Display device

Abstract

Disclosed is a display device including: a substrate including a first light emitting region and a second light emitting region; the first insulating layer is arranged on the substrate and comprises a first opening corresponding to the first light emitting area and a second opening corresponding to the second light emitting area; a first light control element disposed in the first opening; a second light control element disposed in the second opening; and a black matrix disposed on the first insulating layer in a region between the first light emitting region and the second light emitting region, in which the first insulating layer includes a first side surface in contact with the first opening and an upper surface connected to the first side surface, the black matrix is arranged on the first side surface and the upper surface of the first insulating layer.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0196876, filed on December 29, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application as if fully set forth herein. Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a display device capable of controlling a viewing angle. Background art

[0004] Electronic devices in various fields include display devices for displaying images. For example, display devices for providing required information or content to drivers and passengers can be applied to vehicles.

[0005] Among the display devices installed in vehicles, the display device provided at the center of the dashboard is in the process of being enlarged. Such a display device needs to selectively provide information or content to the driver and / or passengers according to the driving conditions of the vehicle.

[0006] The content of the above - mentioned background art is technical information that the inventor of the present invention has in order to derive examples of the present invention, or technical information obtained during the process of deriving examples of the present invention, and it is not necessarily publicly known technology for the public before the filing of the present invention. Summary of the invention

[0007] In view of the above problems, the present invention is made. An object of the present invention is to provide a display device that can effectively prevent light leakage and avoid interfering with the driver's driving.

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be achieved by providing a display device including: a substrate including a first light - emitting region and a second light - emitting region; a first insulating layer provided on the substrate and including a first opening corresponding to the first light - emitting region and a second opening corresponding to the second light - emitting region; a first light - control element provided in the first opening; a second light - control element provided in the second opening; and a black matrix provided on the first insulating layer in a region between the first light - emitting region and the second light - emitting region, wherein the first insulating layer includes a first side surface in contact with the first opening and an upper surface connected to the first side surface, and the black matrix is provided on the first side surface and the upper surface of the first insulating layer.

[0009] In addition, the above and other objects can be achieved by providing a display device including: a plurality of light-emitting elements including a first light-emitting element and a second light-emitting element; a first light control element provided in the first light-emitting element; a second light control element provided in the second light-emitting element; and a black matrix provided between the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element, wherein the black matrix is provided between the first light control element and the second light control element, and the black matrix includes a first portion facing the first light control element and a second portion facing the second light control element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The above and other objects, features, and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of a display panel according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a sub-pixel according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4A and 4B is a diagram showing the structures of first and second light control elements according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 5 is a diagram of a display device according to an embodiment, where the display device is applied to a vehicle.

[0016] Figure 6 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing the configuration of a sub-pixel according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 7 is a diagram showing the driving waveform of a sub-pixel according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 8 is a diagram showing according to Figure 1 an enlarged plan view of the structure of region A in the display panel according to the illustrated embodiment.

[0019] Figure 9 is a diagram showing including a black matrix Figure 8 a plan view of the structure of region A shown.

[0020] Figure 10 is a diagram showing in Figure 8 an enlarged plan view of the structure of the pixel region in region A shown.

[0021] Figure 11 is a plan view showing the structure of a pixel region including a black matrix Figure 10 as shown.

[0022] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a sub-pixel region taken along line I-I' in the pixel region Figure 11 as shown.

[0023] Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view Figure 12 showing the first light-emitting region as shown.

[0024] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a sub-pixel region taken along line I-I' in the pixel region Figure 11 as shown.

[0025] Figure 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view Figure 14 showing the first light-emitting region as shown.

[0026] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a sub-pixel region taken along line I-I' in the pixel region Figure 11 as shown.

[0027] Figure 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view Figure 16 showing the first light-emitting region as shown. Detailed Embodiments

[0028] The advantages, features, and methods for implementing the present invention will be clarified by the following embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention may be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. In addition, the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0029] The shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, and quantities disclosed in the accompanying drawings for describing the embodiments of the present invention are merely examples, and thus, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated details. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, when it is determined that a detailed description of related known functions or configurations would unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0030] In cases where "including", "having", or "comprising" described in this specification are used, there may be other elements unless "only" is used. Terms in the singular form may include the plural form unless otherwise specified.

[0031] When interpreting an element, the element is interpreted as including an error region, even though there is no detailed description of the error region.

[0032] When describing a positional relationship, for example, when the positional order is described as "on", "above", "below", "lower part", "after", it may include the case where there is no contact therebetween, unless "exactly" or "directly" is used.

[0033] If it is mentioned that the first element is located on the second element, it does not mean that the first element must be above the second element in the figure. The upper and lower parts of the object involved can be changed according to the orientation of the object. Therefore, the case where the first element is located on the second element includes, in the figure or in the actual structure, the case where the first element is above the second element and the case where the first element is below the second element.

[0034] When describing a time relationship, for example, when the time order is described as "after", "subsequently", "next", "before", it may include the discontinuous case, unless "exactly" or "directly" is used.

[0035] It will be understood that although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe each element, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from other elements. For example, the first element may be called the second element, and similarly, the second element may be called the first element.

[0036] It should be understood that the term "at least one" includes all combinations related to any item. For example, "at least one of the first element, the second element and the third element" may include: all combinations of two or more elements selected from the first element, the second element and the third element; and each of the first element, the second element and the third element.

[0037] The features of the embodiments of the present invention can be combined or combined with each other partially or wholly, and various interoperations and drives can be performed with each other technically. The embodiments of the present invention can be implemented independently of each other, or can be implemented together in a mutually dependent relationship.

[0038] In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, even if they are shown in different figures.

[0039] In the embodiments of the present invention, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the source electrode and the drain electrode are distinguished from each other. However, the source electrode and the drain electrode can be used interchangeably. Therefore, the source electrode can be the drain electrode, and the drain electrode can be the source electrode. In addition, the source electrode in any one embodiment of the present invention can be the drain electrode in another embodiment of the present invention, and the drain electrode in any one embodiment of the present invention can be the source electrode in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, for ease of explanation, the source region is distinguished from the source electrode, and the drain region is distinguished from the drain electrode. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this structure. For example, the source region may be the source electrode, and the drain region may be the drain electrode. In addition, the source region may be the drain electrode, and the drain region may be the source electrode.

[0041] Figure 1 FIG. is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a display device according to an embodiment. Figure 2 FIG. is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the structure of a display panel according to an embodiment. Figure 3 FIG. is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a sub-pixel according to an embodiment. Figure 4A and 4B FIG. is a diagram illustrating the structures of first and second light control elements according to an embodiment. Figure 5 FIG. is a diagram of a display device according to an embodiment, where the display device is applied to a vehicle.

[0042] The display device 1000 according to an embodiment can provide both a display function for displaying an image and a touch sensing function for sensing the presence of a user touch and / or touch coordinates.

[0043] The display device 1000 according to an embodiment may be an electroluminescent display device including a touch sensor or a micro light emitting diode display device. The electroluminescent display device including a touch sensor may be an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device, a quantum dot light emitting diode display device, or an inorganic light emitting diode display device.

[0044] Referring to Figure 1 , the display device 1000 may include: a display panel 100; a display driving circuit 200 for driving the display panel 100; and a touch sensing circuit 300 for driving and sensing a touch sensor array built into the display panel 100. The display device 1000 may further include a power management circuit for generating and providing a plurality of power supply voltages required for the operation of the display panel 100, the display driving circuit 200, and the touch sensing circuit 300.

[0045] The display panel 100 may be a rigid display panel or a flexible display panel capable of being deformed, such as a foldable, bendable, rollable, and stretchable display panel.

[0046] The display panel 100 may include: a display area DA for displaying an image; and a non-display area NDA as a border area surrounding the display area DA and located outside. The display panel 100 may further include a touch sensor array provided in the display area DA for sensing a user touch.

[0047] The display panel 100 can display an image by using a display area DA in which a plurality of sub-pixels are arranged in a matrix form. The pixel matrix of the display area DA may include: a plurality of row lines formed by a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in a first direction X; and a plurality of column lines formed by a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in a second direction Y. The display panel 100 may include a plurality of signal lines connected to the plurality of sub-pixels, which include a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of power supply lines, and the like.

[0048] The plurality of sub-pixels may include red sub-pixels that emit red light, green sub-pixels that emit green light, and blue sub-pixels that emit blue light. The plurality of sub-pixels may further include white sub-pixels that emit white light. A unit pixel may include at least two sub-pixels.

[0049] The display driving circuit 200 may include: a data driver that provides data signals to the plurality of data lines of the display panel 100; a gate driver that provides gate signals to the plurality of gate lines; and a timing controller that controls the operations of the data driver and the gate driver.

[0050] The touch sensing circuit 300 may include: a touch driving circuit that provides a touch driving signal to a touch sensor array built into the display panel 100 and receives a readout signal from the touch sensor array to generate sensing data; and a touch controller that detects the presence or absence of a touch and the touch coordinate position based on the sensing data provided from the touch driving circuit; and so on.

