Display device and display panel

Abstract

A display device and a display panel are provided. The display device includes: a display panel in which a plurality of sub-pixels are arranged; and at least one driving circuit configured to drive the display panel. In the display panel, a circuit layer is disposed on a substrate, a signal line is disposed over the circuit layer and electrically connected to a circuit film on which a driving circuit is mounted, a light emitting element layer is disposed over the signal line and disposed to overlap at least a portion of the circuit film, the polarizing film is disposed over the light-emitting element layer and disposed to overlap at least a portion of the circuit film, the adhesive layer covers side surfaces of the polarizing film, the light-emitting element layer, and the circuit layer, and the cover window is disposed over the polarizing film.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0150545, filed on November 3, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments relate to a display device and a display panel, and more particularly, to a display device and a display panel having a structure capable of reducing defects or malfunctions caused by static electricity introduced into a bezel. Background Art

[0004] Among display devices that display images using digital data, liquid crystal display (LCD) devices using liquid crystals, organic light emitting display devices using organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), and the like are representative.

[0005] Among such display devices, organic light emitting display devices are advantageous in terms of fast response rate, high contrast, high luminous efficiency, high brightness, wide viewing angle, etc., since light emitting diodes that emit light themselves are used therein. In this case, the light emitting diodes may be made of inorganic materials or organic materials.

[0006] Such an organic light emitting display device may include light emitting diodes disposed in a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in a display panel, and may control the light emitting diodes to emit light by controlling a voltage flowing through the light emitting diodes, thereby displaying an image while controlling the brightness of each sub-pixel.

[0007] Recently, the use range of such display devices has been expanded to include portable computers as well as desktop computer monitors, smart phones, wall-mounted televisions, etc. Furthermore, in terms of the design of display devices, thinner display panels each having a thinner edge are increasingly favored.

[0008] In this case, as the bezel of the display panel becomes thinner, wiring or circuits provided on the panel may be exposed to the outside, and static electricity or the like flowing through the bezel may cause defects or bad signals. Summary of the invention

[0009] Therefore, the inventors of the present disclosure have invented a display device and a display panel having a structure capable of reducing defects or malfunctions caused by introduced static electricity.

[0010] The embodiments may provide a display device and a display panel in which a signal line or an inspection pad provided on a bezel may be covered from above by extending a polarizing film, thereby reducing defects or failures.

[0011] In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a display device and a display panel, in which a pad may be formed on a frame and a polarizing film may be attached on top of the pad, thereby reducing defects or failures caused by static electricity introduced into a signal line or inspection pad set on the frame.

[0012] An embodiment may provide a display device, comprising: a display panel arranged with a plurality of sub-pixels; and at least one driving circuit driving the display panel, wherein the display panel comprises: a substrate; a circuit layer disposed on the substrate; a signal line disposed above the circuit layer and electrically connected to a circuit film on which the driving circuit is mounted; a light-emitting element layer disposed above the signal line and arranged to overlap with at least a portion of the circuit film; a polarizing film disposed above the light-emitting element layer and arranged to overlap with at least a portion of the circuit film; an adhesive layer covering the sides of the polarizing film, the light-emitting element layer and the circuit layer; and a cover window disposed above the polarizing film.

[0013] An embodiment may provide a display panel, comprising: a substrate; a circuit layer disposed on the substrate; a signal line disposed above the circuit layer and electrically connected to a circuit film on which a driving circuit is mounted; a light-emitting element layer disposed above the signal line and arranged to overlap with at least a portion of the circuit film; a polarizing film disposed above the light-emitting element layer and arranged to overlap with at least a portion of the circuit film; an adhesive layer covering the sides of the polarizing film, the light-emitting element layer and the circuit layer; and a cover window disposed above the polarizing film.

[0014] According to the embodiments, defects or malfunctions in a display device caused by introduced static electricity may be reduced.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, a signal line or an inspection pad provided on a bezel may be covered from above by extending the polarizing film, thereby reducing defects or malfunctions in a display device.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, by forming pads on the bezel and attaching a polarizing film on top of the pads, process optimization for reducing defects or malfunctions caused by static electricity introduced to a signal line or an inspection pad provided on the bezel may be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood through the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 shows a schematic configuration of a display device according to an embodiment;

[0019] Figure 2 An example touch sensing system of a display device according to an embodiment is shown;

[0020] Figure 3 An example structure in which a touch screen panel is disposed inside a display panel in a display device according to an embodiment is shown;

[0021] Figure 4 shows the arrangement of pads and signal lines in a non-display area of ​​a display device according to an embodiment;

[0022] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a situation where static electricity is introduced into a data line connected to a circuit film;

[0023] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a situation where static electricity is introduced into an inspection pad located outside a circuit film;

[0024] Figures 7 to 15 are cross-sectional views sequentially showing the manufacturing process of the display device according to the embodiment;

[0025] Fig.16 shows the arrangement of polarizing films in a non-display area of ​​a display device according to an embodiment; and

[0026] Fig.17A and Fig. 17B is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which a polarizing film blocks static electricity introduced from the outside. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. In the following description of examples or embodiments of the present invention, reference will be made to the drawings, in which specific examples or embodiments that can be implemented are shown by way of illustration, and in the drawings, the same reference numerals and symbols may be used to represent the same or similar components, even if they are shown in different drawings from each other. In addition, in the following description of examples or embodiments of the present invention, when it is determined that a detailed description of the known functions and components incorporated herein may make the subject matter in some embodiments of the present invention quite unclear, the description will be omitted. Terms such as "including", "having", "containing", "constituting", "consisting of" and "formed by" used herein are generally intended to allow the addition of other components, unless these terms are used together with the term "only". As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is intended to include the plural form.

