Display device and method for manufacturing display device

Abstract

The invention discloses a display device and a method for manufacturing the same. A display device includes: a display panel including a folding area and a non-folding area on one side of the folding area; and an upper protective member on the first surface of the display panel and including a coating layer, in which the coating layer includes: a first portion overlapping the folded area; and a second portion on one side of the first portion, where a contact angle of the first portion is different from a contact angle of the second portion.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0127492 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on September 22, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] Aspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a display device and a method for manufacturing the display device. Background Art

[0004] As the information society develops, the demand for display devices for displaying images is increasing in various forms. For example, display devices have been applied to various electronic devices such as smart phones, digital cameras, laptop computers, navigation devices, and smart TVs.

[0005] In order to increase the portability of a display device and provide a wider display screen, a bendable display device having a bendable display area or a foldable display device having a foldable display area has recently been released.

[0006] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of background understanding and therefore the information discussed in this Background section does not necessarily constitute prior art. Summary of the invention

[0007] Aspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure include a display device that can relatively improve adhesion of a portion of a coating layer of an upper protective member and a method for manufacturing the display device.

[0008] Aspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure include a display device that can minimize or reduce a lifting phenomenon of a cover window and a method for manufacturing the display device.

[0009] However, aspects of the embodiments according to the present disclosure are not limited to those set forth herein. The above and other aspects of the embodiments according to the present disclosure will become more apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains by referring to the detailed description of the present disclosure given below.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a display device includes: a display panel, including a folding area and a non-folding area on one side of the folding area; and an upper protective member, on a first surface of the display panel and including a coating, wherein the coating includes a first portion overlapping the folding area and a second portion on one side of the first portion, wherein a contact angle of the first portion is different from a contact angle of the second portion.

[0011] According to some embodiments, the contact angle of the first portion is smaller than the contact angle of the second portion.

[0012] According to some embodiments, the contact angle of the first portion is between 90 degrees and 105 degrees.

[0013] According to some embodiments, the contact angle of the second portion is greater than 110 degrees.

[0014] According to some embodiments, the display device may further include: a cover window on the upper protective member; and an adhesive member between the cover window and the upper protective member, wherein a first adhesive force as an adhesive force between the first portion and the adhesive member is different from a second adhesive force as an adhesive force between the second portion and the adhesive member.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the first adhesive force is greater than the second adhesive force.

[0016] According to some embodiments, the first adhesive force is 3 to 8 times greater than the second adhesive force.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the display device may further include a panel supporting member on the second surface of the display panel, wherein the panel supporting member includes a folding portion in the folding area and a non-folding portion in the non-folding area, and wherein a width of the first portion is greater than a width of the folding portion.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the upper protective member includes at least one of polyacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, cycloolefin polymer, triacetyl cellulose, polycarbonate, epoxy resin, and polymethyl methacrylate.

[0019] According to some embodiments, the upper protective member has a transmittance of 85% or more and a haze of 2% or less.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the coating includes at least one of a silicone-based material, an acrylic-based material, an epoxy-based material, and a polyurethane.

[0021] According to some embodiments, the coating includes an anti-fingerprint additive.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the thickness of the upper protective member is 200 μm or less.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the coating has a thickness of 1 μm to 20 μm.

[0024] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a display device is provided, comprising: a display panel; an upper protective member on the display panel and comprising a coating; and a cover window on the upper protective member, wherein the coating comprises a first part and a second part on one side of the first part, wherein the cover window is bent in an area overlapping with the first part, and wherein a contact angle of the first part is different from a contact angle of the second part.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the contact angle of the first portion is smaller than the contact angle of the second portion.

[0026] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for manufacturing a display device, the method comprising: providing an upper protective member including a coating, and performing plasma treatment on a first portion of the coating except for a second portion of the coating, wherein a contact angle of the first portion is different from a contact angle of the second portion.

[0027] According to some embodiments, during the execution of the plasma treatment, a relative speed between the plasma treatment device and the coating layer is 3 m / min to 8 m / min.

[0028] According to some embodiments, the contact angle of the first portion is smaller than the contact angle of the second portion.

[0029] According to some embodiments, the coating is formed by a roll-to-roll process.

[0030] In the display device and the method for manufacturing the display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, adhesion of a portion of the coating layer of the upper protective member may be relatively improved.

[0031] In the display device and the method for manufacturing the display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the lifting phenomenon of the cover window may be minimized or reduced.

[0032] However, the features of the embodiments according to the present disclosure are not limited to those specifically stated herein. The above and other features of the embodiments will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong by referring to the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The above and other features according to embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing aspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a display device according to some embodiments is unfolded;

[0035] Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a display device according to some embodiments is folded;

[0036] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a display device according to some embodiments is unfolded;

[0037] Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a display device according to some embodiments is folded;

[0038] Figure 5is an exploded perspective view illustrating a display device according to some embodiments;

[0039] Figure 6 For along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X1';

[0040] Figure 7 A view illustrating an example of a display panel according to some embodiments;

[0041] Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating a panel support member according to some embodiments;

[0042] Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an upper protective member according to some embodiments;

[0043] Fig.10 is a plan view illustrating a coating according to some embodiments;

[0044] Fig.11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating some layers of a display device according to some embodiments;

[0045] Fig.12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a display device according to some embodiments;

[0046] Fig.13 As an example Fig.12 perspective views of aspects of exemplary operation S100;

[0047] Fig.14 For along Fig.13 A cross-sectional view taken along line X2-X2';

[0048] Fig.15 As an example Fig.12 perspective views of aspects of exemplary operation S200;

[0049] Fig.16 For along Fig.15 A cross-sectional view taken along line X3-X3';

[0050] Fig.17 As an example Fig.12 perspective views of aspects of exemplary operation S300;

[0051] Fig.18 For along Fig.17 A cross-sectional view taken along line X4-X4';

[0052] Fig.19 For along Fig.17 A cross-sectional view taken along line X5-X5';

[0053] Fig. 20 As an example Fig.12 perspective views of various aspects of exemplary operation S400; and

[0054] Fig.21 For along Fig. 20 A cross-sectional view taken along line X6-X6'. Specific embodiments

[0055] Various aspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be more fully described below with reference to the attached drawings in which various aspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. However, the present invention can be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0056] It will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being “on” another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. Like reference numerals refer to like components throughout this specification.

[0057] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0058] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a display device according to some embodiments is unfolded. Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a display device according to some embodiments is folded.

[0059] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 The first state of the display device 10 is illustrated. In the first state, the display device 10 is unfolded without being folded at the folding lines FL1 and FL2, and Figure 2 The second state of the display device 10 is illustrated. In the second state, the display device 10 is folded at the folding lines FL1 and FL2.

[0060] The display device 10 according to some embodiments is a device that displays moving images or still images, and can be used as a display screen for each of various products such as televisions, laptop computers, monitors, billboards, and Internet of Things (IOT) devices, as well as portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, smart phones, tablet personal computers (PCs), smart watches, watch phones, mobile communication terminals, electronic organizers, electronic books, portable multimedia players (PMPs), navigation devices, and ultra mobile personal computers (UMPCs).

[0061] In the drawings, the first direction DR1 may be a direction parallel to one side of the display device 10 when viewed on a plane (or in a plan view), for example, a horizontal direction of the display device 10. The second direction DR2 may be a direction parallel to the other side of the display device 10 in contact with the one side when viewed on a plane (or in a plan view), and may be a horizontal direction of the display device 10. The third direction DR3 may be a thickness direction of the display device 10 (or a thickness direction with respect to a plane defined by the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2 or Figure 1 in a direction perpendicular or orthogonal to the plane of the display surface).

[0062] The planar shape of the display device 10 may be a quadrilateral shape such as a rectangle. Each corner of the display device 10 may have a right angle planar shape or a circular planar shape. The front surface of the display device 10 may include two short sides arranged in the first direction DR1 and two long sides arranged in the second direction DR2.

