Display device

Abstract

A display device is provided. The display device includes a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels alternately arranged, each of the plurality of first pixels including a first transistor and a first pixel electrode electrically connected to the first transistor, and a driver driving the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of second pixels by individually applying a driving signal and a voltage, each of the plurality of second pixels includes a second transistor and a second pixel electrode electrically connected to the second transistor, and the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode have different shapes from each other in a cross-sectional view.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the priority and benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0179125, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 11, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0003] Embodiments relate to a display device. Background art

[0004] A display device includes pixels as units for displaying an image. Each pixel of a display device including a light - emitting device among various display devices includes a light - emitting device and a pixel circuit. The light - emitting device includes a cathode, an anode, and a light - emitting diode, and the pixel circuit includes a transistor for driving the light - emitting diode and at least one capacitor. The pixel circuit is connected to various signal lines and voltage lines (such as data lines and driving voltage lines). Summary of the invention

[0005] A user may need a display device that displays an image under different conditions according to a usage environment. For example, a display device that generally displays an image with a wide viewing angle may be required, but when displaying an image, the user does not want to share the image (such as personal information) with others in a public place. Therefore, a display device that displays an image with a narrower viewing angle may be required.

[0006] Embodiments provide a display device that displays an image under various conditions (such as different viewing angles), while reducing image quality degradation (such as color shift) by improving the degradation of the brightness ratio characteristic due to a viewing - angle change.

[0007] However, the embodiments are not limited to those described herein. The above and other embodiments will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains by referring to the following detailed description of the present disclosure.

[0008] A display device according to an embodiment may include a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels alternately arranged and a driver for driving the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of second pixels by separately applying driving signals and voltages. Each first pixel among the plurality of first pixels may include a first transistor and a first pixel electrode electrically connected to the first transistor, and each second pixel among the plurality of second pixels may include a second transistor and a second pixel electrode electrically connected to the second transistor, and the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode have different shapes in a cross - sectional view.

[0009] A display device according to an embodiment may include a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels alternately arranged, and a light-shielding layer, and a planar shape or width of the light-shielding layer corresponding to or defining an edge portion of each of the plurality of first pixels is different from a planar shape or width of the light-shielding layer corresponding to each of the plurality of second pixels, and each of the plurality of first pixels may include a first transistor and a first pixel electrode electrically connected to the first transistor, and each of the plurality of second pixels may include a second transistor and a second pixel electrode electrically connected to the second transistor, and the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode have different shapes in a cross-sectional view.

[0010] In the cross-sectional view, the first pixel electrode may include at least one bent portion.

[0011] The first pixel electrode may include a flat portion extending in a first direction and an inclined portion connected to the flat portion and inclined with respect to the first direction.

[0012] The inclined portion may be provided along an edge portion of the first pixel electrode.

[0013] The second pixel electrode may include a flat portion extending in the first direction.

[0014] The display device may further include a first insulating layer provided on the first transistor and the second transistor, and a second insulating layer provided on the first insulating layer, and the second insulating layer may have a first opening overlapping with the first pixel electrode.

[0015] The inclined portion of the first pixel electrode may be located on a side surface of the second insulating layer defining the first opening.

[0016] The display device may further include a pixel insulating layer provided on the second insulating layer, and the pixel insulating layer may have a second opening overlapping with the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode.

[0017] Each of the plurality of first pixels and each of the plurality of second pixels may include a plurality of sub-pixels that emit lights of different colors, and each of the plurality of sub-pixels provided in each of the plurality of first pixels may include a first pixel electrode, and the first pixel electrode included in at least some of the plurality of sub-pixels included in each of the plurality of first pixels may include an inclined portion.

[0018] The display device may further include a first insulating layer disposed over the first transistor and the second transistor, a concave portion overlapping with the first pixel electrode may be formed on an upper surface of the first insulating layer, and an inclined portion of the first pixel electrode may be disposed on a side surface of the concave portion.

[0019] According to an embodiment, a display device capable of displaying an image under various conditions such as different viewing angles, while reducing image quality degradation such as color shift by improving degradation of a brightness ratio characteristic caused by a change in the viewing angle, can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a display area of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 3 is taken along line A1-A2 Figure 2 a schematic cross-sectional view of the display device shown in

[0023] Figure 4 is taken along line B1-B2 Figure 2 a schematic cross-sectional view of the display device shown in

[0024] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a light-emitting device of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 6 is taken along line A1-A2 Figure 2 a schematic cross-sectional view of the display device shown in, showing light emitted from the front of the display device in a normal mode.

[0026] Figure 7 is taken along line A1-A2 Figure 2 a schematic cross-sectional view of the display device shown in, showing light emitted from the front of the display device in a privacy mode.

[0027] Figure 8 is taken along line A1-A2 Figure 2 a schematic cross-sectional view of the display device shown in, showing light emitted to the side in a normal mode.

[0028] Figure 9 is a graph showing the brightness ratio of the viewing angle of an image displayed by a display device according to an embodiment and a comparative example.

[0029] Figure 10 is taken along line A1-A2Figure 2 Schematic cross-sectional view of the display device shown in Detailed implementation mode

[0030] In the following description, for the purpose of illustration, many specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments or implementations of the present invention. As used herein, "embodiment" and "implementation" are interchangeable words that serve as non-limiting examples of the devices or methods disclosed herein. However, it is obvious that the various embodiments can be practiced without these specific details or by using one or more equivalent arrangements. Here, the various embodiments do not have to be mutually exclusive and do not have to limit the present disclosure. For example, the specific shapes, configurations, and characteristics of an embodiment can be used in or implemented in another embodiment.