[0051] The touch sensor array may adopt a self-capacitance method that senses a change in self-capacitance according to a touch or a mutual-capacitance method that senses a change in mutual-capacitance according to a touch.

[0052] The display panel 100 according to an embodiment can control the viewing angle according to the viewing angle mode. The display area DA of the display panel 100 can display an image in a first viewing angle mode (in which the viewing angle with respect to the first direction is relatively wide) or in a second viewing angle mode (in which the viewing angle with respect to the first direction is narrower than the viewing angle in the case of the first viewing angle mode). The first viewing angle mode may be expressed as a wide viewing angle mode or a shared mode. The second viewing angle mode may be expressed as a narrow viewing angle mode or a privacy mode. The display area DA of the display panel 100 can be driven in a switchable privacy mode (SPM) that can switch between the shared mode and the privacy mode.

[0053] Refer to Figure 2, the display panel 100 according to an embodiment may include: a pixel array 140 including a circuit element layer 120 and a light-emitting element layer 130, where the circuit element layer 120 includes a plurality of transistors and a plurality of signal lines disposed on a substrate 110, and the light-emitting element layer 130 includes a plurality of light-emitting elements EL1 and EL2 disposed on the circuit element layer 120; and a packaging layer 150 disposed on the pixel array 140 to seal the light-emitting element layer 130. The display panel 100 may include: a touch sensor array 160 including a plurality of sensor electrodes disposed on the packaging layer 150; and a light control array 170 including a plurality of light control elements L1 and L2 disposed on the touch sensor array 160. The display panel 100 may further include a cover substrate 190 bonded to the light control array 170 through an optically clear adhesive (OCA) 180.

[0054] Referring to Figure 2 and 3 , the sub-pixel SP according to an embodiment capable of controlling the viewing angle includes: a first light-emitting element EL1; a second light-emitting element EL2; and a pixel circuit 10 that divides and drives the first light-emitting element EL1 and the second light-emitting element EL2 according to a viewing angle mode, and a first light control element ( Figure 2 L1) may overlap on the first light-emitting element EL1, and a second light control element ( Figure 2 L2) may overlap on the second light-emitting element EL2.

[0055] The sub-pixel SP according to an embodiment may drive the first light-emitting element EL1 in a first viewing angle mode and emit light with a first viewing angle via the first light control element L1. The sub-pixel SP may drive the second light-emitting element EL2 in a second viewing angle mode and emit light with a second viewing angle narrower than the first viewing angle via the second light control element L2.

[0056] Referring to Figure 4A , the first light control element L1 may have a semi-cylindrical lens structure that is longer in the first direction X, and the lens structure is not limited thereto. Referring to Figure 4B , the second light control element L2 may have a semi-circular lens structure, and the lens structure is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the first light control element L1 and the second light control element L2 may differently control (or limit) the viewing angle in the first direction X and equivalently control (or limit) the viewing angle in the second direction Y.

[0057] According to an embodiment, the light control elements L1 and L2 may be formed of a fluid material, a semi-fluid material, or a solid. The materials and structures of the light control elements L1 and L2 are not limited to the above examples. In addition, in some cases, the light control elements L1 and L2 may be referred to as a light control layer, a light control structure, a lens, or a viewing angle control unit, but are not limited to these terms.

[0058] In Figure 4A and 4B , the first direction X may represent the left - right direction (e.g., the horizontal direction) of the display panel 100, the second direction Y may represent the up - down direction (e.g., the vertical direction) of the display panel 100, and the third direction Z may represent the front - back direction (e.g., the thickness direction) of the display panel 100.

[0059] In the first viewing angle mode, each sub - pixel SP of the display panel 100 drives the first light - emitting element EL1 and does not limit the path of the light emitted from the first light - emitting element EL1 within a specific angle in the first direction X, thereby providing light with a wider viewing angle.

[0060] In the second viewing angle mode, each sub - pixel SP of the display panel 100 may drive the second light - emitting element EL2 and limit the path of the light emitted from the second light - emitting element EL2 via the second light - control element L2 within a specific cut - off angle in the first direction X to provide light with a narrower viewing angle.

[0061] The first light - control element L1 and the second light - control element L2 may control the path of the light in the second direction Y within the cut - off angle for control with a narrower viewing angle. Therefore, when the display device 1000 is applied to Figure 5 the vehicle shown, it is possible to prevent the image displayed on the display device 1000 from being reflected by the front glass of the vehicle to interfere with the driver's line of sight.

[0062] The sub - pixel SP according to the embodiment may receive a data voltage Vdata from the data driver of the display driving circuit 200 via any one of the data lines 22. The sub - pixel SP may receive a scan signal SCAN from the gate driver of the display driving circuit 200 via at least one gate line 12 and may receive a light - emission control signal EM via at least one gate line 16. The sub - pixel SP may receive a first mode signal SH from the gate driver of the display driving circuit 200 via any one of the gate lines 42 and may receive a second mode signal PR via any one of the gate lines 44. The sub - pixel SP according to the embodiment may receive a high - potential power - supply voltage ELVDD from the power - management circuit via the first power - supply line 32, receive a low - potential power - supply voltage ELVSS from the power - management circuit via the common electrode (cathode) CE and the second power - supply line 34, and may receive a reference voltage Vref via the reference line 24.

[0063] The gate driver can be built-in and set in the non-display area NDA of the display panel 100. Without limitation, the gate driver can be distributed and set in the display area DA. The gate driver according to the embodiment can be built-in in the display panel 100 in the form of an in-panel gate (GIP) composed of transistors formed in the same process as the transistors in the display area DA.

[0064] The gate driver can include at least one scan driver 210 for driving at least one gate line 12 and at least one light emission control driver 220 for driving at least one gate line 16. The number of gate lines connected to the sub-pixels SP, the number of scan drivers 210, and the number of light emission control drivers 220 can be variously changed according to the specific structure of the pixel circuit constituting the sub-pixels SP.

[0065] The scan driver 210 can generate at least one scan signal SCAN and supply it to at least one gate line 12 provided in each of the multiple pixel row lines.

[0066] The light emission control driver 220 can generate at least one light emission control signal EM and supply it to at least one gate line 16 provided in each of the multiple pixel row lines.

[0067] In an embodiment, the gate driver can further include a mode control unit 230 for supplying a mode signal SH and PR to the gate lines 42 and 44.

[0068] The mode control unit 230 can generate a first mode signal SH using a mode selection signal and supply the first mode signal SH to each of the multiple pixel row lines via any one of the gate lines 42, and can generate and supply a second mode signal PR via any one of the gate lines 44. The mode control unit 230 can selectively drive the first light emitting element EL1 and the second light emitting element EL2 of each sub-pixel SP by using the first mode signal SH and the second mode signal PR.

[0069] In an embodiment, the first and second mode signals SH and PR can be provided from the light emission control driver 220.

[0070] At least one of an LTPS transistor using low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) semiconductor and an oxide transistor using metal oxide semiconductor can be applied to the multiple transistors provided in the display area DA of the display panel 100 and the non-display area NDA including the gate driver. The display panel 100 according to the embodiment can be configured such that LTPS transistors and oxide transistors coexist to reduce power consumption.

[0071] Refer to Figure 5, The multiple display devices provided on a vehicle dashboard may include a cluster, a central information display CID, and a co-driver display CDD. A display device that restricts the viewing angle within a cut-off angle only in a second direction Y for safe driving may be applied to the cluster and the central information display CID mainly used by a driver DR. A display device including a touch sensor may be applied to the central information display CID. A display device 1000 capable of controlling the viewing angle in a first viewing mode and a second viewing mode as in the above-described embodiment may be applied to the co-driver display CDD used by a driver DR and a passenger PA.

[0072] The co-driver display CDD may be driven in a first viewing mode under the control of a host system when the driver DR is not driving, and may provide an image with a wider viewing angle in a first direction X to the driver DR and the passenger PA.

[0073] When the driver DR is driving, the co-driver display CDD may be driven in a second viewing mode under the control of the host system, may restrict the viewing angle within a cut-off angle in a first direction X to provide only an image with a narrower viewing angle to the passenger PA, and may not provide an image to the driver DR to avoid interfering with driving.

[0074] The display device 1000 according to an embodiment may be applied not only to the co-driver display CDD, but also to various display devices such as a mobile display, an IT display, and a TV display that selectively require viewing angle control for privacy and information protection.

[0075] Figure 6 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating the structure of sub-pixels according to an embodiment, Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the driving waveform of sub-pixels according to an embodiment.

[0076] Refer to Figure 6 , the sub-pixel SP may include: a first light-emitting element EL1 and a second light-emitting element EL2; and a pixel circuit 10 that separately drives the first light-emitting element EL1 and the second light-emitting element EL2. In an embodiment, the pixel circuit 10 may include a driving transistor DT, multiple switching transistors T1 to T8, and a storage capacitor Cst, but is not limited thereto.

[0077] The pixel circuit 10 may receive a first scan signal SCAN1 from a first scan driver 210 via a first gate line 12, and may receive a second scan signal SCAN2 from a second scan driver 212 via a second gate line 14. According to an embodiment, Figure 3 the first gate line 12 of Figure 6 the first gate line 12.