[0063] The display device 10 may include a display area DA and a non-display area NDA. The planar shape of the display area DA may follow the shape of the display device 10. For example, when the planar shape of the display device 10 is a rectangle, the planar shape of the display area DA may also be a rectangle.

[0064] The display area DA may be an area including a plurality of pixels for displaying an image. The non-display area NDA may be an area that does not include pixels and does not display an image. The non-display area NDA may be arranged around the display area DA. The non-display area NDA may be arranged to surround the display area DA, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The display area DA may be partially surrounded by the non-display area NDA.

[0065] The display device 10 may maintain a first state in which the display device 10 is unfolded and a second state in which the display device 10 is folded. According to some embodiments, the display device 10 may be folded inwardly so that the display areas DA face each other, such as Figure 2 In this case, when folded, the front surfaces of the display devices 10 may face each other. According to some embodiments, the display devices 10 may be folded in an outwardly folded manner so that the back surfaces thereof face each other.

[0066] The display device 10 may include a folding area FDA, a first non-folding area NFA1, and a second non-folding area NFA2. The folding area FDA may be an area in which the display device 10 is bent or folded, and the first non-folding area NFA1 and the second non-folding area NFA2 may be areas in which the display device 10 is not bent or folded. According to some embodiments, the first non-folding area NFA1 and the second non-folding area NFA2 may be flat areas of the display device 10.

[0067] The first non-folding area NFA1 may be located at one side of the folding area FDA, for example, at the left side thereof. The second non-folding area NFA2 may be located at the other side of the folding area FDA, for example, at the right side thereof. The folding area FDA is an area defined by the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2, and may be an area in which the display device 10 is bent at a predetermined curvature. The first folding line FL1 may be a boundary between the folding area FDA and the first non-folding area NFA1, and the second folding line FL2 may be a boundary between the folding area FDA and the second non-folding area NFA2.

[0068] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 may extend in the second direction DR2, and in this case, the display device 10 may be folded based on the second direction DR2. Therefore, since the length of the display device 10 in the first direction DR1 may be reduced by approximately half, it may be convenient for the user to carry the display device 10.

[0069] The first non-folding area NFA1 may be located at one side of the folding area FDA, for example, the left side thereof. The second non-folding area NFA2 may be located at the other side of the folding area FDA, for example, the right side thereof. Here, the left side may refer to one side in the first direction DR1, and the right side may refer to the other side in the first direction DR1.

[0070] When the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 extend in the second direction DR2, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the example, the length of the folding area FDA in the second direction DR2 may be longer than its length in the first direction DR1. In addition, the length of the first non-folding area NFA1 in the second direction DR2 may be longer than the length of the first non-folding area NFA1 in the first direction DR1. The length of the second non-folding area NFA2 in the second direction DR2 may be longer than the length of the second non-folding area NFA2 in the first direction DR1.

[0071] Each of the display area DA and the non-display area NDA may overlap at least one of the folding area FDA, the first non-folding area NFA1, and the second non-folding area NFA2. Figure 1 and Figure 2 It is illustrated that the display area DA and the non-display area NDA each overlap the folding area FDA, the first non-folding area NFA1, and the second non-folding area NFA2.

[0072] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a display device according to some embodiments is unfolded. Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a display device according to some embodiments is folded.

[0073] and Figure 1 and Figure 2 Reference together Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 3 The first state of the display device 10 is illustrated. In the first state, the display device 10 is unfolded without being folded at the folding lines FL1 and FL2, and Figure 4 The second state of the display device 10 is illustrated. In the second state, the display device 10 is folded at the folding lines FL1 and FL2.

[0074] about Figure 3 and Figure 4 Illustrative embodiments and Figure 1 and Figure 2 The illustrated embodiment is different only in that, since the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 extend in the first direction DR1 and the display device 10 is folded in the second direction DR2, the length of the display device 10 in the second direction DR2 is reduced by approximately half. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In, with Figure 1 and Figure 2 Some descriptions overlapping the embodiments illustrated in the drawings may be omitted.

[0075] In the first state in which the display device 10 is unfolded, the long sides of the display device 10 may extend along the second direction DR2 , and the short sides of the display device 10 may extend along the first direction DR1 .

[0076] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 may extend in the first direction DR1 , and in this case, the display device 10 may be folded based on the first direction DR1 .

[0077] The first non-folding area NFA1 may be located at one side of the folding area FDA, for example, at the lower side thereof. The second non-folding area NFA2 may be located at the other side of the folding area FDA, for example, at the upper side thereof. Here, the upper side may refer to one side in the second direction DR2, and the lower side may refer to the other side in the second direction DR2.

[0078] When the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2 extend in the first direction DR1, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown in the example, the length of the folding area FDA in the first direction DR1 may be longer than its length in the second direction DR2. In addition, the length of the first non-folding area NFA1 in the second direction DR2 may be longer than the length of the first non-folding area NFA1 in the first direction DR1. The length of the second non-folding area NFA2 in the second direction DR2 may be longer than the length of the second non-folding area NFA2 in the first direction DR1.

[0079] In the following, for the sake of convenience, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The illustrated embodiment will be used as an example, but the embodiments according to the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the following can also be equally applied to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Illustrative embodiment.

[0080] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a display device according to some embodiments. Figure 6 For along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X1'.

[0081] refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 According to some embodiments, the display device 10 may include a cover window CCW, an upper protective member 100, a window member 200, a first adhesive member 300, a display panel 400, a panel protective member 500, a panel lower member 600, a panel supporting member 700, a second adhesive member 800, a lower visibility preventing member LPU, a digitizer member 900, a metal support member 1000, a buffer member 1100 and a third adhesive member 1200.

[0082] The display panel 400 may be a panel that displays an image. The display panel 400 may be an organic light-emitting display panel including an organic light-emitting layer, a quantum dot light-emitting display panel including a quantum dot light-emitting layer, an inorganic light-emitting display panel using an inorganic semiconductor element as a light-emitting element, and a micro light-emitting display panel using a micro light-emitting diode as a light-emitting element. Hereinafter, the display panel 400 is mainly described as an organic light-emitting display panel, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the display panel 400 may include various other display panels as described above.

[0083] The display panel 400 may include a light-transmitting area LTA overlapping the optical device OPD in the third direction DR3. The optical device OPD is an optical sensor that detects light and may be, for example, a camera sensor, a proximity sensor, and an illumination sensor. The light-transmitting area LTA may be a portion of the display area DA.

[0084] The light-transmitting area LTA may include a transmissive area that is capable of transmitting light. Alternatively, the light-transmitting area LTA may be a through hole that penetrates the display panel. The light transmittance of the light-transmitting area LTA may be higher than the light transmittance of the display area DA excluding the light-transmitting area LTA. In addition, due to the transmissive area of ​​the light-transmitting area LTA, the density or set of pixels in the light-transmitting area LTA may be lower than the density or set of pixels in the display area DA excluding the light-transmitting area LTA. For example, the number of pixels per unit area in the light-transmitting area LTA may be less than the number of pixels per unit area in the display area DA excluding the light-transmitting area LTA. Alternatively, the pixels per inch (PPI) in the light-transmitting area LTA may be less than the PPI in the display area DA excluding the light-transmitting area LTA.

[0085] The window member 200 may be attached to the front surface of the display panel 400 using the first adhesive member 300. The window member 200 is made of a transparent material and may be, for example, glass or plastic. For example, the window member 200 may be ultra-thin glass (UTG) or a transparent polyimide film having a thickness of 0.1 mm or less.

[0086] The first adhesive member 300 may be located on the rear surface of the window member 200. For example, the first adhesive member 300 may be located between the window member 200 and the display panel 400. The window member 200 and the display panel 400 may be coupled to each other by the first adhesive member 300. The first adhesive member 300 may include a transparent adhesive such as a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) or an optically clear adhesive (OCA). The first adhesive member 300 may include an acrylic adhesive material.

