disposed in the through-holes TH to detect the external environment outside the first component 110. The optical components can operate by detecting external light transmitted to them via the first component 110. Since the through-holes TH are not formed in the first component 110, foreign matter can be prevented from penetrating into the through-holes TH.

[0050] The size of the through hole TH in the third component 160 can be adjusted according to the sequence of the processes of attaching the third component 160 and forming the through hole TH. In the following text, for ease of description, the through hole formed continuously in the adhesive layer 120, polarizing plate 130, display panel 140 and second component 150, for example, the through hole provided along the adhesive layer 120, polarizing plate 130, display panel 140 and second component 150 is referred to as the first hole (or first through hole) TH1, and the through hole formed in the third component 160 is referred to as the second hole (or second through hole) TH2.

[0051] Reference Figure 3 After forming a first hole TH1 with a first diameter D1 in the adhesive layer 120, polarizing plate 130, display panel 140, and second component 150, a third component 160 with a second hole TH2 having a second diameter D2 can be attached to the rear surface of the second component 150. For example, the first diameter D1 of the first hole TH1 may be smaller than the second diameter D2 of the second hole TH2. When the second hole TH2 is smaller than the first hole TH1, it may be difficult to align the second hole TH2 and the first hole TH1 when attaching the third component 160, or it may be difficult to form a fourth component 170 in the first hole TH1. Therefore, when the through hole TH is formed before attaching the third component 160, the laminated structure of the adhesive layer 120, polarizing plate 130, display panel 140, and second component 150 with the first hole TH1 can be attached to the third component 160 including the second hole TH2 with a diameter larger than that of the first hole TH1 to manufacture the display device 100.

[0052] In another example, a through-hole TH can be formed after the adhesive layer 120, polarizing plate 130, display panel 140, second member 150, and third member 160 are attached. In this case, the diameter of the first hole TH1 formed in the adhesive layer 120, polarizing plate 130, display panel 140, and second member 150, and the diameter of the second hole TH2 formed in the third member 160, can be the same. The size of the through-hole TH formed in the adhesive layer 120, polarizing plate 130, display panel 140, second member 150, and third member 160 can vary and is not limited thereto.

[0053] A fourth component 170 is disposed inside the through-hole TH. The fourth component 170 may be made of an opaque conductive material and may be a conductive light-shielding component, light-shielding film, or shielding element. However, it is not limited thereto. The fourth component 170 may block light from the display panel 140 from entering the through-hole TH and release static electricity generated by the first component 110. The fourth component 170 may cover a portion of the side surface of the third component 160 exposed in the through-hole TH, a portion of the rear surface of the first component 110, the side surface of the adhesive layer 120, the side surface of the polarizing plate 130, the side surface of the display panel 140, and the side surface of the second component 150. The fourth component 170 may be configured to cover the inner surface of the through-hole TH and the portion of the rear surface of the first component 110 corresponding to the outer periphery of the through-hole TH. One end (or one side) of the fourth component 170 may be disposed on the first component 110, and the other end (or the other side) of the fourth component 170 may contact the third component 160. The fourth component 170 may overlap a portion of the third component 160.

[0054] For example, the fourth component 170 may cover the portions of the first component 110, adhesive layer 120, polarizing plate 130, display panel 140, and second component 150 exposed through the first hole TH1. That is, the fourth component 170 may cover a portion of the rear surface of the first component 110, the boundary portion between the rear surface of the first component 110 and the side surface of the adhesive layer 120, the side surface of the adhesive layer 120, the side surface of the polarizing plate 130, the side surface of the display panel 140, and the side surface of the second component 150. The fourth component 170 may also cover the portions of the second component 150 and the third component 160 exposed through the second hole TH2. That is, the fourth component 170 may cover a portion of the rear surface of the second component 150, the boundary portion between the rear surface of the second component 150 and the side surface of the third component 160, and a portion of the side surface of the third component 160. For example, when the diameter of the second hole TH2 of the third component 160 is greater than the diameter of the first hole TH1 of the adhesive layer 120, the polarizing plate 130, the display panel 140, and the second component 150, the fourth component 170 may cover the portion of the second component 150 exposed in the second hole TH2 and a portion of the third component 160.