[0028] Terms such as "first", "second", "A", "B", "(A)" or "(B)" may be used herein to describe elements of the present invention. Each of these terms is not used to limit the nature, order, sequence or quantity of the elements, but is only used to distinguish the corresponding elements from other elements.

[0029] When it is mentioned that a first element is “connected or combined”, “contacted or overlapped”, etc. with a second element, it should be interpreted that not only the first element can be “directly connected or combined” or “directly contacted or overlapped” with the second element, but also a third element can be “interposed” between the first element and the second element, or the first element and the second element can be “connected or combined”, “contacted or overlapped”, etc. with each other via a fourth element. Here, the second element can be included in at least one of the two or more elements that are “connected or combined”, “contacted or overlapped”, etc. with each other.

[0030] When time-related terms such as “after,” “subsequently,” “next,” “before,” etc. are used to describe a process or operation of an element or configuration, or a flow or step in an operation, process, or manufacturing method, these terms may be used to describe non-sequential or non-sequential processes or operations unless used with the terms “directly” or “immediately.”

[0031] In addition, when referring to any size, relative size, etc., even if no relevant description is specified, the numerical value or corresponding information (e.g., level, range, etc.) of the element or feature should be considered to include tolerances or error ranges that may be caused by various factors (e.g., process factors, internal or external influences, noise, etc.). In addition, the term "may" fully encompasses all meanings of the term "can".

[0032] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic configuration of a display device according to an embodiment is shown.

[0034] Reference Figure 1 , the display device 100 according to the embodiment may include a display panel 110 , a gate driving circuit 120 , a data driving circuit 130 , and a timing controller 140 as components for displaying an image.

[0035] The display panel 110 may include a display area DA where an image is displayed and a non-display area NDA where an image is not displayed.

[0036] The non-display area NDA may be an area outside the display area DA and may also be referred to as a bezel. The non-display area NDA may be an area visible in front of the display device 100 or may be an area curved so as not to be visible in front of the display device 100.

[0037] The display panel 110 may include a plurality of sub-pixels SP. Each sub-pixel SP may have a different structure depending on the type of the display device 100. For example, when the display device 100 is a self-luminous display device in which the sub-pixel SP emits light by itself, each sub-pixel SP may include a self-luminous light-emitting element, one or more transistors, and one or more capacitors.

[0038] In addition, the display panel 110 may further include various types of signal lines for driving the sub-pixels SP. For example, the various types of signal lines may include a plurality of data lines DL transmitting data signals (also referred to as data voltages or image data) and a plurality of gate lines GL transmitting gate signals (which may include scanning signals, sensing signals, or light emitting signals).

[0039] The data lines DL may cross the gate lines GL. Each of the data lines DL may be arranged to extend in a column direction. Each of the gate lines GL may be arranged to extend in a row direction.

[0040] Here, the column direction and the row direction are relative. For example, the column direction may be a vertical direction and the row direction may be a horizontal direction. In another example, the column direction may be a horizontal direction and the row direction may be a vertical direction.

[0041] The data driving circuit 130 is a circuit for driving the data lines DL and may output data signals to the data lines DL. The gate driving circuit 120 is a circuit for driving the gate lines GL and may output gate signals to the gate lines GL.

[0042] The timing controller 140 is a device for controlling the data driving circuit 130 and the gate driving circuit 120 , and may control a driving timing for the data lines DL and a driving timing for the gate lines GL.

[0043] The timing controller 140 may supply various types of data driving control signals DCS to the data driving circuit 130 to control the data driving circuit 130 , and supply various types of gate driving control signals GCS to the gate driving circuit 120 to control the gate driving circuit 120 .

[0044] The gate driving circuit 120 may supply a gate signal to the gate line GL in response to the timing control of the timing controller 140. The gate driving circuit 120 may be supplied with a first gate voltage corresponding to the on-level voltage and a second gate voltage corresponding to the off-level voltage and various gate driving control signals GCS, generate a gate signal, and supply the gate signal to the gate line GL. Here, the on-level voltage may be a high-level voltage, and the off-level voltage may be a low-level voltage. Conversely, the on-level voltage may be a low-level voltage, and the off-level voltage may be a high-level voltage.

[0045] The data driving circuit 130 may supply data signals to the data lines DL in response to driving timing control of the timing controller 140. The data driving circuit 130 may receive digital image data DATA from the timing controller 140, convert the received image data DATA into analog data voltages, and output the analog data voltages to the data lines DL.

[0046] The data driving circuit 130 may include a plurality of data driving integrated circuits SDIC (see Figure 2 ).

[0047] In order to provide not only an image display function but also a touch sensing function, the display device 100 may include a touch screen panel and a touch circuit 150, which senses the touch screen panel to detect whether a touch object (such as a finger or a pen (e.g., a stylus)) has touched, or detects a touch position.

[0048] The touch circuit 150 may include a touch driving circuit 152 for driving and sensing the touch screen panel to generate touch sensing data, a touch controller 154 for detecting a touch event or a touch position using the touch sensing data, and the like.

