Display device

Abstract

Disclosed is a display device including: a display panel including a substrate including a display area and a non-display area, the substrate being variable; a plurality of connection wirings provided on the substrate; a cover window disposed at least above the plurality of connection wirings; and a light shielding pattern portion included in the cover window.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display device (or referred to as a display apparatus), and more particularly, to a variable display device. Background Art

[0002] Display devices are applied to various electronic devices such as televisions, mobile phones, laptop computers, and tablet computers. For this purpose, continuous research is being conducted to develop thinner, lighter, and lower-power-consuming display devices.

[0003] Examples of display devices include a liquid crystal display device (LCD), a field emission display device (FED), and an organic light emitting display device (OLED). Summary of the Invention

[0004] Recently, research on thin and light display panels has been actively conducted. Research on variable display devices including display panels has been actively carried out, such as flexible display devices in which the display panel can be bent (or curved); rollable display devices in which the display panel can be rolled up; foldable display devices in which the display panel can be folded; or stretchable display devices in which the display panel can be stretched; for display devices of electronic devices such as wearable devices, televisions, monitors, smartphones, tablet computers, and laptop computers, and household items such as furniture. Accordingly, wirings applied to variable display devices are being developed to have a flexible structure. However, there is a problem in that the wirings are visible to an observer (or a user), or light reflected from the wirings is visible to the observer.

[0005] Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to solving one or more technical problems in the related known art (including the above problems).

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a variable display device in which wirings are not visible to an observer even when a stretching operation is repeatedly (or repeatedly) performed on the variable display device.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a display device in which the visibility of light reflected by the display device is reduced, and the total thickness of the display device is reduced.

[0008] Additional features and aspects will be set forth in the description below, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the inventive concept provided herein. Other features and aspects of the inventive concept may be realized and obtained by the structures particularly pointed out in the written description or derivable therefrom, the claims of the present disclosure, and the drawings.

[0009] To achieve the related advantages and aspects of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, a display device may include: a display panel including a substrate having a display area and a non-display area (adjacent to the display area), the substrate being variable (e.g., the substrate is bendable, rollable, foldable, flexible / flexible, foldable, wearable, or stretchable, but not limited thereto, and thus the display panel and the display device are also variable); a plurality of connection wirings disposed on the substrate; a cover window disposed at least above the plurality of connection wirings; and a light-shielding pattern portion included (or contained) in the cover window.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the light-shielding pattern portion may be disposed such that even when a stretching operation is repeatedly performed on the variable display device, the connection wirings disposed in the circuit area of the display device (e.g., the circuit area of the display panel) are not visible to an observer (or user) (in other words, the plurality of connection wirings disposed on the substrate are not visible), thereby improving the user's immersive experience in the image.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the total thickness of the display device may be reduced by integrating the light-shielding pattern portion with the cover window. Thus, the display device may be made thinner and lighter in weight, thereby reducing the weight of the display device.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display device may further include a plurality of first plate portions disposed on the display area of the substrate and including a plurality of sub-pixels, and a plurality of second plate portions disposed on the non-display area of the substrate.

[0013] The light-shielding pattern portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have an increased area (or enlarged area) overlapping with the respective peripheries of the first plate portion and the second plate portion. Thus, even when the length of the connection wiring increases during the stretching operation, the connection wiring can be prevented from being visible to the observer.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the light-shielding pattern portion may be integrated into the cover window. Thereby, a polarizing plate and a decorative film may be omitted, thereby simplifying the structure of the display device. Thus, the total thickness and total weight of the display device may be reduced, thereby reducing its production energy (consumption).

[0015] After reviewing the following drawings and detailed description, other systems, methods, features, and advantages will be or will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It should be anticipated that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages are included (or contained) in this description, fall within the scope of the present disclosure, and are protected by the present disclosure. Nothing in this section should be construed as a limitation on the present disclosure. Further aspects and advantages are discussed in connection with various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0016] It should be understood that the foregoing description and the following description are both exemplary and explanatory, and are intended to provide further explanation of the inventive concept claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, illustrate various aspects and embodiments of the disclosure, and together with the description are used to explain the principles and examples of the disclosure.

[0018] Figure 1 Shows (or illustrates) the configuration of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 2 Is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 3 Is a plan view of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 4 Is according to some embodiments of the present disclosure Figure 3 An enlarged plan view of region 4 in

[0022] Figure 5 Is according to some embodiments of the present disclosure along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in

[0023] Figure 6 Is according to some embodiments of the present disclosure along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in

[0024] Figure 7 And Figure 8 Show a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 9 And Figure 10 Show a display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 11 Show a display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 12 Show a manufacturing method of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figures 13 to 15 Show a way of forming a light-shielding pattern portion according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 16 Show a light-shielding pattern portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 17 Shows an example of the hysteresis characteristics according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise stated, the same reference numerals should be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. For clarity, illustration, and / or convenience, the dimensions, lengths, and thicknesses of layers, regions, and elements, and their descriptions may be exaggerated. Detailed Description

[0032] Now, reference will be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. In the following description, when a detailed description of a well-known method, function, structure, or configuration may unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure, its detailed description may be omitted for the sake of brevity. In addition, repetitive descriptions may be omitted for the sake of brevity. The progress of the described processing steps and / or operations is a non-limiting example.

[0033] The order of steps and / or operations is not limited to the order given herein, and may be changed to an order different from the order described herein, except for steps and / or operations that must occur in a specific order. In one or more examples, two consecutive operations may be performed substantially simultaneously, or the two operations may be performed in a reverse order or a different order depending on the functions or operations involved.

