Touch display device

Abstract

Disclosed is a touch display device including: a plurality of light emitting elements arranged on a substrate; an encapsulation layer disposed on the plurality of light emitting elements; a plurality of first touch electrodes disposed on the encapsulation layer; and a plurality of second touch electrodes disposed on the encapsulation layer and spaced apart from and adjacent to the plurality of first touch electrodes in the first boundary region, the first boundary region is located between a first touch electrode of the plurality of first touch electrodes and a second touch electrode adjacent to the first touch electrode of the plurality of second touch electrodes. The plurality of first touch electrodes includes a plurality of first protrusions arranged in the first boundary region. The plurality of second touch electrodes includes a plurality of second protrusions arranged in the first boundary region. A first protrusion of the plurality of first protrusions and a second protrusion closest to the first protrusion of the plurality of second protrusions are aligned with each other in the first boundary region, and have different lengths from each other in the first boundary region.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application with the application number 202010710688.8 and the title "Touch Display Device" filed on July 22, 2020.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0092247, filed on July 30, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to a touch display device that can easily perform an inspection process and a repair process. Background Art

[0004] A touch screen is an input device that can input a user command by selecting content presented on a screen of a display device or the like using a human hand or an object. Such a touch screen can replace a separate input device such as a keyboard or a mouse connected to the display device for operation, and thus the application range of such a touch screen is gradually increasing. The touch screen includes a plurality of first touch electrodes and second touch electrodes, and determines whether a touch occurs and accurately detects the coordinates of the touch position based on a change in capacitance between the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode. Here, when the distance between the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode is shortened to increase the capacitance between the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode, a short circuit may occur between the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode. Therefore, there is a need for measures to facilitate an inspection process and a repair process for a short circuit between the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a touch display device that substantially eliminates one or more problems caused by limitations and disadvantages of the prior art.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a touch display device that can easily perform an inspection process and a repair process.

[0007] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the present invention will be partly set forth in the description below, and partly will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned from practice of the present invention. The objects and other advantages of the present invention may be realized and obtained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims as well as the drawings.

[0008] To achieve these objects and other advantages, and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a touch display device includes: a first touch electrode and a second touch electrode configured to be spaced apart from each other; and a pseudo-conductive layer spaced apart from at least one of the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode, wherein the shape of at least one of the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode disposed in a first boundary region is different from the shape of at least one of the first touch electrode, the second touch electrode, and the pseudo-conductive layer disposed in a second boundary region.

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

[0010] The drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this application. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, are used to explain the principles of the present invention. In the drawings:

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

[0012] Figure 2 is shown in more detail Figure 1 a plan view of the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode shown;

[0013] Figure 3 is shown Figure 2 a diagram showing the relationship between the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode shown and the pseudo-conductive layer;

[0014] Figure 4 is shown Figure 2 a plan view of the first touch electrode, the second touch electrode, and the pseudo-conductive layer shown;

[0015] Figure 5A and Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of the touch display device taken along lines I-I' and II-II' of Figure 4 ;

[0016] Figure 6 is a plan view showing the first touch electrode, the second touch electrode, and the pseudo-conductive layer of a touch display device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 7 is a plan view showing the first touch electrode, the second touch electrode, and the pseudo-conductive layer of a touch display device according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 8is a plan view showing Figure 7 another embodiment of the first protrusion to the third protrusion shown;

[0019] Figure 9 is a plan view showing a first touch electrode, a second touch electrode, and a pseudo-conductive layer of a touch display device according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the touch display device taken along lines A-A', B-B', and C-C' of Figure 1 ;

[0021] Figure 11 is a plan view showing a touch display device according to the present invention to which different designs are applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Now, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, and examples of these exemplary embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 is a plan view showing a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 1 The touch display device shown performs a touch sensing function and a display function. That is, the touch display device displays an image through sub-pixels arranged in a matrix and performs a touch sensing function using a plurality of first touch electrodes 152e and second touch electrodes 154e.

[0025] The first touch electrodes 152e are spaced apart from each other at uniform intervals in a first direction and are conductively connected to adjacent first touch electrodes 152e through first bridges 152b. Here, the first bridges 152b are disposed in the same plane as the first touch electrodes 152e and are thus conductively connected to the first touch electrodes 152e without separate contact holes. The first touch electrodes 152e conductively connected through the first bridges 152b form touch driving lines 152 extending in the first direction.

[0026] The second touch electrodes 154e are spaced apart from each other at a uniform interval in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and are conductively connected to adjacent second touch electrodes 154e through second bridges 154b. Here, the second bridges 154b are conductively connected to the second touch electrodes 154e through touch contact holes 158. The second touch electrodes 154e conductively connected through the second bridges 154b form touch sensing lines 154 extending in the second direction. Although a structure in which the second touch electrodes 154e are connected to the second bridges 154b through the touch contact holes 158 has been shown as an example, the first touch electrodes 152e may be connected to the first bridges 152b through the touch contact holes 158, and the second touch electrodes 154e may be connected to the second bridges 154b without the touch contact holes 158.