[0049] The touch screen panel may include a plurality of touch electrodes TE as touch sensors. The touch screen panel may also include a plurality of touch lines TL for electrically connecting the touch electrodes TE to the touch driving circuit 152. The touch screen panel or the touch electrodes TE may also be referred to as a touch sensor.

[0050] The touch screen panel may exist outside the display panel 110 or inside the display panel 110. When the touch screen panel is outside the display panel 110, the touch screen panel is called an external touch screen panel. When the touch screen panel is outside, the touch screen panel and the display panel 110 may be manufactured separately and combined in sequence. The external touch screen panel may include a substrate and touch electrodes TE over the substrate.

[0051] When the touch screen panel exists inside the display panel 110, the touch screen panel is called an in-cell touch screen panel. When the touch screen panel is an in-cell touch screen panel, the touch screen panel may be disposed inside the display panel 110 during a manufacturing process of the display panel 110.

[0052] The touch driving circuit 152 may supply a touch driving signal to at least one of the touch electrodes TE, and may detect a touch sensing signal transmitted from at least one of the touch electrodes TE to generate touch sensing data.

[0053] The touch driving circuit 152 may include a plurality of touch driving integrated circuits ROIC (see Figure 2 ).

[0054] The touch circuit 150 may perform touch sensing in a self-capacitance touch sensing manner or a mutual-capacitance touch sensing manner.

[0055] When the touch circuit 150 performs touch sensing in a self-capacitance sensing manner, the touch circuit 150 may perform touch sensing based on the capacitance between each touch electrode TE and a touch object (eg, a finger, a pen, etc.).

[0056] When the touch circuit 150 performs touch sensing in a mutual capacitance sensing manner, the touch circuit 150 may perform touch sensing based on capacitance between the touch electrodes TE.

[0057] According to the mutual capacitance sensing method, the touch electrodes TE are divided into touch driving electrodes and touch sensing electrodes. The touch driving circuit 152 may drive each touch driving electrode using a touch driving signal and detect a touch sensing signal from each touch sensing electrode.

[0058] According to the self-capacitance sensing method, each touch electrode TE may be used as a touch driving electrode and as a touch sensing electrode. The touch driving circuit 152 may drive all or part of the touch electrodes TE and sense all or part of the touch electrodes TE.

[0059] The touch driving circuit 152 and the touch controller 154 may be implemented as separate devices or a single device.

[0060] The touch driving circuit 152 and the data driving circuit 130 may each be implemented as an integrated circuit. In another example, the whole or part of the touch driving circuit 152 and the whole or part of the data driving circuit 130 may be integrated with each other to form a single integrated circuit.

[0061] Figure 2 An example touch sensing system of a display device according to an embodiment is shown.

[0062] Reference Figure 2 , the touch sensing system of the display device 100 according to the embodiment may include a plurality of touch electrodes TE, a plurality of touch lines TL, a touch driving circuit 152, a touch controller 154, and the like.

[0063] In the display device 100 according to the embodiment, the data driving circuit 130 may include a plurality of data driving integrated circuits SDIC, and the touch driving circuit 152 may include a plurality of touch driving integrated circuits ROIC.

[0064] Each data driving integrated circuit SDIC may be implemented as a separate integrated circuit. Each touch driving integrated circuit ROIC may be implemented as a separate integrated circuit.

[0065] In another example, at least one data driving integrated circuit SDIC and at least one touch driving integrated circuit ROIC may be integrated with each other to form a single integrated circuit 200 .

[0066] Therefore, the display device 100 according to the embodiment may include one or more integrated circuits 200 , and each integrated circuit 200 may include at least one data driving integrated circuit SDIC and at least one touch driving integrated circuit ROIC.

[0067] For example, in the display device 100 according to the embodiment, a plurality of integrated circuits 200 may be respectively mounted on a plurality of circuit films 210. A first side of the circuit film 210 on which the integrated circuits 200 are mounted may be electrically connected to the display panel 110.

[0068] The other side of the circuit film 210 on which the integrated circuit 200 is mounted may be electrically connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) 220 .

[0069] In the display device 100 according to the embodiment, each touch electrode TE may be electrically connected to the corresponding touch driving integrated circuit ROIC through at least one touch line TL.

[0070] All the touch electrodes TE may be located on the same layer, and the touch lines TL may be located on a layer other than the layer on which the touch electrodes TE are arranged.

[0071] The touch electrodes TE may include a first touch electrode TE1, a second touch electrode TE2 adjacent to the first touch electrode TE1 in a row direction, a third touch electrode TE3 adjacent to the first touch electrode TE1 in a column direction, and a fourth touch electrode TE4 adjacent to the third touch electrode TE3 in a row direction.

[0072] The first touch electrode TE1 may be electrically connected to the first touch line TL1, the second touch electrode TE2 may be electrically connected to the second touch line TL2, the third touch electrode TE3 may be electrically connected to the third touch line TL3, and the fourth touch electrode TE4 may be electrically connected to the fourth touch line TL4.

[0073] The first touch line TL1 overlaps with the third touch electrode TE3 but is not electrically connected to the third touch electrode TE3. The second touch line TL2 overlaps with the fourth touch electrode TE4 but is not electrically connected to the fourth touch electrode TE4.

[0074] Each touch electrode TE may overlap with one or more sub-pixels SP.