[0034] Unless otherwise stated, the same reference numerals may refer to the same elements throughout the specification, even if they are shown in different drawings. Unless otherwise stated, the same reference numerals may be used to refer to the same or substantially the same elements throughout the specification and the drawings. In one or more aspects, unless otherwise stated, the same elements (or elements with the same name) in different drawings may have the same or substantially the same functions and characteristics. The names of the individual elements used in the following explanations are chosen for convenience only and may therefore be different from the names used in actual products.

[0035] Through the embodiments described with reference to the drawings, the advantages and features of the present disclosure and their implementation methods are clarified. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments given herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are examples and are provided so that the present disclosure may be thorough and complete, to help those skilled in the art understand the inventive concept without limiting the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0036] The shapes, dimensions (e.g., length, width, height, thickness, position, radius, diameter, and area), ratios, rates, angles, numbers, number of components, etc. (including those shown in the drawings) disclosed in this document are only examples, and thus, this disclosure is not limited to the details shown. However, it is noted that the relative dimensions of the components shown in the drawings are part of some aspects of this disclosure.

[0037] When terms such as "comprising", "having", "including", "containing", "constituting", "made of", "formed by", "composed of", etc. are used for one or more elements / components, one or more other elements / components (e.g., layers, films, regions, components, sections, members, parts, regions or areas, portions, steps, operations, etc.) may be added, unless terms such as "only (or solely)" are used. The terms used in this disclosure are only for describing particular exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Singular terms may include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0038] The term "exemplary" is used to mean serving as an example or illustration. An embodiment is an embodiment as such. An aspect is an aspect as an example. In one or more embodiments, "embodiment", "example", "aspect", etc. should not be construed as being superior to or more advantageous than other implementations. Unless otherwise specified, an embodiment, an example, an exemplary embodiment, an aspect, etc. may refer to one or more embodiments, one or more examples, one or more exemplary embodiments, one or more aspects, etc. Additionally, the term "may" encompasses all meanings of the term "can".

[0039] In one or more aspects, unless otherwise clearly specified, an element (or component), a feature, or corresponding information (e.g., level, range, dimension, size, etc.) is construed to include a range of error or tolerance, even if no explicit description of such range of error or tolerance is provided. The range of error or tolerance may be caused by various factors (e.g., process factors, internal or external influences / shocks, noise, etc.). When interpreting a numerical value, unless otherwise clearly specified, the value is construed to include the range of error.

[0040] When describing positional relationships, when terms such as “… on”, “… above”, “… at the top of”, “… over”, “… below”, “… on the top of”, “… under”, “… nearby”, “… close to”, “… adjacent (or neighbouring)”, “… beside”, “… next to”, “… at one side or on one side of” etc. are used to describe the positional relationship between two parts (e.g., layers, films, regions, components, sections, etc.), one or more parts may be located between the two parts, unless more restrictive terms such as “directly”, “immediately (right)” or “next to” are used. For example, when a structure is described as being located “on”, “above”, “at the top of”, “over”, “below”, “on the top of”, “under”, “near it”, “close to it”, “adjacent (or neighbouring) to it”, “beside it”, “next to it”, “at one side or on one side of it” etc., this description should be interpreted to include cases where the structures are in contact with each other and cases where one or more additional structures are disposed or interposed between them. In addition, terms such as “front”, “rear”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “top”, “bottom”, “downward”, “upward”, “upper”, “lower”, “on”, “under”, “column”, “row”, “vertical”, “horizontal” etc. refer to any reference system.

[0041] Spatial relative terms such as “below”, “under”, “lower side”, “on”, “above”, “upper side” etc. may be used to describe the correlation between various elements (e.g., layers, films, regions, components, sections, etc.) as shown in the drawings. The spatial relative terms should be understood to include terms for different orientations of the elements in use or in operation in addition to the orientations depicted in the drawings. For example, if the elements shown in the figure are flipped, the element described as being “below” or “under” other elements will be oriented “above” the other elements. Thus, the term “below” as an exemplary term may include all directions of “above” and “below”. Similarly, the exemplary terms “above” or “on” may include both directions of “above” and “below”.

[0042] When describing temporal relationships, when the time sequence is described as, for example, “after”, “subsequently”, “next”, “before”, “previously”, “prior to” etc., discontinuous or out-of-sequence cases may be included, so one or more other events may occur between them, unless more restrictive terms such as “only (exactly)”, “immediately” or “directly (right)” are used.

[0043] Terms such as “below”, “lower side”, “above”, “upper side” etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship between the elements as shown in the drawings. It should be understood that these terms are spatially relative and are based on the orientation depicted in the drawings.

[0044] It should be understood that although terms such as "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements (e.g., layers, films, regions, components, sections, members, parts, zones / areas, portions, steps, operations, and / or similar expressions), these elements should not be limited by these terms to any particular order, sequence, priority, or quantity of the elements, for example. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the first element may represent the second element, and similarly, the second element may represent the first element. Additionally, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the first element, the second element, etc. may be arbitrarily named according to the convenience of those skilled in the art. For clarity, the functions or structures of these elements (e.g., the first element, the second element, etc.) are not limited by the serial number or the name in front of the element. Furthermore, the first element may include one or more first elements. Similarly, the second element, etc. may include one or more second elements, etc.