[0027] A touch driving line 152 and a touch sensing line 154 are used to sense a user's touch by using a mutual capacitance (Cm)-based touch sensing method. That is, when a touch driving signal for detecting a touch is provided to the touch driving line 152, the capacitance between the touch driving line 152 and the touch sensing line 154 changes according to whether a user's touch occurs, and due to the change in capacitance, it is determined whether a touch occurs and / or the coordinates of the touch position are determined by using a touch sensing signal transmitted from the touch sensing line 154 to a touch driving circuit (not shown).

[0028] Each of the touch driving line 152 and the touch sensing line 154 is connected to a touch pad 170 through a wiring 180. Here, the wiring 180 is disposed on at least one of the left, right, lower, and upper sides of the substrate 111. For example, the wiring 180 connected to the touch driving line 152 is disposed on the upper, right, and lower sides of the substrate 111, and the wiring 180 connected to the touch sensing line 154 is disposed on the left side of the substrate 111.

[0029] The touch pads 170 are disposed in a non-active area of the substrate 111. Here, when the sub-pixels disposed on the substrate 111 include a light emitting layer, the touch pads 170 are exposed through a packaging unit 140 configured to package the light emitting layer.

[0030] The touch pads 170 together with the display pads 178 may be disposed in a non-active area disposed in at least one of a side area and the other side area of the substrate 111, or the touch pads 170 may be disposed in another non-active area different from the non-active area in which the display pads 178 are disposed.

[0031] Figure 2 is shown in more detail Figure 1 A plan view of the first and second touch electrodes shown.

[0032] Figure 2 The first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e shown can be formed as a single-layer or multi-layer structure using a touch metal layer formed of at least one of Ta, Ti, Cu, and Mo, which has excellent corrosion resistance, acid resistance, and high conductivity. For example, the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e can be formed as a three-layer stacked structure, such as Ti / Al / Ti, MoTi / Cu / MoTi, or Ti / Al / Mo. The touch metal layer forming the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e has higher conductivity than the transparent conductive layer, and thus, the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e can be formed as low-resistance electrodes. Therefore, the resistance of the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e and the capacitance between the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e are reduced, and thus, the RC delay can be reduced and the touch sensitivity can be improved.

[0033] The first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e using the touch metal layer are formed as a grid having a plurality of opening regions OA. If the opening regions OA are applied to sub-pixels SP having a light-emitting layer, the opening regions OA are formed to overlap the respective emission regions of the red (R) sub-pixels SP, green (G) sub-pixels SP, and blue (B) sub-pixels SP. The grid-type first touch electrode 152e and second touch electrode 154e are formed to overlap non-light-emitting regions such as banks between the light-emitting regions. Therefore, the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e can prevent deterioration of the aperture ratio and transmittance.

[0034] Floating pseudo-conductive layers 150 are arranged in at least some regions of each of the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e. The pseudo-conductive layers 150 are formed of the same material as the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e on the same plane as the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e, and thus, the pseudo-conductive layers 150 are arranged to be spaced apart from the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e.

[0035] Therefore, as Figure 3As shown, no parasitic capacitance Cp occurs between the floating pseudo-conductive layer 150 and the display electrodes 100 of the respective sub-pixels arranged below the floating pseudo-conductive layer 150. Here, if the sub-pixel includes a light-emitting layer, the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e, and the pseudo-conductive layer 150 overlap with the display electrode 100 of the sub-pixel, i.e., the cathode, and the encapsulation unit 140 is inserted between the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e and between the pseudo-conductive layer 150 and the display electrode 100 of the sub-pixel, i.e., the cathode. Parasitic capacitance occurs between each of the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e and the display electrode 100, but no parasitic capacitance occurs between the floating pseudo-conductive layer 150 and the display electrode 100. Therefore, compared with a comparative example in which the pseudo-conductive layer 150 is not arranged between the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e, the structure according to the present invention in which the pseudo-conductive layer 150 is arranged between the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e can reduce the occurrence of parasitic capacitance between each of the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e and the display electrode 100.

[0036] The pseudo-conductive layer 150 is formed of the same material as the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e on the same plane as the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e. In particular, the pseudo-conductive layer 150 is formed in a grid in the same manner as the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e. In this case, when an electrical short occurs between the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e, it is difficult to detect the position of the short and it is difficult to distinguish the electrical short between the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e, which is an actual defect, from the short between the first touch electrode 152e or the second touch electrode 154e and the pseudo-conductive layer 150, which is not an actual defect. Therefore, in the present invention, the first boundary region BA1 in which the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e are arranged has a different cross-sectional shape from the second boundary region BA2 in which the pseudo-conductive layer 150 and the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e are arranged.

[0037] Figure 4The first touch electrode 152e, the second touch electrode 154e, and the pseudo-conductive layer 150 shown respectively have protrusions PP1, PP2, and PP3. The first touch electrode 152e has a first protrusion PP1 extending toward a first boundary region BA1 between the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e and a second boundary region BA2 between the first touch electrode 152e and the pseudo-conductive layer 150. The second touch electrode 154e has a second protrusion PP2 extending toward the first boundary region BA1 between the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e and the second boundary region BA2 between the second touch electrode 154e and the pseudo-conductive layer 150. The pseudo-conductive layer 150 has a third protrusion PP3 extending toward the second boundary region BA2 between each of the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e and the pseudo-conductive layer 150.

