Display device

Abstract

The invention provides a display device. A display device having a touch sensor is configured such that touch electrodes and touch lines are disposed in a mesh shape on an encapsulation layer encapsulating light emitting elements and such that some of the touch lines are connected to a touch driving circuit via an upper bezel region, thereby reducing sizes of a left bezel region and a right bezel region.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the original invention patent application with application number 201911337317.3 (application date: December 23, 2019, invention name: display device with touch sensor). Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device having a touch sensor for reducing the size of a bezel area. Background Art

[0003] A touch sensor is an input device through which a user can input a command by selecting an instruction displayed on the screen of a display device using a hand or an object. That is, the touch sensor converts a contact position of a direct contact human hand or an object into an electrical signal, and receives an instruction selected based on the contact position as an input signal. Such a touch sensor can replace a separate input device (such as a keyboard or a mouse) connected to a display device and operated, and thus the application range of the touch sensor continues to increase.

[0004] When a touch sensor is provided on a display device, as the number of touch electrodes increases, the number of touch lines connecting the touch electrodes to a touch driver IC increases. As a result, the size of a non-display area (ie, a frame area) in which the touch lines are provided increases. Summary of the invention

[0005] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a display device with a touch sensor that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a display device having a touch sensor for reducing the size of a bezel area and / or for reducing the thickness of a display panel.

[0007] Other advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will be described in part in the following description, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art when viewing the following, or may be learned from the practice of the present invention. The purposes and other advantages of the present invention may be realized and obtained through the structures specifically indicated in the written description and claims and the accompanying drawings.

[0008] To achieve these objectives and other advantages and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, a display device with a touch sensor, as implemented and broadly described herein, is configured such that touch electrodes and touch wires are arranged in a grid shape on a packaging layer that encapsulates light-emitting elements and such that some of the touch wires are connected to a touch drive circuit via an upper border area, thereby reducing the size of a left border area and a right border area.

[0009] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application. The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0011] Figure 1 is a plan view showing a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the touch display device shown in ;

[0013] Figure 3A It is shown in detail Figure 1 The plan view of the touch electrode shown in Figure 3B It is shown in detail Figure 1 A plan view of the touch line shown in ;

[0014] Figure 4A It is shown in detail Figure 1 A plan view of the first area A1 shown in FIG. Figure 4B It is shown in detail Figure 1 A plan view of the second area A2 shown in FIG. Figure 4C It is shown in detail Figure 1 A plan view of the third area A3 shown in FIG.

[0015] Figure 5 is a plan view showing a touch display device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6E It is shown in detail Figure 5 A plan view of an example of the first area B1 shown in FIG.

[0017] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a light emitting display device to which a touch electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied;

[0018] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a light emitting display device to which the touch electrode according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied; and

[0019] Fig.9A and Fig. 9B are plan views showing various examples of touch lines provided in a lower bezel area according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0021] Figure 1 is a plan view showing a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A perspective view of a touch display device shown in FIG. Figure 3A It is shown in detail Figure 1 The plan view of the touch electrode shown in Figure 3B It is shown in detail Figure 1 A plan view of the touch lines shown in FIG. Figure 4A It is shown in detail Figure 1 A plan view of the first area A1 shown in FIG. Figure 4B It is shown in detail Figure 1 A plan view of the second area A2 shown in FIG. Figure 4C It is shown in detail Figure 1 A plan view of the third area A3 shown in FIG.

[0022] Figure 1 The touch display device shown in illustrative figures includes a plurality of touch electrodes 150 and touch wires 160 connected to the corresponding touch electrodes 150 .

[0023] Each touch electrode 150 includes a capacitor formed therein, and thus functions as a self-capacitance type touch sensor that senses a capacitance change due to a user's touch. In a self-capacitance sensing method using such a touch electrode 150, when a driving signal provided by a touch line 160 is applied to the touch electrode 150, a charge Q accumulates in the touch sensor. At this time, when a user's finger or a conductive object contacts the touch electrode 150, a parasitic capacitor is additionally connected to the self-capacitance sensor, and thus the capacitance value changes. Therefore, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of a touch based on the difference in capacitance value between a touched touch sensor and an untouched touch sensor.

[0024] The touch electrodes 150 are separated from each other in the first direction and the second direction intersecting each other, and are independently formed on the encapsulation layer 140. Considering the touch area of ​​the user, each touch electrode 150 is formed in a region corresponding to a plurality of sub-pixels. For example, one touch electrode 150 is formed in a region several to several hundred times larger than the size of one sub-pixel.

[0025] The touch electrodes 150 are formed to have the same size as each other. Therefore, a variation in touch sensitivity between the touch electrodes 150 is minimized, thereby reducing noise.

[0026] No more than one of the touch wires 160 is disposed between every two of the touch electrodes 150. The touch wires 160 are connected to the touch electrodes 150 in the display area AA, and are connected to a touch driving circuit (not shown) disposed in the lower bezel area DB.

[0027] Here, at least one of the touch lines 160 is connected to the touch driving circuit via the upper bezel area UB and the left and right bezel areas LB and RB. As a result, according to the present invention, a narrow bezel can be achieved by reducing the sizes of the left and right bezel areas LB and RB.