[0031] Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated embodiments should be understood to provide the features of the present invention. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the features, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions, and / or aspects, etc. (hereinafter individually or collectively referred to as "elements") of the various embodiments can be combined, separated, interchanged, and / or rearranged otherwise without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0032] The use of cross-hatching and / or shading in the drawings is generally provided to clarify the boundaries between adjacent elements. Therefore, unless specified, the presence or absence of cross-hatching or shading does not express or indicate any preference or requirement for a specific material, material property, size, ratio, commonality between the illustrated elements, and / or any other characteristic, attribute, property, etc. of the elements. In addition, in the drawings, for the purpose of clarity and / or description, the sizes and relative sizes of the elements can be exaggerated. When an embodiment can be implemented differently, the specific process sequence can be performed differently from the described sequence. For example, two consecutively described processes can be performed substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order of the described sequence. In addition, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

[0033] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on", "connected to", or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, directly connected to, or directly coupled to the other element or layer, or there can be intervening elements or layers. However, when an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on", "directly connected to", or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers. For this reason, the term "connected" can refer to physical connection, electrical connection, and / or fluid connection with or without intervening elements. In addition, the axes of the first direction DR1, the second direction DR2, and the third direction DR3 are not limited to the three axes of a rectangular coordinate system (such as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis), and can be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the axes of the first direction DR1, the second direction DR2, and the third direction DR3 can be perpendicular to each other, or can represent different directions that are not perpendicular to each other. For the purposes of this disclosure, "at least one of A and B" can be understood to mean only A, only B, or a combination of A and B. In addition, "at least one of A, B, and C" and "at least one selected from the group consisting of A, B, and C" can be interpreted to mean only A, only B, only C, or any combination of two or more of A, B, and C. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0034] Although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various types of elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, the first element discussed below can be referred to as the second element without departing from the teachings of this disclosure.

[0035] Spatial relative terms such as "beneath", "below", "under", "lower", "above", "upper", "over", "higher", "side" (e.g., as in "sidewall") and similar terms may be used herein for descriptive purposes and thereby to describe the relationship of one element to another(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use, operation, and / or manufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is flipped, an element described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features will be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the term "below" can encompass both an orientation above and below. In addition, the device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and thus, the spatial relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0036] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Additionally, the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes" and / or "including" when used in this specification specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof. It should also be noted that as used herein, the terms "substantially", "about" and other similar terms are used as approximate terms and not as terms of degree, and thus, are used to interpret the inherent deviations in measurements, calculations and / or provided values that would be recognized by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0037] In this document, various embodiments are described with reference to cross-sectional illustrations and / or exploded illustrations that are schematic illustrations of embodiments and / or intermediate structures. Thus, variations between the illustrated shapes as a result of, for example, manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances are to be expected. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed herein should not necessarily be construed as limited to the shape of a particular illustrated region, but rather include deviations in shape resulting from, for example, manufacturing. In this manner, the regions illustrated in the drawings may actually be schematic, and the shapes of these regions may not reflect the actual shape of the regions of the device, and thus, are not necessarily intended to be limiting.

[0038] As is conventional in the art, some embodiments are described and illustrated in the drawings from the perspective of functional blocks, units, and / or modules. Those skilled in the art will understand that these blocks, units, and / or modules are physically implemented by electronic (or optical) circuits, such as logic circuits, discrete components, microprocessors, hardwired circuits, memory elements, wire connections, and the like, which can be formed using semiconductor-based manufacturing techniques or other manufacturing techniques. In the case where the blocks, units, and / or modules are implemented by a microprocessor or other similar hardware, they can be programmed and controlled using software (e.g., microcode) to perform the various functions discussed herein, and they can optionally be driven by firmware and / or software. It is also contemplated that each block, unit, and / or module can be implemented by dedicated hardware or as a combination of dedicated hardware that performs some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuits) that performs other functions. Additionally, each block, unit, and / or module of some embodiments can be physically divided into two or more interacting and discrete blocks, units, and / or modules without departing from the scope of the present invention. Further, the blocks, units, and / or modules of some embodiments can be physically combined into more complex blocks, units, and / or modules without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0039] Reference will be made to Figures 1 to 5 describe the structure of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0040] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a display device according to an embodiment, Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a display area of a display device according to an embodiment, and Figure 3 is taken along line A1 - A2 of Figure 2 a schematic cross-sectional view of the display device shown in Figure 4 is taken along line B1 - B2 of Figure 2 the display device shown in Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a light-emitting device of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0041] Reference Figure 1 , a display device 1000 according to an embodiment may include a display panel 110, and the display panel 110 includes a display area DA capable of displaying an image and a peripheral area PA around the display area DA. The display area DA may include pixels PX as units for displaying an image, and the peripheral area PA may or may not display an image. The peripheral area PA may surround the display area DA, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0042] The display area DA may have a display surface parallel to the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. The normal direction of the display surface on which the image is displayed (e.g., the thickness direction of the display panel 110) may be parallel to the third direction DR3.