[0078] The pixel circuit 10 can receive a light emission control signal EM from the first light emission control driver 220 via the third gate line 16.

[0079] In an embodiment, the pixel circuit 10 can receive a first mode signal SH from the mode control unit 230 via the fourth gate line 42, and can receive a second mode signal PR via the fifth gate line 44.

[0080] In an embodiment, the pixel circuit 10 can receive a first mode signal SH from the second light emission control driver 220 via the fourth gate line 42, and can receive a second mode signal PR via the fifth gate line 44.

[0081] The pixel circuit 10 can receive a data signal Vdata from the data driver via the data line 22. The pixel circuit 10 can receive a high-potential power supply voltage ELVDD from the power management circuit via the first power supply line 32, receive a low-potential power supply voltage ELVSS from the power management circuit via the second power supply line 34 and the common electrode CE, and can receive a reference voltage Vref via the reference line 24.

[0082] Refer to Figure 7 , the sub-pixel SP can be driven to include an initialization period t1, a sampling and writing period t2, and a light emission period t3 for each of the Nth and (N + 1)th frame periods. For ease of description, in Figure 7 , the Nth frame period represents any frame period of the first viewing angle mode, and the (N + 1)th frame period represents any frame period of the second viewing angle mode.

[0083] Each of the driving transistor DT of the pixel circuit 10 and the plurality of switching transistors T1 to T8 includes a gate, a source, and a drain. Since the source and the drain are not fixed and can be changed according to the voltage applied to the gate and the current direction, one of the source and the drain can be represented as the first electrode, and the other of the source and the drain can be represented as the second electrode. Each of the driving transistor DT of the pixel circuit 10 and the plurality of switching transistors T1 to T8 can use at least one of polycrystalline silicon semiconductors, amorphous silicon semiconductors, and oxide semiconductors, can be of P-type or N-type, and can be used in a combination of P-type and N-type.

[0084] The first and second light-emitting elements EL1 and EL2 may include anodes AE1 and AE2 separately connected to the eighth and sixth switching transistors T8 and T6, a cathode CE receiving a low-potential power supply voltage ELVSS from the second power supply line 34, and a light-emitting layer disposed between the anodes AE1 and AE2 and the cathode CE. In the first and second light-emitting elements EL1 and EL2, when a driving current is provided from the driving transistor DT via each of the eighth and sixth switching transistors T8 and T6, electrons from the cathode CE are injected into the light-emitting layer, and holes from the anodes AE1 and AE2 are injected into the light-emitting layer, so that a fluorescent material or a phosphorescent material emits light by the combination of electrons and holes in the light-emitting layer to emit light having a luminance proportional to the current value of the driving current.

[0085] The gate of the driving transistor DT may be connected to the storage capacitor Cst, the first electrode may be connected to the first power supply line 32 providing a high-potential power supply voltage ELVDD, and the second electrode may be connected to the first electrode of the fourth switching transistor T4. The driving transistor DT may be commonly connected to the first electrodes of the sixth and eighth switching transistors T6 and T8 via the fourth switching transistor T4. The driving transistor DT may drive the first light-emitting element EL1 via the fourth and eighth switching transistors T4 and T8, or may drive the second light-emitting element EL2 via the fourth and sixth switching transistors T4 and T6. The driving transistor DT may control the light-emitting intensity of the first light-emitting element EL1 via the fourth and eighth switching transistors T4 and T8 by controlling the driving current according to the driving voltage charged in the storage capacitor Cst, or may control the light-emitting intensity of the second light-emitting element EL2 via the fourth and sixth switching transistors T4 and T6.

[0086] The storage capacitor Cst may be connected between the second electrode of the first switching transistor T1 and the gate of the driving transistor DT to charge a driving voltage corresponding to the data voltage Vdata. The storage capacitor Cst may hold the charged driving voltage during the light-emitting period t3 when the first switching transistor T1 is turned off and supply the driving voltage to the driving transistor DT.

[0087] The first switching transistor T1 may be turned on or off in response to a first scan signal SCAN1 of the first gate line 12 provided in the i-th (i is a natural number) pixel row line. The first switching transistor T1 may supply the data voltage Vdata provided via the data line 22 to the first electrode of the storage capacitor Cst during the sampling and writing period t2 when the first scan signal SCAN1 has a gate-on voltage VON. The first switching transistor T1 may be turned off during the initialization period t1 and the light-emitting period t3 when the first scan signal SCAN1 has a gate-off voltage.

[0088] The second, fifth, and seventh switching transistors T2, T5, and T7 can be turned on or off in response to a second scan signal SCAN2 of a second gate line 14 supplied to the i-th pixel row line. The second, fifth, and seventh switching transistors T2, T5, and T7 can be turned on during an initialization period t1 and a sampling and writing period t2 when the second scan signal SCAN2 has a gate-on voltage VON, and can be turned off during a light emission period t3 when the second scan signal SCAN2 has a gate-off voltage VOFF.

[0089] The second switching transistor T2 can connect the gate of the driving transistor DT to the second electrode during the initialization period t1 and the sampling and writing period t2 in response to the second scan signal SCAN2, thereby connecting the driving transistor DT in a diode structure. The second switching transistor T2 can charge the storage capacitor Cst by compensating for the threshold voltage Vth of the driving transistor DT. Therefore, the storage capacitor Cst can be charged with a data voltage that compensates for the threshold voltage Vth of the driving transistor DT.

[0090] The fifth switching transistor T5 can supply a reference voltage Vref supplied via a reference line 24 to an anode AE2 of the second light emitting element EL2 during the initialization period t1 and the sampling and writing period t2 in response to the second scan signal SCAN2.

[0091] The seventh switching transistor T7 can supply an initialization voltage Vref supplied via a reference line 24 to an anode AE1 of the first light emitting element EL1 during the initialization period t1 and the sampling and writing period t2 in response to the second scan signal SCAN2.

[0092] The third and fourth switching transistors T3 and T4 can be turned on or off in response to a light emission control signal EM of a third gate line 16 supplied to the i-th pixel row line. The third and fourth switching transistors T3 and T4 can be turned on during an initialization period t1 and a light emission period t3 when the light emission control signal EM has a gate-on voltage VON. The third and fourth switching transistors T3 and T4 can be turned off during a sampling and writing period t2 when the light emission control signal EM has a gate-off voltage VOFF and during a period between the sampling and writing period t2 and the light emission period t3.

[0093] The third switching transistor T3 can supply a reference voltage Vref supplied via a reference line 24 to a first electrode of the storage capacitor Cst during the initialization period t1 and the light emission period t3 in response to the light emission control signal EM.

[0094] The fourth switching transistor T4 can connect the driving transistor DT to the sixth and eighth switching transistors T6 and T8 during the initialization period t1 and the light emission period t3 in response to the light emission control signal EM.

[0095] The eighth switching transistor T8 can be turned on or off in response to a first mode signal SH provided to the fourth gate line 42 of the i-th pixel row line. The eighth switching transistor T8 can be turned on during the driving period of the N-th frame in the first viewing angle mode when the first mode signal SH has a gate-on voltage VON, and can be turned off during the driving period of the (N + 1)-th frame in the second viewing angle mode when the first mode signal SH has a gate-off voltage VOFF.

[0096] The eighth switching transistor T8 can connect the fourth switching transistor T4 to the first light-emitting element EL1 in response to the first mode signal SH during the driving period of the N-th frame in the first viewing angle mode.

[0097] During the light-emitting period t3 of the N-th frame in the driving period of the first viewing angle mode, the driving transistor DT can drive the first light-emitting element EL1 via the fourth and eighth switching transistors T4 and T8. Therefore, the sub-pixel SP can provide light of the first viewing angle via the first light-emitting element EL1 and the first light control element (see Figure 4A L1 in).

[0098] The sixth switching transistor T6 can be turned on or off in response to a second mode signal PR provided to the fifth gate line 44 provided in the i-th pixel row line. The sixth switching transistor T6 can be turned on during the driving period of the (N + 1)-th frame in the second viewing angle mode when the second mode signal PR has a gate-on voltage VON, and can be turned off during the driving period of the N-th frame in the first viewing angle mode when the second mode signal PR has a gate-off voltage VOFF.

[0099] The sixth switching transistor T6 can connect the fourth switching transistor T4 to the second light-emitting element EL2 in response to the second mode signal PR during the driving period of the (N + 1)-th frame in the second viewing angle mode.

[0100] During the light-emitting period t3 of the (N + 1)-th frame in the driving period of the second viewing angle mode, the driving transistor DT can drive the second light-emitting element EL2 via the fourth and sixth switching transistors T4 and T6. Therefore, the sub-pixel SP can provide light of the second viewing angle via the second light-emitting element EL2 and the second light control element L2 ( Figure 4B ).

[0101] Figure 8 is a magnified plan view showing the structure of area A in a display panel according to the Figure 1 illustrated embodiment, Figure 9 is a plan view showing the structure of area A including a black matrix Figure 8 illustrated, Figure 10 is a magnified plan view showing the structure of the pixel area in area A Figure 8 illustrated, Figure 11 is a plan view showing the structure of area A including a black matrixFigure 10 A plan view of the structure of the pixel region shown.