[0045] When describing the elements of the present disclosure, terms such as "first", "second", "A", "B", "(a)", "(b)", etc. may be used. These terms are intended to identify the corresponding elements from other elements, rather than to define the nature, basis, order, or quantity of the elements.

[0046] For expressions such as an element (e.g., a layer, a film, a region, a component, a section, etc.) "connected", "coupled", "attached", "adhered" to another element, the element can not only be directly connected, coupled, attached, adhered to another element, but also be indirectly connected, coupled, attached, adhered to another element, where one or more intermediate elements are disposed or inserted between these elements, unless otherwise specified.

[0047] For expressions such as an element (e.g., a layer, a film, a region, a component, a section, etc.) "contacting", "overlapping" with another element, the element can not only directly contact, overlap with another element, but also indirectly contact, overlap with another element, where one or more intermediate elements are disposed or inserted between these elements, unless otherwise specified.

[0048] A phrase such as an element (e.g., a layer, film, region, component, section, etc.) being “provided”, “arranged”, “connected”, “coupled” etc. in, on, to or with another element can be understood to mean that at least a portion of the element is provided, arranged, connected, coupled etc. in another element, or the entire element is provided, arranged, connected, coupled etc. in, on, to or with another element. A phrase such as an element (e.g., a layer, film, region, component, section, etc.) “contacting”, “overlapping” etc. with another element can be understood to mean, for example, that at least a portion of the element contacts, overlaps etc. with at least a portion of the other element, the entire element contacts, overlaps etc. with at least a portion of the other element, or at least a portion of the element contacts, overlaps etc. with the entire other element.

[0049] Terms such as “line” or “direction” should not be interpreted based solely on a geometric relationship in which the corresponding lines or directions are parallel or perpendicular to each other, and can mean lines or directions with a broader directivity within the range in which the components of the present disclosure can operate functionally. For example, terms such as “first direction”, “second direction” etc. (such as directions parallel or perpendicular to the “x-axis”, “y-axis” or “z-axis”) should not be interpreted based solely on a geometric relationship in which the corresponding directions are parallel or perpendicular to each other, and can mean directions with a broader directivity within the range in which the components of the present disclosure can operate functionally.

[0050] The term “at least one” should be understood to include any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items. For example, each of the phrases “at least one of the first item, the second item or the third item” and “at least one of the first item, the second item and the third item” can represent (i) a combination of items provided by one or more of the first item, the second item and the third item, or (ii) only one of the first item, the second item and the third item.

[0051] The expression of the first element, the second element “and / or” the third element should be understood to mean one of the first, second and third elements or any or all combinations of the first, second and third elements. For example, A, B and / or C can refer to only A; only B; only C; any one of A, B and C (e.g., A, B or C); some or some combinations of A, B and C (e.g., A and B; A and C; or B and C); or all of A, B and C. In addition, the expression “A / B” can be understood as A and / or B. For example, the expression “A / B” can refer to only A; only B; A or B; or A and B.

[0052] In one or more aspects, the terms "between" and "among" may be used interchangeably simply for convenience, unless otherwise specified. For example, the expression "between multiple elements" may be understood as among multiple elements. In another example, the expression "among multiple elements" may be understood as between multiple elements. In one or more examples, the number of elements may be two. In one or more examples, the number of elements may be greater than two. Additionally, when an element (e.g., a layer, film, region, component, section, etc.) is referred to as "between at least two elements", the element may be the only element between the at least two elements, or one or more intermediate elements may also be present.

[0053] In one or more aspects, the phrases "each other" and "one another" may be used interchangeably simply for convenience, unless otherwise specified. For example, the expression "different from each other" may be understood as different from one another. In another example, the expression "different from one another" may be understood as different from each other. In one or more examples, the number of elements involved in the foregoing expressions may be two. In one or more examples, the number of elements involved in the foregoing expressions may be greater than two.

[0054] In one or more aspects, the phrases "one or more of..." and "one or more in..." may be used interchangeably simply for convenience, unless otherwise specified.

[0055] The term "or" means "inclusive or", rather than "exclusive or". For example, unless otherwise specified or made clear in the context, the expression "x uses a or b" refers to any one of the natural inclusive arrangements. For example, "a or b" may mean "a", "b", or "a and b". For example, "a, b, or c" may mean "a", "b", "c", "a and b", "b and c", "a and c", or "a, b, and c".

[0056] The features of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be partially or completely coupled or combined with each other, may be technically related to each other, and may interoperate, link, or be driven together differently. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented or executed independently of each other, or may be implemented or executed together in a mutually dependent or related relationship. In one or more aspects, the components of each device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are operably coupled and configured.

[0057] Unless otherwise defined, the terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the exemplary embodiments belong. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in a common dictionary should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with, for example, their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless explicitly so defined herein.

[0058] The terms used in this document are selected as general terms in the relevant technical field. However, due to the development and / or changes in technology, convention, the preferences of those skilled in the art, etc., there may be other terms. Therefore, the terms used in this document should not be construed as limiting the technical concept, but should be understood as examples of the terms used to describe exemplary embodiments.

[0059] In addition, in specific cases, the terms can be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in such cases, their detailed meanings are described in this document. Therefore, the terms used in this document should be understood not only based on the name of the terms, but also based on the meaning and content of the terms.

[0060] In the present disclosure, a display device including a vibration device or a variable display device can be implemented using a user interface device such as a central control panel in an automobile, and thus can be applied to a vehicle.

[0061] The features of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be partially or wholly coupled or combined with each other, and can interoperate differently from each other, and are technically driven as can be fully understood by those skilled in the art. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be executed independently of each other, or can be executed together in a mutually dependent relationship.