[0055] The fourth component 170 may cover only a portion of the side surface of the third component 160, or may not cover the remaining portion of the side surface of the third component 160 or the rear surface of the third component 160. The end of the fourth component 170 may not be located outside the through-hole TH, but may only be located inside the through-hole TH. When the fourth component 170 is configured to cover the rear surface of the third component 160, other structures on the third component 160 may interfere with or short-circuit with the fourth component 170. For example, when a circuit board for driving optical components is located on the rear surface of the third component 160, the fourth component 170 extending to the rear surface of the third component 160 may interfere with the circuit board on the rear surface of the third component 160, causing a short circuit. Furthermore, interference with the fourth component 170 may occur when a structure such as a frame is attached to the rear surface of the third component 160.

[0056] The fourth component 170 may be made of an opaque and conductive material. Therefore, the fourth component 170 can prevent light leakage from the sub-pixel SP into the via TH, and can also release static electricity. The fourth component 170 may be made of conductive ink or conductive paste. For example, the conductive ink may include conductive particles such as carbon black, or conductive polymers such as PEDOT:PSS (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)), and the conductive paste may include silver. However, it is not limited to these. Furthermore, the fourth component 170 may have a density of 0 to 10. 6 The resistance is Ω (ohms) to release static electricity, but is not limited to this. Preferably, the fourth component 170 may be formed of a material capable of absorbing light. When the fourth component 170 is formed of a reflective material, light leaking from the sub-pixel SP to the via TH is reflected back to the sub-pixel SP by the fourth component 170, making color mixing in the sub-pixel SP possible. Therefore, it is preferred that the fourth component 170 comprises a material capable of absorbing light, such as carbon black.

[0057] The fourth component 170 may be formed of a moisture-proof material. In the display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a camera area CA is disposed within a display area AA. The camera area CA includes through-holes TH penetrating some components of the display device 100 for placing optical components. Space for placing optical components can be ensured by forming through-holes TH penetrating the display panel 140. Moisture permeating into the space inside the through-hole TH will transfer to the adhesive layer 120, polarizing plate 130, display panel 140, and / or the second component 150 disposed along the through-hole TH, causing the performance of the aforementioned components to be affected by moisture. The fourth component 170 is made of a moisture-proof material and covers the side surfaces of each of the adhesive layer 120, polarizing plate 130, display panel 140, and second component 150 exposed in the through-hole TH. Therefore, moisture can be prevented from penetrating into the adhesive layer 120, polarizing plate 130, display panel 140, and / or second component 150 by the fourth component 170. That is, the fourth component 170 may have light-shielding, conductive, and / or moisture-proof properties.

[0058] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the fourth component in a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Reference Figure 4 The fourth member 170 may have a tubular structure including a flange portion at one end. The fourth member 170 may cover a portion of the side surface of the third member 160, a portion of the rear surface of the first member 110, the side surface of the adhesive layer 120, the side surface of the polarizing plate 130, the side surface of the display panel 140, and the side surface of the second member 150, all exposed through the through-hole TH. The fourth member 170 may cover a portion of the side surface of the third member 160 but may not cover the remaining portion of the side surface of the third member 160 or the rear surface of the third member 160. For example, a first height from the fourth member 170 to the first member 110 may be greater than a second height from the second member 150 to the first member 110 and less than a third height from the third member 160 to the first member 110.

[0060] The shape (e.g., a first shape) of the portion of the fourth member 170 covering a portion of the rear surface of the first member 110, the side surface of the adhesive layer 120, the side surface of the polarizing plate 130, the side surface of the display panel 140, and the side surface of the second member 150 can be tubular. The shape (e.g., a second shape) of the portion of the fourth member 170 covering a portion of the rear surface of the second member 150 and a portion of the side surface of the third member 160 can be annular. Therefore, the fourth member 170 can have a tubular structure including a flange portion at one end by combining the first shape and the second shape.