[0087] The upper protective member 100 may be located on the front surface of the window member 200. The upper protective member 100 may be attached to the front surface of the window member 200. The upper protective member 100 may perform at least one function of anti-scattering, impact absorption, anti-scratch, anti-fingerprint, and anti-glare of the window member 200.

[0088] According to some embodiments, Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the upper protective member 100 may include a base layer 110 and a coating layer 120 located on the base layer 110. The upper protective member 100 will be referred to later. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 Give a description.

[0089] The light blocking pattern may be formed on the rear surface of the upper protective member 100. The light blocking pattern may be located at an edge of the upper protective member 100 or adjacent to an edge of the upper protective member 100. The light blocking pattern may include a light blocking material capable of blocking light. For example, the light blocking pattern may be an inorganic black pigment such as carbon black, an organic black pigment, or an opaque metal material.

[0090] The cover window CCW may be located on the upper protective member 100. The cover window CCW may be a protective film for protecting the display device 10 from external impacts. The cover window CCW may be attached to or removed from the display device 10 by an adhesive member ADH. That is, the cover window CCW may be a changeable window. According to some embodiments, the cover window CCW may include, but is not limited to, at least one of flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

[0091] According to some embodiments, Figure 6 As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the adhesive member ADH may be located on the rear surface of the cover window CCW. The adhesive member ADH may couple the cover window CCW and the upper protective member 100. According to some embodiments, the adhesive member ADH may include a transparent adhesive such as a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) or an optically clear adhesive (OCA).

[0092] The panel protection member 500 may be located on the rear surface of the display panel 400. The panel protection member 500 may be used to support the display panel 400 and protect the rear surface of the display panel 400. The panel protection member 500 may be made of plastic, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyimide. The panel protection member 500 is also illustrated in the drawings as being located in the folding area FDA of the display device 10, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the panel protection member 500 may be removed from the folding area FDA to allow the display device 10 to be smoothly folded.

[0093] The panel lower member 600 may be located on the rear surface of the panel protection member 500. The panel lower member 600 may include at least one of a light blocking layer for absorbing light incident from the outside, a buffer layer for absorbing impact from the outside, and a heat dissipation layer for effectively dissipating heat of the display panel 400.

[0094] The light blocking layer blocks transmission of light to prevent components (eg, digitizer member 900, etc.) located on the lower side of the light blocking layer from being visually recognized from the upper side of the display panel 400. The light blocking layer may include a light absorbing material such as a black pigment or a black dye.

[0095] The buffer layer absorbs external impact to prevent damage to the display panel 400. The buffer layer may be formed as a single layer or multiple layers. For example, the buffer layer may be formed of a polymer resin such as polyurethane, polycarbonate, polypropylene, or polyethylene, or may include a material having elasticity such as a sponge made of foamed rubber, a urethane material, or an acrylic material.

[0096] The heat dissipation layer may include a first heat dissipation layer including graphite or carbon nanotubes and a second heat dissipation layer formed of a metal thin film having excellent thermal conductivity, such as copper, nickel, ferrite, and silver.

[0097] According to some embodiments, the panel lower member 600 may be omitted.

[0098] The panel support member 700 may be located on the rear surface of the panel lower member 600. The panel support member 700 may be a rigid member whose shape or volume may not be easily changed by pressure from the outside. Since the panel support member 700 is located on the rear surface of the display panel 400 and is a rigid member whose shape or volume may not be easily changed by pressure from the outside, the panel support member 700 may support the display panel 400.

[0099] According to some embodiments, the panel support member 700 may be a polymer including carbon fiber or glass fiber. In this case, since the panel support member 700 is formed of a polymer including carbon fiber or glass fiber, the panel support member 700 may pass a magnetic field or an electromagnetic signal of the digitizer member 900. Therefore, a panel support member 700 capable of supporting the display panel 400 without reducing the touch sensitivity of the digitizer member 900 may be provided.

[0100] According to some embodiments, the panel support member 700 may be a metal plate. For example, the panel support member 700 is a metal plate and may be made of a metal or a metal alloy. The panel support member 700 may include, but is not limited to, copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), stainless steel (SUS) and / or alloys thereof.

[0101] The panel support member 700 may include a through hole STH overlapping the optical device OPD in the third direction DR3. The through hole STH may overlap the light-transmitting area LTA of the display panel 400 in the third direction DR3. The area of ​​the through hole STH may be greater than the area of ​​the light-transmitting area LTA. The optical device OPD may detect light incident from the front surface of the display device 10 through the light-transmitting area LTA and the through hole STH.

[0102] The panel support member 700 may include a grid pattern in the folding area FDA so as to be easily bent in the folding area FDA. Since the panel support member 700 includes the grid pattern in the folding area FDA, the panel support member 700 may be easily bent when the display device 10 is folded.

[0103] The lower visibility preventing member LPU may be located on the rear surface of the panel supporting member 700. The lower visibility preventing member LPU may be arranged to overlap with the folding area FDA. The lower visibility preventing member LPU may be located on the same layer as the second adhesive member 800. The lower visibility preventing member LPU may be located between the second-first adhesive member 810 and the second-second adhesive member 820. The lower visibility preventing member LPU may prevent the grid pattern of the panel supporting member 700 from being visually recognized from the outside. The lower visibility preventing member LPU may include a flexible material to reduce the folding stress of the display device 10.

[0104] The second adhesive member 800 may be located on the front surface of the digitizer member 900. For example, the second adhesive member 800 may be located between the panel support member 700 and the digitizer member 900. The panel support member 700 and the digitizer member 900 may be coupled to each other by the second adhesive member 800. The second adhesive member 800 may include a transparent adhesive such as a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) or an optically clear adhesive (OCA). The second adhesive member 800 may include an acrylic adhesive material.

[0105] In some embodiments, the second adhesive member 800 may include a second_first adhesive member 810 overlapping the first digitizer member 910 and a second_second adhesive member 820 overlapping the second digitizer member 920. The second_first adhesive member 810 and the second_second adhesive member 820 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other with the lower visibility preventing member LPU interposed therebetween.

[0106] The digitizer member 900 may include a first digitizer member 910 and a second digitizer member 920. The first digitizer member 910 and the second digitizer member 920 may be located on the rear surface of the panel support member 700. The first digitizer member 910 and the second digitizer member 920 may be attached to the rear surface of the panel support member 700 by a second adhesive member 800.

[0107] The first digitizer member 910 and the second digitizer member 920 may not be located in the folding area FDA to reduce the folding stress of the display device 10. The first digitizer member 910 may be located in the first non-folding area NFA1, and the second digitizer member 920 may be located in the second non-folding area NFA2. The gap between the first digitizer member 910 and the second digitizer member 920 may overlap with the folding area FDA and may be smaller than the width of the folding area FDA. The width of the folding area FDA may be the length of the folding area FDA in the second direction DR2.

[0108] The first digitizer member 910 and the second digitizer member 920 may include an electrode pattern for sensing the proximity or contact of an electronic pen such as a stylus pen supporting electromagnetic resonance (EMR). The first digitizer member 910 and the second digitizer member 920 may sense a magnetic field or an electromagnetic signal emitted from the electronic pen based on the electrode pattern, and may determine a point where the sensed magnetic field or electromagnetic signal is maximum as a touch coordinate.

[0109] The magnetic metal powder may be located on the rear surface of the first digitizer member 910 and the rear surface of the second digitizer member 920. In this case, the magnetic field or electromagnetic signal passing through the first digitizer member 910 and the second digitizer member 920 may flow into the magnetic metal powder. Therefore, due to the magnetic metal powder, the magnetic field or electromagnetic signal of the first digitizer member 910 and the second digitizer member 920 may be reduced from being emitted to the rear surface of the display device 10.

[0110] The metal support member 1000 may include a first metal support member 1010 and a second metal support member 1020. The first metal support member 1010 may be located on a rear surface of the first digitizer member 910, and the second metal support member 1020 may be located on a rear surface of the second digitizer member 920.