[0062] In the following description, various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Regarding the reference numerals of the elements in each drawing, the same elements may be shown in other drawings, and the same reference numerals may refer to the same elements, unless otherwise stated. The same or similar elements may be denoted by the same reference numerals, even if they are depicted in different drawings. In addition, for ease of description, the ratios, dimensions, sizes, and thicknesses of each element shown in the drawings may be different from the actual ratios, dimensions, sizes, and thicknesses, and thus, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the ratios, dimensions, sizes, and thicknesses shown in the drawings.

[0063] Figure 1 The configuration of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0064] Reference Figure 1 , the display device 10 may include (or comprise) a display panel 100, and a panel driver 127 configured to drive the display panel 100, wherein the display panel 100 includes a display area AA and a non-display area NAA surrounding the display area AA. The panel driver 127 may include a gate driver 30, a data driver 40, and a timing controller 50.

[0065] A plurality of signal lines may be provided in the display panel 100. The plurality of signal lines may include a plurality of gate lines GL and a plurality of data lines DL. The plurality of gate lines GL may transmit scan signals of the gate driver 30 to the display area AA, and the plurality of data lines DL may transmit data signals of the data driver 40 to the display area AA. Pixels PX may be provided in an area where the gate lines GL and the data lines DL intersect each other.

[0066] The pixel PX may include a plurality of sub-pixels. In one example, each of the plurality of sub-pixels may emit light in a wavelength range of one of a plurality of colors corresponding to each other and different from each other. In this regard, the plurality of colors may include red, green, and blue. In another example, the plurality of colors may further include white.

[0067] Light-emitting elements that emit the corresponding one of the plurality of colors may be provided in each of the plurality of sub-pixels. In one example, the light-emitting element may be a light-emitting diode (LED) or a micro light-emitting diode (μLED). However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The sub-pixel may include a light-emitting element and circuit elements (such as thin-film transistors configured to drive the light-emitting element).

[0068] The timing controller 50 may control the driving timing of each of the gate driver 30 and the data driver 40.

[0069] For example, the timing controller 50 may supply a data control signal 70 configured to control the operation timing of the data driver 40 and supply a gate control signal 80 configured to control the operation timing of the gate driver 30 based on various timing signals received from an external source.

[0070] The gate driver 30 may control the driving timing of each of the plurality of sub-pixels by sequentially supplying scan signals to the plurality of gate lines GL during one frame period for displaying an image based on the gate control signal 80. The gate driver 30 may be provided only on one side (or a part) of the display panel 100 or provided on each of the two sides (or two parts) of the display panel 100.

[0071] The data driver 40 may convert image data received from the timing controller 50 into an analog data voltage based on the data control signal 70. The data driver 40 may supply a data voltage to each data line DL according to the timing at which the scan signal is applied to each sub-pixel corresponding to each gate line GL.

[0072] The timing controller 50 may be mounted on a printed circuit board (e.g., a flexible printed circuit board) and electrically connected to the gate driver 30 and the data driver 40.

[0073] The display device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented as a variable display device. For example, the variable display device may include a rollable display device, a foldable display device, a bendable display device, a curved display device, a slidable display device, or a stretchable display device. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, an example in which the display device is implemented as a stretchable display device will be described. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The stretchable display device may be a display device having stretchability and capable of bending or stretching in any direction in which an external force is applied by a user (e.g., in the upward, downward, left, or right direction, or in the diagonal direction). In addition, even when the display device has been stretched under an external force applied to the display device 10, the stretchable display device may display an image or video on the display area AA. Then, when the external force applied to the display device 10 is removed, the display device may return to its original form.

[0074] Due to the nature of the stretchable display device that bends or stretches in any direction in which an external force is applied by a user, when an external force is repeatedly applied thereto, metal wirings provided in the circuit area of the display device (e.g., the circuit area of the display panel) may be visible to an observer, thereby reducing the immersive experience in the screen. In order to prevent metal wirings and the like from being visible to an observer, a scheme has been proposed to reduce the thickness of the polarizing plate of the display device and design it to have a structure resistant to stretching. However, there are limitations to the extent to which the polarizing plate can be stretched. In addition, by placing the polarizing plate between the cover window and the display panel, the reflection visibility in the circuit area can be reduced, but when an elongation rate of 5% or more is required, it is difficult to reduce the reflection visibility through the polarizing plate. Therefore, the present disclosure aims to propose a configuration in which a high elongation rate is achieved while preventing connection wirings (e.g., metal wirings, etc.) from being visible to an observer.

[0075] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0076] Reference Figure 2 , the display device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a display panel 100 and a cover window 300 disposed on the display panel 100.

[0077] The display panel 100 may be stretched, and thus may include a stretchable or variable substrate 110 (in this case, the display panel 100 is stretchable or variable), and a plurality of pixels PX configured to display an image and a plurality of circuits and connection wirings 130 configured to drive the pixels PX may be disposed on the substrate 110.

[0078] The cover window 300 may be a component for protecting the display panel 100. The cover window 300 may be in contact with the display panel 100. The cover window 300 may include a first cover member 310, a second cover member 340, and a light-shielding pattern portion 320 disposed between the first cover member 310 and the second cover member 340.

[0079] The first cover member 310 may be disposed as the outermost layer of the cover window 300 and may serve as a surface visible to an observer. The second cover member 340 may be disposed in contact with the display panel 100 and may protect various components of the display panel 100. The light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be disposed between the first cover member 310 and the second cover member 340 and may prevent a plurality of circuit wirings and connection wirings 130 provided in the display panel 100 from being visible or recognized by an observer.