[0043] The display panel 110 may be a rigid display panel, but the embodiments are not limited thereto, and it may be a flexible display panel. The display panel 110 may be a light-emitting display panel including light-emitting devices, but the type of the display panel 110 is not limited thereto and may be various. For example, the display panel 110 may include a micro light-emitting diode display panel, a quantum dot light-emitting diode display panel, a quantum dot organic light-emitting diode display panel, etc.

[0044] The display device 1000 according to an embodiment may include at least one driver 500 located on the front surface of the peripheral area PA of the display panel 110 or on the back surface of the display panel 110. The driver 500 may send a driving voltage and a driving signal to the pixel PX through various voltage lines and signal lines of the display panel 110. The driver 500 may be in the form of a flexible printed circuit film, a printed circuit board, or at least one driver circuit chip.

[0045] Reference Figure 2 , the pixel PX located in the display area DA of the display device 1000 according to an embodiment may include a first pixel PX-N and a second pixel PX-P. The first pixel PX-N and the second pixel PX-P may be driven individually or independently according to the driving signal from the driver 500. For example, the driver 500 may apply a driving signal and a voltage to the first pixel PX-N and the second pixel PX-P so that the first pixel PX-N and the second pixel PX-P are driven simultaneously to display an image. In another example, the driving signal and the voltage may be applied only to the first pixel PX-N to drive only the first pixel PX-N, and an image may be displayed only in the first pixel PX-N. In another example, the driving signal and the voltage may be applied only to the second pixel PX-P to drive only the second pixel PX-P, and an image may be displayed only in the second pixel PX-P.

[0046] The first pixel PX-N and the second pixel PX-P may be alternately arranged in the display area DA. For example, rows of the first pixel PX-N arranged in the first direction DR1 and rows of the second pixel PX-P arranged in the first direction DR1 may be alternately arranged in the second direction DR2. For example, rows of the first pixel PX-N arranged in the second direction DR2 and rows of the second pixel PX-P arranged in the second direction DR2 may be alternately arranged in the first direction DR1. The first pixel PX-N and the second pixel PX-P may be alternately arranged in a diagonal direction that is inclined with respect to the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2 (or between the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2).

[0047] According to an embodiment, the viewing angle characteristics of an image displayed by driving only the first pixel PX-N or by driving the first pixel PX-N and the second pixel PX-P together may be different from the viewing angle characteristics of an image displayed by driving only the second pixel PX-P. For example, the viewing angle of an image displayed by driving only the first pixel PX-N or by driving the first pixel PX-N and the second pixel PX-P together may be larger than the viewing angle of an image displayed by driving each second pixel PX-P only.

[0048] The driving mode that widens the viewing angle by driving only the first pixel PX-N or by driving the first pixel PX-N and the second pixel PX-P together may be a normal mode (or wide viewing angle mode), and the driving mode in which only the second pixel PX-P is driven and displayed to make the viewing angle relatively narrow so that an image including private information is mainly displayed toward the front of the display device 1000 may be a private mode (or narrow viewing angle mode).

[0049] This difference in viewing angle characteristics may be due to differences in the structures of each first pixel PX-N and each second pixel PX-P. These structural differences will be explained later.

[0050] The first pixel PX-N may be a normal pixel, and the second pixel PX-P may be a private pixel.

[0051] Reference Figure 2, each first pixel PX-N may include a first sub-pixel PX-N1, a second sub-pixel PX-N2, and a third sub-pixel PX-N3 that display different colors, and each second pixel PX-P may include a first sub-pixel PX-P1, a second sub-pixel PX-P2, and a third sub-pixel PX-P3 that display different colors (hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the sub-pixel PX-N / Pn and the nth sub-pixel PX-N / Pn indicate the same feature and are not particularly distinguished in description). Each sub-pixel PX-N1, PX-N2, PX-N3, PX-P1, PX-P2, or PX-P3 may include a pixel circuit, and the pixel circuit includes at least one transistor and a light-emitting device that are electrically connected to each other. Each light-emitting device may include a pixel electrode E1 that receives a data voltage from the pixel circuit.

[0052] The first sub-pixel PX-N1 or PX-P1 may be a red pixel, the second sub-pixel PX-N2 or PX-P2 may be a green pixel, and the third sub-pixel PX-N3 or PX-P3 may be a blue pixel, but the embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0053] The display area DA according to an embodiment may include light-emitting areas corresponding to the sub-pixels PX-N1, PX-N2, PX-N3, PX-P1, PX-P2, and PX-P3. The light-emitting areas located in each first pixel PX-N may include a first light-emitting area LE1-N, a second light-emitting area LE2-N, and a third light-emitting area LE3-N. The first light-emitting area LE1-N may correspond to the first sub-pixel PX-N1, the second light-emitting area LE2-N may correspond to the second sub-pixel PX-N2, and the third light-emitting area LE3-N may correspond to the third sub-pixel PX-N3 (hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the light-emitting area LEn-N and the nth light-emitting area LEn-N indicate the same feature and are not particularly distinguished in description).

[0054] The light-emitting areas located in each second pixel PX-P may include a first light-emitting area LE1-P, a second light-emitting area LE2-P, and a third light-emitting area LE3-P. For example, the first light-emitting area LE1-P may correspond to the first sub-pixel PX-P1, the second light-emitting area LE2-P may correspond to the second sub-pixel PX-P2, and the third light-emitting area LE3-P may correspond to the third sub-pixel PX-P3 (hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the light-emitting area LEn-P and the nth light-emitting area LEn-P indicate the same feature and are not particularly distinguished in description).