[0028] For example, in a comparative example in which six touch electrodes are arranged in the horizontal direction and seven touch electrodes are arranged in the vertical direction, the touch lines are arranged to extend only in the horizontal direction in the display area. In this case, the touch lines respectively connected to the six touch electrodes arranged in the first row are connected to the touch drive circuit via the lower frame, and the touch lines respectively connected to the remaining thirty-six touch electrodes are connected to the touch drive circuit in such a manner that eighteen touch lines are connected to the touch drive circuit via the left frame and the remaining eighteen touch lines are connected to the touch drive circuit via the right frame.

[0029] On the other hand, in an embodiment of the present invention in which six touch electrodes are arranged along the horizontal direction and seven touch electrodes are arranged along the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, each touch line 160 is formed to include at least one of a horizontal extension portion 1601 or a vertical extension portion 1602 disposed between the touch electrodes 150. Specifically, each of the touch lines 160 connected to the touch electrodes T33, T34, T53, and T54 disposed in the third and fourth columns of the third and fifth rows located on both sides of the fourth row (middle row) includes a horizontal extension portion 1601 extending in the horizontal direction and a vertical extension portion 1602 extending in the vertical direction. Each of the touch lines 160 connected to the touch electrodes T22, T23, T24, T25, T62, T63, T64, and T65 disposed in the second to fifth columns of the second and sixth rows includes a vertical extension portion 1602. Each of the touch lines 160 connected to the remaining touch electrodes includes a horizontal extension portion 1601. In each of the touch lines 160 including the vertical extension portion 1602, only one vertical extension portion 1602 is disposed between every two touch electrodes in the touch electrodes.

[0030] In this case, six touch lines 160 respectively connected to the six touch electrodes T11 to T16 arranged in the first row and four touch lines 160 each including a vertical extension portion 1602 among the touch lines 160 connected to the touch electrodes T21 to T26 arranged in the second row are connected to the touch drive circuit via the lower frame area DB. The touch lines 160 respectively connected to the remaining thirty-two touch electrodes 150 are connected to the touch drive circuit in such a manner that sixteen touch lines are connected to the touch drive circuit via the left frame area LB and the remaining sixteen touch lines are connected to the touch drive circuit via the right frame area RB. Here, the touch lines 160 connected to the touch electrodes T62, T63, T64, T65, T72, T73, T74 and T75 arranged in the second to fifth columns of the sixth and seventh rows are connected to the touch drive circuit via the upper frame area UB as well as the left frame area LB and the right frame area RB.

[0031] Therefore, compared with the comparative example, the number of touch lines 160 extending along the left bezel area LB and the right bezel area RB can be reduced, thereby reducing the sizes of the left bezel area LB and the right bezel area RB.

[0032] In addition, since the touch line 160 of the present invention includes the vertical extension portion 1602, the area where the horizontal extension portion 1601 of the touch line 160 is provided can be reduced compared to the comparative example. As a result, the overlapping area between the touch line 160 of the present invention and the scan line extending in the horizontal direction can be reduced, and thus the touch signal transmitted through the touch line 160 is prevented from being changed due to the scan signal supplied to the scan line.

[0033] The touch electrodes 150 and touch lines 160 of the present invention are directly formed on a display panel that generates an image. Figure 2 As shown, the touch electrodes 150 and the touch lines 160 are directly formed on the encapsulation layer 140 , and the encapsulation layer 140 encapsulates a plurality of light emitting elements disposed on the substrate 111 .

[0034] Each touch electrode 150 disposed on the encapsulation layer 140 is formed as a single layer or multilayer structure using an opaque metal having high corrosion resistance and acid resistance and excellent conductivity (such as Ta, Ti, Cu, Mo, Al, or alloys thereof (such as Ti-Al-Ti, Mo-Al-Mo, or any other combination thereof)), or is formed as a single layer or multilayer structure using a transparent conductive film based on ITO, IZO, IGZO, or ZnO and an opaque metal. The touch line 160 and the touch pad 170 may be formed of the same material as the touch electrode 150. In addition, the upper touch pad electrode 174 of the touch pad 170 may be formed of the same material as the touch electrode 150.

[0035] like Figure 3AAs shown, the touch electrode 150 including an opaque metal is formed in a mesh shape so as not to overlap with the light emitting regions of the red (R), green (G) and blue (B) sub-pixels SP, but to overlap with the dam 128 disposed between the light emitting regions. For example, the mesh type touch electrode 150 includes a first touch electrode segment 152 and a second touch electrode segment 154 connected to each other. The first touch electrode segment 152 is disposed in a first direction as a horizontal direction so as to be parallel to a scan line conductively connected to the light emitting element, and the second touch electrode segment 154 is disposed in a second direction as a vertical direction so as to be parallel to a data line conductively connected to the light emitting element. The mesh type touch electrode 150 including the first touch electrode segment 152 and the second touch electrode segment 154 is formed to define a first electrode opening 156a exposing the light emitting region of the red (R) sub-pixel SP, a second electrode opening 156b exposing the light emitting region of the blue (B) sub-pixel SP, and a third electrode opening 156c exposing the light emitting region of the green (G) sub-pixel SP. Here, the first electrode opening 156a, the second electrode opening 156b, and the third electrode opening 156c are formed to correspond to the light emitting regions of the corresponding sub-pixels SP. The first electrode opening 156a, the second electrode opening 156b, and the third electrode opening 156c may be formed to have the same area as each other so as to correspond to the light emitting regions of the corresponding sub-pixels SP, or at least one of them may be formed to have different areas. For example, in the case where the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) sub-pixels SP are formed as a pixel arrangement (PenTile) structure, the second electrode opening 156b exposing the light emitting region of the blue (B) sub-pixel SP is formed to have a larger area than the third electrode opening 156c exposing the light emitting region of the green (G) sub-pixel SP, and the third electrode opening 156c is formed to have a larger area than the first electrode opening 156a exposing the light emitting region of the red (R) sub-pixel SP.