[0038] Here, an edge marking layer 160 is selectively formed in one of the first boundary region BA1 or the second boundary region BA2. For example, the edge marking layer 160 may be formed in the first boundary region BA1, as Figure 5A shown, and may not be formed in the second boundary region BA2, as Figure 5B shown. When the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e arranged in the first boundary region BA1 are short-circuited, the touch sensing operation is not performed. In contrast, however, when the first touch electrode 152e or the second touch electrode 154e arranged in the second boundary region BA2 and the floating pseudo-conductive layer 150 are short-circuited, the touch sensing operation is not affected. Therefore, the edge marking layer 160 is formed in the first boundary region BA1 where a repair process is required due to a short circuit, and is not formed in the second boundary region BA2 where, although a short circuit occurs, a repair process is not required. Even when the edge marking layer 160 is formed in the first boundary region BA1, the distance between the first protrusion PP1 and the second protrusion PP2 arranged in the first boundary region BA1 does not change, and thus, a change in mutual capacitance occurring between the first protrusion PP1 and the second protrusion PP2 can be prevented.

[0039] As Figure 5AAs shown, the edge marking layer 160 is disposed on a plane different from that of the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e. For example, the edge marking layer 160 is formed of the same material as the second bridge 154b on the same plane as the second bridge 154b. The edge marking layer 160 is formed to overlap at least one of the first protrusion PP1 and the second protrusion PP2 disposed in the first boundary region BA1, and a touch insulating film 156 is inserted between at least one of the first protrusion PP1 and the second protrusion PP2 and the edge marking layer 160. The cross-sectional shape of the first boundary region BA1 in which the edge marking layer 160 is disposed is more prominent than the cross-sectional shape of the second boundary region BA2. Since the first boundary region BA1 protruding due to the edge marking layer 160 is significantly different from the second boundary region BA2 in which the edge marking layer 160 is not disposed, when observed using inspection equipment, an inspector can easily distinguish the first boundary region BA1 and the second boundary region BA2 from each other. Therefore, the inspector can easily identify an electrical short circuit between the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e disposed in the first boundary region BA1, and can easily detect the position of the short circuit that requires a repair process, thereby improving the efficiency of the inspection process and the repair process. In addition, the present invention can have effects such as reducing labor costs and improving the yield due to the reduction of the inspector's fatigue.

[0040] Figure 6 is a plan view showing some parts of a first touch electrode and a second touch electrode of a touch display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 6 The touch display device shown includes the same elements as Figure 4 the elements in the touch display device shown, except that the protrusions PP1, PP2, and PP3 disposed in the first boundary region BA1 and the second boundary region BA2 have different planar shapes instead of forming an edge marking layer. Therefore, a detailed description of the elements of the touch display device according to the present embodiment that are the same as the elements of the touch display device according to the previous embodiment will be omitted.

[0042] The lengths of the opposite sides of the protrusions PP1, PP2, and PP3 arranged in one of the first boundary region BA1 and the second boundary region BA2 are different from the lengths of the opposite sides of the protrusions PP1, PP2, and PP3 arranged in the other of the first boundary region BA1 and the second boundary region BA2. For example, the opposite sides of the protrusions PP1, PP2, and PP3 arranged in the second boundary region BA2 have obliquely formed tips, such that the lengths of the opposite sides of the first protrusion PP1 or the second protrusion PP2 and the third protrusion PP3 arranged in the second boundary region BA2 are longer than the lengths of the opposite sides of the first protrusion PP1 and the second protrusion PP2 arranged in the first boundary region BA1. The inner angles of the tips of each of the first protrusion PP1, the second protrusion PP2 to the third protrusion PP3 arranged in the second boundary region BA2 are formed as acute angles, and the inner angles of the first protrusion PP1 and the second protrusion PP2 arranged in the first boundary region BA1 are formed to be greater than the inner angles of the first protrusion PP1, the second protrusion PP2 to the third protrusion PP3 arranged in the second boundary region BA2. For example, the inner angles of the first protrusion PP1 and the second protrusion PP2 arranged in the first boundary region BA1 are right angles.

[0043] The distance d1 between the first protrusion PP1 and the second protrusion PP2 arranged in the first boundary region BA1 is the same as the distance d2 between the first protrusion PP1 or the second protrusion PP2 and the third protrusion PP3 arranged in the second boundary region BA2. Accordingly, the distance d1 between the first protrusion PP1 and the second protrusion PP2 arranged in the first boundary region BA1 remains unchanged, and thus, a change in the mutual capacitance occurring between the first protrusion PP1 and the second protrusion PP2 arranged in the first boundary region BA1 can be prevented.