[0075] For example, a single touch electrode TE may overlap with more than two sub-pixels SP. That is, the area size of a single touch electrode TE may correspond to the area size of more than two sub-pixels SP. In this case, each touch electrode TE may overlap with more than two data lines DL and may overlap with more than two gate lines GL.

[0076] The first touch electrode TE1 and the second touch electrode TE2 are disposed in the same touch electrode row and thus may overlap the same two or more gate lines GL. The third touch electrode TE3 and the fourth touch electrode TE4 are disposed in the same touch electrode row and thus may overlap the same two or more gate lines GL.

[0077] The first touch electrode TE1 and the third touch electrode TE3 are disposed in the same touch electrode column and thus may overlap the same two or more data lines DL. The second touch electrode TE2 and the fourth touch electrode TE4 are disposed in the same touch electrode column and thus may overlap the same two or more data lines DL.

[0078] Each touch electrode TE may be a mesh electrode having a plurality of openings. Each opening in each touch electrode TE may correspond to a light emitting region of a sub-pixel SP, or may correspond to a transmission region (or a transparent region).

[0079] Figure 3 An example structure in which the touch screen panel according to the embodiment is provided inside a display panel in a display device is shown.

[0080] Reference Figure 3 , in the display device 100 according to the embodiment, the display area DA of the display panel 110 has a plurality of sub-pixels SP arranged over a substrate SUB.

[0081] Each subpixel SP may include a light emitting element ED, a driving transistor DRT for driving the light emitting element ED, a switching transistor SWT for transmitting a data voltage Vdata to a first node N1 of the driving transistor DRT, and a storage capacitor Cst for maintaining a constant voltage during a single frame.

[0082] The driving transistor DRT may include a first node N1 supplied with a data voltage Vdata through a switching transistor SWT, a second node N2 electrically connected to the light emitting element ED, and a third node N3 supplied with a driving voltage EVDD from a driving voltage line DVL. The first node N1 may be a gate of the driving transistor DRT, the second node N2 may be a source of the driving transistor DRT, and the third node N3 may be a drain of the driving transistor DRT.

[0083] The light emitting element ED may include an anode, a light emitting layer, and a cathode. The anode may be electrically connected to the second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT, and a base voltage EVSS may be supplied to the cathode.

[0084] In such a light emitting element ED, the light emitting layer may be an organic light emitting layer including an organic material. In this case, the light emitting element ED may be an organic light emitting diode (OLED).

[0085] The switching transistor SWT is on-off controlled by a scan signal SCAN supplied through the gate line GL, and may be electrically connected to the first node N1 of the driving transistor DRT and the data line DL.

[0086] When the switching transistor SWT is turned on by the scan signal SCAN, the data voltage Vdata supplied through the data line DL is transmitted to the first node N1 of the driving transistor DRT.

[0087] The storage capacitor Cst may be electrically connected to the first node N1 and the second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT.

[0088] Each sub-pixel SP may have a 2T1C structure including two transistors DRT and SWT and a single capacitor Cst, and in some cases, may include one or more transistors or one or more capacitors.

[0089] The storage capacitor Cst may be an external capacitor intentionally designed to be disposed outside the driving transistor DRT, rather than a parasitic capacitor, ie, an internal capacitor that may exist between the first node N1 and the second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT.

[0090] The driving transistor DRT and the switching transistor SWT may each be an n-type transistor or a p-type transistor.

[0091] In addition, circuit elements such as a light emitting element ED, two or more transistors DRT and SWT, and one or more capacitors Cst are provided in the display panel 110. Since these circuit elements are easily affected by external moisture, oxygen, etc., an encapsulation layer ENCAP may be provided in the display panel 110 to prevent external moisture or oxygen from entering the circuit elements.

[0092] In the display device 100 according to the embodiment, the touch screen panel TSP may be disposed over the encapsulation layer ENCAP and inside the display panel 110. That is, in the display device 100, a plurality of touch electrodes TE of the touch screen panel TSP may be disposed over the encapsulation layer ENCAP to form the display panel 110.

[0093] In this case, when the encapsulation layer ENCAP includes a plurality of layers, the touch electrode TE may be disposed between a first layer and a second layer of the plurality of encapsulation layers.

[0094] In the capacitance-based touch sensing method, the display device 100 may sense a touch based on mutual capacitance, or may sense a touch based on self capacitance.

[0095] In a touch sensing method based on mutual capacitance, a plurality of touch electrodes TE may be classified into touch drive electrodes supplied with touch drive signals through touch drive lines and touch sensing electrodes sensing touch sensing signals through touch sensing lines and forming capacitance with the touch drive electrodes. In this case, the touch drive lines and the touch sensing lines may be collectively referred to as touch lines, and the touch drive signals and the touch sensing signals may be collectively referred to as touch signals.

[0096] In this case, the area of ​​the touch driving electrode for receiving the touch driving signal and the area of ​​the touch sensing electrode for transmitting the touch sensing signal may be the same or different.

[0097] For example, when it is desired to relatively reduce the parasitic capacitance generated by the touch sensing electrode on which the touch sensing signal is sensed, the area of ​​the touch sensing electrode can be set to be smaller than the area of ​​the touch drive electrode. In this case, the ratio of the area of ​​the touch drive electrode supplied with the touch drive signal to the area of ​​the touch sensing electrode on which the touch sensing signal is sensed can be from 5:1 to 2:1. In an example, the ratio of the area of ​​the touch drive electrode to the area of ​​the touch sensing electrode can be 4:1.