[0111] The first metal support member 1010 and the second metal support member 1020 may not be located in the folding area FDA to reduce the folding stress of the display device 10. The first metal support member 1010 may be located in the first non-folding area NFA1, and the second metal support member 1020 may be located in the second non-folding area NFA2. The gap between the first metal support member 1010 and the second metal support member 1020 may overlap with the folding area FDA and may be smaller than the width of the folding area FDA.

[0112] The first metal support member 1010 and the second metal support member 1020 may include a material having high rigidity to support the first and second digitizer members 910 and 920. For example, the first and second metal support members 1010 and 1020 may include stainless steel such as SUS316.

[0113] The buffer member 1100 may include a first buffer member 1110 and a second buffer member 1120. The first buffer member 1110 and the second buffer member 1120 may absorb external impact and prevent damage to the panel support member 700 and the digitizer member 900. The first buffer member 1110 and the second buffer member 1120 may include a material having elasticity, such as a sponge made of foamed rubber, a urethane material, or an acrylic material.

[0114] The first buffer member 1110 may be located on the rear surface of the first metal support member 1010, and the second buffer member 1120 may be located on the rear surface of the second metal support member 1020. The first buffer member 1110 and the second buffer member 1120 may not be located in the folding area FDA to reduce the folding stress of the display device 10. The first buffer member 1110 may be located in the first non-folding area NFA1, and the second buffer member 1120 may be located in the second non-folding area NFA2. The gap between the first buffer member 1110 and the second buffer member 1120 may overlap with the folding area FDA and may be smaller than the width of the folding area FDA.

[0115] The third bonding member 1200 may be located on the rear surface of the first metal support member 1010 and the rear surface of the second metal support member 1020. The third bonding member 1200 may be located at the edge of the first metal support member 1010 and the edge of the second metal support member 1020. In the drawings, it is illustrated that the third bonding member 1200 is located on both sides of the first buffer member 1110 and the second buffer member 1120, but the embodiment according to the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the third bonding member 1200 may be arranged to surround the first buffer member 1110 and the second buffer member 1120.

[0116] The third adhesive member 1200 may be a waterproof tape or a waterproof member that is attached to the front surface of the frame located on the rear surface of the first metal support member 1010 and the rear surface of the buffer member 1100. As a result, the third adhesive member 1200 may prevent moisture, pollutants, or dust from penetrating into the display device 10. That is, a waterproof and dustproof display device 10 may be provided.

[0117] According to some embodiments, the third adhesive member 1200 does not surround the first buffer member 1110 and the second buffer member 1120, but may be arranged to overlap with the magnet for maintaining the folding of the display device 10 in the third direction DR3. In this case, the third adhesive member 1200 may serve as a magnetic shielding member capable of shielding magnetic force to prevent the digitizer member 900 or the display panel 400 from being affected by the magnetic force of the magnet.

[0118] Figure 7 is a view illustrating an example of a display panel according to some embodiments.

[0119] refer to Figure 7 The display panel 400 may include a substrate SUB, a display layer DISL on the substrate SUB, and a touch sensing layer TDL on the display layer DISL. The display layer DISL may include a thin film transistor layer TFTL, a light emitting element layer EML, and an encapsulation layer TFEL.

[0120] The thin film transistor layer TFTL may be located on the substrate SUB. The thin film transistor layer TFTL may include an isolation film BR, a thin film transistor TFT1, a first capacitor electrode CAE1, a second capacitor electrode CAE2, a first anode connection electrode ANDE1, a second anode connection electrode ANDE2, a gate insulating film 130, an interlayer insulating film 140 including a first interlayer insulating film 141 and a second interlayer insulating film 142, a first planarizing film 160 and a second planarizing film 180.

[0121] The substrate SUB may be made of an insulating material such as a polymer resin. For example, the substrate SUB may be made of polyimide. The substrate SUB may be a flexible substrate that can be bent, folded, or rolled.

[0122] The isolation film BR may be located on the substrate SUB, and the isolation film BR is a film for protecting the thin film transistor of the thin film transistor layer TFTL and the light emitting layer 172 of the light emitting element layer EML from moisture penetration through the substrate SUB, wherein the substrate SUB is susceptible to moisture penetration. The isolation film BR may include a plurality of inorganic films stacked alternately. For example, the isolation film BR may be formed as a multilayer film in which one or more inorganic films of a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titanium oxide layer, and an aluminum oxide layer are alternately stacked.

[0123] The thin film transistor TFT1 may be located on the isolation film BR. The active layer ACT1 of the thin film transistor TFT1 may be located on the isolation film BR. The active layer ACT1 of the thin film transistor TFT1 may include polycrystalline silicon, single crystal silicon, low temperature polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon or oxide semiconductor.

[0124] The active layer ACT1 may include a channel region CHA1, a source region TS1, and a drain region TD1. The channel region CHA1 may be a region overlapping with the gate electrode TG1 in the third direction DR3 which is the thickness direction of the substrate SUB, the source region TS1 may be located on one side of the channel region CHA1, and the drain region TD1 may be located on the other side of the channel region CHA1. The source region TS1 and the drain region TD1 may be regions not overlapping with the gate electrode TG1 in the third direction DR3. The source region TS1 and the drain region TD1 may be regions having conductivity by doping a silicon semiconductor or an oxide semiconductor with ions or impurities.

[0125] The gate insulating film 130 may be positioned on the active layer ACT1 of the thin film transistor TFT1. The gate insulating film 130 may be formed of an inorganic film such as a silicon nitride layer, a silicon nitride oxide layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titanium oxide layer, or an aluminum oxide layer.

[0126] The gate electrode TG1 of the thin film transistor TFT1 and the first capacitor electrode CAE1 may be located on the gate insulating film 130. The gate electrode TG1 may overlap the channel area CHA1 in the third direction DR3. Figure 7, the gate electrode TG1 and the first capacitor electrode CAE1 are illustrated as being arranged to be spaced apart from each other, but the gate electrode TG1 and the first capacitor electrode CAE1 may be connected to each other and formed integrally. The gate electrode TG1 and the first capacitor electrode CAE1 may be formed as a single layer or a multilayer made of any one of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper (Cu), or an alloy thereof.

[0127] The first interlayer insulating film 141 may be located on the gate electrode TG1 of the thin film transistor TFT1 and the first capacitor electrode CAE1. The first interlayer insulating film 141 may be formed as an inorganic film, for example, a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titanium oxide layer, or an aluminum oxide layer. The first interlayer insulating film 141 may be formed as a plurality of inorganic films.

[0128] The second capacitor electrode CAE2 may be located on the first interlayer insulating film 141. The second capacitor electrode CAE2 may overlap the first capacitor electrode CAE1 in the third direction DR3. In addition, when the gate electrode TG1 and the first capacitor electrode CAE1 are formed integrally, the second capacitor electrode CAE2 may overlap the gate electrode TG1 in the third direction DR3. Because the first interlayer insulating film 141 has a predetermined dielectric constant, a capacitor may be formed by the first capacitor electrode CAE1, the second capacitor electrode CAE2, and the first interlayer insulating film 141 located between the first capacitor electrode CAE1 and the second capacitor electrode CAE2. The second capacitor electrode CAE2 may be formed as a single layer or a multilayer made of any one of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper (Cu), or an alloy thereof.

[0129] The second interlayer insulating film 142 may be located on the second capacitor electrode CAE2. The second interlayer insulating film 142 may be formed as an inorganic film, for example, a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titanium oxide layer, or an aluminum oxide layer. The second interlayer insulating film 142 may be formed as a plurality of inorganic films.

[0130] The first anode connection electrode ANDE1 may be located on the second interlayer insulating film 142. The first anode connection electrode ANDE1 may be connected to the drain region TD1 of the thin film transistor TFT1 through a first connection contact hole ANCT1 penetrating the gate insulating film 130, the first interlayer insulating film 141, and the second interlayer insulating film 142. The first anode connection electrode ANDE1 may be formed as a single layer or multiple layers made of any one of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper (Cu), or an alloy thereof.