[0044] Thus, in the touch display device according to this embodiment of the present invention, the shapes of the protrusions PP1 and PP2 arranged in the first boundary region BA1 are different from the shapes of the protrusions PP1, PP2, and PP3 arranged in the second boundary region BA2. When observed using inspection equipment, the first boundary region BA1 and the second boundary region BA2 including the protrusions PP1, PP2, and PP3 having different shapes are clearly different. Accordingly, an inspector can easily identify an electrical short circuit between the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e arranged in the first boundary region BA1, and can easily detect the position of the short circuit that requires a repair process, thereby enabling an improvement in the efficiency of the inspection process and the repair process.

[0045] Figure 7 is a plan view showing some parts of a first touch electrode and a second touch electrode of a touch display device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 7The touch display device shown includes elements identical to those in the Figure 4 touch display device shown, except that the protrusions PP1, PP2, and PP3 arranged in the first boundary region BA1 and the second boundary region BA2 have different lengths instead of forming an edge marker layer. Therefore, a detailed description of the elements of the touch display device according to the present embodiment that are identical to those of the touch display device according to the previous embodiment will be omitted.

[0047] The lengths of the protrusions PP1, PP2, and PP3 arranged in one of the first boundary region BA1 and the second boundary region BA2 are different from the lengths of the protrusions PP1, PP2, and PP3 arranged in the other of the first boundary region BA1 and the second boundary region BA2. For example, the length La1 of the first protrusion PP1 and the length La2 of the second protrusion PP2 arranged in the first boundary region BA1 are the same. On the other hand, the length Lb1 of the first protrusion PP1 or the second protrusion PP2 arranged in the second boundary region BA2 is different from the length Lb2 of the third protrusion PP3. For example, as Figure 7 shown, the length Lb1 of the first protrusion PP1 or the second protrusion PP2 arranged in the second boundary region BA2 may be shorter or longer than the length Lb2 of the third protrusion PP3, or as Figure 8 shown, the lengths of the first protrusion PP1 or the second protrusion PP2 arranged in the second boundary region BA2 and the length of the third protrusion PP3 may alternately vary between a short length Lb1 and a long length Lb2.

[0048] Therefore, the space between the first protrusion PP1 and the second protrusion PP2 arranged in the first boundary region BA1 is arranged at the center of the first boundary region BA1, but the space between the first protrusion PP1 or the second protrusion PP2 and the third protrusion PP3 arranged in the second boundary region BA2 is arranged at at least one of one side and the other side of the second boundary region BA2. In this case, the distance between the first protrusion PP1 and the second protrusion PP2 arranged in the first boundary region BA1 (or the space between the first protrusion PP1 and the second protrusion PP2) remains unchanged, and thus, a change in the mutual capacitance between the first protrusion PP1 and the second protrusion PP2 can be prevented.

[0049] Thus, in the touch display device according to this embodiment of the present invention, the lengths of the protruding PP1 and protruding PP2 arranged in the first boundary region BA1 are different from the lengths of the protruding PP1, PP2, and PP3 arranged in the second boundary region BA2. When observed using inspection equipment, the first boundary region BA1 and the second boundary region BA2 including the protruding PP1, PP2, and PP3 with different lengths are significantly different. Therefore, the inspector can easily identify the electrical short circuit defect between the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e arranged in the first boundary region BA1, and easily detect the position of the defect that requires a repair process, thereby improving the efficiency of the inspection process and the repair process.

[0050] Figure 9 is a plan view showing some parts of a first touch electrode and a second touch electrode of a touch display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 9 The touch display device shown includes the same elements as Figure 4 the elements in the touch display device shown, except that instead of forming an edge marking layer, the distances d1 and d2 between the protruding PP1, PP2, and PP3 arranged in the first boundary region BA1 and the second boundary region BA2 are different. Therefore, a detailed description of the elements of the touch display device according to this embodiment that are the same as the elements of the touch display device according to the previous embodiment will be omitted.

[0052] The distance between the protruding PP1, PP2, and PP3 arranged in one of the first boundary region BA1 and the second boundary region BA2 is different from the distance between the protruding PP1, PP2, and PP3 arranged in the other of the first boundary region BA1 and the second boundary region BA2. For example, the distance d2 between the first protruding PP1 or the second protruding PP2 and the third protruding PP3 arranged in the second boundary region BA2 is longer or shorter than the distance d1 between the first protruding PP1 and the second protruding PP2 arranged in the first boundary region BA1. In this case, the lengths of the first protruding PP1 or the second protruding PP2 and the third protruding PP3 arranged in the second boundary region BA2 are shorter or longer than the lengths of the first protruding PP1 and the second protruding PP2 arranged in the first boundary region BA1. Therefore, the lengths of the first protruding PP1 and the second protruding PP2 arranged in the first boundary region BA1 and the distance between the first protruding PP1 and the second protruding PP2 remain unchanged, and thus, a change in the mutual capacitance between the first protruding PP1 and the second protruding PP2 can be prevented.