[0055] The planar area of the first light-emitting region LE1-P located at each second pixel PX-P may be smaller than the planar area of the first light-emitting region LE1-N located at each first pixel PX-N. The planar area of the second light-emitting region LE2-P located at each second pixel PX-P may be smaller than the planar area of the second light-emitting region LE2-N located at each first pixel PX-N. The planar area of the third light-emitting region LE3-P located at each second pixel PX-P may be smaller than the planar area of the third light-emitting region LE3-N located at each first pixel PX-N.

[0056] In each first pixel PX-N, each of the light-emitting regions LE1-N, LE2-N, or LE3-N may be positioned corresponding to each pixel electrode E1. And in each second pixel PX-P, a plurality (e.g., every four) of the light-emitting regions LE1-P, LE2-P, and LE3-P may be positioned corresponding to each pixel electrode E1.

[0057] The planar area of the pixel electrode E1 of the first sub-pixel PX-P1 of each second pixel PX-P may be larger than the planar area of the pixel electrode E1 of the first sub-pixel PX-N1 of each first pixel PX-N, and the planar area of the pixel electrode E1 of the second sub-pixel PX-P2 of each second pixel PX-P may be larger than the planar area of the pixel electrode E1 of the second sub-pixel PX-N2 of each first pixel PX-N, and the planar area of the pixel electrode E1 of the third sub-pixel PX-P3 of each second pixel PX-P may be larger than the planar area of the pixel electrode E1 of the third sub-pixel PX-N3 of each first pixel PX-N.

[0058] The arrangement of the pixel electrodes E1 of the sub-pixels PX-N1, PX-N2, and PX-N3 located at each first pixel PX-N may be similar to the arrangement of the pixel electrodes E1 of the sub-pixels PX-P1, PX-P2, and PX-P3 located at each second pixel PX-P (e.g., in a rhombus shape).

[0059] In a plan view, the light-shielding layer BM may be located between adjacent sub-pixels PX-P1, PX-P2, and PX-P3 within each second pixel PX-P, and the light-shielding layer BM may be located between adjacent sub-pixels PX-N1, PX-N2, and PX-N3 within each first pixel PX-N, and the light-shielding layer BM may or may not be formed.

[0060] Figure 2 An example is shown in which there is no light-shielding layer BM between adjacent sub-pixels PX-N1, PX-N2, and PX-N3 within each first pixel PX-N.

[0061] The planar shape or width of the light-shielding layer BM corresponding to each first pixel PX-N (e.g., defining the edge portion of each first pixel PX-N or being positioned to correspond to each first pixel PX-N) may be different from the planar shape or width of the light-shielding layer BM corresponding to each second pixel PX-P.

[0062] When the light-shielding layer BM is disposed between adjacent sub-pixels PX-N1, PX-N2, and PX-N3 within each first pixel PX-N, the interval between adjacent light-shielding layers BM or the width of the light-shielding layer BM may be different from the interval between adjacent light-shielding layers BM or the width of the light-shielding layer BM within each corresponding second pixel PX-P.

[0063] For example, the interval between adjacent light-shielding layers BM within each first pixel PX-N may be greater than the interval between adjacent light-shielding layers BM within each corresponding second pixel PX-P, and the width of the light-shielding layer BM in each first pixel PX-N may be less than the width of the light-shielding layer BM in each corresponding second pixel PX-P.

[0064] The light-shielding layer BM may have a first edge portion BO-N defining the region of each first pixel PX-N. The light-shielding layer BM may overlap most of the region in the region of each second pixel PX-P, but may have a second edge portion BO-P defining each light-emitting region LE1-P, LE2-P, or LE3-P.

[0065] Reference Figure 3 , in the cross-sectional structure, the display device 1000 according to an embodiment may include a substrate SUB, a transistor, and a light-emitting device ED formed on the substrate SUB. The substrate SUB may include an insulating material and may include a transparent material. For example, the substrate SUB may include glass, quartz, or plastic (such as polyimide). The substrate SUB may be a rigid substrate or may have a flexible property such that the substrate SUB can be bent, folded, or curled.

[0066] A buffer layer BF may be located on the substrate SUB. The buffer layer BF may include an inorganic insulating material (such as silicon oxide (SiO x ), silicon nitride (SiN x ), silicon oxynitride (SiO x N y ), etc.) and / or an organic insulating material, and may be a single layer or multiple layers.

[0067] The semiconductor layer ACT may be located on the buffer layer BF. The semiconductor layer ACT may include a semiconductor material such as amorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon, or an oxide semiconductor. The semiconductor layer ACT may include a channel region C, a source region S, and a drain region D. The source region S and the drain region D may be respectively disposed on the sides (e.g., opposite sides) of the channel region C. The channel region C may be an intrinsic semiconductor doped without impurities, and the source region S and the drain region D may be impurity semiconductors doped with conductive impurities and may have conductivity.

[0068] The gate insulating layer GI may be located on the semiconductor layer ACT. The gate insulating layer GI may include an inorganic insulating material (such as silicon oxide (SiO x ), silicon nitride (SiN x ), silicon oxynitride (SiO x N y ) etc.) and / or an organic insulating material, and may be a single layer or multiple layers.