[0098] This mutual capacitance-based touch sensing method detects a touch, if any, and determines touch coordinates based on a change in mutual capacitance between a touch drive electrode and a touch sensing electrode according to the presence or absence of a pointer (eg, a finger or a pen).

[0099] In the touch sensing method based on self-capacitance, each touch electrode TE acts as both a touch drive electrode and a touch sensing electrode. That is, a touch drive signal is supplied to the touch electrode TE through one touch line, and a touch sensing signal sent from the touch electrode TE supplied with the touch drive signal is received through the same touch line. Therefore, the touch sensing method based on self-capacitance does not distinguish between a touch drive electrode and a touch sensing electrode or a touch drive line and a touch sensing line.

[0100] In the touch sensing method based on self-capacitance, the presence or absence of a touch and the touch coordinates are detected and determined based on a change in capacitance between a pointer such as a finger or a pen and the touch electrode TE.

[0101] Therefore, the display device 100 may detect a touch using a mutual capacitance-based touch sensing method or a self-capacitance-based touch sensing method.

[0102] Figure 4 An arrangement of pads and signal lines in a non-display area of ​​a display device according to an embodiment is shown.

[0103] Reference Figure 4 According to the embodiment, the inspection process for the display device 100 may include: inspection of a driving circuit including a gate driving circuit 120, a data driving circuit 130 or a touch circuit 150, inspection of signal lines such as a data line DL and a gate line GL provided on a substrate SUB, sub-pixel inspection after forming the sub-pixel, electrical inspection performed after bonding the substrate SUB, inspection of a light emitting operation, and the like.

[0104] The repair process is a process of repairing defects found in the inspection process.

[0105] The automatic probe inspection may include a light emission inspection performed on a substrate of the display panel 110 before mounting a driving circuit to inspect defects in a signal line or a thin film pattern over the substrate.

[0106] In order to enable automatic probe inspection, inspection pads AP to be contacted by needles of an automatic probe inspection device and inspection lines PL connected to the inspection pads AP are provided on the substrate SUB.

[0107] The inspection pad AP may be provided at the outer side of the circuit film 210 on which the integrated circuit 200 is mounted.

[0108] In this case, the data line DL for supplying the data voltage to the display panel 110 may be connected to the integrated circuit 200 through the data pad DP disposed on the edge of the circuit film 210 .

[0109] Since the data line DL extends from the circuit film 210 to the display panel 110 , the inspection line PL may extend from the inspection pad AP located at the outer side of the circuit film 210 and extend at the outer side of the data line DL.

[0110] The inspection lines PL connected to the inspection pads AP may extend along the non-display area of ​​the display panel 110 and be connected to the switching elements located outside the display area.

[0111] In this case, since the inspection pads AP and the data lines DL disposed on the substrate SUB are located on the bezel of the display panel 110 , the inspection pads AP and the data lines DL may not be properly protected from external static electricity or the like in the process of realizing a narrow bezel.

[0112] Figure 5is a cross-sectional view showing a situation where static electricity is introduced into a data line connected to a circuit film, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a situation where static electricity is introduced into the inspection pad located outside the circuit film.

[0113] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 The display device 100 may include a substrate SUB, a circuit layer CL on which transistors and the like are disposed, a data line DL, a circuit film 210, a light emitting element layer EDL, a first adhesive layer AF1, a touch screen panel TSP, a polarizing film POL, and a cover window CW.

[0114] The substrate SUB may be formed of a transparent material such as glass, and a circuit layer CL including a driving transistor and a switching transistor may be disposed on the top of the substrate SUB.

[0115] Signal lines such as data lines DL transmitting data voltages may be disposed above the circuit layer CL. Only the data lines DL connected to the circuit film 210 are shown here.

[0116] The light emitting element layer EDL may be disposed over a signal line such as a data line DL.

[0117] When the light emitting element ED is implemented as an organic light emitting diode, the light emitting element layer EDL may include an anode, a light emitting layer and a cathode. The light emitting layer may include a hole injection layer (HIL), a hole transport layer (HTL), a light emitting material layer (EML), an electron transport layer (ETL) and an electron injection layer (EIL).

[0118] The first adhesive layer AF1 bonds the light emitting element layer EDL thereunder to the touch screen panel TSP thereover. When the display device 100 is not provided with a touch function, the touch screen panel TSP may be omitted.

[0119] The first adhesive layer AF1 may be realized as an optically clear adhesive (OCA) specially manufactured for optically clear bonding.

[0120] In this case, when the first adhesive layer AF1 is made of an optically transparent adhesive, the first adhesive layer AF1 may have superelastic properties and may desirably have a low elastic modulus to absorb stress of the display panel 110. For example, the first adhesive layer AF1 may have an elastic modulus of 10 MPa to 100 MPa.

[0121] In addition, the first adhesive layer AF1 may have a high strain rate to absorb stress due to bending of the display panel 110 .

[0122] Generally, materials such as metals exhibit strains of about 10% to about 100%, and rubber materials exhibit large strains of 100% to 700%, but the strain of the first adhesive layer AF1 disposed in the bending region of the display device 100 may have a value between 150% and 500%.

[0123] To achieve this property, the first adhesive layer AF1 may be made of acrylic resin, poly(methacrylate) resin, vinyl resin, styrene resin, ester resin, rubber resin, epoxy resin, polyimide resin, polyamide resin, phenoxy resin, polyurethane resin, or the like.