[0036] In this case, the lengths of the first touch electrode segments 152 defining the first electrode opening 156a, the second electrode opening 156b, and the third electrode opening 156c may be equal to each other. The length of the second touch electrode segments 154 defining the second electrode opening 156b is greater than the length of the second touch electrode segments 154 defining the third electrode opening 156c. The length of the second touch electrode segments 154 defining the third electrode opening 156c is greater than the length of the second touch electrode segments 154 defining the first electrode opening 156a.

[0037] Since the mesh type touch electrode 150 is more conductive than a transparent conductive film, the touch electrode 150 can be configured as a low resistance electrode. Therefore, the resistance and capacitance of the touch electrode 150 can be reduced, and the RC time constant can be reduced, which can lead to an increase in touch sensitivity.

[0038] In addition, the first touch electrode segments 152 and the second touch electrode segments 154 forming the mesh-shaped touch electrode 150 overlap the bank 128 and have a smaller line width than the bank 128 , thereby preventing the aperture ratio and transmittance from being reduced due to the touch electrode 150 .

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the touch line 160 connected to the touch electrode 150 extends along the side surface of the encapsulation layer 140 and is connected to the touch pad 170 in the lower frame area. The touch line 160 is connected to the touch pad 170 provided on the substrate 111 or on the insulating film exposed by the encapsulation layer 140. The display pad 180 may be provided between the touch pads 170, or the touch pad 170 may be provided between the display pads 180. The touch pad 170 is formed in the same plane as the display pad 180 of at least one of the scan lines or data lines connected to the pixel driving circuit as the same stacked structure. In this case, the top surface of the touch pad 170 and the top surface of the display pad 180 are at the same height, so the contact force between the pads 170 and 180 and the signal transmission film (not shown) connected to the touch pad 170 and the display pad 180 increases.

[0040] like Figure 3BAs shown, in the display area AA, each of the horizontal extension portion 1601 and the vertical extension portion 1602 included in the touch line 160 is formed in a grid shape so as not to overlap with the light emitting areas of the red (R), green (G) and blue (B) sub-pixels SP but to overlap with the bank 128. For example, each of the horizontal extension portion 1601 and the vertical extension portion 1602 includes a first touch line segment 162 and a second touch line segment 164 connected to each other. The first touch line segment 162 is disposed in a first direction as a horizontal direction so as to be parallel to the first touch electrode segment 152 and the scan line conductively connected to the light emitting element, and the second touch line segment 164 is disposed in a second direction as a vertical direction so as to be parallel to the second touch electrode segment 154 and the data line conductively connected to the light emitting element. The grid type touch line 160 is formed to define a first line opening 166a, a second line opening 166b and a third line opening 166c surrounded by the first touch line segment 162 and the second touch line segment 164. The first line opening 166a exposes the light emitting area of ​​the red (R) sub-pixel SP disposed between the touch electrodes 150, the second line opening 166b exposes the light emitting area of ​​the blue (B) sub-pixel SP disposed between the touch electrodes 150, and the third line opening 166c exposes the light emitting area of ​​the green (G) sub-pixel SP disposed between the touch electrodes 150. Here, the first line opening 166a, the second line opening 166b, and the third line opening 166c are formed to correspond to the light emitting areas of the corresponding sub-pixels SP. For example, the first line opening 166a, the second line opening 166b, and the third line opening 166c are formed to correspond to the light emitting areas of the sub-pixels SP disposed between the touch electrodes 150, and thus have the same size and the same shape as the first electrode opening 156a, the second electrode opening 156b, and the third electrode opening 156c.

[0041] like Figure 3B As shown, each of the horizontal extension portion 1601 and the vertical extension portion 1602 included in the mesh type touch line is formed to have a plurality of paths P1 and P2. Therefore, even when any one of the plurality of paths of the touch line 160 is disconnected, a touch signal can be transmitted through the remaining paths.

[0042] For example, Figure 4A As shown, the vertical extension portion 1602 included in the touch line 160 is formed to have at least two paths P1 and P2 in such a manner that the first touch line segment 162 and the second touch line segment 164 surrounding the blue (B) sub-pixel SP arranged in a line are connected to the first touch line segment 162 and the second touch line segment 164 surrounding the red (R) and green (G) sub-pixels SP adjacent to the blue (B) sub-pixel SP.

[0043] like Figure 4BAs shown, the horizontal extension portion 1601 included in the touch line 160 is formed to have at least two paths P1 and P2 in such a manner that the first touch line segment 162 disposed between the blue (B) sub-pixels SP is connected to the first touch line segment 162 disposed between the red (R) sub-pixel SP and the green (G) sub-pixel SP via the second touch line segment 164. In this case, a portion of the horizontal extension portion 1601 is formed in a zigzag shape, and the other portion of the horizontal extension portion 1601 is formed in a stepped shape.

[0044] like Figure 4C As shown, the vertical extension portion 1602 and the horizontal extension portion 1601 included in the touch line 160 are connected to each other via the connection extension portion 1603. At least a portion of the connection extension portion 1603 is formed in a step shape. The first touch line segment 162 of the vertical extension portion 1602 disposed between the blue (B) sub-pixels SP and the first touch line segment 162 of the vertical extension portion 1602 disposed between the red (R) sub-pixel SP and the green (G) sub-pixel SP are connected to each other via the second touch line segment 164, thereby forming a step shape.