[0061] The fourth component 170 may be made of a material with shape memory properties. For example, a tubular fourth component 170 including a flanged portion at one end may be formed of a material with shape memory properties. The material with shape memory properties may be a shape memory polymer, but is not limited to this. Shape memory polymers may possess the property of remembering the initial body shape due to their thermal / mechanical properties. Shape memory polymers become flexible and recover their initial body shape above the transition temperature, while shape memory polymers retain their deformed shape below the transition temperature. In one example, after the fourth component 170, formed from a shape memory polymer into an initial shape of a tubular structure with a flanged portion, is deformed and inserted into the first hole TH1, heat treatment is performed to restore the initial shape of the fourth component 170. The fourth member 170, having a restored shape, i.e., a tubular structure with a flanged portion, can cover a portion of the rear surface of the first member 110, the side surface of the adhesive layer 120, the side surface of the polarizing plate 130, the side surface of the display panel 140, the side surface of the second member 150, a portion of the rear surface of the second member 150, and a portion of the side surface of the third member 160. Therefore, the process of forming or attaching the fourth member 170 can be simplified, and it has the advantage of reducing the manufacturing cost and process time of the display device 100.

[0062] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the process of forming a fourth component in a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] like Figure 5 As shown, a portion of the second hole TH2 and the first hole TH1 are filled with the material used for the fourth member 170. The material used for the fourth member 170 fills the second hole TH2 to cover the rear surface of the second member 150. Next, laser trimming is performed to form a cylindrical shape with a diameter smaller than that of the first hole TH1 to form the fourth member 170. For example, by laser trimming the material used for the fourth member 170 in the through hole TH to remove a cylinder (or cylinder) with a diameter smaller than that of the first hole TH1 and concentric with the first hole TH1, a tubular structure with a flanged portion can be formed for the fourth member 170. However, the method of forming the fourth member 170 is not limited to this, and the trimming is not limited to laser trimming.

[0064] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating another process in forming a fourth component in a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] The fourth component 170 can be formed using processes such as pneumatic spray coating or electrostatic spraying. For example, in pneumatic spray coating, ink material in an syringe is ejected through nozzle NZ using air pressure. In electrostatic spraying, a voltage is applied to the ink material to provide a charge, and the charged ink material is ejected through nozzle NZ. For example, the display device 100 may be fixed, and nozzle NZ may rotate to eject ink material into the through-hole TH. Alternatively, the display device 100 may rotate, and the fixed nozzle NZ may eject ink material into the through-hole TH. However, this is not a limitation.

[0066] When the fourth component 170 is formed by pneumatic spraying or electrostatic spraying, the viscosity of the ink material used for the fourth component 170 may be approximately 10,000 cPs or less, and the method and characteristics are not limited thereto. If the viscosity of the fourth component 170 is lower than the above value, the coated ink material will flow due to gravity or inertia, and the coated ink material will take on an undesirable shape. For example, ink material coated on a portion of the rear surface of the first component 110, the side surface of the adhesive layer 120, the side surface of the polarizing plate 130, the side surface of the display panel 140, the side surface of the second component 150, a portion of the rear surface of the second component 150, and a portion of the side surface of the third component 160 may flow, causing at least one of them to be exposed.

[0067] Reference Figure 6 The nozzle NZ rotates and sprays ink material into the through-hole TH of the fixed display device 100 to form the fourth component 170. Alternatively, the fixed nozzle NZ sprays ink material into the through-hole TH of the rotating display device 100 to form the fourth component 170. However, it is not limited to this. When the fourth component 170 is formed by ink material spraying, an ultraviolet irradiator UV can be provided on one side of the nozzle NZ. When the ink material is sprayed from the nozzle NZ and applied into the through-hole TH, the ultraviolet irradiator UV provided on one side of the nozzle NZ irradiates ultraviolet L to cure and solidify the applied ink material. For example, when the nozzle NZ rotates clockwise to spray ink material and apply the ink material into the through-hole TH, the ultraviolet irradiator UV is provided on the left side of the nozzle NZ to apply ultraviolet L. As a result, the applied ink material can be cured and solidified immediately. Therefore, the ink material applied into the through-hole TH can be cured without flowing to form the fourth component 170.