[0080] The first cover member 310 and the second cover member 340 of the cover window 300 may be formed of materials having different elastic moduli (or include materials having different elastic moduli). In other words, the first cover member 310 and the second cover member 340 of the cover window 300 may have different elastic moduli. The first cover member 310 may be formed of a material having an elastic modulus not exceeding a maximum value of 5 MPa (or include a material having an elastic modulus not exceeding a maximum value of 5 MPa). In other words, the first cover member 310 may have an elastic modulus not exceeding a maximum value of 5 MPa. The second cover member 340 may be formed of a material having an elastic modulus of 1 MPa or less (which is lower than the elastic modulus of the first cover member 310) (or include a material having an elastic modulus of 1 MPa or less). In other words, the second cover member 340 may have an elastic modulus of 1 MPa or less.

[0081] For example, the first cover member 310 may be formed of an elastomer such as silicone (or called silicone) rubber or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) which is a mixture of silicone and a curing agent (or include the elastomer). The second cover member 340 may be formed of an optically clear adhesive (OCA) or an optically clear resin (OCR) (or include the optically clear adhesive (OCA) or the optically clear resin (OCR)).

[0082] The light-shielding pattern portion 320 may have an opening 330 passing through the light-shielding pattern portion 320. The opening 330 may be a light-emitting area from which light emitted from a light-emitting element provided in one of a plurality of sub-pixels constituting the pixel PX is emitted. The light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be provided over the entire second covering member 340 except for the opening 330 (in other words, may be provided on the entire surface of the second covering member 340 except for the opening 330). The light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be formed of (or include) an opaque material having high elongation performance. For example, the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be formed of a coating solution obtained by crosslinking a plurality of surface-treated black particles and a silicone solution with each other. This will be described in detail later with reference to Figures 13 to 15 a detailed description.

[0083] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be provided between the first covering member 310 and the second covering member 340, and the covering window 300 integrated (or integrated together) with the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be bonded (or adhered) to the display panel 100, so that the total thickness of the display device 10 can be reduced.

[0084] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the stretchable display device does not have a polarizing plate and a decorative film that are not easily stretchable, the stretchable display device can be easily constructed, and the structure of the display device can be simplified.

[0085] In addition, due to the covering window 300 (which is variable) and the variable display panel 100, the variable display device can display an image or video even when the display device is bent or stretched in an arbitrary direction.

[0086] Figure 3 is a plan view of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 4 is according to some embodiments of the present disclosure Figure 3 an enlarged plan view of region 4 in

[0087] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display panel 100 may include a substrate 110, a plurality of first plate portions 123, a plurality of pixels PX, a plurality of second plate portions 125, a panel driver 127, and link wirings 143, a printed circuit board 137, a flexible circuit film 139, and an integrated circuit chip 140.

[0088] The substrate 110 may be a stretchable substrate and may be formed of (or include) a stretchable or bendable material. The substrate 110 may be formed of silicone rubber or polydimethylsiloxane (hereinafter referred to as PDMS) which is a mixture of silicone and a curing agent. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, any insulating material having flexible properties may be used for the substrate 110.

[0089] The substrate 110 may have a thickness of 200 micrometers (μm) to 350 micrometers. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0090] The substrate 110 may include a display area AA and a non-display area NAA. The display area AA may be an area that displays an image and may constitute a central portion of the display panel 100. The plurality of pixels PX may be disposed in the display area AA. Each of the plurality of pixels PX may include a light-emitting element and circuit elements (such as transistors configured to drive the light-emitting element).

[0091] The non-display area NAA surrounds the display area AA. The non-display area NAA constitutes an outer edge (or outer periphery) of the display panel 100. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the non-display area NAA may be an area where circuit elements are disposed.

[0092] The plurality of first plate portions 123 may be disposed on the display area AA of the substrate 110. The plurality of first plate portions 123 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other. For example, the plurality of first plate portions 123 may be arranged in a first direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) and a second direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The plurality of first plate portions 123 may be arranged in a matrix form. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the first direction may be a horizontal direction or a row direction of the substrate 110, and the second direction may be a vertical direction or a column direction of the substrate 110.

[0093] Pixels PX may be disposed in each of the plurality of first plate portions 123. As Figure 4 shown, the pixel PX may include a plurality of sub-pixels (e.g., a first sub-pixel SP1, a second sub-pixel SP2, and a third sub-pixel SP3, but not limited thereto).

[0094] The first plate portion 123 may be configured to be relatively more rigid (or stiffer) than the substrate 110. Since the first plate portion 123 may be relatively more rigid than the substrate 110, the first plate portion 123 may be an area having a fixed shape. Therefore, even when the display panel 100 is stretched or deformed, the first plate portion 123 may maintain a constant (or consistent) shape. Therefore, the structure of the pixel PX disposed in the first plate portion 123 may not be deformed or changed. Later, reference will be made toFigure 5 and Figure 6 Describe the structure of each pixel PX.

[0095] Referring Figure 3 , the plurality of second plate portions 125 may be disposed on the non-display area NAA of the substrate 110. The plurality of second plate portions 125 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other. For example, the plurality of second plate portions 125 may be disposed on each side (or on two portions) of both sides of the substrate 110. For example, the plurality of second plate portions 125 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the second direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) of the substrate 110. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. Similar to the first plate portion 123, the second plate portion 125 may be configured to be relatively more rigid than the substrate 110.