[0124] The polarizing film POL is disposed over the touch screen panel TSP to cover the display area.

[0125] The polarizing film POL may be in contact with the second adhesive layer AF2 disposed on one side of the display panel 110 to reduce reflection of light entering from the outside. Specifically, when the display device 100 is used outside, external light may be introduced to be reflected by the anode or cathode of the light-emitting element or by the metal electrode disposed on the bottom of the light-emitting element. In this case, the reflected light may make it difficult for the user to visually recognize the image of the display device 100.

[0126] The polarizing film POL polarizes light introduced from the outside in a specific direction and prevents light reflected by the anode electrode or the metal electrode from being discharged back to the outside of the display device 100 .

[0127] The cover window CW may be disposed above the polarizing film POL. The cover window CW may be made of a transparent plastic material, a glass material, or a tempered glass material. In an example, the cover window CW may be sapphire glass, gorilla glass, or one of their multiple layer (or multilayer) structures. In another example, the cover window CW may include a material selected from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN). For scratch resistance and transparency, the cover window CW may be made of tempered glass.

[0128] The cover window CW may be bonded to the front cover FC through the third adhesive layer AF3. The front cover FC is disposed over the circuit film 210 to cover the circuit film 210, and serves to protect the side of the cover window CW.

[0129] The third adhesive layer AF3 can be an optically transparent adhesive specially made for optically transparent bonding. In addition, the third adhesive layer AF3 can be made of acrylic resin, poly (methacrylate) resin, vinyl resin, styrene resin, ester resin, rubber resin, epoxy resin, polyimide resin, polyamide resin, phenoxy resin, polyurethane resin, etc.

[0130] In this case, when the circuit film 210 is bonded in a state where the polarizing film POL is provided, the circuit film 210 and the polarizing film POL may be provided not to overlap each other.

[0131] In this way, when a separation distance is formed between the circuit film 210 and the polarization film POL, static electricity from the outside may be introduced into the display panel along the surface of the cover window CW and supplied to the data line DL connected to the circuit film 210, thereby causing line defects or driving defects.

[0132] Such static electricity may be transmitted not only to the data line DL but also to an adjacent signal line or an inspection pad AP.

[0133] In the display device 100 of the present disclosure, after the circuit film 210 is provided, the upper layer may be provided so that a portion of the upper layer overlaps the circuit film 210 , thereby blocking static electricity flowing in from the outside and reducing defects.

[0134] The display device 100 of the present disclosure may include the following multi-layer structure to prevent static electricity from entering the inspection pad AP located at the outside of the circuit film 210 and the signal line such as the data line DL connected to the circuit film 210 .

[0135] Figures 7 to 15 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views sequentially showing the manufacturing process of the display device according to the embodiment.

[0136] First, if Figure 7 As shown, the process of manufacturing the display device 100 of the present disclosure includes providing a substrate SUB. The substrate SUB may be made of a transparent material such as glass.

[0137] The substrate SUB may be implemented as a plastic film made of one selected from polyimide (PI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), other polymers, or a combination thereof.

[0138] like Figure 8 As shown, a circuit layer CL including a driving transistor and a switching transistor for driving a light emitting element may be disposed over a substrate SUB.

[0139] The circuit layer CL may include storage capacitors and transistors.

[0140] like Fig.9A As shown, signal lines may be disposed above the circuit layer CL. The signal lines may include data lines DL transmitting data voltages.

[0141] In addition, the signal lines disposed above the circuit layer CL may include gate lines, high potential voltage lines, low potential voltage lines, and the like.

[0142] Fig.9A A cross section of a portion where the data line DL is disposed to extend along the circuit film 210 is shown.

[0143] On the other hand, Fig. 9B As shown, an inspection pad AP capable of inspecting defects in a signal line or a film pattern on the substrate SUB through an inspection light emitting operation may be provided on the outer side of the circuit film 210 .

[0144] The data line DL and the inspection pad AP may be formed of the same material on the same plane. In other words, considering that the data line DL extends along the surface of the circuit film 210 and the inspection pad AP is disposed outside the circuit film 210, the data line DL and the inspection pad AP may differ only in position and shape in the plane and may be formed by the same process or of the same material.

[0145] Afterwards, if Fig.10 As shown, the circuit film 210 is deposited such that the data pad located at the bottom of the circuit film 210 contacts the data line DL.

[0146] A data driving integrated circuit SDIC, a touch driving integrated circuit ROIC, or an integrated circuit 200 may be mounted over the circuit film 210 .

[0147] like Fig.11 As shown, a light emitting element layer EDL may be formed over the data line DL and the inspection pad AP to cover a portion of the circuit film 210 .

[0148] The light emitting element layer EDL may include an anode, a light emitting layer and a cathode. The light emitting layer may include a hole injection layer (HIL), a hole transport layer (HTL), a light emitting material layer (EML), an electron transport layer (ETL) and an electron injection layer (EIL).

[0149] The light emitting element layer EDL covers the data line DL and the inspection pad AP. In the overlap region OL, at least a portion of the light emitting element layer EDL may overlap the circuit film 210 from above.

[0150] Afterwards, if Fig.12 As shown, the touch screen panel TSP is bonded to the light emitting element layer EDL using the first adhesive layer AF1.

[0151] When the display device 100 is not provided with a touch function, the touch screen panel TSP may be omitted.