[0045] The touch electrode 150 facing the touch line 160 formed in the zigzag shape and the step shape is also formed in the zigzag shape and the step shape, such as FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C shown.

[0046] like FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C As shown, the dummy pattern 190 is formed between the touch electrode 150 and the touch line 160, between the touch electrodes 150, and between the touch lines 160. The dummy pattern 190 is formed in a grid shape so as not to overlap with the light emitting areas of the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) sub-pixels SP, but to overlap with the bank 128 in the display area AA. The dummy pattern 190 includes a first dummy pattern segment 192 and a second dummy pattern segment 194 connected to each other. The first dummy pattern segment 192 is arranged parallel to the scan line, the first touch electrode segment 152, and the first touch line segment 162. The second dummy pattern segment 194 is arranged parallel to the data line, the second touch electrode segment 154, and the second touch line segment 164. The grid-type dummy pattern 190 is formed so as to define a first dummy opening 196a, a second dummy opening 196b, and a third dummy opening 196c that expose the light emitting areas of the corresponding sub-pixels. The first dummy opening 196 a exposes the emission region of the red (R) sub-pixel SP, the second dummy opening 196 b exposes the emission region of the blue (B) sub-pixel SP, and the third dummy opening 196 c exposes the emission region of the green (G) sub-pixel SP.

[0047] Since the dummy pattern 190 faces the touch line 160 formed in a zigzag shape and / or a step shape, a portion of the dummy pattern 190 has a zigzag shape and a step shape.

[0048] Therefore, the dummy pattern 190 is formed in a mesh shape together with the touch electrode 150 and the touch wire 160 , thereby preventing the boundary between the touch electrode 150 and the touch wire 160 from being visible.

[0049] The dummy pattern 190 is in a floating state where a driving signal or voltage is not externally applied to the dummy pattern 190. Therefore, the dummy pattern 190 can reduce parasitic capacitance between the touch electrode 150 and the touch line 160, parasitic capacitance between the touch electrodes 150, and parasitic capacitance between the touch lines 160, thereby improving touch sensitivity.

[0050] In addition, the dummy pattern 190 is disposed in the same plane as the touch electrode 150 and the touch wire 160 formed of the same material as the dummy pattern 190 so as to be spaced apart from the touch electrode 150 and the touch wire 160. Therefore, a short circuit between the touch wires 160, a short circuit between the touch electrode 150 and the touch wire 160, and a short circuit between the touch electrodes 150 due to conductive foreign matter can be prevented.

[0051] Figure 5 is a plan view showing a touch display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6E It is a diagram showing various embodiments according to the present disclosure. Figure 5 0 is a plan view of an example of the first area B1 shown in FIG.

[0052] Except that the touch line 160 extends only in a direction in which the touch line 160 crosses the upper bezel area UB and the lower bezel area DB, Figure 5 The touch display device shown has Figure 1 Therefore, detailed description of the same components will be omitted.

[0053] No more than two of the touch lines 160 are arranged Figure 5 Between every two touch electrodes in the touch electrodes 150 shown. At least one of the touch lines 160 is connected to the touch drive circuit via the upper frame area UB and the left frame area LB and the right frame area RB. As a result, according to the present invention, a narrow frame can be achieved by reducing the size of the left frame area LB and the right frame area RB.

[0054] For example, Figure 5The embodiment of the present invention shown in which six touch electrodes are arranged in the horizontal direction and seven touch electrodes are arranged in the vertical direction includes a touch line 160 extending in the vertical direction. Specifically, the touch lines 160 connected to the touch electrodes other than the touch electrodes T11 to T16, T11 to T71, and T16 to T76 arranged in the first row, the first column, and the last column (sixth column) extend in the vertical direction. Here, no more than two touch lines 160 are arranged between every two touch electrodes in the touch electrodes 150.

[0055] In this case, six touch lines 160 respectively connected to the six touch electrodes T11 to T16 arranged in the first row, eight touch lines 160 respectively connected to the touch electrodes arranged in the second to fifth columns of the second and third rows, and two touch lines 160 respectively connected to the touch electrodes arranged in the third and fourth columns of the fourth row are connected to the touch pad 170 via the lower bezel area DB. The touch lines 160 respectively connected to the remaining twenty-six touch electrodes 150 are connected to the touch pad 170 in such a manner that thirteen touch lines are connected to the touch pad via the left bezel area LB and the remaining thirteen touch lines are connected to the touch pad via the right bezel area RB. Here, the touch line 160 connected to the touch electrodes T52, T53, T54, T55, T62, T63, T64, T65, T72, T73, T74 and T75 arranged in the second to fifth columns of the fifth to seventh rows and the touch line 160 connected to the touch electrodes T42 and T45 arranged in the second and fifth columns of the fourth row are connected to the touch pad 170 via the upper border area UB and the left and right border areas LB and RB.

[0056] Therefore, compared with the comparative example, the number of touch lines 160 extending along the left bezel area LB and the right bezel area RB can be reduced, thereby reducing the sizes of the left bezel area LB and the right bezel area RB.

[0057] In addition, since the touch line 160 of the present invention extends only in the vertical direction in the display area AA, the overlapping area between the scan line extending in the horizontal direction and the touch line can be minimized. As a result, the touch signal transmitted through the touch line 160 can be prevented from being changed by the scan signal provided to the scan line.