[0131] A first planarization film 160 for planarizing a step due to the thin film transistor TFT1 may be located on the first anode connection electrode ANDE1. The first planarization film 160 may be formed as an organic film made of acrylic resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyamide resin, polyimide resin, or the like.

[0132] The second anode connection electrode ANDE2 may be located on the first planarization film 160. The second anode connection electrode ANDE2 may be connected to the first anode connection electrode ANDE1 through a second connection contact hole ANCT2 penetrating the first planarization film 160. The second anode connection electrode ANDE2 may be formed as a single layer or a multilayer made of any one of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper (Cu), or an alloy thereof.

[0133] The second planarization film 180 may be located on the second anode connection electrode ANDE2. The second planarization film 180 may be formed as an organic film made of acrylic resin, epoxy resin, phenol resin, polyamide resin, polyimide resin, or the like.

[0134] A light emitting element layer EML including a light emitting element LEL and a bank 190 may be positioned on the second planarization film 180. Each of the light emitting elements LEL includes a pixel electrode 171, a light emitting layer 172, and a common electrode 173.

[0135] The pixel electrode 171 may be located on the second planarization film 180. The pixel electrode 171 may be connected to the second anode connection electrode ANDE2 through a third connection contact hole ANCT3 penetrating the second planarization film 180.

[0136] In a top emission structure in which the common electrode 173 emits light in a direction relative to the light emitting layer 172, the pixel electrode 171 may be formed of a metal material having high reflectivity, such as a stacked structure of aluminum (Al) and titanium (Ti) (Ti / Al / Ti), a stacked structure of aluminum (Al) and indium tin oxide (ITO) (ITO / Al / ITO), an APC alloy, and a stacked structure of an APC alloy and ITO (ITO / APC / ITO). The APC alloy is an alloy of silver (Ag), palladium (Pd), and copper (Cu).

[0137] The bank 190 may be formed to separate the pixel electrode 171 on the second planarization film 180 to define the emission parts EA1, EA2. The bank 190 may be arranged to cover the edge of the pixel electrode 171. The bank 190 may be formed as an organic film such as acrylic resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyamide resin or polyimide resin.

[0138] Each of the first and second light emitting portions EA1 and EA2 refers to each region where the pixel electrode 171, the light emitting layer 172, and the common electrode 173 are sequentially stacked and holes from the pixel electrode 171 and electrons from the common electrode 173 are combined with each other in the light emitting layer 172 to emit light.

[0139] The light emitting layer 172 may be located on the pixel electrode 171 and the bank 190. The light emitting layer 172 may include an organic material to emit light of a predetermined color. For example, the light emitting layer 172 may include a hole transport layer, an organic material layer, and an electron transport layer.

[0140] The common electrode 173 may be located on the light emitting layer 172. The common electrode 173 may be disposed to cover the light emitting layer 172. The common electrode 173 may be a common layer commonly formed in the first light emitting portion EA1 and the second light emitting portion EA2.

[0141] In the top emission structure, the common electrode 173 may be formed of a transparent conductive material (TCO) such as ITO or indium zinc oxide (IZO) that can transmit light, or a semi-transmissive conductive material such as magnesium (Mg), silver (Ag), or an alloy of magnesium (Mg) and silver (Ag). When the common electrode 173 is formed of a semi-transmissive conductive material, light emitting efficiency may be improved through a microcavity.

[0142] The spacer 191 may be located on the bank 190. The spacer 191 may be used to support a mask during a process of manufacturing the light emitting layer 172. The spacer 191 may be formed as an organic film made of acrylic resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyamide resin, polyimide resin, or the like.

[0143] In some embodiments, the display panel 400, for example, the light emitting element layer EML, may further include a capping layer CPL on the common electrode 173. The capping layer CPL may include an inorganic material. For example, the capping layer CPL may include at least one of silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, zirconium nitride, titanium nitride, hafnium nitride, tantalum nitride, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, tin oxide, cerium oxide, and silicon oxynitride.

[0144] The encapsulation layer TFEL may be located on the common electrode 173. The encapsulation layer TFEL may include at least one inorganic film to prevent oxygen or moisture from penetrating into the light emitting element layer EML. In addition, the encapsulation layer TFEL may include at least one organic film to protect the light emitting element layer EML from foreign substances such as dust. For example, the encapsulation layer TFEL may include a first encapsulation inorganic film TFE1, an encapsulation organic film TFE2, and a second encapsulation inorganic film TFE3.

[0145] The first encapsulation inorganic film TFE1 may be located on the common electrode 173, the encapsulation organic film TFE2 may be located on the first encapsulation inorganic film TFE1, and the second encapsulation inorganic film TFE3 may be located on the encapsulation organic film TFE2. The first encapsulation inorganic film TFE1 and the second encapsulation inorganic film TFE3 may be formed as a plurality of films in which one or more inorganic films of silicon nitride layers, silicon oxynitride layers, silicon oxide layers, titanium oxide layers, and aluminum oxide layers are alternately stacked. The encapsulation organic film TFE2 may be an organic film made of acrylic resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyamide resin, or polyimide resin.

[0146] The touch sensing layer TDL may be located on the encapsulation layer TFEL. The touch sensing layer TDL includes a first touch insulating film TINS1, a connection electrode BE, a second touch insulating film TINS2, a driving electrode TE, a sensing electrode RE, and a third touch insulating film TINS3.

[0147] The first touch insulating layer TINS1 may be located on the encapsulation layer TFEL. The first touch insulating film TINS1 may be formed as an inorganic film, for example, a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titanium oxide layer, or an aluminum oxide layer.

[0148] The connection electrode BE may be located on the first touch insulating film TINS1. The connection electrode BE may be formed as a single layer or multiple layers made of any one of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper (Cu), or an alloy thereof.

[0149] The second touch insulating film TINS2 may be located on the connection electrode BE, and the second touch insulating film TINS2 may be formed as an inorganic film, for example, a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titanium oxide layer, or an aluminum oxide layer. Alternatively, the second touch insulating film TINS2 may be formed as an organic film made of acrylic resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyamide resin, polyimide resin, or the like.

[0150] The driving electrode TE and the sensing electrode RE may be located on the second touch insulating film TINS2. The driving electrode TE and the sensing electrode RE may be formed of a single layer or multiple layers made of any one of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper (Cu), or an alloy thereof.

[0151] The driving electrode TE and the sensing electrode RE may overlap the connection electrode BE in the third direction DR3. The driving electrode TE may be connected to the connection electrode BE through a touch contact hole TCNT1 penetrating the second touch insulating film TINS2.

[0152] The third touch insulating film TINS3 may be formed on the driving electrode TE and the sensing electrode RE. The third touch insulating film TINS3 may be used to flatten a step formed by the driving electrode TE, the sensing electrode RE, and the connecting electrode BE. The third touch insulating film TINS3 may be formed as an organic film made of acrylic resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyamide resin, polyimide resin, or the like.

[0153] Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating a panel support member according to some embodiments.

[0154] refer to Figure 8 , the panel supporting member 700 may include a folding portion 710, a first non-folding portion 720, and a second non-folding portion 730. The folding portion 710 may be located in the folding area FDA, the first non-folding portion 720 may be located in the first non-folding area NFA1, and the second non-folding portion 730 may be located in the second non-folding area NFA2.

[0155] In some embodiments, the folding area FDA may be an area in which the folding portion 710 is located, and the first non-folding area NFA1 and the second non-folding area NFA2 may be areas in which the first non-folding portion 720 and the second non-folding portion 730 are located, respectively.

[0156] The folding portion 710 may be a portion that is folded when the display device 10 is folded. The folding portion 710 may be located between the first non-folding portion 720 and the second non-folding portion 730 in the second direction DR2.

[0157] The first non-folding portion 720 and the second non-folding portion 730 may be portions that are not folded when the display device 10 is folded. The first non-folding portion 720 may be located on one side of the folding portion 710 in the second direction DR2, and the second non-folding portion 730 may be located on the other side of the folding portion 710 in the second direction DR2.