[0069] The first conductive layer including the gate electrode GE may be located on the gate insulating layer GI. The first conductive layer may be aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), or iridium (Ir). The first conductive layer may include at least one metal or alloy among metals such as chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), calcium (Ca), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), and copper (Cu). The first conductive layer may be formed of a single layer or multiple layers.

[0070] The interlayer insulating layer IL1 may be located on the gate electrode GE. The interlayer insulating layer IL1 may include an inorganic insulating material (such as silicon oxide (SiO x ), silicon nitride (SiN x ), silicon oxynitride (SiO x N y ) etc.) and / or an organic insulating material, and may be a single layer or multiple layers.

[0071] The second conductive layer including the source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE may be located on the interlayer insulating layer IL1. The source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE may be respectively connected (e.g., electrically connected) to the source region S and the drain region D of the semiconductor layer ACT through contact holes formed in the interlayer insulating layer IL1.

[0072] The protective layer IL2 serving as an insulating layer may be located on the interlayer insulating layer IL1, the source electrode SE, and the drain electrode DE. The protective layer IL2 may cover the interlayer insulating layer IL1, the source electrode SE, and the drain electrode DE and planarize the interlayer insulating layer IL1, the source electrode SE, and the drain electrode DE. The protective layer IL2 may include an organic and / or inorganic insulating material, and the organic insulating material may include, for example, polymer derivatives, acrylic polymers, imide polymers, polyimides, polyamides, and silicone polymers.

[0073] The third conductive layer including the pixel electrode E1 may be located on the protective layer IL2. The pixel electrode E1 may be connected (e.g., electrically connected) to the source electrode SE through a contact hole in the protective layer IL2.

[0074] The driving transistor composed of the gate electrode GE, the semiconductor layer ACT, the source electrode SE, and the drain electrode DE may be connected (e.g., electrically connected) to the pixel electrode E1 to supply a driving current to the light-emitting device ED to be described later.

[0075] According to an embodiment, in addition to the driving transistor, the display device 1000 may further include a switching transistor and a compensation transistor. The switching transistor is connected to the data line and transmits a data voltage in response to a scan signal. The compensation transistor is connected to the driving transistor and compensates for the threshold voltage of the driving transistor in response to the scan signal.

[0076] The pixel insulating layer PDL may be located on the protective layer IL2 and the pixel electrode E1. The pixel insulating layer PDL may have a pixel opening OP that overlaps with the pixel electrode El and defines a light-emitting region. The pixel insulating layer PDL may include an organic insulating material such as polyimide, polyamide, acrylic resin, benzocyclobutene, or phenolic resin or a silicon-based inorganic insulating material. The pixel opening OP of the pixel insulating layer PDL may define the light-emitting regions LE1-N, LE2-N, LE3-N, LE1-P, LE2-P, or LE3-P of the corresponding sub-pixels PX-N1, PX-N2, PX-N3, PX-P1, PX-P2, or PX-P3.

[0077] The insulating layer PVX may be located between the pixel insulating layer PDL and the protective layer IL2. The insulating layer PVX may be a patterned insulating pattern and may have an opening PVO that overlaps with the pixel electrode E1.

[0078] Each pixel opening OP of the pixel insulating layer PDL may overlap with the opening PVO of the corresponding insulating layer PVX. For example, the insulating layer PVX may have an opening PVO corresponding to the pixel opening OP of the pixel insulating layer PDL located in each first pixel PX-N.

[0079] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3, it is possible to form an insulating layer PVX outside the regions of the pixel electrodes E1 of each first pixel PX-N and each second pixel PX-P shown in Figure 2 except. Each first pixel PX-N may include a portion that overlaps with the edge portion of the pixel electrode E1. The edge portion of the pixel electrode E1 and the overlapping portion of the insulating layer PVX in each first pixel PX-N may correspond to the inclined portion E1-Ca of the bent pixel electrode E1-C to be described later.

[0080] According to an embodiment, the insulating layer PVX may be formed only in each first pixel PX-N and not in each second pixel PX-P.

[0081] The side surface PVS of the insulating layer PVX that defines the opening PVO and is adjacent to the edge portion of the light-emitting regions LE1-N, LE2-N, LE3-N, LE1-P, LE2-P, or LE3-P may form a slope that inclines toward the third direction DR3.

[0082] The insulating layer PVX may include an inorganic insulating material and / or an organic insulating material and may be a single layer or a multilayer.

[0083] The light-emitting layer EML may be located on the pixel electrode E1 that overlaps with the opening PVO and the pixel opening OP.

[0084] The light-emitting layer EML may include a low-molecular-weight organic compound or a high-molecular-weight organic compound, such as PEDOT (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)). The light-emitting layer EML may include one or more of a hole injection layer (HIL), a hole transport layer (HTL), an electron transport layer (ETL), and an electron injection layer (EIL), and the light-emitting layer EML may be a multilayer.

[0085] The light-emitting layer EML may be mainly located within the opening PVO and the pixel opening OP and may also include portions located on the side surfaces and / or the top (or upper portion) of the insulating layer PVX and the pixel insulating layer PDL.

[0086] The common electrode E2 may be located on the light-emitting layer EML. The common electrode E2 may be formed of a single conductor that spans multiple pixels PX.