[0053] Thus, in the touch display device according to this embodiment of the present invention, the distance d1 between the first protrusion PP1 and the second protrusion PP2 arranged in the first boundary region BA1 is different from the distance d2 between the first protrusion PP1 or the second protrusion PP2 and the third protrusion PP3 arranged in the second boundary region BA2. When observed using inspection equipment, the first boundary region BA1 and the second boundary region BA2 including the protrusions PP1, PP2, and PP3 with different distances therebetween are significantly different. Therefore, the inspector can easily identify the electrical short circuit defect between the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e arranged in the first boundary region BA1, and easily detect the position of the defect that requires a repair process, thereby improving the efficiency of the inspection process and the repair process.

[0054] As Figure 10 shown, the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e arranged in the first boundary region BA1 and the second boundary region BA2, and the pseudo-conductive layer 150 are directly formed on the light-emitting element 120. Figure 10 The cross-sectional view of the touch display device shown is applicable to a touch display device including Figure 4 the edge marking layer 160 shown, but is not limited thereto. That is, Figure 10 the cross-sectional view of the touch display device shown can be applicable to Figures 6 to 9 a touch display device that does not include the edge marking layer 160 shown.

[0055] As Figure 10 shown, the touch display device includes sub-pixels arranged in a matrix on the substrate 111, a packaging unit 140, and touch electrodes 152e and 154e arranged on the packaging unit 140.

[0056] The substrate 111 is formed of flexible plastic or glass to be foldable or bendable. For example, the substrate 111 is formed of polyimide (PI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polycarbonate (PC), polyethersulfone (PES), polyarylate (PAR), polysulfone (PSF), or cycloolefin copolymer (COC).

[0057] Each of the sub-pixels includes a pixel driving circuit including a plurality of thin film transistors 130, and a light-emitting element 120 connected to the pixel driving circuit.

[0058] The thin film transistor 130 included in the pixel driving circuit includes: a semiconductor layer 134 disposed on the multi-buffer film 112; a gate electrode 132 configured to overlap with the semiconductor layer 134, wherein a gate insulating film 102 is inserted between the gate electrode 132 and the semiconductor layer 134; and a source electrode 136 and a drain electrode 138 formed on the interlayer insulating film 114 to contact the semiconductor layer 134. Here, the semiconductor layer 134 is formed of at least one of an amorphous semiconductor material, a polycrystalline semiconductor material, and an oxide semiconductor material.

[0059] The light-emitting element 120 may include an anode 122, at least one light-emitting stack 124 formed on the anode 122, and a cathode 126 formed on the at least one light-emitting stack 124.

[0060] The anode 122 is conductively connected to the drain electrode 138 of the thin film transistor 130 exposed through the pixel contact hole 116, and the pixel contact hole 116 is formed to pass through the protective film 108 and the pixel planarization layer 118.

[0061] In the emission region prepared by the bank 128, at least one light-emitting stack 124 is formed on the anode 122. The at least one light-emitting stack 124 is formed by stacking a hole-related layer, an organic light-emitting layer, and an electron-related layer in a predetermined order or in the reverse order on the anode 122. The at least one light-emitting stack 124 may include a first light-emitting stack and a second light-emitting stack disposed opposite to each other, wherein a charge generation layer is inserted between the first light-emitting stack and the second light-emitting stack. In this case, the organic light-emitting layer of one of the first light-emitting stack and the second light-emitting stack generates blue light, and the organic light-emitting layer of the other of the first light-emitting stack and the second light-emitting stack generates yellow-green light, and thus, white light is generated by the first light-emitting stack and the second light-emitting stack. The white light generated by the at least one light-emitting stack 124 is incident on a color filter located on the upper surface or the lower surface of the at least one light-emitting stack 124, and thus a color image can be realized. Or conversely, in the absence of a separate color filter, each light-emitting stack 124 can generate color light corresponding to each sub-pixel, and thus a color image can be realized. That is, the light-emitting stack 124 of the red sub-pixel can generate red light, the light-emitting stack 124 of the green sub-pixel can generate green light, and the light-emitting stack 124 of the blue sub-pixel can generate blue light.

[0062] The cathode 126 is formed to face the anode 122, and at least one light-emitting stack 124 is disposed between the cathode 126 and the anode 122.

[0063] The encapsulation unit 140 prevents external moisture or oxygen from penetrating into the light-emitting element 120 that is vulnerable to external moisture or oxygen. To this end, the encapsulation unit 140 includes at least one inorganic encapsulation layer and at least one organic encapsulation layer. In the present invention, the encapsulation unit 140 having a structure in which a first inorganic encapsulation layer 142, an organic encapsulation layer 144, and a second inorganic encapsulation unit 146 are sequentially stacked will be described as an example.

[0064] The first inorganic encapsulation layer 142 is formed on the substrate 111 on which the cathode 126 is provided, and the cathode 126 is formed on the substrate 111. The second inorganic encapsulation layer 146 is formed on the substrate 111 on which the organic encapsulation unit 144 is provided, and the organic encapsulation unit 144 is formed on the substrate 111, and the first inorganic encapsulation layer 142 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer 146 are formed to surround the upper surface, lower surface, and side surface of the organic encapsulation layer 144.