[0158] In some embodiments, a through hole STH penetrating the panel supporting member 700 may be located in the first non-folding portion 720. The through hole STH may be arranged adjacent to one side of the first non-folding portion 720 in the second direction DR2.

[0159] The folded portion 710 may include a grid pattern. For example, the folded portion 710 may include a plurality of bars BAR and a plurality of slits SLT between the plurality of bars BAR.

[0160] The plurality of bars BAR may include a plurality of horizontal bars each extending in the second direction DR2 and a plurality of vertical bars each extending in the first direction DR1 .

[0161] Each of the plurality of slits SLT may be a hole penetrating the panel supporting member 700 in the third direction DR3. Each of the plurality of slits SLT may extend in the first direction DR1. For example, the length of each of the plurality of slits SLT in the first direction DR1 may be longer than the length of each of the plurality of slits SLT in the second direction DR2. The folding portion 710 may have flexibility by including the plurality of slits SLT. That is, when the display device 10 is folded, the folding portion 710 may be stretched in the second direction DR2.

[0162] Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an upper protective member according to some embodiments. Fig.10 is a plan view illustrating a coating according to some embodiments.

[0163] refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , the upper protective member 100 may include a relatively flexible material to minimize or reduce the repulsive force when the display device 10 is folded. For example, the upper protective member 100 may include, but is not limited to, at least one of polyacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PI), cycloolefin polymer, triacetyl cellulose (TAC), polycarbonate (PC), epoxy resin, and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

[0164] According to some embodiments, the tensile strain of the upper protective member 100 may be approximately 5% or more, but is not limited thereto. Since the upper protective member 100 has flexibility, the risk of cracks occurring when the display device 10 is folded may be minimized or reduced.

[0165] According to some embodiments, the thickness H1 of the upper protective member 100 may be approximately 200 μm or less, but is not limited thereto. Since the upper protective member 100 has a thickness H1 of 200 μm or less, the risk of cracks occurring when the display device 10 is folded may be minimized or reduced.

[0166] The upper protective member 100 may have sufficient hardness to protect members located at the lower side of the upper protective member 100. According to some embodiments, the Vickers hardness of the base layer 110 may be approximately 40 Hv to 50 Hv, but is not limited thereto.

[0167] The upper protective member 100 may have high transmittance and low haze so that light from the light emitting layer 172 (see Figure 7 ) The light emitted by the upper protective member 100 may be emitted to the outside. For example, the transmittance of the upper protective member 100 may be approximately 85% or more, and the haze thereof may be approximately 2% or less, but is not limited thereto.

[0168] The upper protective member 100 may include a base layer 110 and a coating layer 120. For example, the upper protective member 100 may include the coating layer 120 formed by coating one surface of the base layer 110.

[0169] The base layer 110 may be a support layer. The base layer 110 may support the window member 200 (see FIG. 1 ) located on the lower side of the base layer 110. Figure 5 ) and a cover window CCW located on the upper side of the base layer 110 (see Figure 5 ).

[0170] According to some embodiments, the base layer 110 may include at least one of polyacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PI), cycloolefin polymer, triacetyl cellulose (TAC), polycarbonate (PC), epoxy resin, and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as described above.

[0171] The coating layer 120 may be located on the base layer 110. The coating layer 120 may be a layer formed by coating the upper surface of the base layer 110. According to some embodiments, the coating layer 120 may include but is not limited to at least one of a silicone-based material such as polysilazane and polysiloxane, an acrylic-based material, an epoxy-based material, and polyurethane.

[0172] The coating 120 may perform at least one of anti-scattering, impact absorption, anti-scratch, anti-fingerprint, and anti-glare. The coating 120 may include at least one additive to perform the above functions. For example, the additive may be an anti-fingerprint (AF) additive, but is not limited thereto.

[0173] In some embodiments, the thickness H2 of the coating layer 120 may be approximately 1 μm to 20 μm. In the display device 10 according to some embodiments, when the thickness H2 of the coating layer 120 is 1 μm or more, the coating layer 120 may have sufficient hardness to prevent it from being damaged. In addition, since the coating layer 120 has a thickness H2 of 20 μm or less, the occurrence of cracks when the display device 10 is folded may be minimized or reduced.

[0174] The coating layer 120 may be disposed over the entire surface of the base layer 110. In some embodiments, the coating layer 120 may be formed by a roll-to-roll process, but is not limited thereto.

[0175] The coating 120 may include a first portion 121 , a second portion 122 , and a third portion 123 .

[0176] The first portion 121 may be located between the second portion 122 and the third portion 123 in the second direction DR2. The first portion 121 may be located at the center of the coating layer 120 in the second direction DR2. The first portion 121 may extend in the first direction DR1. The first portion 121 may overlap the folding area FDA.

[0177] The folding center axis FL0 may be located at the center of the first portion 121. The folding center axis FL0 may be a center line located between the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2.

[0178] The second portion 122 may be located at one side of the first portion 121, and the third portion 123 may be located at the other side of the first portion 121. For example, the second portion 122 may be located at the other side of the first portion 121 in the second direction DR2, and the third portion 123 may be located at one side of the first portion 121 in the second direction DR2.

[0179] The first boundary line IFL1 may be located at a boundary between the first portion 121 and the second portion 122 , and the second boundary line IFL2 may be located at a boundary between the first portion 121 and the third portion 123 .

[0180] In some embodiments, the upper protective member 100 may include a first area ARA1 where the first portion 121 is located, a second area ARA2 where the second portion 122 is located, and a third area ARA3 where the third portion 123 is located.

[0181] In some embodiments, the contact angle of the first portion 121 may be different from the contact angles of the second portion 122 and the third portion 123. For example, the contact angle may be a water contact angle. In the display device 10 according to some embodiments, the water contact angle of the first portion 121 may be different from the water contact angles of the second portion 122 and the third portion 123. For example, the water contact angle of the first portion 121 may be smaller than the water contact angles of the second portion 122 and the third portion 123.

[0182] Therefore, in the display device 10 according to some embodiments, as the first portion 121 and the adhesive member ADH (see Fig.11 ) between the first adhesive force ADF1 (see Fig.11 ) can be used as the second part 122 and the third part 123 and the bonding member ADH (see Fig.11 ) between the second adhesive force ADF2 and the third adhesive force ADF3 (see Fig.11 ) are different. For example, the first adhesive force ADF1 (see Fig.11 ) may be greater than the second adhesive force ADF2 and the third adhesive force ADF3 (see Fig.11 ).

[0183] This will be referenced later Fig.11 Describe in detail.

[0184] Fig.11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating some layers of a display device according to some embodiments.

[0185] refer to Fig.11 In the display device 10 according to some embodiments, the coating layer 120 may perform at least one of the functions of anti-scattering, impact absorption, anti-scratch, anti-fingerprint, and anti-glare as described above. The coating layer 120 may include at least one additive to perform the above functions. Therefore, the coating layer 120 including the additive may become relatively hydrophobic.

[0186] Meanwhile, the cover window CCW located on the upper protective member 100 may be coupled to the upper protective member 100 through the adhesive member ADH. The adhesive force between the adhesive member ADH and the upper protective member 100 may be weakened by the coating layer 120 which is relatively hydrophobic.

[0187] As the display device 10 repeats folding and unfolding operations, the lifting phenomenon is more likely to occur in the cover window CCW located in the folding area FDA than in the cover window CCW located in the first and second non-folding areas NFA1 and NFA2 due to weakened adhesive force.

[0188] The display device 10 according to the present embodiment may minimize or reduce the lifting phenomenon of the cover window CCW by making the adhesive force of the first portion 121 greater than the adhesive forces of the second portion 122 and the third portion 123 .