[0068] In the display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a fourth member 170 is formed inside the through-hole TH where the optical component is disposed, thereby preventing light leakage from the sub-pixels to the optical component. For example, the fourth member 170 may be configured to cover the inner surface of the through-hole TH and block light emitted from the plurality of sub-pixels SP from being guided into the through-hole TH. When light from the plurality of sub-pixels SP is transmitted into the through-hole TH, the optical component's recognition of external light is interfered with, thereby degrading the reliability of the optical component. For example, the light from the plurality of sub-pixels SP can act as noise. In the display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, by providing the fourth member 170 inside the through-hole TH, light leakage can be prevented and the reliability of the optical component can be improved.

[0069] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the display device 100 may use a fourth component 170 to release static electricity generated in the first component 110. The first component 110 is exposed to the outside of the display device 100 and is prone to generating static electricity due to friction with the outside. For example, when static electricity generated by the first component 110 flows into the display panel 140, the internal structure of the display panel 140 may be damaged, leading to defects in the display device 100. In this case, the fourth component 170 may be made of a conductive material, such that the static electricity generated in the first component 110 can be released to the third component 160. The third component 160 is electrically grounded and configured to release static electricity. The fourth component 170 may be configured to connect the third component 160 to the first component 110, thereby forming a path for releasing the static electricity generated by the first component 110. Therefore, static electricity in the first component 110 can be released and static electricity introduced into the display panel 140 can be minimized.

[0070] In the display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, by using a fourth component 170 having integrated functions of electrostatic discharge and light leakage prevention, the process can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. For example, according to related technologies, the process of forming light-shielding ink to prevent light leakage in the through-hole TH and the process of attaching a conductive strip to the interior of the display device for electrostatic discharge can be performed separately. However, in the display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fourth component 170 for preventing light leakage in the through-hole TH is conductive, thereby having an electrostatic discharge function. As a result, the process of attaching the conductive strip can be eliminated, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0071] In the display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a fourth component 170 having integrated functions of electrostatic discharge and light leakage prevention can be formed from a shape memory material that expands through heat treatment. The tubular fourth component 170, having a flange portion, is formed from the shape memory material and shrinks, while the fourth component 170 expands through heat treatment and attaches to the interior of the through-hole TH. Therefore, manufacturing time and cost can be reduced. Furthermore, the manufacturing process can be simplified.

[0072] The display device according to embodiments of the present invention can be described as follows.

[0073] The display device according to the present invention includes: a display panel, the display panel including a display area having a plurality of sub-pixels and a sensor area disposed in the display area, the sensor area having a first hole; a first member disposed above a front surface of the display panel; a second member disposed on a rear surface of the display panel and including the first hole; a third member disposed on the rear surface of the second member and including a second hole overlapping the first hole; and a fourth member covering the inner surface of the first hole.

[0074] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the fourth member may further cover the portion of the second member exposed through the second hole.

[0075] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the fourth component may further cover the portion of the rear surface of the first component corresponding to the outer periphery of the first hole.

[0076] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the end of the fourth member may contact a portion of the inner surface of the second hole.

[0077] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the display device may further include: an adhesive layer between the display panel and the first component; and a polarizing plate between the adhesive layer and the display panel, wherein the first hole is disposed along the adhesive layer, the polarizing plate, the display panel and the second component.

[0078] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the diameter of the first hole may be smaller than the diameter of the second hole, wherein the fourth component covers the side surface of each of the adhesive layer, the polarizing plate, the display panel and the second component exposed in the first hole, and wherein the fourth component covers a portion of the side surface of the third component exposed in the second hole and the rear surface of the second component.

[0079] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the diameter of the first hole and the diameter of the second hole may be the same, and wherein the fourth member covers the side surface of the adhesive layer exposed in the first hole, the side surface of the polarizing plate, the side surface of the display panel and the side surface of the second member; and a portion of the side surface of the third member exposed in the second hole.