[0087] The pixel electrode E1, the light-emitting layer EML, and the common electrode E2 may together form a light-emitting device ED. The pixel electrode E1 may be an anode as a hole injection electrode, and the common electrode E2 may be a cathode as an electron injection electrode. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and according to the driving method of the display device 1000, the pixel electrode E1 may be a cathode, and the common electrode E2 may be an anode.

[0088] Holes and electrons can be injected into the light-emitting layer EML from the pixel electrode E1 and the common electrode E2, respectively, and light can be emitted when the excitons formed by the combination of the injected holes and electrons drop from the excited state to the ground state.

[0089] The encapsulation part ENC can be located on the common electrode E2. The encapsulation part ENC can cover and seal the light-emitting device ED to block the inflow of external moisture and oxygen. The encapsulation part ENC can include multiple layers and can include an inorganic layer and an organic layer stacked alternately. For example, the encapsulation part ENC can include an inorganic layer EIL1, an organic layer EOL, and an inorganic layer EIL2 formed in sequence. The encapsulation part ENC can overlap with the front surface of the display area DA in the direction of displaying an image and can be partially provided on the peripheral area PA.

[0090] The light-shielding layer BM can be located on the encapsulation part ENC. The light-shielding layer BM can have a color such as black and can include a light-shielding material. The light-shielding layer BM can overlap with the pixel insulating layer PDL and the insulating layer PVX. For example, the light-shielding layer BM can overlap with the pixel insulating layer PDL and the insulating layer PVX at each second pixel PX-P. The light-shielding layer BM may or may not be located between the adjacent light-emitting regions LE1-N, LE2-N, and LE3-N of each first pixel PX-N.

[0091] Reference Figure 4 , the pixel insulating layer PDL can be between the light-emitting regions LE1-P, LE2-P, and LE3-P that overlap with a single pixel electrode E1 in each second pixel PX-P, and can also include a pixel insulating pattern PDL-P that defines a boundary. The pixel insulating pattern PDL-P can be located in the central part of the pixel electrode E1.

[0092] The light-shielding layer BM can be between the light-emitting regions LE1-P, LE2-P, and LE3-P that overlap with a single pixel electrode E1 at each second pixel PX-P, and can also include a light-shielding pattern BM-P that defines a boundary. The light-shielding pattern BM-P can be located in the central part of the pixel electrode E1 and can overlap with the corresponding pixel insulating pattern PDL-P. The viewing angle of the light emitted from the light-emitting device ED can be restricted and reduced by the light-shielding layer BM including the light-shielding pattern BM-P located in each second pixel PX-P.

[0093] Therefore, an image with a viewing angle smaller than the viewing angle of the light emitted from the light-emitting device ED of each first pixel PX-N can be displayed by each second pixel PX-P.

[0094] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4, the pixel electrode E1 may include pixel electrodes E1 having different shapes. For example, the pixel electrode E1 may include a curved pixel electrode E1-C and a flat pixel electrode E1-F having different shapes.

[0095] For example, the pixel electrode E1 located in each first pixel PX-N may include a curved pixel electrode E1-C, and the pixel electrode E1 located in each second pixel PX-P may include a flat pixel electrode E1-F having a shape (e.g., in a cross-sectional view) different from that of the curved pixel electrode E1-C.

[0096] Reference Figure 5 , in a cross-sectional view, the curved pixel electrode E1-C may include at least one curved portion. For example, the curved pixel electrode E1-C may include a flat portion E1-Cb extending in a direction perpendicular to the third direction DR3 or parallel to the surface of the substrate SUB, and may include an inclined portion E1-Ca inclined with respect to the third direction DR3 and the surface of the substrate SUB. The flat portion E1-Cb and the inclined portion E1-Ca may be formed by a single physically connected conductive layer (or an integrated conductive layer). The inclined portion E1-Ca may be located along the edge portion of the curved pixel electrode E1-C.

[0097] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 5 , in Figure 2 the plan view of, a part of the inclined portion E1-Ca of the curved pixel electrode E1-C may correspond to an edge region other than the light-emitting regions LE1-N, LE2-N, or LE3-N among the regions of each pixel electrode E1 of each first pixel PX-N.

[0098] The inclined portion E1-Ca may be located on the side surface PVS which is the inclined surface of the insulating layer PVX. Therefore, the curved pixel electrode E1-C may have a concave shape according to the shape of the side surface PVS of the insulating layer PVX located below.

[0099] For example, the flat pixel electrode E1-F may not include a part formed on the side surface PVS of the insulating layer PVX, and thus may only include a flat portion parallel to the surface of the substrate SUB.

[0100] Reference Figure 5 , light may be emitted from the flat portion E1-Cb of the curved pixel electrode E1-C or from the light-emitting layer EML on the flat pixel electrode E1-F, or from the light-emitting layer EML. The light reflected and incident on the flat portion E1-Cb of the curved pixel electrode E1-C or the flat pixel electrode E1-F may be emitted as light L1 to the front of the display device 1000.

[0101] Light from the light-emitting layer EML disposed on the inclined portion E1-Ca of the bent pixel electrode E1-C or light emitted from the light-emitting layer EML and reflected and incident on the inclined portion E1-Ca of the bent pixel electrode E1-C can emit light L2 in the lateral direction, which forms an angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to the third direction DR3. Therefore, in the normal mode (or wide viewing angle mode) driven by including each first pixel PX-N, the brightness of the image viewed in the lateral direction can be increased by increasing the amount of light emitted from each first pixel PX-N in the lateral direction. Therefore, it is possible to improve the deterioration of the brightness ratio characteristic due to the viewing angle change in the normal mode of the display device 1000 selectively driven in the private mode (or narrow viewing angle mode) and the normal mode (or wide viewing angle mode), and it is possible to reduce the deterioration of the image quality (such as color shift).