[0058] Each of the touch line 160, the touch electrode 150, and the dummy pattern 190 of the present invention is formed in a mesh shape so as not to overlap with the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) sub-pixels SP but to overlap with the bank 128 disposed between the light emitting regions. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D As shown, at least one of the touch line 160 , the touch electrode 150 , or the dummy pattern 190 includes a branch portion 158 , 168 , or 198 .

[0059] For example, refer to Fig. 6A and Figure 6B , each of the touch line 160 , the touch electrode 150 , and the dummy pattern 190 includes branch portions 158 , 168 , and 198 . Fig. 6A and Figure 6B The touch line 160 shown includes a first touch line segment 162 and a second touch line segment 164, which surround the blue (B) sub-pixel so as to define a line opening 166 for opening the blue (B) sub-pixel. In addition, the touch line 160 includes a line branch portion 168, which extends from the second touch line segment 164 to the bank 128 between the red (R) sub-pixel and the green (G) sub-pixel. Fig. 6A As shown, the line branch portion 168 may be arranged to face at least one of the electrode branch portion 158 or the dummy branch portion 198 in the horizontal direction, or, as shown in FIG. Figure 6B As shown, the line branch portions 168 may be alternately disposed in a vertical direction with at least one of the electrode branch portions 158 or the dummy branch portions 198. The line branch portions 168 are formed to have a length less than or equal to that of the first touch segment 162. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B The touch electrode 150 shown includes a first touch electrode segment 152 and a second touch electrode segment 154, which define a first electrode opening 156a, a second electrode opening 156b, and a third electrode opening 156c that expose red (R), green (G), and blue (B) sub-pixels, respectively. In addition, the touch electrode 150 includes an electrode branch portion 158 that extends from the second touch electrode segment 154 to the bank 128 between the red (R) sub-pixel and the green (G) sub-pixel. The electrode branch portion 158 is formed to have a length less than or equal to the length of the first touch line segment 162. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B The dummy pattern 190 includes a first dummy pattern segment 192 and a second dummy pattern segment 194, the first dummy pattern segment 192 and the second dummy pattern segment 194 surround the blue (B) sub-pixel so as to define a dummy opening 196 for exposing the blue (B) sub-pixel. In addition, the dummy pattern 190 includes a dummy branch portion 198, which extends from the second dummy pattern segment 194 to the bank 128 between the red (R) sub-pixel and the green (G) sub-pixel. The dummy branch portion 198 is formed to have a length less than or equal to the length of the first dummy pattern segment 192.

[0060] like Figure 6CAs shown, in addition to the touch line 160, the touch electrode 150 and the dummy pattern 190 include branch portions 158 and 198, respectively. Figure 6C The touch line 160 shown includes a first touch line segment 162 and a second touch line segment 164, which surround the red (R) sub-pixel and the green (G) sub-pixel so as to define a line opening 166 for exposing the blue (B) sub-pixel. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first touch line segment 162 and the second touch line segment 164 of the touch line 160 may also surround the red (R) sub-pixel and the green (G) sub-pixel to define line openings 166a and 166c for exposing the red (R) sub-pixel and the green (G) sub-pixel. The touch electrode 150 includes an electrode branch portion 158, which extends from the second touch electrode segment 154 to the bank 128 between the red (R) sub-pixel and the green (G) sub-pixel. The electrode branch portion 158 is formed to have a length less than or equal to that of the first touch electrode segment 152. Figure 6C The illustrated dummy pattern 190 includes a dummy branch portion 198 extending from the second dummy pattern segment 194 to the bank 128 between the red (R) subpixel and the green (G) subpixel. The dummy branch portion 198 is formed to have a length less than or equal to that of the first dummy pattern segment 192.

[0061] Reference Fig.6D , the touch electrode 150 includes a branch portion 158 in addition to the touch line 160 and the dummy pattern 190 . Fig.6D The dummy pattern 190 shown is formed such that the first dummy pattern segment is disposed on both sides of the second dummy pattern segment 194 so as not to define a dummy opening. In this case, the dummy pattern 190 has a line extending in one direction.

[0062] By way of example FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D A configuration in which at least one of the touch wire 160 or the touch electrode 150 has a straight line shape of a mesh structure is illustrated. Fig. 6E As shown, at least one of the touch line 160 or the touch electrode 150 may have a step shape or a zigzag shape. Here, the dummy pattern 190 maintains a floating state. Fig. 6E As shown, a plurality of dummy patterns may be independently formed, rather than being formed in a line shape.

[0063] Figure 7 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a light emitting display device to which a touch electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Figure 7 As shown, the above-mentioned touch line 160 , touch electrode 150 and dummy pattern 190 may be directly formed on the light emitting element 120 .

[0064] like Figure 7 As shown, the touch display device includes light emitting elements 120 arranged in a matrix on a substrate 111 , an encapsulation layer 140 disposed on the light emitting elements 120 , and a touch electrode 150 disposed on the encapsulation layer 140 .

[0065] The substrate 111 may be formed of a flexible material such as plastic or glass so as to be foldable or bendable. For example, the substrate 111 is formed of polyimide (PI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), polyacrylate (PAR), polysulfone (PSF) or cyclic olefin copolymer (COC).