[0152] Similar to the light emitting element layer EDL, the touch screen panel TSP may be disposed to cover the data line DL and the inspection pad AP. In the overlap region OL, at least a portion of the touch screen panel TSP may overlap the circuit film 210 from above.

[0153] The first adhesive layer AF1 may be an optically clear adhesive (OCA) manufactured for optically clear bonding. When the first adhesive layer AF1 is made of an optically clear adhesive, the first adhesive layer AF1 may have superelastic properties and may have a low elastic modulus to absorb stress in the display panel 110 .

[0154] In addition, the first adhesive layer AF1 may have a high strain rate to absorb stress due to bending of the display panel 110 .

[0155] The first adhesive layer AF1 may be made of acrylic resin, poly(methacrylate) resin, vinyl resin, styrene resin, ester resin, rubber resin, epoxy resin, polyimide resin, polyamide resin, phenoxy resin, polyurethane resin, or the like.

[0156] like Figure 1 3, the polarizing film POL is disposed on the touch screen panel TSP to cover at least a portion of the circuit film 210. The overlapping area OL of the polarizing film POL and the circuit film 210 may be the same as or different from the touch screen panel TSP and the light emitting element layer EDL.

[0157] However, the polarizing film POL may be desirably formed not to extend beyond the substrate SUB therebelow.

[0158] After forming the polarizing film POL, a second adhesive layer AF2 may be provided to fix the sides of the polarizing film POL, the touch screen panel TSP, the light emitting element layer EDL, and the circuit layer CL and protect them from foreign substances. The second adhesive layer AF2 may be made of resin.

[0159] In this manner, when the polarizing film POL extends to overlap the circuit film 210, reflection of light entering from the outside can be reduced by the polarizing film POL. The polarizing film POL can also prevent static electricity from entering the data line DL or the inspection pad AP thereunder.

[0160] like Fig.14 As shown, the cover window CW may be disposed above the polarization film POL. The cover window CW may be disposed to overlap with the circuit film 210, or may be disposed not to overlap with the circuit film 210.

[0161] The cover window CW may be made of a transparent plastic material, a glass material, or a tempered glass material. In one example, the cover window CW may be sapphire glass or gorilla glass, or may have a multilayer structure thereof. In another example, the cover window CW may include a material selected from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyethersulfone (PES), or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN). For scratch resistance and transparency, the cover window CW may be made of tempered glass.

[0162] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG5 , the cover window CW may be bonded to the front cover FC via the third adhesive layer AF3. The front cover FC is used to protect the side of the cover window CW.

[0163] The third adhesive layer AF3 can be implemented as an optically transparent adhesive specially manufactured for optically transparent bonding. In addition, the third adhesive layer AF3 can be made of acrylic resin, poly (methacrylate) resin, vinyl resin, styrene resin, ester resin, rubber resin, epoxy resin, polyimide resin, polyamide resin, phenoxy resin, polyurethane resin, etc.

[0164] Fig.16 An arrangement of polarizing films in a non-display area of ​​a display device according to an embodiment is shown.

[0165] Reference Fig.16 , in the display device 100 according to the embodiment, the inspection pads AP contacted by the needles of the automatic probe inspection device and the inspection lines PL connected to the inspection pads AP are provided on the substrate SUB to implement the automatic probe inspection.

[0166] The inspection pad AP may be disposed on the outer side of the substrate SUB, and the data pad DP connected to the data line DL may be disposed on the edge of the circuit film 210 .

[0167] The data lines DL supplying a data voltage to the display panel 110 may be connected to the integrated circuit 200 through data pads DP disposed on the edge of the circuit film 210 .

[0168] The inspection lines PL connected to the inspection pads AP may extend along the non-display area of ​​the display panel 110 and be connected to the switching elements located outside the display area.

[0169] In this manner, in the display device 100 of the present disclosure, in a state where the circuit film 210 is bonded to the substrate SUB, the polarization film POL is disposed over the circuit film 210 and overlaps with at least a portion of the circuit film 210 .

[0170] In this manner, in the display device 100 of the present disclosure, after the circuit film 210 is bonded, the polarizing film POL may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the circuit film 210 from above, so that the polarizing film POL may block light or static electricity introduced from the outside. Therefore, line defects or driving defects in the data line DL or the inspection pad AP disposed on the substrate SUB may be prevented.

[0171] The polarizing film may be a synthetic resin film including at least one selected from the group consisting of polyethersulfone (PES), polyacrylate, polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyarylate (PA), polyimide (PI) and polycarbonate (PC).

[0172] Fig.17A and Fig. 17B is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which a polarizing film blocks static electricity introduced from the outside.

[0173] As described above, when the circuit film 210 is attached to the substrate SUB of the display panel and then the upper polarizing film POL is formed over the circuit film 210 to overlap at least a portion of the circuit film 210 , the polarizing film POL may reduce entry of external light or static electricity.

[0174] Therefore, static electricity flowing into the data line DL or the inspection pad AP along the surface of the cover window CW can be blocked, which has the effect of reducing the problem of line failure or poor operation.

[0175] The above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are briefly reviewed as follows.

[0176] According to the present disclosure, a display device may include: a display panel arranged with a plurality of sub-pixels; and at least one driving circuit driving the display panel, wherein the display panel includes: a substrate; a circuit layer arranged on the substrate; a signal line arranged above the circuit layer and electrically connected to a circuit film on which the driving circuit is mounted; a light-emitting element layer arranged above the signal line and arranged to overlap with at least a portion of the circuit film; a polarizing film arranged above the light-emitting element layer and arranged to overlap with at least a portion of the circuit film; an adhesive layer covering the sides of the polarizing film, the light-emitting element layer and the circuit layer; and a cover window arranged above the polarizing film.