[0102] Referring to Figures 8 to 11 , region A is an enlarged view of a plurality of pixel regions on the display panel 100 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 . The region A of the display panel 100 according to the embodiment may have a structure in which a pixel array, a touch sensor array, and a light control array at least partially overlap. The pixel array may include a plurality of sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3 having a plurality of light-emitting elements EL1:EL11, EL21, EL31 and EL2:EL12, EL22, EL32. The touch sensor array may include a plurality of sensor electrodes SE, bridge electrodes BE, dummy electrodes DSE, and a black matrix BM. The light control array may include a plurality of light control elements L1:L11, L21, L31 and L2:L12, L22, L32.

[0103] The pixel array may include: a 2n-1th row line R2n-1 (n is a natural number) and a 2nth row line R2n including a plurality of sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3 arranged along a first direction X; and a 2m-1th column line C2m-1 (m is a natural number) and a 2mth column line C2m including a plurality of sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3 arranged along a second direction Y.

[0104] The 2m-1th column line C2m-1 may include a plurality of first-type sub-pixels SP1 arranged along the second direction Y. The 2mth column line C2m may include a plurality of second- and third-type sub-pixels SP2 and SP3 alternately arranged in the second direction Y.

[0105] Each of the 2n-1th row line R2n-1 and the 2nth row line R2n may include a plurality of first- to third-type sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3, wherein the first-type sub-pixels SP1 are alternately arranged with the second- and third-type sub-pixels SP2 and SP3 in the first direction X.

[0106] Referring to Figures 8 to 11 , each pixel PX may include a first-type sub-pixel SP1 that emits light of a first color, a second-type sub-pixel SP2 that emits light of a second color, and a third-type sub-pixel SP3 that emits light of a third color. The first-type sub-pixels SP1 may be arranged adjacent to the second- and third-type sub-pixels SP2 and SP3 in the first direction X. The second- and third-type sub-pixels SP2 and SP3 may be arranged adjacent to and parallel to each other in the second direction Y.

[0107] The first type of sub-pixel SP1 may include: a first light-emitting element EL11; a first light control element L11 overlapping the first light-emitting element EL11; at least one second light-emitting element EL12; and at least one second light control element L12 overlapping the at least one second light-emitting element EL12. In an embodiment, in the first type of sub-pixel SP1, two second light-emitting elements EL12 may be arranged to be separated from each other in the second direction Y, and the first light-emitting element EL11 may be interposed therebetween. The two second light-emitting elements EL12 may have a parallel connection structure in which anodes are connected to each other. The plurality of second light-emitting elements EL12 may emit light simultaneously, and the first light-emitting element EL11 may not emit light when the plurality of second light-emitting elements EL12 emit light simultaneously.

[0108] In the first type of sub-pixel SP1, two second light control elements L12 may be arranged to be separated from each other in the second direction Y, and the first light control element L11 may be interposed therebetween. The second light-emitting element EL12 and the second light control element L12 of the first type of sub-pixel SP1 may be arranged adjacent to the second light-emitting element EL12 and the second light control element L12 of another first type of sub-pixel SP1 adjacent to each other in the second direction Y.

[0109] The first type of sub-pixel SP1 may be a red sub-pixel having the first and second light-emitting elements EL11 and EL12 that emit red light.

[0110] The second type of sub-pixel SP2 may include: a first light-emitting element EL21; a first light control element L21 overlapping the first light-emitting element EL21; at least one second light-emitting element EL22; and at least one second light control element L22 overlapping the at least one second light-emitting element EL22.

[0111] In the second type of sub-pixel SP2, two second light-emitting elements EL22 may be arranged to be parallel in the first direction X, and the first light-emitting element EL21 and the two second light-emitting elements EL22 may be separated from each other in the second direction Y. The two second light-emitting elements EL22 may have a parallel connection structure in which anodes are connected to each other.

[0112] In the second type of sub-pixel SP2, two second light control elements L22 may be arranged to be parallel in the first direction X, and the first light control element L21 and the two second light control elements L22 may be arranged separately in the second direction Y.

[0113] The second type of sub-pixel SP2 may be a green sub-pixel having the first and second light-emitting elements EL21 and EL22 that emit green light.

[0114] In the third type of sub-pixel SP3, two second light-emitting elements EL32 may be arranged parallel to each other in the first direction X, and the first light-emitting element EL31 and the two second light-emitting elements EL32 may be separated from each other in the second direction Y. The two second light-emitting elements EL32 may have a parallel connection structure in which the anodes are connected to each other.

[0115] In the third type of sub-pixel SP3, two second light control elements L32 may be arranged parallel to each other in the first direction X, and the first light control element L31 and the two second light control elements L32 may be separately arranged in the second direction Y.

[0116] The second light-emitting element EL22 and the second light control element L22 of the second type of sub-pixel SP2 may be arranged adjacent to the second light-emitting element EL32 and the second light control element L32 of the third type of sub-pixel SP3 in the same pixel PX adjacent to each other in the second direction Y. The first light-emitting element EL31 and the first light control element L31 of the third type of sub-pixel SP3 may be arranged adjacent to the first light-emitting element EL21 and the first light control element L21 of the second type of sub-pixel SP2 in another pixel PX adjacent to each other in the second direction Y.

[0117] The third type of sub-pixel SP3 may be a blue sub-pixel having first and second light-emitting elements EL31 and EL32 that emit blue light.

[0118] The sizes of the first light-emitting elements EL1:EL11, EL21, and EL31 may be larger than the sizes of the second light-emitting elements EL2:EL12, EL22, and EL32. The sizes of the lower surfaces of the first light control elements L1:L11, L21, and L31 may be set to be larger than the sizes of the first light-emitting elements EL1:EL11, EL21, and EL31 (the sizes of the light-emitting regions), so that the light-emitting efficiency can be improved. The sizes of the lower surfaces of the second light control elements L2:L12, L22, and L32 may be set to be larger than the sizes of the second light-emitting elements EL2:EL12, EL22, and EL32 (the sizes of the light-emitting regions), so that the light-emitting efficiency can be improved.

[0119] In an embodiment, the sizes of the first light-emitting elements EL11, EL21, and EL31 may be different for each color to compensate for the deviation of the light-emitting efficiency of the first light-emitting elements EL11, EL21, and EL31 of each color. In an embodiment, the sizes of the first light-emitting element EL11 and the first light control element L11 of the first type of sub-pixel SP1 may be the smallest, and the sizes of the first light-emitting element EL21 and the first light control element L21 of the second type of sub-pixel SP2 may be equal to or smaller than the sizes of the first light-emitting element EL31 and the first light control element L31 of the third type of sub-pixel SP3.

[0120] In an embodiment, the sizes of the second light-emitting elements EL12, EL22, and EL32 may be different for each color, or the number of light-emitting regions having the same size may be different for each color, to compensate for the variation in the light-emitting efficiency of the second light-emitting elements EL12, EL22, and EL32 of each color. In an embodiment, the sizes (or numbers) of the second light-emitting element EL12 and the second light control element L12 of the first type sub-pixel SP1 may be the smallest, and the sizes (or numbers) of the second light-emitting element EL22 and the second light control element L22 of the second type sub-pixel SP2 may be equal to or less than the sizes (or numbers) of the second light-emitting element EL32 and the second light control element L32 of the third type sub-pixel SP3.

[0121] The touch sensor array may include a plurality of sensor electrodes SE, a plurality of dummy electrodes DSE, and a plurality of bridge electrodes BE that are arranged to overlap with the non-light-emitting regions of the pixel array. The plurality of sensor electrodes SE and the plurality of dummy electrodes DSE may be separately arranged on the same layer. The bridge electrode BE may be arranged on a different layer to overlap with the sensor electrode SE and the dummy electrode DSE, and may electrically connect the plurality of sensor electrodes SE via the contact portion CNT.

[0122] In an embodiment, the plurality of sensor electrodes SE may be arranged in the non-light-emitting region of the first type sub-pixel SP1 along the (2m - 1)-th column line C2m - 1. The plurality of sensor electrodes SE may be separated in the second direction Y, and the first light-emitting element EL11 of the first type sub-pixel SP1 may be interposed therebetween.

[0123] Each of the plurality of sensor electrodes SE may include: a first sensor electrode portion SE1 that is arranged in the non-light-emitting region around the second light-emitting element EL12 of the first type sub-pixel SP1; and a second sensor electrode portion SE2 that is arranged in the non-light-emitting region around the second light-emitting element EL12 of another first type sub-pixel SP1 that is adjacent to each other in the second direction Y. Each of the plurality of sensor electrodes SE may further include a third sensor electrode portion SE3 that connects the first sensor electrode portion SE1 to the second sensor electrode portion SE2 in the second direction Y.

[0124] In each of the first sensor electrode portion SE1 and the second sensor electrode portion SE2, a first portion surrounding the second light-emitting element EL12 may have a relatively large area, a second portion overlapping with the contact portion CNT may have an area smaller than the first portion, and the third sensor electrode portion SE3 may have the smallest area.