[0066] A plurality of thin film transistors 130 included in the pixel driving circuit are disposed on the substrate. Figure 7 As shown, each thin film transistor 130 includes: a semiconductor layer 134 disposed on the multi-buffer film 112; a gate electrode 132 overlapping the semiconductor layer 134 with the gate insulating film 102 interposed therebetween; and a source electrode 136 and a drain electrode 138, which are formed on the interlayer insulating film 114 so as to contact the semiconductor layer 134. Here, the semiconductor layer 134 is formed of at least one of an amorphous semiconductor material, a polycrystalline semiconductor material, or an oxide semiconductor material.

[0067] The light emitting element 120 includes an anode 122 , at least one light emitting stack 124 formed on the anode 122 , and a cathode 126 formed on the light emitting stack 124 .

[0068] The anode 122 is conductively connected to the drain 138 of the thin film transistor 130 , and the drain 138 is exposed through the pixel contact hole 116 penetrating the protection film 108 and the planarization layer 118 .

[0069] At least one light-emitting stack 124 is formed on the anode 122 in the light-emitting region defined by the bank 128. The light-emitting stack 124 is formed by stacking a hole-related layer, an organic light-emitting layer, and an electron-related layer on the anode 122 in the following order or in the reverse order. In addition, the light-emitting stack 124 may include a first light-emitting stack and a second light-emitting stack facing each other, with a charge generation layer interposed between the first light-emitting stack and the second light-emitting stack. In this case, the organic light-emitting layer of any one of the first light-emitting stack and the second light-emitting stack generates blue light, and the organic light-emitting layer of the other of the first light-emitting stack and the second light-emitting stack generates yellow-green light, thereby generating white light through the first light-emitting stack and the second light-emitting stack. Since the white light generated in the light-emitting stack 124 is incident on a color filter located above or below the light-emitting stack 124, a color image can be realized. In addition, color light corresponding to each sub-pixel can be generated in each light-emitting stack 124 so as to realize a color image without a separate color filter. That is, the light emitting stack 124 of the red sub-pixel may generate red light, the light emitting stack 124 of the green sub-pixel may generate green light, and the light emitting stack 124 of the blue sub-pixel may generate blue light.

[0070] The cathode 126 is formed to face the anode 122 and is connected to the first low-voltage power supply line 106 and the second low-voltage power supply line 104, and the light-emitting stack 124 is interposed between the cathode 126 and the anode 122. The first low-voltage power supply line 106 is disposed in the same plane as the source 136 and the drain 138, and is formed of the same material as the source 136 and the drain 138. The second low-voltage power supply line 104 is disposed in the same plane as the anode 122, and is formed of the same material as the anode 122.

[0071] The encapsulation layer 140 prevents external moisture or oxygen from penetrating into the light emitting element 120, which is susceptible to external moisture or oxygen. To this end, the encapsulation layer 140 includes at least one inorganic encapsulation layer 142 and at least one organic encapsulation layer 144. In the present invention, the structure of the encapsulation layer 140 in which the first inorganic encapsulation layer 142, the organic encapsulation layer 144, and the second inorganic encapsulation layer 146 are stacked in this order will be described by way of example, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0072] The first inorganic encapsulating layer 142 is formed on the substrate 111 on which the cathode 126 has been formed. The second inorganic encapsulating layer 146 is formed on the substrate 111 on which the organic encapsulating layer 144 has been formed to cover the upper, lower and side surfaces of the organic encapsulating layer 144 together with the first inorganic encapsulating layer 142.

[0073] The first inorganic encapsulation layer 142 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer 146 minimize or prevent external moisture or oxygen from penetrating into the light-emitting stack 124. Each of the first inorganic encapsulation layer 142 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer 146 is formed of an inorganic insulating material that can be deposited at low temperatures, such as silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon oxynitride (SiON) or aluminum oxide (Al2O3). Therefore, since the first inorganic encapsulation layer 142 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer 146 are deposited in a low temperature environment, it is possible to prevent damage to the light-emitting stack 124 that is susceptible to high temperature environments during the process of depositing the first inorganic encapsulation layer 142 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer 146.

[0074] The organic encapsulation layer 144 is used to suppress the stress between the layers caused by the bending of the organic light-emitting display device and increase the flatness. A non-photosensitive organic insulating material such as PCL, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyimide, polyethylene or silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) or a photosensitive organic insulating material such as photoacrylic is used to form the organic encapsulation layer 144 on the substrate 111 on which the first inorganic encapsulation layer 142 has been formed. The organic encapsulation layer 144 is arranged in the display area AA instead of the non-display area. Here, at least one dam 186 is arranged on the protective film 108 to prevent the organic encapsulation layer 144 from diffusing into the non-display area NA. The dam 186 is formed of the same material as at least one of the planarization layer 118 or the dam 128. For example, in the case of setting a plurality of dams 186, the dam 186 closest to the display area AA is formed with a single-layer structure using the same material as any one of the planarization layer 118 and the dam 128, and the remaining dams 186 are formed with a multilayer structure using the same material as the planarization layer 118 and the dam 128. In this case, the dam 186 closest to the display area AA has a lower height than the remaining dams 186. Therefore, the organic encapsulation layer 144 is disposed on a portion of the upper surface of the dam 186 closest to the display area AA, thereby compensating for a height difference between the dam 186 and each of the planarization layer 118 and the bank 128.

[0075] The touch electrode 150, the touch line 160, and the dummy pattern 190 are disposed in the display area AA of the encapsulation layer 140. In order to prevent the capacitance of the parasitic capacitor between the touch electrode 150 and the cathode 126 from increasing, a touch buffer layer 148 implemented as an inorganic or organic insulating film may be disposed between the encapsulation layer 140 and the touch electrode 150. In this case, the touch line is disposed along the side surface of the touch buffer layer 148.