[0177] The signal line may be a data line through which a data voltage is supplied.

[0178] A data pad connected to the data line may be disposed at an edge of the circuit film.

[0179] The light emitting element layer and the polarizing film may be provided to cover the signal line.

[0180] The display panel may further include an inspection pad disposed on the circuit layer and located outside the circuit film.

[0181] The light emitting element layer and the polarizing film may be disposed to cover the inspection pad.

[0182] The display panel may further include a touch screen panel coupled between the light emitting element layer and the polarizing film.

[0183] The touch screen panel may be arranged to cover the signal lines.

[0184] The cover window may be disposed such that the cover window does not overlap the circuit film.

[0185] The display device may further include a front cover coupled to a top of the cover window and configured to cover the circuit film.

[0186] The polarizing film may be a synthetic resin film including at least one selected from the group consisting of polyethersulfone (PES), polyacrylate, polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyarylate (PA), polyimide (PI) and polycarbonate (PC).

[0187] In addition, the display panel according to the present disclosure may include: a substrate; a circuit layer, which is arranged on the substrate; a signal line, which is arranged above the circuit layer and is electrically connected to a circuit film on which a driving circuit is installed; a light-emitting element layer, which is arranged above the signal line and is arranged to overlap with at least a portion of the circuit film; a polarizing film, which is arranged above the light-emitting element layer and is arranged to overlap with at least a portion of the circuit film; an adhesive layer, which covers the sides of the polarizing film, the light-emitting element layer and the circuit layer; and a cover window, which is arranged above the polarizing film.

[0188] The above description has been provided to enable any person skilled in the art to carry out and use the technical concept of the present invention, and the above description is provided in the context of a specific application and its requirements. Various modifications, additions and substitutions to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The above description and accompanying drawings provide examples of the technical concept of the present disclosure for illustrative purposes only. That is, the disclosed embodiments are intended to illustrate the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: A display panel, wherein the display panel is arranged with a plurality of sub-pixels; as well as at least one driving circuit, the at least one driving circuit being configured to drive the display panel, Wherein, the display panel comprises: substrate; A circuit layer, wherein the circuit layer is disposed on the substrate; a signal line disposed above the circuit layer and electrically connected to a circuit film on which the drive circuit is mounted; a light emitting element layer disposed above the signal line and disposed to overlap at least a portion of the circuit film; a polarizing film disposed above the light emitting element layer and disposed to overlap at least a portion of the circuit film; an adhesive layer covering the sides of the polarizing film, the light emitting element layer, and the circuit layer; and A cover window is disposed above the polarizing film.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The signal line is a data line through which a data voltage is supplied.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: A data pad connected to the data line is disposed at an edge of the circuit film.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The light emitting element layer and the polarizing film are provided to cover the signal line.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The display panel further includes an inspection pad disposed on the circuit layer and located outside the circuit film.

6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein: The light emitting element layer and the polarizing film are disposed to cover the inspection pad.

7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The display panel further includes a touch screen panel bonded between the light emitting element layer and the polarizing film.

8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein: The touch screen panel is disposed to cover the signal line.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The cover window is disposed such that the cover window does not overlap the circuit film. 10 . The display device according to claim 1 , further comprising a front cover coupled to a top of the cover window and configured to cover the circuit film.

11. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The polarizing film is a synthetic resin film, and the synthetic resin film includes at least one selected from the group consisting of polyethersulfone (PES), polyacrylate, polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyarylate (PA), polyimide (PI) and polycarbonate (PC).

12. A display panel, comprising: substrate; A circuit layer, wherein the circuit layer is disposed on the substrate; a signal line disposed above the circuit layer and electrically connected to a circuit film on which a driving circuit is mounted; a light emitting element layer disposed above the signal line and disposed to overlap at least a portion of the circuit film; a polarizing film disposed above the light emitting element layer and disposed to overlap at least a portion of the circuit film; an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer covering the side surfaces of the polarizing film, the light emitting element layer and the circuit layer; as well as A cover window is disposed above the polarizing film.

13. The display panel according to claim 12, wherein: The signal line is a data line through which a data voltage is supplied.

14. The display panel according to claim 13, wherein: A data pad connected to the data line is disposed at an edge of the circuit film.

15. The display panel according to claim 12, wherein: The light emitting element layer and the polarizing film are provided to cover the signal line. 16 . The display panel of claim 12 , further comprising an inspection pad disposed on the circuit layer and located outside the circuit film.

17. The display panel according to claim 16, wherein: The light emitting element layer and the polarizing film are disposed to cover the inspection pad. 18 . The display panel according to claim 12 , further comprising a touch screen panel bonded between the light emitting element layer and the polarizing film.

19. The display panel according to claim 18, wherein: The touch screen panel is disposed to cover the signal line.

20. The display panel according to claim 12, wherein: The cover window is disposed such that the cover window does not overlap the circuit film.

21. The display panel according to claim 12, wherein: The polarizing film is a synthetic resin film, and the synthetic resin film includes at least one selected from the group consisting of polyethersulfone (PES), polyacrylate, polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyarylate (PA), polyimide (PI) and polycarbonate (PC).

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