[0125] The first sensor electrode portion SE1 and the second sensor electrode portion SE2 can be respectively connected to the third sensor electrode portion SE3, so that the first sensor electrode portion SE1, the second sensor electrode portion SE2, and the third sensor electrode portion SE3 can be formed integrally. In this case, the integrally formed first sensor electrode portion SE1, second sensor electrode portion SE2, and third sensor electrode portion SE3 can be located, for example, in the region between the first type of sub-pixel SP1 located on the 2n-th row line R2n and the first type of sub-pixel SP1 located on the 2n + 1-th row line R2n+1. More specifically, the first sensor electrode portion SE1 overlaps with the first type of sub-pixel SP1 located on the 2n + 1-th row line R2n+1, the second sensor electrode portion SE2 overlaps with the first type of sub-pixel SP1 located on the 2n-th row line R2n, and the third sensor electrode portion SE3 can be integrally formed together with the first sensor electrode portion SE1 and the second sensor electrode portion SE2 by being located in the region between the first type of sub-pixel SP1 located on the 2n + 1-th row line R2n+1 and the first type of sub-pixel SP1 located on the 2n-th row line R2n.

[0126] The first sensor electrode portion SE1 and the second sensor electrode portion SE2 can have a structure that is symmetric with respect to the third sensor electrode portion SE3 in the second direction Y.

[0127] Each of the first sensor electrode portion SE1 and the second sensor electrode portion SE2 can be electrically connected to the bridging electrode BE via a contact portion CNT that is adjacent to the third sensor electrode portion SE3 in the second direction Y. The two contact portions CNT can be arranged in parallel in the second direction Y between the second light-emitting elements EL12 of the first type of sub-pixels SP1 that are adjacent to each other in the second direction Y, and the third sensor electrode portion SE3 can be arranged between the two contact portions CNT.

[0128] Each of the first sensor electrode portion SE1 and the second sensor electrode portion SE2 can include an opening portion OH1 that overlaps with the light-emitting region of the second light-emitting element EL12 and overlaps with the second light control element L12. The size of the opening portion OH1 of each of the first sensor electrode portion SE1 and the second sensor electrode portion SE2 can be larger than the size of the light-emitting region of the second light-emitting element EL12 and smaller than the size of the lower surface of the second light control element L12. The first sensor electrode portion SE1 and the second sensor electrode portion SE2 can limit the viewing angle of the light emitted from the second light-emitting element EL12 in the first direction X and the second direction Y and prevent light leakage.

[0129] The first sensor electrode portion SE1 and the second sensor electrode portion SE2 can have a structure that is symmetric in the second direction Y. The first sensor electrode portion SE1 and the second sensor electrode portion SE2 can be electrically connected to the bridging electrode BE via the contact portion CNT.

[0130] The ends of the first sensor electrode portion SE1 and the second sensor electrode portion SE2 separated in the second direction Y (with the first light-emitting element EL11 of the first type sub-pixel SP1 interposed therebetween) overlap with the portion of the first light-emitting element EL11 that does not overlap with the first light control element L11, so that the viewing angle of the light emitted from the first light-emitting element EL11 in the second direction Y can be restricted, and light leakage can be prevented.

[0131] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of bridging electrodes BE can pass through the non-light-emitting regions of the first to third type sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3 and can be arranged along the second direction Y.

[0132] The bridging electrode BE can include: first and second bridging electrode portions BE1 and BE2 extending along the second direction Y or along the (2m - 1)-th column line C2m - 1; and a third bridging electrode portion BE3 connecting the first bridging electrode portion BE1 to the second bridging electrode portion BE2. The first and second bridging electrode portions BE1 and BE2 can overlap with the first sensor electrode SE around the second light-emitting element EL12 of the first type sub-pixel SP1, and can overlap with the dummy electrode DSE around the second light-emitting elements EL22 and EL32 of the second and third type sub-pixels SP2 and SP3.

[0133] The third bridging electrode portion BE3 can be electrically connected to the first sensor electrode portion SE1 and the second sensor electrode portion SE2 via the contact portions CNT. The two contact portions CNT can be arranged in parallel in the second direction Y between the second light-emitting elements EL12 of the first type sub-pixels SP1 adjacent to each other in the second direction Y.

[0134] A plurality of dummy electrodes DSE can be arranged in the non-light-emitting region of the (2m)-th column line C2m. The plurality of dummy electrodes DSE can include: a first dummy electrode DSE1 arranged in the non-light-emitting region around the second light-emitting elements EL22 and EL32 of the second and third type sub-pixels SP2 and SP3 adjacent to each other in the second direction Y; and a second dummy electrode DSE2 arranged in the non-light-emitting region between the first light-emitting elements EL21 and EL31 of the second and third type sub-pixels SP2 and SP3 adjacent to each other in the second direction Y. The first dummy electrode DSE1 can have an area larger than that of the second dummy electrode DSE2. The first and second dummy electrodes DSE1 and DSE2 can be floating electrodes not electrically connected to other electrodes. The floating first and second dummy electrodes DSE1 and DSE2 can reduce the parasitic capacitance formed between the common cathode of the pixel array and the touch sensor array, thereby reducing the distortion of the touch driving signal and the touch sensing signal, and thus improving the sensing performance.

[0135] The first virtual electrode DSE1 may include an opening OH2 that overlaps with the light-emitting regions of the second light-emitting elements EL22 and EL32 and overlaps with the second light control elements L22 and L32. The size of the opening OH2 of the first virtual electrode DSE1 may be larger than the size of the light-emitting regions of the second light-emitting elements EL22 and EL32 and smaller than the size of the lower surfaces of the second light control elements L22 and L32. The first virtual electrode DSE1 may limit the viewing angle of light emitted from the second light-emitting elements EL22 and EL32 in the first direction X and the second direction Y and prevent light leakage.

[0136] The ends of the first virtual electrode DSE1 and the second virtual electrode DSE2 in the second direction Y overlap with portions of the first light control elements L21 and L31 that do not overlap with the first light-emitting elements EL21 and EL31, thereby limiting the viewing angle of light emitted from the first light-emitting elements EL21 and EL31 in the second direction Y and preventing light leakage.

[0137] Referring Figure 9 and 11 , the touch sensor array may further include a black matrix BM disposed in the non-light-emitting region of the pixel array.

[0138] The black matrix BM may include: a first opening BH1 that overlaps with the first light-emitting elements EL1:EL11, EL21 and EL31; and a second opening BH2 that overlaps with the second light-emitting elements EL2:EL12, EL22 and EL32. The size of the first opening BH1 of the black matrix BM may be larger than the size of the light-emitting regions of the first light-emitting elements EL1:EL11, EL21 and EL31. According to an embodiment, the size of the first opening BH1 of the black matrix BM may be larger than the size of the lower surfaces of the first light control elements L1:L11, L21 and L31. By forming in this way, light leakage from the first light-emitting elements EL1:EL11, EL21 and EL31 can be prevented. In addition, the size of the second opening BH2 of the black matrix BM may be larger than the size of the light-emitting regions of the second light-emitting elements EL2:EL12, EL22 and EL32. According to an embodiment, the size of the second opening BH2 of the black matrix BM may be larger than the size of the lower surfaces of the second light control elements L2:L12, L22 and L32. By forming in this way, light leakage of light emitted from the second light-emitting elements EL2:EL12, EL22 and EL32 can be prevented. The black matrix BM may limit the viewing angle of light emitted from the first light-emitting elements EL1:EL11, EL21 and EL31 in the second direction Y, limit the viewing angle of light emitted from the second light-emitting elements EL2:EL12, EL22 and EL32 in the first direction X and the second direction Y, and prevent light leakage.

[0139] Figure 12 is a diagram along Figure 11A cross-sectional view of the structure of a sub-pixel region taken along line I-I' in the pixel region shown.

[0140] Figure 12 It is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a sub-pixel region along Figure 11 the cutting line I-I' in the pixel region shown.

[0141] Referring to Figure 12 According to an embodiment, the display panel 100 may include: a pixel array 140 including a circuit element layer 120 disposed on a substrate 110 and a light-emitting element layer 130 disposed on the circuit element layer 120; a package layer 150 disposed on the pixel array 140 to seal the light-emitting element layer 130; a touch sensor array 160 disposed on the package layer 150; and a light control array 170 disposed on the touch sensor array 160. The display panel 100 may further include: a polarizing plate POL, an optically clear adhesive (OCA) 180, a cover substrate 190, etc. disposed on the light control array 170.

[0142] Referring to Figure 12 As an example, the cross-sectional structure of the first type of sub-pixel SP1 among the first to third type sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3 in the display panel 100 according to an embodiment will be described. The first to third type sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3 may have the same cross-sectional structure.

[0143] The first type of sub-pixel SP1 may include: switching transistors T8 and T6 of the pixel circuit 10; a first light-emitting element EL11 connected to the switching transistor T8; a second light-emitting element EL12 connected to the switching transistor T6; a first light control element L1:L11 overlapping with the first light-emitting region EA1 on the first light-emitting element EL11; and a second light control element L2:L12 overlapping with the second light-emitting region EA2 on the second light-emitting element EL12.