[0065] The first inorganic encapsulation layer 142 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer 146 minimize or prevent the penetration of external moisture or oxygen to at least one light-emitting stack 124. The first inorganic encapsulation layer 142 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer 146 are formed of an inorganic insulating material that can be deposited at a low temperature, such as silicon nitride (SiN x ), silicon oxide (SiO x ), silicon oxynitride (SiON), or aluminum oxide (Al2O3). Therefore, since the first inorganic encapsulation layer 142 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer 146 are deposited in a low-temperature atmosphere, damage to at least one light-emitting stack 124 that is vulnerable to a high-temperature atmosphere can be prevented during the deposition of the first inorganic encapsulation layer 142 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer 146.

[0066] The organic encapsulation layer 144 serves as a buffer layer to relieve the stress between layers depending on the bending of the organic light-emitting diode display and enhance the planarization performance of the organic light-emitting diode display. The organic encapsulation layer 144 is formed on the substrate 111 provided with the first inorganic encapsulation layer 142, which is formed on the substrate 111, from a non-photosensitive organic insulating material such as polycaprolactone (PCL), acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyimide, polyethylene, or silicon oxycarbide (SiOC), or a photosensitive organic insulating material such as photoacrylic. The organic encapsulation layer 144 is disposed in the active region and not in the non-active region. To this end, at least one dam 106 is disposed to prevent the organic encapsulation layer 144 from spreading into the non-active region. The at least one dam 106 is formed of the same material as at least one of the pixel planarization layer 118, the bank 128, and the spacers (not shown). If a plurality of dams 106 are provided, an external planarization layer 190 may be disposed between the dams 106. The external planarization layer 190 is formed of an acrylic-based, epoxy-based, or siloxane-based organic insulating material having a high planarization function, and thus planarizes the step difference caused by the height of the dam 106. Accordingly, in the absence of a step difference therebetween, the wiring 180 is uniformly formed on the external planarization layer 190 and the dam 106, and thus disconnection or short circuit of the wiring 180 passing through the dam 106 can be prevented. Further, if a plurality of dams 106 are provided, the organic encapsulation layer 144 extends into the region between the dams 106, and thus the region between the dams 106 can be filled.

[0067] On the encapsulation unit 140, a touch driving line 152 including a first touch electrode 152e and a first bridge 152b, a touch sensing line 154 including a second touch electrode 154e and a second bridge 154b, a pseudo-conductive layer 150, and an edge marking layer 160 are disposed.

[0068] The edge marking layer 160 is formed of the same material as the second bridge 154b on the same plane as the second bridge 154b (e.g., on the touch buffer film 148). That is, the edge marking layer 160 is formed together with the second bridge 154b through the same mask process. Alternatively, if the first bridge 152b is disposed on a different plane from the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e, the edge marking layer 160 may be formed of the same material as the first bridge 152b on the same plane as the first bridge 152b.

[0069] To prevent an increase in the parasitic capacitance between each of the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e and between the first bridge 152b and the second bridge 154b and the cathode 126, a touch buffer film 148 including an inorganic insulating film and / or an organic insulating film may be disposed on the encapsulation unit 140.

[0070] The wirings 180 respectively connected to the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e are arranged along the side surface of the encapsulation unit 140. If the touch buffer film 148 is provided, the wirings 180 are in contact with the side surface of the touch buffer film 148, and if the touch buffer film 148 is not provided, the wirings 180 are in contact with the side surface of the second inorganic encapsulation layer 146.

[0071] Each of the touch pads 170 connected to the wiring 180 includes a lower touch pad electrode 172 and an upper touch pad electrode 174 in contact with the lower touch pad electrode 172. The lower touch pad electrode 172 is formed of the same material as at least one of the gate electrode 132 and the drain electrode 138 on the same plane as at least one of the gate electrode 132 and the drain electrode 138. For example, the lower touch pad electrode 172 is formed of the same material as the drain electrode 138 on the same plane as the drain electrode 138, that is, on the interlayer insulating film 114. The upper touch pad electrode 174 is formed of the same material as the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e on the same plane as the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e. The upper touch pad electrode 174 is conductively connected to the lower touch pad electrode 172 exposed through the pad contact hole 176, and the pad contact hole 176 is formed to penetrate the protective film 108, the touch buffer film 148, and the touch insulating film 156.

[0072] Although the present invention describes the touch display device as having a Figure 1 rectangular shape as an example as shown, the touch display device can be designed in various shapes other than rectangular for use in, for example, wearable devices, flexible devices, instrument panels, etc. For example, the touch display device can be designed in different shapes, such as a Figure 11 curved shape, slanted shape, circular shape, oval shape, or polygonal shape as shown.

[0073] In such a touch display device having a different design, the touch electrodes 152e and 154e and the wirings 180 are changed to correspond to the portion of the touch display device in which a different design is applied. For example, as Figure 11 shown, when the corner region of the substrate 111 of the touch display device is formed in a curved shape, the touch electrodes 152e and 154e and the wirings 180 are formed in a curved shape along the curved corner region. The sizes and shapes of the touch electrodes 152e and 154e arranged in the corner region are different from each other, and the sizes of the touch electrodes 152e and 154e arranged in the corner region are smaller than the sizes of the touch electrodes 152e and 154e arranged in the region other than the corner region.