[0096] The connection wiring 130 may be disposed between and connected to adjacent first plate portions of the plurality of first plate portions 123. The connection wiring 130 may electrically connect adjacent first plate portions among the plurality of first plate portions 123 disposed on the display area AA to each other. In addition, the connection wiring 130 may electrically connect adjacent second plate portions among the plurality of second plate portions 125 disposed on the non-display area NAA to each other. In addition, the connection wiring 130 may electrically connect the corresponding second plate portion 125 disposed on the non-display area NAA and the corresponding first plate portion 123 disposed on the display area AA to each other.

[0097] The connection wiring 130 may include a first connection wiring 133 and a second connection wiring 135. The first connection wiring 133 may be a wiring extending in the Y-axis direction (second direction) of the substrate 110. The second connection wiring 135 may be a wiring extending in the X-axis direction (first direction) of the substrate 110. The connection wiring 130 may have a shape in which irregular portions (or uneven portions) are continuously repeated or a concavo-convex shape. For example, the connection wiring 130 may extend in a wavy or zigzag (serrated) shape. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0098] Referring Figure 4 , the rear surface (or back surface) of each of the first connection wiring 133 and the second connection wiring 135 may be supported by the flexible substrate 203. When the flexible substrate 203 is used as a support member, the flexible substrate may have the same shape as the combined shape of the first connection wiring 133 and the second connection wiring 135. Accordingly, the substrate 110 may be exposed in areas other than the areas where the first connection wiring 133 and the second connection wiring 135 are provided.

[0099] The connection wiring 130 disposed between adjacent first plate portions 123 can be electrically connected to the light-emitting elements and the circuit elements (such as transistors disposed in the pixel PX). In addition, the first connection wiring 133 can be disposed between each of the first plate portion 123 and the second plate portion 125 and the printed circuit board 137, and can be electrically connected thereto.

[0100] The flexible circuit film 139 and the printed circuit board 137 can be disposed on at least one periphery (or at least one edge) of the non-display area NAA. The integrated circuit chip 140 can be disposed on the flexible circuit film 139. One side (or a portion) of the flexible circuit film 139 can be electrically connected or coupled to the first plate portion 123, and the other side (or another portion) thereof can be electrically connected or coupled to the printed circuit board 137. In one example, the flexible circuit film 139 can be electrically connected to the second plate portion 125 via the connection wiring 143. The flexible circuit film 139 and the first plate portion 123 can be electrically connected to each other via the first connection wiring 133 extending in the second direction of the substrate 110.

[0101] The flexible circuit film 139 electrically connected to each of the first plate portion 123 and the second plate portion 125 can supply various powers (or powers) and signals configured to drive the light-emitting elements and supplied from the printed circuit board 137 to the first plate portion 123 or the second plate portion 125, and the first plate portion 123 or the second plate portion 125 can supply the various powers and signals to the display area AA. For example, the various powers and signals can include a high-potential voltage, a low-potential voltage, a scan signal, a data signal, etc. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0102] The printed circuit board 137 can supply signals to the integrated circuit chip 140 disposed on the flexible circuit film 139. Various components for supplying various signals to the integrated circuit chip 140 can be disposed in the printed circuit board 137. Figure 3 A configuration is shown in which the flexible circuit film 139 and the printed circuit board 137 are disposed only on one side edge (or one peripheral portion) of the substrate 110. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the flexible circuit film 139 and the printed circuit board 137 can be disposed on each of two opposite side edges (or two peripheral portions) of the substrate 110.

[0103] Light-emitting elements emitting different colors of light can be respectively disposed in a plurality of sub-pixels (such as a first sub-pixel SP1, a second sub-pixel SP2, and a third sub-pixel SP3, but not limited thereto) disposed on the first plate portion 123.

[0104] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Figure 4 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Figure 4 . For ease of illustration, Figure 5 a light-emitting element and a transistor disposed in one sub-pixel are shown. The plurality of sub-pixels may include substantially the same components.

[0105] Referring to Figure 3 and Figures 5 to 6 , a plurality of first plate portions 123 may be disposed on a display area AA of a substrate 100. The plurality of first plate portions 123 may be disposed on the substrate 100 and arranged to be spaced apart from each other. For example, the plurality of first plate portions 123 may be arranged in a matrix form. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0106] Referring to Figure 3 , a plurality of second plate portions 125 may be disposed on a non-display area NAA of the substrate 100. The plurality of second plate portions 125 may be disposed on the substrate 100 and arranged to be spaced apart from each other. For example, the plurality of second plate portions 125 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along one direction of the substrate 100.

[0107] Referring to Figure 4 , a pixel PX including a plurality of sub-pixels may be disposed on the first plate portion 123. Each sub-pixel may include a light-emitting element and a transistor configured to drive the light-emitting element. The light-emitting element may be implemented as a micro light-emitting diode (micro LED). However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the light-emitting element may be implemented as an organic light-emitting element. Each of the plurality of sub-pixels may emit light in a wavelength range of one of a plurality of colors corresponding to each other. For example, the plurality of colors may include red, green, and blue. In another example, the plurality of colors may further include white.

[0108] Each of the plurality of sub-pixels may be connected to a plurality of connection wirings. For example, each of the plurality of sub-pixels may be electrically connected to a first connection wiring extending in a second direction and a second connection wiring extending in a first direction.