[0144] According to an embodiment, the circuit element layer 120 may include a plurality of insulating layers stacked on the substrate 110. For example, the plurality of insulating layers may include a buffer layer 121, a gate insulating layer 122, an interlayer insulating layer 123, a protective layer 124, and a planarization layer 125.

[0145] The substrate 110 may include an insulating material such as glass or plastic. The plastic substrate may be formed of a flexible material. For example, the substrate 110 may include at least one organic insulating material such as acrylic resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, polyimide resin, and polyamide resin.

[0146] The buffer layer 121 may have a single-layer or multi-layer structure including inorganic insulating materials such as silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), and aluminum oxide (Al2O3). The buffer layer 121 may prevent impurities such as hydrogen from being introduced into the semiconductor layer 221 via the substrate 110.

[0147] A plurality of transistors including switching transistors T8 and T6 may be disposed on the buffer layer 121.

[0148] In an embodiment, the buffer layer 121 may include a multi-buffer layer and an active buffer layer. In this case, the multi-buffer layer may be disposed on the substrate 110, and the active buffer layer may be disposed on the multi-buffer layer. A light-blocking layer may be disposed between the multi-buffer layer and the active buffer layer.

[0149] Each of the switching transistors T8 and T6 includes a semiconductor layer 221 disposed on the buffer layer 121, a gate 223, a source 225, and a drain 227. A gate insulating layer 122 is disposed between the semiconductor layer 221 and the gate 223. An interlayer insulating layer 123 is disposed between the gate 223 and the source 225 and the drain 227. The source 225 and the drain 227 of each of the switching transistors T8 and T6 may be connected to the source region and the drain region of the semiconductor layer 221 via contact holes penetrating the interlayer insulating layer 123 and the gate insulating layer 122, respectively.

[0150] The semiconductor layer 221 may include polysilicon or may include an oxide semiconductor material. The semiconductor layer 221 may include low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS). The semiconductor layer 221 may include at least one oxide semiconductor material of an IZO (InZnO)-based, IGO (InGaO)-based, ITO (InSnO)-based, IGZO (InGaZnO)-based, IGZTO (InGaZnSnO)-based, GZTO (GaZnSnO)-based, GZO (GaZnO)-based, and ITZO (InSnZnO)-based. A light-shielding layer (not shown) may be further disposed under the semiconductor layer 221.

[0151] The gate insulating layer 122 may include inorganic insulating materials such as silicon oxide (SiOx) and silicon nitride (SiNx). The gate insulating layer 122 may include a material having a high dielectric constant. For example, the gate insulating layer 122 may include a high-K material such as hafnium oxide (HfO). The gate insulating layer 122 may have a multi-layer structure.

[0152] The gate 223 and the gate line may be disposed on the gate insulating layer 122.

[0153] The interlayer insulating layer 123 may include inorganic insulating materials such as silicon oxide (SiOx) and silicon nitride (SiNx). The interlayer insulating layer 123 may have a multilayer structure.

[0154] The source electrode 225, the drain electrode 227, the data line, and the power line may be disposed on the interlayer insulating layer 123.

[0155] The protective layer 124 and the planarization layer 125 may be stacked on the switching transistors T8 and T6. The protective layer 124 may include inorganic insulating materials such as silicon oxide (SiOx) and silicon nitride (SiNx). The planarization layer 125 may include an organic insulating material different from the protective layer 124 and may provide a planar surface. The planarization layer 125 may have a bilayer structure.

[0156] The light-emitting element layer 130 including the light-emitting elements EL11 and EL12 may be disposed on the planarization layer 125.

[0157] Each of the first and second light-emitting elements EL11 and EL12 may include: an anode 321 disposed on the planarization layer 125; a light-emitting layer 322 disposed on the anode 321; and a common cathode 323 disposed on the light-emitting layer 322.

[0158] The anode 321 of the first light-emitting element EL11 may be connected to either the source electrode 225 or the drain electrode 227 of the switching transistor T8 via a contact hole penetrating the planarization layer 125 and the protective layer 124. The anode 321 of the second light-emitting element EL12 may be connected to either the source electrode 225 or the drain electrode 227 of the switching transistor T6 via a contact hole penetrating the planarization layer 125 and the protective layer 124.

[0159] The anode 321 may include a conductive material having a high reflectivity. The anode 321 may include metals such as aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), titanium (Ti), and silver-palladium-copper (APC) alloy. The anode 321 may further include a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO). In an embodiment, the anode 321 may have a multilayer structure of titanium (Ti) and aluminum (Al) (Ti / Al / Ti), a multilayer structure of ITO and aluminum (Al) (ITO / Al / ITO), or a multilayer structure of ITO and APC (ITO / APC / ITO).

[0160] The light-emitting layer 322 may include a light-emitting material layer (EML) containing a light-emitting material. The light-emitting material may include an organic material, an inorganic material, or a hybrid material. The light-emitting layer 322 may have a multilayer structure. In an embodiment, the light-emitting layer 322 may further include at least one of a hole injection layer (HIL), a hole transport layer (HTL), an electron transport layer (ETL), and an electron injection layer (EIL).

[0161] The cathode 323 may be a common electrode and may include a light-transmitting conductive material. The cathode 323 may include a transparent conductive material such as ITO or IZO. The cathode 323 may include aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), silver (Ag), or an alloy thereof, and may have a thin thickness capable of transmitting light. The light generated by the light-emitting layer 322 may be emitted via the cathode 323.

[0162] The bank insulation layer 132 may be located on the anodes 321 of the first and second light-emitting elements EL11 and EL12. The anodes 321 of the first and second light-emitting elements EL11 and EL12 are separated from each other, and the bank insulation layer 132 may be located between the anodes 321 of the first and second light-emitting elements EL11 and EL12. The bank insulation layer 132 may cover the edges of the anodes 321. The bank insulation layer 132 may include an organic insulating material. The bank insulation layer 132 may include an organic material different from the planarization layer 125 and may have a single-layer or double-layer structure.

[0163] The bank insulation layer 132 may include a plurality of openings, and the anodes 321 of the first and second light-emitting elements EL11 and EL12 are exposed through the openings to define a plurality of light-emitting regions EA1 and EA2. For example, the bank insulation layer 132 may define a first light-emitting region EA1 including an opening for exposing the anode 321 of the first light-emitting element EL11; and the bank insulation layer 132 may define a second light-emitting region EA2 including an opening for exposing the anode 321 of the second light-emitting element EL12. The light-emitting layers 322 and cathodes 323 of the first and second light-emitting elements EL11 and EL12 may be stacked on the anodes 321 exposed through the openings of the bank insulation layer 132.

[0164] The encapsulation layer 150 may be located on the light-emitting element layer 130 including the first and second light-emitting elements EL11 and EL12. The encapsulation layer 150 may prevent damage to the light-emitting elements EL11 and EL12 due to external moisture and collisions. The encapsulation layer 150 may have a multi-layer structure. In an embodiment, the encapsulation layer 150 may include a first encapsulation layer 152, a second encapsulation layer 154, and a third encapsulation layer 156 stacked in sequence, but is not limited thereto. The first encapsulation layer 152, the second encapsulation layer 154, and the third encapsulation layer 156 may include insulating materials. The second encapsulation layer 154 may include a material different from the first encapsulation layer 152 and the third encapsulation layer 156. For example, the first encapsulation layer 152 and the third encapsulation layer 156 are inorganic encapsulation layers including inorganic insulating materials, and the second encapsulation layer 154 may include an organic encapsulation layer including an organic insulating material. Therefore, damage to the light-emitting elements EL11 and EL12 of the display device due to external moisture and collisions can be more effectively prevented.

[0165] The touch sensor array 160 may include: a first touch insulating layer 162 disposed on the encapsulation layer 150; a bridging electrode BE disposed on the first touch insulating layer 162; a second touch insulating layer 164 covering the bridging electrode BE; sensor electrodes SE and dummy sensor electrodes DSE disposed on the second touch insulating layer 164; and a third touch insulating layer 166 covering the sensor electrodes SE and the dummy sensor electrodes DSE. The bridging electrode BE, the sensor electrodes SE, and the dummy sensor electrodes DSE may be disposed in a non-light emitting region overlapping with the bank insulating layer 132. The bridging electrode BE may be connected to the sensor electrode SE via a contact portion CNT to electrically connect the sensor electrode SE to another sensor electrode SE. For example, the bridging electrode BE may electrically connect a first sensor electrode (see Figure 10 SE1) to a second sensor electrode (see Figure 10 SE2).

[0166] A light control array 170 including a first light control element L11 and a second light control element L12 may be disposed on the touch sensor array 160.