[0074] In addition, although the present invention describes the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e having the pseudo-conductive layer 150 disposed on the light-emitting element 120 which is a display element, the first touch electrode 152e and the second touch electrode 154e having the pseudo-conductive layer 150 may be disposed on a display element including a liquid crystal element or the like.

[0075] From the above description, it is apparent that the touch display device according to the present invention is characterized in that the shape of at least one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion disposed in the first boundary region is different from the shape of at least one of the first protrusion, the second protrusion and the third protrusion disposed in the second boundary region, so that an inspector can easily distinguish the first boundary region and the second boundary region from each other. Therefore, the inspector can easily identify an electrical short circuit defect between the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode disposed in the first boundary region, and easily detect the position of the defect that requires a repair process.

[0076] Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose but are not limited to the following solutions:

[0077] Solution 1. A touch display device, comprising:

[0078] A light-emitting element disposed on a substrate;

[0079] A packaging unit disposed on the light-emitting element;

[0080] A first touch electrode disposed on the packaging unit;

[0081] A second touch electrode disposed on the packaging unit and spaced apart from the first touch electrode in a first boundary region; and

[0082] A pseudo-conductive layer disposed on the packaging unit and spaced apart from at least one of the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode in a second boundary region,

[0083] wherein the shape of at least one of the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode disposed in the first boundary region is different from the shape of at least one of the first touch electrode, the second touch electrode and the pseudo-conductive layer disposed in the second boundary region.

[0084] Solution 2. The touch display device according to Solution 1, wherein

[0085] the first touch electrode includes a first protrusion disposed in the first boundary region and the second boundary region;

[0086] the second touch electrode includes a second protrusion disposed in the first boundary region and the second boundary region; and

[0087] The pseudo-conductive layer includes a third protrusion disposed in the second boundary region.

[0088] Solution 3. The touch display device according to Solution 2, wherein at least one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion disposed in the first boundary region protrudes more than at least one of the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the third protrusion disposed in the second boundary region.

[0089] Solution 4. The touch display device according to Solution 2, further comprising an edge marking layer disposed in one of the first boundary region and the second boundary region,

[0090] wherein the edge marking layer overlaps at least one of the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the third protrusion.

[0091] Solution 5. The touch display device according to Solution 4, wherein the edge marking layer overlaps at least one of the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the third protrusion when an insulating layer is inserted between at least one of the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the third protrusion and the edge marking layer.

[0092] Solution 6. The touch display device according to Solution 4, further comprising:

[0093] a first bridge configured to connect the first touch electrode; and

[0094] a second bridge configured to connect the second touch electrode and disposed in a plane different from that of the first bridge,

[0095] wherein the edge marking layer is formed of the same material as one of the first bridge and the second bridge in the same plane as one of the first bridge and the second bridge.

[0096] Solution 7. The touch display device according to Solution 2, wherein

[0097] each interior angle of each of the first to third protrusions disposed in the second boundary region is an acute angle; and

[0098] each interior angle of each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion disposed in the first boundary region is greater than each interior angle of each of the first to third protrusions disposed in the second boundary region.

[0099] Solution 8. The touch display device according to Solution 2, wherein the length of the opposite side of each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion arranged in the second boundary region is longer than the length of the opposite side of the first protrusion and the second protrusion arranged in the first boundary region.

[0100] Solution 9. The touch display device according to Solution 2, wherein

[0101] the length of the first protrusion arranged in the first boundary region is the same as the length of the second protrusion; and

[0102] the length of each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion arranged in the second boundary region is different from the length of the third protrusion.

[0103] Solution 10. The touch display device according to Solution 2, wherein

[0104] the first protrusion and the second protrusion arranged in the first boundary region are spaced apart by a first distance; and

[0105] each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion arranged in the second boundary region is spaced apart from the third protrusion by a second distance different from the first distance.

[0106] Solution 11. The touch display device according to Solution 1, further comprising a bank disposed between anodes of the light-emitting elements,

[0107] wherein the first touch electrode, the second touch electrode, and the pseudo-conductive layer are formed as a grid, and the grid is configured to overlap with the bank.

[0108] Solution 12. The touch display device according to Solution 7, wherein the internal angle of each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion arranged in the first boundary region is a right angle.

[0109] Solution 13. A touch display device, comprising:

[0110] a first touch electrode disposed on a substrate;

[0111] a second touch electrode disposed on the substrate and spaced apart from the first touch electrode in a first boundary region; and

[0112] a pseudo-conductive layer disposed on the substrate and spaced apart from at least one of the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode in a second boundary region,

[0113] Wherein, the shape of at least one of the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode disposed in the first boundary region is different from the shape of at least one of the first touch electrode, the second touch electrode, and the pseudo-conductive layer disposed in the second boundary region.

[0114] Solution 14. The touch display device according to Solution 13, wherein,

[0115] The first touch electrode includes a first protrusion disposed in the first boundary region and the second boundary region;

[0116] The second touch electrode includes a second protrusion disposed in the first boundary region and the second boundary region; and

[0117] The pseudo-conductive layer includes a third protrusion disposed in the second boundary region.