[0189] Specifically, the water contact angle of the first portion 121 of the coating 120 may be different from the water contact angles of the second portion 122 and the third portion 123. For example, the water contact angle of the first portion 121 may be less than the water contact angles of the second portion 122 and the third portion 123. According to some embodiments, the water contact angle of the first portion 121 may be approximately 90 degrees to 105 degrees. According to some embodiments, the water contact angle of the first portion 121 may be approximately 100 degrees. According to some embodiments, the water contact angles of the second portion 122 and the third portion 123 may be approximately 110 degrees or more.

[0190] A specific method of measuring the water contact angle will be described with reference to an experimental example described later.

[0191] Therefore, in the display device 10 according to some embodiments, the first adhesive force ADF1, which is the adhesive force between the first portion 121 and the adhesive member ADH, may be different from the second adhesive force ADF2 and the third adhesive force ADF3, which are the adhesive forces between the second portion 122 and the third portion 123 and the adhesive member ADH. For example, the first adhesive force ADF1 may be greater than the second adhesive force ADF2 and the third adhesive force ADF3.

[0192] According to some embodiments, the first adhesive force ADF1 may be 3 to 8 times greater than the second adhesive force ADF2 and the third adhesive force ADF3. For example, the first adhesive force ADF1 may be approximately 800 to 1600 gf / in, and the second and third adhesive forces ADF2 and ADF3 may be approximately 100 to 400 gf / in.

[0193] As an example, at a room temperature of 25° C., the first adhesive force ADF1 may be approximately 1000 gf / in or more, and the second adhesive force ADF2 and the third adhesive force ADF3 may be approximately 400 gf / in or less. As another example, at a room temperature of 60° C., the first adhesive force ADF1 may be approximately 800 gf / in or more, and the second adhesive force ADF2 and the third adhesive force ADF3 may be approximately 200 gf / in or less.

[0194] Herein, the adhesive force may be a value measured when two members are coupled at a room temperature of 25±3° C., the coupled two members are left for 30±5 minutes and then peeled at a peel angle of 180° and a peel speed of 300 mm / min.

[0195] As such, the display device 10 according to the present embodiment can minimize or reduce the lifting phenomenon of the cover window CCW by making the adhesive force of the first portion 121 greater than the adhesive forces of the second portion 122 and the third portion 123 .

[0196] Meanwhile, the method S1 for manufacturing a display device described later (see Fig.12 ) is used to describe a method for making the adhesive force of the first portion 121 and the adhesive forces of the second portion 122 and the third portion 123 different from each other.

[0197] In some embodiments, the width W1 of the first area ARA1 may be greater than the width W2 of the folding area FDA. That is, the distance between the first boundary line IFL1 and the second boundary line IFL2 may be greater than the distance between the first folding line FL1 and the second folding line FL2. For example, the width of the first portion 121 of the coating layer 120 of the upper protective member 100 may be greater than the width of the folding portion 710 of the panel support member 700.

[0198] In some embodiments, the lifting phenomenon of the cover window CCW may occur, not only spreading to the folding area FDA in which the folding portion 710 is located, but also spreading to the first non-folding area NFA1 and the second non-folding area NFA2 adjacent to the folding area FDA. Therefore, by making the width of the first portion 121 greater than the width of the folding portion 710, the lifting phenomenon occurring in the first non-folding area NFA1 and the second non-folding area NFA2 adjacent to the folding area FDA can be prevented.

[0199] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a display device according to some embodiments will be described in more detail.

[0200] Fig.12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a display device according to some embodiments. Fig.13 As an example Fig.12 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of operation S100 . Fig.14 For along Fig.13 A cross-sectional view taken along line X2-X2'. Fig.15 As an example Fig.12 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of operation S200 . Fig.16 For along Fig.15 A cross-sectional view taken along line X3-X3'. Fig.17 As an example Fig.12 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of operation S300 . Fig.18 For along Fig.17 A cross-sectional view taken along line X4-X4'. Fig.19 For along Fig.17 A cross-sectional view taken along line X5-X5'. Fig. 20 As an example Fig.12 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of operation S400 . Fig.21 For along Fig. 20 A cross-sectional view taken along line X6-X6'.

[0201] refer to Figure 12 to Figure 21 According to some embodiments, a method S1 for manufacturing a display device may include providing an upper protective member (S100), arranging a mask on the upper protective member (S200), performing plasma treatment on a first region of the upper protective member (S300), and removing the mask located on the upper protective member (S400).

[0202] like Fig.13 and Fig.14 As illustrated in FIG. 1 , in the providing of the upper protective member ( S100 ), the upper protective member 100 may be provided. As described above, the upper protective member 100 may include the base layer 110 and the coating layer 120 .

[0203] In some embodiments, the coating layer 120 of the upper protective member 100 may be formed on one surface of the base layer 110 by a roll-to-roll process. When the coating layer 120 is formed by a continuous process such as a roll-to-roll process, the coating layer 120 may be located on the entire surface of the base layer 110.

[0204] In the method S1 for manufacturing a display device according to some embodiments, since the coating layer 120 is formed by a continuous process, a separate subsequent process may be performed to form the adhesive force of the first portion 121 and the adhesive forces of the second portion 122 and the third portion 123 to be different from each other. Hereinafter, the subsequent process will be described in more detail with reference to operations S200, S300, and S400.

[0205] like Fig.15 and Fig.16 , in disposing the mask on the upper protective member ( S200 ), the mask MSK may be located on the upper protective member 100 . For example, the mask MSK may be located on at least a portion of the coating layer 120 .

[0206] The mask MSK may be located on the second portion 122 and the third portion 123 of the coating layer 120. The mask MSK may not be located on the first preliminary portion 121a of the coating layer 120.

[0207] like Figure 17 to Figure 19 , in performing plasma treatment on the first region of the upper protective member (S300), the head HD may be located on the upper protective member 100. The head HD may be a plasma treatment device. The head HD may perform plasma treatment on the first preliminary portion 121a on which the mask MSK is not located using plasma gas PG.

[0208] For example, the head HD may move to one side in the first direction DR1 at a first speed V1, and the upper protective member 100 may move to the other side in the first direction DR1 at a second speed V2. According to some embodiments, only one of the head HD and the upper protective member 100 may be moved.

[0209] The head HD may inject the plasma gas PG into the first preliminary portion 121a while the head HD moves. In some embodiments, the plasma gas PG may be nitrogen (N 2 ) gas, oxygen (O 2 ) gas, hydrogen (H 2 ) gas, fluorine (F 2 ) gas, etc., but not limited to these.

[0210] The radicals included in the plasma gas PG may react with the molecules included in the surface of the first preliminary portion 121a, thereby making the first preliminary portion 121a hydrophilic and forming the first portion 121. The first portion 121 may become hydrophilic to reduce the water contact angle, and the adhesive member ADH ( Fig.11 ) can relatively improve the adhesion to the first portion 121.

[0211] For example, oxygen radicals included in the plasma gas PG may be combined with carbon and hydrogen atoms included in the first preliminary portion 121 a to form an oxygen layer on the surface of the first portion 121 .

[0212] In the method S1 for manufacturing a display device according to some embodiments, a change in the water contact angle of the first portion 121 due to the plasma treatment may be affected by a relative speed between the first speed V1 of the head HD and the second speed V2 of the upper protective member 100. Therefore, in order to make the water contact angle of the first portion 121 within the above range, the relative speed between the first speed V1 of the head HD and the second speed V2 of the upper protective member 100 is approximately 3 m / min to 8 m / min.

[0213] Specific plasma processing conditions will be described with reference to experimental examples described later.

[0214] like Fig. 20 and Fig.21 As illustrated in FIG. 4 , in the removing of the mask on the upper protective member ( S400 ), the mask MSK on the coating layer 120 of the upper protective member 100 may be removed.

[0215] According to the display device 10 according to some embodiments, the water contact angle of the first portion 121 may be formed to be different from the water contact angles of the second portion 122 and the third portion 123 through the plasma treatment. Therefore, by forming the adhesive force of the first portion 121 to be different from the adhesive force of the second portion 122 and the third portion 123, the cover window CCW (see FIG. 1 ) located on the first portion 121 may be minimized or reduced. Fig.11 )’s lifting phenomenon.