[0076] The touch electrode 150, the touch line 160, and the dummy pattern 190 are arranged in the same plane in the display area AA and are formed of the same material. That is, the touch electrode 150, the touch line 160, and the dummy pattern 190 are arranged in a single-layer structure without an insulating film. Therefore, the touch electrode 150, the touch line 160, and the dummy pattern 190 can be formed by a single mask process. In addition, the thickness of the touch display device including the touch electrode 150, the touch line 160, and the dummy pattern 190 can be reduced.

[0077] Figure 8 2 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a light emitting display device to which a touch electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Figure 8 As shown, the black matrix BM may be disposed on the touch electrode 150, the touch line 160, and the dummy pattern 190, and the color filter CF may be disposed between the black matrix BM.

[0078] The black matrix BM prevents the touch electrode 150, the touch line 160, and the dummy pattern 190 from being visible due to reflection of external light. The color filter CF prevents the cathode 126 from being visible due to reflection of external light. In addition, the black matrix BM and the color filter CF may be disposed between the touch electrode 150 and the encapsulation layer 140 to prevent the capacitance of the parasitic capacitor between the touch electrode 150 and the cathode 126 from increasing.

[0079] The touch pad 170 connected to the touch line 160 is formed to be exposed through the touch protection film 188. Therefore, the touch pad 170 is connected to a signal transmission film on which a touch driving circuit (not shown) is mounted.

[0080] The touch pad 170 is disposed in the pad area PA of the lower frame area DB. The touch pad 170 includes a lower touch pad electrode 172 and an upper touch pad electrode 174 in contact with the lower touch pad electrode 172. The lower touch pad electrode 172 is disposed in the same plane as at least one of the gate 132 or the drain 138 and is formed of the same material. For example, the lower touch pad electrode 172 is formed of the same material as the drain 138 and is disposed in the same plane as the drain 138 (i.e., on the interlayer insulating film 114). The upper touch pad electrode 174 is disposed in the same plane as the touch electrode 150 and is formed of the same material. The upper touch pad electrode 174 is conductively connected to the lower touch pad electrode 172 exposed by the touch pad contact hole 176 penetrating the protective film 108 and the touch buffer layer 148. The touch electrode 150, the touch line 160, and the upper touch pad electrode 174 and / or the lower touch pad electrode 172 may be formed as a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure by using the same material such as Ta, Ti, Cu, Mo, Al or alloys thereof (such as Ti-Al-Ti, Mo-Al-Mo or any other combination thereof).

[0081] The bending area BA for bending or folding the substrate 111 is provided in the lower bezel area DB together with the touch pad 170. The bending area BA corresponds to an area bent in order to arrange a non-display area such as the touch pad 170 and the display pad 180 on the rear surface of the display area AA. Therefore, on the entire screen of the display device, the area occupied by the display area AA is maximized, and the area corresponding to the non-display area is minimized.

[0082] The bending signal line 184 is arranged across the bending area BA, and the anti-crack layer 178 is arranged in the bending area BA so that the bending area BA is easy to bend. The anti-crack layer 178 is formed of an organic insulating material having a higher strain rate and high impact resistance than the inorganic insulating film. For example, since the anti-crack layer 178 is formed together with at least one of the planarization layer 118 or the embankment 128, the anti-crack layer 178 is arranged in the same plane as at least one of the planarization layer 118 or the embankment 128 and is formed of the same material. The anti-crack layer 178 formed of an organic insulating material has a higher strain rate than the inorganic insulating material, and thus alleviates the bending stress caused by the bending of the substrate 111. Therefore, the anti-crack layer 178 can prevent the cracking of the bending area BA, thereby preventing the cracks from spreading to the display area AA. The inorganic insulating film, which has a higher hardness than the organic insulating material and is therefore easily broken due to the bending stress, is removed from the overlapping area between the inorganic insulating film and the anti-crack layer 178. For example, the inorganic encapsulation layer 142 and the touch buffer layer 148 disposed on the crack prevention layer 178 , and the multi-buffer film 112 , the gate insulating film 102 , and the interlayer insulating film 114 disposed under the crack prevention layer 178 are removed.

[0083] The bent signal line 184 disposed in the bent area BA is formed of the same material as the source electrode 136 and the drain electrode 138, and conductively connects the touch line 160 to the upper touch pad electrode 174. That is, the bent signal line 184 is exposed through the first bent contact hole 182a penetrating the protective film 108 and the touch buffer layer 148, and conductively connected to the touch line 160. In addition, the bent signal line 184 is exposed through the second bent contact hole 182b penetrating the protective film 108 and the touch buffer layer 148, and conductively connected to the upper touch pad electrode 174.

[0084] Fig.9A and Fig. 9B 1 is a plan view showing various examples of touch lines provided in the lower frame area according to the present invention. Fig.9A and Fig. 9B As shown, the touch line 160 may extend to the touch pad 170 and may directly contact the touch pad 170 without bending the signal line 184 . Fig.9AThe touch lines 160 shown are formed in a grid shape in the frame area and the display area AA. Fig. 9B The touch line 160 shown is formed in a grid shape only in the display area AA. In particular, Fig.9A The touch line 160 shown is formed in a grid shape in the lower frame area DB between the touch pads in the display area AA. In this case, since the touch line 160 has a plurality of paths P1 and P2 in the lower frame area DB, even when any one of the plurality of paths of the touch line 160 is disconnected, a touch signal can be sent through the remaining paths.