[0167] A patterned first insulating layer 172 may be disposed on the touch sensor array 160. The first insulating layer 172 may include a plurality of openings OP1 and OP2. The plurality of openings OP1 and OP2 may include: a first opening OP1 overlapping with the first light emitting region EA1; and a second opening OP2 overlapping with the second light emitting region EA2. A part of the upper surface of the third touch insulating layer 166 of the touch sensor array 160 may be exposed by the plurality of openings OP1 and OP2. In this case, at least a part of the third touch insulating layer 166 exposed by the first opening OP1 and the second opening OP2 may overlap with the first light emitting element EL11 and the second light emitting element EL12, respectively.

[0168] The first insulating layer 172, for example, the first insulating layer 172 disposed between the first light control element L11 and the second light control element L12, includes: a first side surface contacting the first opening OP1 and facing the first light control element L11; a second side surface contacting the second opening OP2 and facing the second light control element L12; and an upper surface or a top surface continuously connecting between the first side surface and the second side surface.

[0169] According to an embodiment, the height of the first insulating layer 172 may be higher than the height of the first light control element L11 and the height of the second light control element L12. In this case, the height of each of the first insulating layer 172, the first light control element L11, and the second light control element L12 may be defined as the shortest distance from the upper surface of the touch sensor array 160, specifically, from the upper surface of the third touch insulating layer 166 to the uppermost end of each of the first insulating layer 172, the first light control element L11, and the second light control element L12. The first light control element L11 may be disposed on the upper surface of the touch sensor array 160.

[0170] The black matrix BM may be disposed on the first insulating layer 172. The black matrix BM may be disposed to correspond to the region between the first light emitting region EA1 and the second light emitting region EA2. The black matrix BM may be omitted from the first light emitting region EA1 and the second light emitting region EA2. In this case, the black matrix BM may continuously cover all surfaces of the first side surface, the second side surface, and the top surface of the first insulating layer 172 without overlapping the first light emitting region EA1 and the second light emitting region EA2.

[0171] A part of the black matrix BM, for example, the black matrix BM covering the side surface of the first insulating layer 172 may be partially disposed in the first opening OP1 and the second opening OP2 to contact a part of the upper surface of the third touch insulating layer 166 exposed by the first opening OP1 and the second opening OP2. In an embodiment, the black matrix BM may extend to the upper surface of the touch sensor array 160, for example, to the upper surface of the third touch insulating layer 166, and the lower end of the black matrix BM may contact the first light control element L11 and the second light control element L12.

[0172] In an embodiment, the black matrix BM, for example, the black matrix BM located between the first light control element L11 and the second light control element L12 may include: a first part disposed on one side, for example, the left side of the first insulating layer 172, the first part facing the first light control element L11; a second part disposed on the other side, for example, the right side of the first insulating layer 172, the second part facing the second light control element L12; and a third part continuously formed between the first part and the second part. The first insulating layer 172 may be disposed below the first part, the second part, and the third part. Since the first to third parts of the black matrix BM are continuously formed, the first insulating layer 172 located between the first light control element L11 and the second light control element L12 may be covered by the black matrix BM.

[0173] According to an embodiment, since the black matrix BM is disposed on the side surface of the first insulating layer 172, light leakage from the first light emitting region EA1 and the second light emitting region EA2 may be prevented.

[0174] The first insulating layer 172 of the light control array 170 and the black matrix BM may be disposed in the non-light emitting region overlapping with the bank insulating layer 132. Accordingly, the first insulating layer 172 and the black matrix BM may overlap with the sensor electrode SE and the bridging electrode BE. According to an embodiment, the black matrix BM is formed to overlap on the bridging electrode BE, thereby preventing the problem of external light being reflected by the bridging electrode BE and improving the visibility of the display panel (see Figure 1 of 100).

[0175] The first light control element L11 and the second light control element L12 may be disposed on the touch sensor array 160. The first light control element L11 and the second light control element L12 may be disposed in the plurality of openings OP1 and OP2 in the same layer as the first insulating layer 172. Specifically, the first light control element L11 may be disposed in the first opening OP1, and the second light control element L12 may be disposed in the second opening OP2. In this case, the lower end or the lower surface of the first light control element L11 in the first opening OP1 may be disposed on the same horizontal plane as the lower end of the black matrix BM, and the lower end or the lower surface of the second light control element L12 in the second opening OP2 may be disposed on the same horizontal plane as the lower end of the black matrix BM. The lower surface of the first insulating layer 172 and the lower surface of the first light control element L11 may be disposed at the same height.

[0176] Since the first light control element L11 is disposed in the first opening OP1, the first light control element L11 may be surrounded by the first insulating layer 172 and the black matrix BM. Since the second light control element L12 is disposed in the second opening OP2, the second light control element L12 may be surrounded by the first insulating layer 172 and the black matrix BM.

[0177] In this case, even if the light emitted from the first light emitting region EA1 is refracted while passing through the first light control element L11, the light refracted by more than the necessary amount may be cut off by the black matrix BM disposed around the first light control element L11. Even if the light emitted from the second light emitting region EA2 is refracted while passing through the second light control element L12, the light refracted by more than the necessary amount may be cut off by the black matrix BM disposed around the second light control element L12.

[0178] The first light control element L11 overlaps with the light emitting region EA1 of the first light emitting element EL11, and the second light control element L12 overlaps with the light emitting region EA2 of the second light emitting element EL12. The first light control element L11 and the second light control element L12 may be disposed in the light emitting regions EA1 of the first light emitting element EL11 and EA2 of the second light emitting element EL12 to respectively control the paths of the light generated in the light emitting regions EA1 and EA2.

[0179] The first light control element L11 can control the propagation path of the light generated in the light emitting region EA1 of the first light emitting element EL11 to a wide viewing angle in the first direction X and a narrow viewing angle in the second direction Y, and can control the propagation path of the light generated in the light emitting region EA2 of the second light emitting element EL12 to a narrow viewing angle in both the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0180] The protective layer 174 can be located on the first light control element L11 and the second light control element L12. The protective layer 174 can include an organic insulating material. The refractive index of the protective layer 174 can be less than the refractive index of the first light control element L11 and the refractive index of the second light control element L12. Therefore, due to the refractive index difference from the protective layer 174, the light passing through the first light control element L11 and the second light control element L12 is not reflected toward the substrate 110.

[0181] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram Figure 12 of a cross-sectional view of the pixel region shown. In this case, Figure 13 schematic diagram Figure 12 of the first light emitting region. At the same time, in Figure 13 the same reference numerals are assigned to elements that are Figure 12 repeated, and their repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0182] Referring to Figure 13 , when the light emitted from the first light emitting region EA1 (the part represented by the solid line) passes through the encapsulation layer 150, the touch sensor array 160, and the first light control element L11, even if the light emitted from the first light emitting region EA1 is emitted at an angle, the light facing the side passes through the first light control element L11 and faces forward. By forming in this way, the viewing angle in the first light emitting region EA1 can be controlled and light leakage can be prevented.

[0183] The light emitted from the first light emitting region EA1 (the part represented by the dashed line) is cut off by the black matrix BM provided around the first light control element L11. Since the light toward the side surface of the first light emitting region EA1 is cut off by the black matrix BM, light leakage can be prevented. The black matrix BM can be formed on the first insulating layer 172 at a predetermined angle. In this case, the angle between the black matrix BM provided on the side surface of the first insulating layer 172 and the upper surface of the third touch insulating layer 166 can be the first angle θ1. According to an example, the first angle θ1 of the black matrix BM is an acute angle, for example, so that the black matrix BM can have a tapered shape.

[0184] According to an embodiment, since the second height h2 of the first insulating layer 172 is formed to be greater than the first height h1 of the first light control element L11, the area of the black matrix BM formed on the side surface of the first insulating layer 172 increases, and thus the ratio at which the light (the portion indicated by the dashed line) emitted from the first light emitting region EA1 is blocked increases, thereby better preventing light leakage in the first light emitting region EA1.

[0185] Meanwhile, although Figure 13 exemplarily shows preventing light leakage in the first light emitting region EA1 of the first light emitting element EL11, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention can be applied to all of the plurality of light emitting elements EL11, EL12, EL21, EL22, EL31, and EL32.

[0186] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a sub-pixel region taken along line I-I' in the pixel region shown in Figure 11 and is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the first light emitting region shown in Figure 15 Meanwhile, Figure 14 the embodiments of Figure 14 and 15 are the same as the embodiments of Figure 12 and 13 except for the structure of the black matrix, and thus the different structures will be mainly described below.

[0187] Referring to Figure 14 , a display panel 100 according to another embodiment may include: a circuit element layer 120 provided on a substrate 110 and a pixel array 140 including a light emitting element layer 130 provided on the circuit element layer 120; a package layer 150 provided on the pixel array 140 to seal the light emitting element layer 130; a touch sensor array 160 provided on the package layer 150; and a light control array 170 provided on the touch sensor array 160. The display panel 100 may further include: a polarizing plate POL, an optical clear adhesive (OCA) 180, a cover substrate 190, etc. provided on the light control array 170.