[0118] Solution 15. The touch display device according to Solution 14, further comprising an edge marking layer disposed in one of the first boundary region and the second boundary region,

[0119] wherein, the edge marking layer overlaps at least one of the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the third protrusion.

[0120] Solution 16. The touch display device according to Solution 14, wherein,

[0121] Each interior angle of each of the first protrusion to the third protrusion disposed in the second boundary region is an acute angle; and

[0122] Each interior angle of each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion disposed in the first boundary region is greater than each interior angle of each of the first protrusion to the third protrusion disposed in the second boundary region.

[0123] Solution 17. The touch display device according to Solution 14, wherein the length of the opposite side of each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion and the third protrusion disposed in the second boundary region is longer than the length of the opposite side of the first protrusion and the second protrusion disposed in the first boundary region.

[0124] Solution 18. The touch display device according to Solution 14, wherein,

[0125] The length of the first protrusion disposed in the first boundary region is the same as the length of the second protrusion; and

[0126] The length of each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion disposed in the second boundary region is different from the length of the third protrusion.

[0127] Solution 19. The touch display device according to Solution 14, wherein,

[0128] The first protrusion and the second protrusion arranged in the first boundary region are spaced apart from each other by a first distance; and

[0129] Each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion arranged in the second boundary region and the third protrusion are spaced apart from each other by a second distance different from the first distance.

[0130] Solution 20. The touch display device according to Solution 13, wherein,

[0131] The corner region of the substrate is formed in a curved shape or an oblique line shape.

[0132] Solution 21. The touch display device according to Solution 20, further comprising: wirings connected to at least one of the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode,

[0133] wherein at least one of the wirings, the first touch electrode, and the second touch electrode is formed in a curved shape or an oblique line shape along the corner region.

[0134] Solution 22. The touch display device according to Solution 16, wherein the inner angle of each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion arranged in the first boundary region is a right angle.

[0135] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is intended to cover modifications and variations of the present invention as long as they fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A touch display device, comprising: a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed on a substrate; a packaging layer disposed on the plurality of light-emitting elements; a plurality of first touch electrodes disposed on the packaging layer; and a plurality of second touch electrodes disposed on the packaging layer and spaced apart from and adjacent to the plurality of first touch electrodes in a first boundary region, the first boundary region being located between a first touch electrode among the plurality of first touch electrodes and a second touch electrode adjacent to the first touch electrode among the plurality of second touch electrodes, wherein the plurality of first touch electrodes include a plurality of first protrusions disposed in the first boundary region, wherein the plurality of second touch electrodes include a plurality of second protrusions disposed in the first boundary region, and wherein a first protrusion among the plurality of first protrusions in the first boundary region and a second protrusion closest to the first protrusion among the plurality of second protrusions are aligned with each other and have different lengths from each other in the first boundary region.

2. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein, The first protrusion and the second protrusion face each other in the first boundary region, and the length of the first protrusion is longer than the length of the second protrusion.

3. The touch display device according to claim 2, wherein, Another first protrusion among the plurality of first protrusions and another second protrusion among the plurality of second protrusions face each other and are aligned with each other in the first boundary region, and the length of the another first protrusion is shorter than the length of the another second protrusion.

4. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein, The first protrusion and the second protrusion face each other in the first boundary region, another first protrusion among the plurality of first protrusions and another second protrusion among the plurality of second protrusions face each other and are aligned with each other in the first boundary region, and a first distance between the first protrusion and the second protrusion is different from a second distance between the another first protrusion and the another second protrusion.

5. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein, The first protrusion and another first protrusion closest to the first protrusion among the plurality of first protrusions extend parallel to each other in a first direction.

6. The touch display device according to claim 5, wherein, The first protrusion and the another first protrusion have different lengths in the first direction.

7. A touch display device, comprising: a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed on a substrate; a packaging layer disposed on the plurality of light-emitting elements; a plurality of first touch electrodes disposed on the packaging layer; and a plurality of second touch electrodes disposed on the packaging layer and spaced apart from and adjacent to the plurality of first touch electrodes, wherein at least one of the plurality of first touch electrodes includes a plurality of first protrusions extending in a first direction, wherein at least one of the plurality of second touch electrodes includes a plurality of second protrusions extending in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and wherein a first protrusion among the plurality of first protrusions and another first protrusion adjacent to the first protrusion among the plurality of first protrusions have different lengths from each other in the first direction.

8. The touch display device according to claim 7, wherein, The second protrusion among the plurality of second protrusions and another second protrusion among the plurality of second protrusions adjacent to the second protrusion have different lengths from each other in the first direction.

9. The touch display device according to claim 8, wherein, The plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of second protrusions face each other respectively.

10. The touch display device according to claim 8, wherein, A first protrusion among the plurality of first protrusions and a second protrusion among the plurality of second protrusions face each other, and the first protrusion and the second protrusion have different lengths from each other, and wherein, another first protrusion among the plurality of first protrusions and another second protrusion among the plurality of second protrusions face each other, and the another first protrusion and the another second protrusion have different lengths from each other.

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