[0109] Referring to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , a sub-pixel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a transistor TR, a storage capacitor, and various wirings. The transistor TR may drive the light-emitting element ED, and the storage capacitor may store a voltage therein such that the light-emitting element ED may maintain the same state for one frame.

[0110] A flexible substrate 203 may be disposed on the substrate 110. The flexible substrate 203 may include a transparent plastic film or polyimide. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0111] The light shielding layer can be provided on the flexible substrate 203. The light shielding layer can reduce leakage current by preventing light from a position below the flexible substrate 203 from entering the semiconductor layer of the transistor TR. For example, the light shielding layer can be provided below the semiconductor layer of the transistor TR that serves as a driving transistor.

[0112] A buffer layer including a single layer or multiple layers can be provided between the flexible substrate 203 and the transistor TR. The buffer layer prevents impurities, oxygen, or moisture from diffusing toward the transistor TR, thereby preventing damage to the transistor TR and protecting the transistor TR. For example, the buffer layer can be composed of a single layer or multiple layers of at least one of silicon oxide (SiO x ) and silicon nitride (SiN x ). However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0113] The transistor TR can include a semiconductor layer, a gate insulating layer, a gate electrode, and source / drain electrodes. The gate insulating layer can be provided between the semiconductor layer and the gate electrode. The semiconductor layer can be formed of an oxide semiconductor or a silicon-based semiconductor material. For example, the semiconductor layer can include an oxide semiconductor material such as indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO). However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. In another example, the semiconductor layer can include a polysilicon semiconductor material or a low-temperature polysilicon semiconductor material. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0114] The semiconductor layer can include an active region that overlaps the gate electrode in the vertical direction and forms a channel, and a source region and a drain region respectively provided on opposite sides of the active region. The source / drain electrodes can be electrically connected to the source region and the drain region of the semiconductor layer respectively.

[0115] On the transistor TR, a passivation layer and a planarization layer can be provided, where the passivation layer includes an insulating material that protects the transistor TR, and the planarization layer flattens the surface steps caused by a lower structure such as the transistor TR. The planarization layer can be formed of an organic insulating material including a photoactive compound (PAC). However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The planarization layer can have a multilayer structure in which one or more organic insulating films are stacked. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0116] The light-emitting element ED can be electrically connected to the transistor TR. In one example, the light-emitting element ED can be implemented as a micro LED. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0117] The light-emitting element ED may include a nitride semiconductor structure and a connection electrode CE. The light-emitting element ED may include a lateral nitride semiconductor structure, a vertical nitride semiconductor structure, or a flip-chip nitride semiconductor structure. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0118] The light-emitting element ED may be electrically connected to the transistor TR via the connection electrode CE. For example, the connection electrode CE may include a metal material. Various signals or voltages supplied by the transistor TR electrically connected to the connection electrode CE of the light-emitting element ED may be transmitted to the light-emitting element ED. For example, a voltage for driving the light-emitting element ED may be applied thereto from the transistor TR. Voltages of different levels (or magnitudes) may be applied to the light-emitting element ED via the connection electrode CE so that the light-emitting element ED can emit light.

[0119] The sub-pixel including the transistor TR and the light-emitting element ED may include a second connection wiring 135 connected to the pad terminal 219 of the panel driver 127 of the second plate portion 125 in Figure 6 . The second connection wiring 135 may be electrically connected to the connection electrode CE of the light-emitting element ED.

[0120] The panel driver 127 of the second plate portion 125 may be connected to the pad terminal 219 by a TAB (tape automated bonding) scheme / method. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The second connection wiring 135 may be disposed on the flexible substrate 203. A plurality of layers formed of an insulating material may be disposed in the second plate portion 125 below the light-emitting element ED disposed in the first plate portion 123. The insulating layer disposed in the second plate portion 125 may be formed by the same process as the process for forming the first plate portion 123. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0121] Referring together to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , a cover window 300 including a second cover member 340, a light-shielding pattern portion 320, and a first cover member 310 may be disposed on the light-emitting element ED and the panel driver 127. The cover window 300 may further include an optical functional film layer 350 such as an antireflection film or an antiglare layer disposed on the first cover member 310. The light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be disposed to overlap the connection wiring 130 and the panel driver 127 and the pad terminal 219 disposed in the second plate portion 125 so as to prevent the connection wiring 130, the panel driver 127, and the pad terminal 219 from being visible to an observer.

[0122] Figure 7 and Figure 8 illustrate a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 is according to an embodiment of the present disclosure along Figure 7A cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in. In Figure 7 For ease of illustration, the region forming the light-shielding pattern portion 320 is shown, and the first cover member 300 is not shown. For ease of illustration, Figure 8 A flip-chip type light-emitting element ED is shown. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0123] Referring to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the first plate portion 123 and the second plate portion 125 provided on the display panel 100 may be spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction, which is the first direction of the substrate 110. The plurality of sub-pixels (e.g., the first sub-pixel SP1, the second sub-pixel SP2, and the third sub-pixel SP3, but not limited thereto) may be provided in the first plate portion 123. The plurality of sub-pixels may respectively emit light of different colors to the outside through the openings 330. In each of the plurality of sub-pixels, Figure 5 the light-emitting element ED in and a circuit element including a transistor TR configured to drive the light-emitting element ED may be provided. Each of the plurality of light-emitting elements (e.g., the first light-emitting element ED1, the second light-emitting element ED2, and the third light-emitting element ED3, but not limited thereto) and each of the plurality of transistors TR may be electrically connected to each other via corresponding contact electrodes CT. The contact electrode CT may include a metal wiring or at least one source / drain electrode for electrically connecting Figure 5 the light-emitting element ED and the transistor TR in to each other.