[0085] As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, some touch lines are connected to the touch driving circuit via the upper bezel, thereby reducing the sizes of the left bezel area and the right bezel area.

[0086] In addition, the touch electrodes are formed to have the same size as each other, thereby reducing noise due to a variation in area between the touch electrodes.

[0087] Furthermore, the touch electrodes and the touch wires are formed in a mesh shape, and a portion of the touch electrodes and a portion of the touch wires are formed in a zigzag shape or a step shape, thereby preventing the touch electrodes and the touch wires from being visible.

[0088] Furthermore, dummy patterns are provided between the touch electrodes, between the touch lines, and between the touch electrodes and the touch lines, thereby preventing boundaries between the touch electrodes and the touch lines from being visible.

[0089] Furthermore, no more than two touch lines are disposed between every two of the touch electrodes, thereby minimizing a dead zone.

[0090] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is intended to cover modifications and variations of the present invention that fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0091] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0056608, filed on May 14, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: A substrate, the substrate comprising a display area and a frame area; A plurality of light emitting elements, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements are in the display area; an encapsulation layer, the encapsulation layer comprising at least one of an inorganic layer and an organic layer, the encapsulation layer being on the plurality of light-emitting elements; A plurality of touch electrodes, wherein the plurality of touch electrodes are on the encapsulation layer; as well as a plurality of touch lines, the plurality of touch lines being disposed on the encapsulation layer and connected to corresponding touch electrodes among the plurality of touch electrodes, the plurality of touch lines having at least a first portion extending along a first direction and a second portion extending along a second direction different from the first direction in the display area, The plurality of touch lines are in a grid shape in a portion of the frame area and the display area.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of touch electrodes are in a grid shape in the display area and extend to a portion of the frame area.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of touch wires extend to a side surface of the encapsulation layer in a grid shape.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: The frame area includes a bending area and a pad area, and the plurality of touch lines further extend from the side surface of the encapsulation layer to the bending area and the pad area.

5. A display device, comprising: A substrate, the substrate comprising a display area and a frame area, the frame area comprising a pad area; A plurality of light emitting elements, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements are in the display area; an encapsulation layer, the encapsulation layer comprising at least one of an inorganic layer and an organic layer, the encapsulation layer being on the plurality of light-emitting elements; a plurality of touch electrodes, wherein the plurality of touch electrodes are arranged on the encapsulation layer in a grid shape; a plurality of touch lines, the plurality of touch lines being arranged in a grid shape on the encapsulation layer and connected to corresponding touch electrodes among the plurality of touch electrodes, the plurality of touch lines having at least a first portion extending along a first direction and a second portion extending along a second direction different from the first direction in the display area; as well as A touch buffer layer is disposed between the encapsulation layer and the plurality of touch electrodes.

6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein: The touch buffer layer extends to the side surface of the encapsulation layer and the pad region.

7. The display device according to claim 5, further comprising: a bank provided between the light emitting elements, The plurality of touch electrodes and the plurality of touch lines correspond to the bank in the display area.

8. The display device according to claim 5, wherein: The plurality of touch electrodes and the plurality of touch lines are formed in a single layer or multi-layer structure using the same material selected from the group consisting of Ta, Ti, Cu, Mo, Al, Ti—Al—Ti, Mo—Al—Mo, or alloys thereof.

9. The display device according to claim 7, wherein: Each of the plurality of touch lines includes a first touch line segment and a second touch line segment, wherein the first touch line segment and the second touch line segment define a plurality of openings that expose a light emitting area of ​​the light emitting element, The first touch line segment and the second touch line segment are in a grid shape and overlap with the dam.

10. The display device according to claim 5, wherein: The plurality of touch wires are disposed along a side surface of the touch buffer layer.

11. A display device, comprising: A substrate, the substrate comprising a display area and a frame area; A plurality of light emitting elements, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements are in the display area; an encapsulation layer, the encapsulation layer comprising at least one of an inorganic layer and an organic layer, the encapsulation layer being on the plurality of light-emitting elements; a plurality of touch electrodes, wherein the plurality of touch electrodes are arranged on the encapsulation layer in a grid shape; as well as a plurality of touch lines, the plurality of touch lines being arranged in a grid shape on the encapsulation layer and connected to corresponding touch electrodes among the plurality of touch electrodes, the plurality of touch lines having at least a first portion extending along a first direction and a second portion extending along a second direction different from the first direction in the display area, The first direction is a vertical direction or a horizontal direction, and the second direction is a direction having an inclined angle relative to the first direction, and a portion of the plurality of touch electrodes and a portion of the plurality of touch lines are formed in a zigzag shape or a stepped shape.

12. The display device according to claim 11, further comprising: A plurality of dummy patterns are disposed between the plurality of touch electrodes, between the plurality of touch lines, and between the plurality of touch electrodes and the plurality of touch lines.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: The plurality of dummy patterns are in a floating state to which no driving signal or voltage is applied.

14. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: The plurality of dummy patterns are spaced apart from the plurality of touch electrodes and the plurality of touch lines.

15. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: The plurality of touch electrodes, the plurality of touch lines, and the plurality of dummy patterns are formed of a same material and are disposed in a same plane in the display area.

16. The display device according to claim 12, further comprising: a bank provided between the light emitting elements, The plurality of dummy patterns overlap the bank and are formed in a grid shape.

Images