[0102] All of the first sub-pixel PX-N1, the second sub-pixel PX-N2, and the third sub-pixel PX-N3 included in the first pixel PX-N may include the pixel electrode E1-C. In another example, only some of the sub-pixels of certain colors among the first sub-pixel PX-N1, the second sub-pixel PX-N2, and the third sub-pixel PX-N3 may include the bent pixel electrode E1-C, and the remaining ones may include the flat pixel electrode E1-F.

[0103] For example, according to an embodiment, only the first sub-pixel PX-N1 (such as a red pixel) may include the bent pixel electrode E1-C, and the second sub-pixel PX-N2 and the third sub-pixel PX-N3 (such as a green pixel and a blue pixel) may include the flat pixel electrode E1-F.

[0104] Reference will be made to Figures 6 to 9 the image display method of the display device 1000 according to an embodiment and the previously described effects together with the previously described drawings.

[0105] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display device 1000 taken along line A1-A2, showing the light emitted from the front of the display device 1000 in the normal mode (or wide viewing angle mode). Figure 2

[0106] Figure 6 Reference to, in the normal mode, the display device 1000 according to an embodiment may drive the first pixel PX-N and the second pixel PX-P together to display each first pixel PX-N, and light may be emitted from the light-emitting regions LE1-P, LE2-P, and LE3-P of each second pixel PX-P.

[0107] Figure 7 Figure 2 is a cross-section taken along line A1-A2 Figure 2Schematic cross-sectional view of the display device 1000 shown in the figure, and shows the light emitted from the front of the display device 1000 in the private mode (or narrow viewing angle mode).

[0108] Reference Figure 7 , in the private mode (or narrow viewing angle mode), the display device 1000 according to the embodiment can drive only the second pixels PX-P, so that light can be emitted from the light-emitting regions LE1-P, LE2-P, and LE3-P of each second pixel PX-P. In the private mode, light can be emitted from the front, and the light emitted from the third direction DR3 and the side as a direction greater than 0 degrees is blocked by the light-shielding layer BM to display the image to be displayed with a narrow viewing angle.

[0109] Figure 8 is taken along line A1-A2 Figure 2 Schematic cross-sectional view of the display device 1000 shown in the figure, and shows the light emitted to the side in the normal mode (or wide viewing angle mode).

[0110] Reference Figure 8 , the light emitted from the light-emitting layer EML on the flat portion E1-Cb of the curved pixel electrode E1-C included in some of the first pixels PX-N can be blocked by the light-shielding layer BM like each second pixel PX-P, which reduces the brightness from the side direction in the normal mode. However, the curved pixel electrode E1-C of each first pixel PX-N of the display device 1000 according to the embodiment includes an inclined surface portion (or inclined portion) E1-Ca, and the light emitted from the light-emitting layer EML on the inclined surface portion E1-Ca or reflected from the inclined surface portion E1-Ca is emitted in the lateral direction and is blocked by the light-shielding layer BM at a small ratio. Therefore, the reduction in brightness in the lateral direction can be compensated or prevented, and the deterioration of image quality (such as color shift) can be reduced or minimized by improving the brightness ratio characteristic according to the change in viewing angle in the normal mode.

[0111] Figure 9 Is a graph showing the brightness ratio of the viewing angle of the image displayed by the display device 1000 according to the embodiment and the comparative example.

[0112] Reference Figure 9 , the graph G1 represents the change in the brightness ratio of the viewing angle of the image (for example, white) displayed in the normal mode (or wide viewing angle mode) of the display device 1000 according to the comparative example (where, unlike the above embodiment, the pixel electrode E1 of each first pixel PX-N does not include the inclined portion E1-Ca, and each second pixel PX-P for implementing the private mode (or narrow viewing angle mode) may include the inclined portion E1-Ca), and the graph G2 represents the brightness ratio according to the change in the viewing angle of the image (for example, white) displayed in the normal mode of the display device 1000 according to the embodiment.

[0113] According to an embodiment, as indicated by the arrow, in the normal mode of the display device 1000 including the second pixel PX-P for implementing the privacy mode, the luminance can be increased at a side viewing angle, and according to the luminance ratio characteristic with respect to the viewing angle change, by improving the degradation, image quality degradation (such as color shift) can be reduced.

[0114] Reference will be made Figure 10 to describe the display device 1000 according to an embodiment together with the previously described drawings.

[0115] Figure 10 is taken along line A1-A2 Figure 2 and is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display device 1000 shown in

[0116] Reference Figure 10 , the display device 1000 according to an embodiment is mostly the same as the display device 1000 according to the previously described embodiment, but the structure for forming the curved pixel electrode E1-C may be different.

[0117] Different from the previously described embodiment, the insulating layer PVX may be omitted.

[0118] For example, the protective layer IL2 (which is an insulating layer directly under the pixel electrode included in each first pixel PX-N) may have a top surface (or upper surface) at which recessed portions ILO corresponding to the pixel electrodes E1 of the sub-pixels PX-N1, PX-N2, and PX-N3 are formed.