[0216] Hereinafter, various embodiments and comparative examples will be described based on experimental results of specific experimental examples.

[0217] Application example: Plasma treatment method

[0218] like Figure 17 to Figure 19 As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the plasma treatment process may be affected by the discharge power of the head HD, the discharge gap, the discharge gas flow rate, and the relative speed between the head HD and the upper protective member 100. The discharge gap refers to a distance D1 between the head HD and the coating layer 120.

[0219] In some embodiments, the discharge power of the head HD may be approximately 1 kW to 5 kW, the discharge gap may be approximately 1 mm to 50 mm, and the discharge gas flow rate may be approximately 100 LPM to 1000 LPM.

[0220] In the experimental example of this specification, the discharge power of the head HD is 3 kW, the discharge gap is 10 mm, the discharge gas flow rate is 400 LPM, and the discharge gas type is nitrogen (N 2 ) gas is described as an example.

[0221] The changes in the water contact angle and the adhesive force of the coating 120 due to the plasma treatment may be greatly affected by the relative speed between the head HD and the upper protective member 100. Therefore, in the experimental example of the present disclosure, the changes in the water contact angle and the adhesive force of the coating 120 were observed by constantly controlling the discharge power, the discharge gap, and the discharge gas flow rate and changing the relative speed between the head HD and the upper protective member 100.

[0222] Experimental Example 1: Whether water contact angle change and CW rise occur according to plasma treatment method

[0223] Table 1

[0224]

[0225]

[0226] In the present disclosure, the water contact angle means a value measured under standard conditions at a test site specified in JIS Z 8703. The standard conditions of the test site specified in JIS Z 8703 refer to a room temperature of 22±2°C and a normal humidity of 55±5%RH. The volume of a water droplet used to measure the water contact angle may be approximately 3 μl, and the falling speed of the water droplet may be approximately 2.67 m / s. The water contact angle may be a value measured according to a sessile drop method.

[0227] As illustrated in Table 1, when the relative speed between the head HD and the upper protective member 100 is 3 m / min to 8 m / min, the lifting phenomenon of the cover window CCW does not occur when the display device 10 is folded 150,000 times.

[0228] For example, the first and second embodiments perform plasma treatment at relative speeds of 6 m / min and 3 m / min, respectively, and the first and second comparative examples perform plasma treatment at relative speeds of 12 m / min and 9 m / min, respectively.

[0229] In the first and second embodiments, the water contact angles measured within 1 hour after plasma treatment were as low as 103.3° and 85.5°, respectively, and even after 24 hours, the water contact angles remained within 105°, which did not cause CCW lift of the cover window.

[0230] On the other hand, in the first and second comparative examples, the water contact angles measured within 1 hour after plasma treatment were as high as 109.6° and 106.3°, respectively, and even after 24 hours, the water contact angles remained greater than 105°, which resulted in CCW lift of the cover window.

[0231] In the display device 10 according to some embodiments, the lifting phenomenon of the cover window CCW can be prevented by maintaining the water contact angle of the first portion 121 within approximately 105 degrees. In addition, in the method S1 for manufacturing a display device according to some embodiments, the range of the water contact angle can be achieved by maintaining the relative speed between the head HD and the upper protective member 100 within 3m / min to 8m / min.

[0232] Experimental Example 2: Whether removal marks appear during rework based on water contact angle

[0233] Table 2

[0234]

[0235] Table 2 is a table indicating whether a removal mark appears on the upper protective member 100 during a process of peeling off the cover window CCW after attaching the cover window CCW to the upper protective member 100. In some embodiments, during the process of attaching the cover window CCW, there may be a case where the cover window CCW attached to the upper protective member 100 needs to be peeled off and then reattached due to some reasons such as alignment. During such a rework process, if a removal mark is left on the upper protective member 100 due to the peeling of the cover window CCW, it may cause poor quality of the display device 10. Therefore, it may be desirable to maintain the adhesive force to the extent that no removal mark is left during the rework process.

[0236] As illustrated in Table 2, when the water contact angle of the first portion 121 is 90° or more, the removal mark does not appear as in the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, and the third comparative example. On the other hand, in the fourth comparative example, since the first portion 121 has a water contact angle of less than 90 degrees, the removal mark appears during the rework process due to high adhesive force.

[0237] Meanwhile, in the case of the third comparative example, the removal mark does not occur, but according to the results of Experimental Example 1, since it has a water contact angle exceeding 105 degrees, the adhesive force is low and the lifting phenomenon of the cover window CCW may occur.

[0238] In the display device 10 according to some embodiments, by maintaining the water contact angle of the first portion 121 above approximately 90 degrees, a removal mark can be prevented from occurring during the rework process of the cover window CCW. In addition, in the method S1 for manufacturing a display device according to some embodiments, the range of the water contact angle can be achieved by maintaining the relative speed between the head HD and the upper protective member 100 above 3 m / min and within 8 m / min.

[0239] In summarizing the detailed description, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing substantially from the principles of the present disclosure. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments of the present invention are used only in a general and descriptive sense and not for the purpose of limitation.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: The display panel comprises a folding area and a non-folding area on one side of the folding area; as well as an upper protective member, on the first surface of the display panel and comprising a coating layer, The coating comprises: A first portion overlapping the folding region; as well as The second part, on one side of the first part, The contact angle of the first portion is different from the contact angle of the second portion. 2 . The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the contact angle of the first portion is smaller than the contact angle of the second portion. 3 . The display device according to claim 2 , wherein the contact angle of the first portion is in the range of 90 degrees to 105 degrees. 4 . The display device according to claim 2 , wherein the contact angle of the second portion is 110 degrees or more.

5. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a cover window on the upper protective member; as well as a bonding member between the cover window and the upper protective member, Here, a first adhesive force as an adhesive force between the first portion and the adhesive member is different from a second adhesive force as an adhesive force between the second portion and the adhesive member. The display device according to claim 5 , wherein the first adhesive force is greater than the second adhesive force. 7 . The display device according to claim 6 , wherein the first adhesive force is in a range of 3 to 8 times of the second adhesive force.

8. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising a panel supporting member on the second surface of the display panel, wherein the panel supporting member comprises a folded portion in the folded region and a non-folded portion in the non-folded region, and The width of the first portion is greater than the width of the folded portion. 9 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the upper protective member comprises at least one of polyacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, cycloolefin polymer, triacetyl cellulose, polycarbonate, epoxy resin, and polymethyl methacrylate. 10 . The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the upper protective member has a transmittance of 85% or more and a haze of 2% or less. 11 . The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the coating layer comprises at least one of a silicone-based material, an acrylic-based material, an epoxy-based material, and polyurethane.

12. The display device according to claim 1 or 11, wherein the coating comprises an anti-fingerprint additive. 13 . The display device according to claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the upper protective member is 200 μm or less. 14 . The display device according to claim 13 , wherein a thickness of the coating layer is in a range of 1 μm to 20 μm.

15. A display device, comprising: Display panel; an upper protective member, on the display panel and comprising a coating; as well as a cover window, on the upper protective member, wherein the coating comprises a first portion and a second portion on one side of the first portion, wherein the cover window is bent in a region overlapping with the first portion, and The contact angle of the first portion is different from the contact angle of the second portion. 16 . The display device according to claim 15 , wherein the contact angle of the first portion is smaller than the contact angle of the second portion.

17. A method for manufacturing a display device, the method comprising: providing an upper protective member including a coating; as well as performing a plasma treatment on a first portion of the coating except for a second portion of the coating, The contact angle of the first portion is different from the contact angle of the second portion.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein in said performing of said plasma treatment, a relative speed between a plasma treatment device and said coating layer is in the range of 3 m / min to 8 m / min. The method of claim 17 , wherein the contact angle of the first portion is smaller than the contact angle of the second portion.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the coating is formed by a roll-to-roll process.

Images