[0188] The black matrix BM of the display panel 100 according to another embodiment may include, for example, a side surface perpendicular to the upper surface of the third touch insulating layer 166. By forming in this way, the angle formed by the side surface of the black matrix BM and the third touch insulating layer 166 and the angle formed by the side surface of the first insulating layer 172 and the third touch insulating layer 166 may be different from each other. In this case, the thickness of the black matrix BM may increase in the third direction Z from the lower end of the black matrix BM in contact with the side surface of the first insulating layer 172, for example, from the portion of the black matrix BM in contact with the third touch insulating layer 166. In this case, the thickness of the black matrix BM may be defined as the shortest distance from the side surface of the first insulating layer 172 in the second direction Y of the black matrix BM. The thickness of the portion of the black matrix BM provided on the upper end of the first side surface of the first insulating layer 172 may be thicker than the thickness of the portion of the black matrix BM provided on the lower end of the first side surface of the first insulating layer 172.

[0189] Referring to Figure 15 , the angle formed between the side surface of the black matrix BM and the top surface of the black matrix BM or the angle formed by the black matrix BM in contact with the side surface of the first insulating layer 172 and the top surface of the third touch insulating layer 166 may be the first angle θ1. According to an embodiment, the first angle θ1 may be 90°.

[0190] Since the side surface of the black matrix BM is formed at a right angle, the light emitted from the first light emitting region EA1 and the second light emitting region EA2 may be cut off at an angle of a predetermined angle or greater, and light leakage can be better prevented.

[0191] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a sub-pixel region taken along line I-I' in the pixel region shown in Figure 11 , and Figure 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating Figure 16 the first light emitting region shown in Figure 16 and 17 The embodiments of Figure 12 and 13 are the same as the embodiments of Figure 12 and 13 except for the first insulating layer and the black matrix, and thus the different structures will be mainly described below.

[0192] Referring to Figure 16, the display panel 100 according to another embodiment may include: a circuit element layer 120 disposed on a substrate 110 and a pixel array 140 including a light-emitting element layer 130 disposed on the circuit element layer 120; a package layer 150 disposed on the pixel array 140 to seal the light-emitting element layer 130; a touch sensor array 160 disposed on the package layer 150; and a light control array 170 disposed on the touch sensor array 160. The display panel 100 may further include: a polarizing plate POL, an optically clear adhesive (OCA) 180, a cover substrate 190, etc. disposed on the light control array 170.

[0193] The first insulating layer 172 of the display panel 100 according to another embodiment may be formed to be lower than the height of the first light control element L11 and / or the second light control element L12. Thus, the height of the upper surface of the first insulating layer 172 from the third touch insulating layer 166 may be lower than the height of the upper end of the first light control element L11 or the second light control element L12.

[0194] Referring to Figure 17 , the first light control element L11 may have a first height h1, and the first insulating layer 172 may have a third height h3. Even in this case, the light leakage phenomenon may be prevented by the black matrix BM formed on the first insulating layer 172. Specifically, even if the light emitted from the first light-emitting region EA1 has an inclination angle of a predetermined angle or greater, the light may be cut off by the black matrix BM, thereby preventing light leakage.

[0195] According to an embodiment, at least a part of the light control elements L11 and L12 may overlap with the black matrix BM. For example, at least a part of both ends of the light control elements L11 and L12 may overlap with the black matrix BM. In this case, the light leakage space that may be provided between the light control elements L11 and L12 and the black matrix BM due to process errors or the like is eliminated, so that light leakage can be more effectively prevented.

[0196] Therefore, the present invention may have the following advantages.

[0197] According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the light control element is disposed in the opening of the first insulating layer formed on the touch sensor array and a black matrix covering the upper surface and the side surface of the first insulating layer is formed, the light emitted from the light-emitting region can be refracted to a certain angle or greater by the light control element, thereby preventing light leakage.

[0198] It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various alternatives, modifications, and variations can be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is represented by the appended claims, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning, scope, and equivalent concepts of the claims should be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: A substrate, the substrate comprising a first light emitting area and a second light emitting area; a first insulating layer, the first insulating layer being disposed on the substrate and comprising a first opening corresponding to the first light emitting area and a second opening corresponding to the second light emitting area; a first light control element disposed in the first opening; a second light control element disposed in the second opening; as well as a black matrix, the black matrix being disposed on the first insulating layer in a region between the first light emitting region and the second light emitting region, wherein the first insulating layer includes a first side surface contacting the first opening and an upper surface connected to the first side surface, The black matrix is ​​disposed on the first side surface and the upper surface of the first insulating layer.

2. The display device according to claim 1, The first insulating layer further includes a second side surface in contact with the second opening, The black matrix is ​​also disposed on the second side surface of the first insulating layer.

3. The display device according to claim 2, The black matrix is ​​arranged to be continuous on the entire surfaces of the first side surface, the second side surface and the upper surface of the first insulating layer.

4. The display device according to claim 1, The lower surface of the first insulating layer and the lower surface of the first light control element are arranged at the same height.

5. The display device according to claim 1, The lower end of the black matrix and the lower surface of the first light control element are arranged at the same height.

6. The display device according to claim 1, A touch sensor array is arranged below the first insulating layer, and the first light control element is arranged on an upper surface of the touch sensor array.

7. The display device according to claim 6, The black matrix extends all the way to the upper surface of the touch sensor array.

8. The display device according to claim 6, The touch sensor array includes sensor electrodes and a second insulating layer disposed on the sensor electrodes. The first light control element is arranged on the upper surface of the second insulating layer, The sensor electrodes overlap the black matrix.

9. The display device according to claim 6, wherein the touch sensor array further comprises a bridging electrode connected to the sensor electrode via a contact portion, The bridge electrode overlaps the black matrix.

10. The display device according to claim 1, The black matrix is ​​in contact with the first light control element.

11. The display device according to claim 1, The height of the upper end of the first insulating layer is higher than the height of the upper end of the first light control element.

12. The display device according to claim 1, The height of the upper end of the first insulating layer is lower than the height of the upper end of the first light control element.

13. The display device according to claim 1, A portion of the black matrix disposed on an upper end of the first side surface of the first insulating layer has a thickness thicker than a portion of the black matrix disposed on a lower end of the first side surface of the first insulating layer.

14. The display device according to claim 8, The black matrix is ​​partially disposed in the first opening and the second opening to contact a portion of an upper surface of the second insulating layer exposed by the first opening and the second opening.

15. The display device according to claim 8, The black matrix extends to the upper surface of the second insulating layer, and the lower end of the black matrix contacts the first light control element and the second light control element. 16 . The display device of claim 8 , wherein the black matrix includes a side surface perpendicular to an upper surface of the second insulating layer.

17. A display device comprising: a plurality of light emitting elements including a first light emitting element and a second light emitting element; a first light control element disposed in the first light emitting element; a second light control element disposed in the second light emitting element; as well as a black matrix disposed between the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element, The black matrix is ​​disposed between the first light control element and the second light control element, and includes a first portion facing the first light control element and a second portion facing the second light control element.

18. The display device according to claim 17, The black matrix further includes a third portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the third portion being connected to the first portion and the second portion. A first insulating layer is disposed under the first portion, the second portion and the third portion.

19. The display device according to claim 17, The size of the first light-emitting element is greater than that of the second light-emitting element.

20. The display device according to claim 19, wherein the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element emit light of the same color, The second light emitting element includes a plurality of second light emitting elements while facing the first light emitting element.

21. The display device according to claim 20, The plurality of second light emitting elements emit light simultaneously, and the first light emitting element does not emit light when the plurality of second light emitting elements emit light simultaneously.

22. The display device according to claim 20, The first light-emitting element includes a first light-emitting region, and the first light-emitting region includes an anode, an organic light-emitting layer and a cathode, The second light emitting element comprises a second light emitting region, wherein the second light emitting region comprises an anode, an organic light emitting layer and a cathode, wherein the anode of the first light emitting region is connected to a first switching transistor, The anode of the second light emitting region is connected to a second switching transistor, The first switching transistor and the second switching transistor are connected to the same driving transistor, and the first light emitting area and the second light emitting area emit light of the same color.

23. The display device according to claim 17, wherein the first light control element has a semi-cylindrical shape, the first light emitting element is driven in a wide viewing angle mode, The second light control element has a hemispherical shape, and the second light emitting element is driven in a narrow viewing angle mode.

24. The display device according to claim 17, The black matrix includes a first opening overlapping the first light-emitting element and a second opening overlapping the second light-emitting element. The size of the first opening of the black matrix is ​​larger than the size of the light-emitting area of ​​the first light-emitting element, and the size of the second opening of the black matrix is ​​larger than the size of the light-emitting area of ​​the second light-emitting element.

25. The display device according to claim 18, The black matrix is ​​disposed on a side surface of the first insulating layer.

26. The display device according to claim 18, The height of the first insulating layer is greater than the height of the first light control element.

27. The display device according to claim 18, The first insulating layer is formed at a height lower than that of the first light control element or the second light control element.

28. The display device according to claim 18, The black matrix continuously covers the side surface and the top surface of the first insulating layer.

29. The display device according to claim 17, wherein the size of the lower surface of the first light control element is larger than the size of the first light emitting element, The size of the lower surface of the second light control element is larger than the size of the second light emitting element.

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