[0119] The recessed portion ILO may overlap with each pixel opening OP of the pixel insulating layer PDL in each first pixel PX-N. The recessed portion ILO of the protective layer IL2 may include a flat surface ILOb substantially parallel to the upper surface of the substrate SUB and a side surface ILOa inclined with respect to the third direction DR3.

[0120] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 10 , the flat surface ILOb of the recessed portion ILO may overlap with the central portion of the pixel electrode E1 of each first pixel PX-N except for the edge portion, and the side surface ILOa of the recessed portion ILO may overlap with the edge portion of the pixel electrode E1 of each first pixel PX-N. The recessed portion ILO may not be formed in each second pixel PX-P.

[0121] The flat portion E1-Cb of the bent pixel electrode E1-C of each first pixel PX-N may be located on the flat surface ILOb of the recessed portion ILO, and the inclined portion E1-Ca may be located on the side surface ILOa of the recessed portion ILO. Therefore, the bent pixel electrode E1-C may have a recessed shape according to the shape of the recessed portion ILO of the underlying protective layer IL2. The recessed portion ILO according to the embodiment may be formed using a halftone mask during the manufacturing process of the display device 1000.

[0122] Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels arranged alternately, and A driver for driving the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of second pixels by applying driving signals and voltages separately, wherein: Each of the plurality of first pixels includes a first transistor and a first pixel electrode electrically connected to the first transistor, Each of the plurality of second pixels includes a second transistor and a second pixel electrode electrically connected to the second transistor, and The first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode have different shapes from each other in a cross-sectional view.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: In the cross-sectional view, the first pixel electrode includes at least one bent portion.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The first pixel electrode comprises: a flat portion extending in a first direction, and An inclined portion connected to the flat portion and inclined with respect to the first direction.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: The inclined portion is disposed along an edge portion of the first pixel electrode.

5. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: The second pixel electrode includes a flat portion extending in the first direction.

6. The display device according to claim 3, further comprising: a first insulating layer disposed on the first transistor and the second transistor, and a second insulating layer disposed on the first insulating layer, and The second insulating layer has a first opening overlapping the first pixel electrode.

7. The display device according to claim 6, wherein: The inclined portion of the first pixel electrode is disposed on a side surface of the second insulating layer defining the first opening.

8. The display device according to claim 6, further comprising: A pixel insulating layer is provided on the second insulating layer, wherein: The pixel insulating layer has a second opening overlapping the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode.

9. The display device according to claim 6, wherein: Each of the plurality of first pixels and each of the plurality of second pixels includes a plurality of sub-pixels that display light of different colors, Each of the plurality of sub-pixels disposed in each of the plurality of first pixels includes the first pixel electrode, and The first pixel electrode included in at least some of the plurality of sub-pixels included in each of the plurality of first pixels includes the inclined portion.

10. The display device according to claim 3, further comprising: A first insulating layer is provided on the first transistor and the second transistor, wherein: A concave portion overlapping the first pixel electrode is formed on an upper surface of the first insulating layer, and The inclined portion of the first pixel electrode is disposed on a side surface of the concave portion.

11. A display device, comprising: a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels arranged alternately, and A light shielding layer, wherein The planar shape or width of the edge portion of the light shielding layer corresponding to each of the plurality of first pixels or defining each of the plurality of first pixels is different from the planar shape or width of the light shielding layer corresponding to each of the plurality of second pixels, Each of the plurality of first pixels includes a first transistor and a first pixel electrode electrically connected to the first transistor, Each of the plurality of second pixels includes a second transistor and a second pixel electrode electrically connected to the second transistor, and The first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode have different shapes from each other in a cross-sectional view.

12. The display device according to claim 11, wherein: In the cross-sectional view, the first pixel electrode includes at least one bent portion.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: The first pixel electrode comprises: a flat portion extending in a first direction, and An inclined portion connected to the flat portion and inclined with respect to the first direction.

14. The display device according to claim 13, wherein: The inclined portion is disposed along an edge portion of the first pixel electrode.

15. The display device according to claim 13, wherein: The second pixel electrode includes a flat portion extending in the first direction.

16. The display device according to claim 13, further comprising: a first insulating layer disposed on the first transistor and the second transistor, and a second insulating layer disposed on the first insulating layer, The second insulating layer has a first opening overlapping with the first pixel electrode.

17. The display device according to claim 16, wherein: The inclined portion of the first pixel electrode is disposed on a side surface of the second insulating layer defining the first opening.

18. The display device according to claim 16, further comprising: a pixel insulating layer disposed on the second insulating layer, The pixel insulating layer has a second opening overlapping the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode.

19. The display device according to claim 16, wherein: Each of the plurality of first pixels and each of the plurality of second pixels includes a plurality of sub-pixels that display light of different colors, Each of the plurality of sub-pixels disposed in each of the plurality of first pixels includes the first pixel electrode, and The first pixel electrode included in at least some of the plurality of sub-pixels included in each of the plurality of first pixels includes the inclined portion.

20. The display device according to claim 13, further comprising: A first insulating layer is provided on the first transistor and the second transistor, wherein: A concave portion overlapping the first pixel electrode is formed on an upper surface of the first insulating layer, and The inclined portion of the first pixel electrode is disposed on a side surface of the concave portion.

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