[0080] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the fourth member may not cover the remainder of the side surface of the third member and the rear surface of the third member.

[0081] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the sensor region may be disposed between the plurality of sub-pixels in the display region, and wherein the fourth member is formed of an opaque material such that light from the plurality of sub-pixels toward the first aperture is blocked by the fourth member.

[0082] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the fourth component may be formed of a material capable of absorbing light.

[0083] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the fourth component may be configured to connect the third component to the first component, such that the static electricity of the first component is released to the third component through the fourth component.

[0084] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the fourth component may be formed of a conductive material.

[0085] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the fourth component may be formed of a moisture-proof material.

[0086] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the fourth component may have a tubular structure including a flange portion at one end.

[0087] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the fourth component may have shape memory properties that expand through heat treatment.

[0088] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the fourth member may be formed by shaping a cylindrical shape having a diameter smaller than that of the first hole by filling the first hole and covering the rear surface of the second member exposed by the second hole.

[0089] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the fourth component may be formed by coating ink on the inner surface of the first hole and the rear surface of the second component exposed by the second hole, and irradiating the coated ink with a laser.

[0090] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the ink may be conductive.

[0091] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the technical spirit or scope thereof. Therefore, the present invention is intended to cover all modifications and variations falling within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: The display panel includes a display area with multiple sub-pixels and a sensor area disposed in the display area, wherein a first hole is disposed in the sensor area; A first component disposed above the front surface of the display panel; A second component disposed on the rear surface of the display panel and including the first hole; A third component is disposed on the rear surface of the second component and includes a second hole that overlaps with the first hole; as well as A fourth component, which covers the inner surface of the first hole, One end of the fourth component is in contact with the first component, and the other end of the fourth component is in contact with the third component, thereby connecting the third component to the first component and discharging static electricity from the first component to the third component through the fourth component.

2. The display device of claim 1, wherein the fourth component further covers the portion of the second component exposed through the second hole.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the fourth component further covers a portion of the rear surface of the first component corresponding to the outer periphery of the first hole.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the other end of the fourth member contacts a portion of the inner surface of the second hole.

5. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: The adhesive layer between the display panel and the first component; as well as The polarizing plate between the adhesive layer and the display panel. The first hole is disposed along the adhesive layer, the polarizing plate, the display panel and the second component.

6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein the diameter of the first hole is smaller than the diameter of the second hole. The fourth component covers the side surfaces of each of the adhesive layer, the polarizing plate, the display panel, and the second component exposed in the first hole, and The fourth component covers a portion of the side surface of the third component exposed in the second hole and the rear surface of the second component.

7. The display device according to claim 5, wherein the diameter of the first hole and the diameter of the second hole are the same, and The fourth component covers the side surface of the adhesive layer exposed in the first hole, the side surface of the polarizing plate, the side surface of the display panel, and the side surface of the second component; as well as a portion of the side surface of the third component exposed in the second hole.

8. The display device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the fourth member does not cover the remainder of the side surface of the third member or the rear surface of the third member.

9. The display device of claim 1, wherein the sensor region is disposed between the plurality of sub-pixels in the display region, and The fourth component is formed of an opaque material, such that light from the plurality of sub-pixels toward the first aperture is blocked by the fourth component.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein the fourth component is formed of a material capable of absorbing light.

11. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the fourth component is formed of a conductive material.

12. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the fourth component is formed of a moisture-proof material.

13. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the fourth component has a tubular structure including a flange portion at one end.

14. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the fourth component has shape memory properties that expand through heat treatment.

15. The display device of claim 2, wherein the fourth member is formed by shaping a material that fills the first hole and covers the rear surface of the second member exposed by the second hole into a cylindrical shape having a diameter smaller than that of the first hole.

16. The display device of claim 2, wherein the fourth component is formed by coating ink on the inner surface of the first hole and the rear surface of the second component exposed by the second hole, and irradiating the coated ink with a laser.

17. The display device according to claim 16, wherein the ink is conductive.

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