[0124] The second plate portion 125 may include a pad terminal 219 as shown in Figure 6 . The pad terminal 219 may be electrically connected to the panel driver 127, and the panel driver 127 sends various signals to the plurality of sub-pixels.

[0125] The connection wiring 130 may include a second connection wiring 135 extending in the X-axis direction, which is the first direction, and a first connection wiring 133 extending in the Y-axis direction, which is the second direction. The first plate portion 123 and the second plate portion 125 may be electrically connected to each other via the second connection wiring 135.

[0126] The rear surface of each of the first connection wiring 133 and the second connection wiring 135 may be supported by the flexible substrate 203. When the flexible substrate 203 is used as a support member, the flexible substrate 230 may have the same shape as the combined shape of the first connection wiring 133 and the second connection wiring 135. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. Each of the first and second connection wirings 133 and 135 may include a shape in which irregular portions are continuously repeated or a concavo-convex shape. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, each of the first and second connection wirings 133 and 135 may extend in a wavy or zigzag shape. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0127] A cover window 300 including a first cover member 310, a light-shielding pattern portion 320, and a second cover member 340 may be disposed in contact with the display panel 100. The cover window 300 may have a thickness of 250 micrometers to 350 micrometers. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The first cover member 310 and the second cover member 340 of the cover window 300 may be formed of (or include) materials having different elastic moduli. The first cover member 310 may be formed of (or include) a material whose elastic modulus does not exceed a maximum value of 5 MPa. The second cover member 340 may be formed of (or include) a material having a modulus of 1 MPa or less (which is lower than the modulus of the first cover member 310). In this regard, the elastic modulus (or modulus of elasticity) may be a value representing the ratio of the strain of an object to the stress applied to the object.

[0128] For example, the first cover member 310 may be formed of (or include) an elastomer such as silicone rubber or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) which is a mixture of silicone and a curing agent. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The second cover member 340 may be formed of (or include) an optically clear adhesive (OCA) or an optically clear resin (OCR). However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0129] The second cover member 340 of the cover window 300 may cover the plurality of light-emitting elements (e.g., the first light-emitting element ED1, the second light-emitting element ED2, and the third light-emitting element ED3, but not limited thereto) of the display panel 100, the first connection wiring 133, and the second connection wiring 135.

[0130] The light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be disposed between the first covering member 310 and the second covering member 340. Except for the opening 330, the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may cover the entire surface of the second covering member 340, where light is emitted from each of the plurality of light-emitting elements of each of the plurality of sub-pixels (e.g., the first sub-pixel SP1, the second sub-pixel SP2, and the third sub-pixel SP3, but not limited thereto) exposed through the opening 330. For example, the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may overlap with one side edge (or a part of the periphery) and the other side edge (or another part of the periphery) of each of the plurality of light-emitting elements. For example, the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may overlap with the side edge (or a part of the periphery, e.g., the periphery of the right side portion as shown in Figure 8 ) of the third light-emitting element ED3 and the second connection wiring 135. The light-shielding pattern portion 320 may have a thickness of 10 micrometers to 20 micrometers. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0131] A part of the light-shielding pattern portion 320 disposed in the boundary region between adjacent sub-pixels among the plurality of sub-pixels may have a first width W1. For example, a part of the light-shielding pattern portion 320 that overlaps with one side edge (or a part of the periphery) of one of the adjacent light-emitting elements among the plurality of light-emitting elements and the other side edge (or another part of the periphery) of the other light-emitting element may have the first width W1. The size of the first width W1 of the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be designed such that the second connection wiring 135 as shown in Figure 8 is not visible to an observer. For example, the first width W1 may be in the range of 1 micrometer to 3 micrometers, and the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may have a light density (OD) value greater than 2. Thus, color mixing between the light beams from the plurality of sub-pixels can be prevented.

[0132] In one example, the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may include a film formed of a mixture of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and an opaque pigment. The opaque pigment may be a black pigment. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and pigments of other colors may be used. For example, a stretchable display device may be implemented on a wearable article (or object) such as a bag or a pouch. In this case, for color matching between the display device and the wearable article, the opaque pigment may have the same color as the background color of the wearable article.

[0133] Due to the nature of the stretchable display device in which stretching or change (or deformation) is repeatedly performed, the display panel 110 may have a structure in which a plurality of first plate portions 123 and a plurality of second plate portions 125 as rigid regions may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other when disposed on the flexible substrate 110. In addition, respectively disposed on the display panel 100 (see Figure 3The first plate portion 123 and the second plate portion 125 on the display area AA and the non-display area NAA of ()) can be electrically connected to each other via the connection wiring 130. In addition, the connection wiring 130 can be disposed in the flexible area so that an external force for stretching the display device can be repeatedly applied to the connection wiring 130.

[0134] Since the plurality of first plate portions 123 and the plurality of second plate portions 125 as rigid areas are not stretched, the flexible area where the connection wiring 130 is disposed can be stretched so that the display panel 100 can be bendable or stretchable. In order to stretch the substrate 110 from its original shape by, for example, about 20%, the flexible area where the connection wiring 130 is disposed should be stretched by, for example, about 40%. Therefore, when stretching or deforming (or changing) is repeatedly performed, the external force for stretching the display device is repeatedly applied to the connection wiring 130 so that the connection wiring 130 can be deformed. Stretching by 20% or about 40% from the original form does not limit the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0135] The connection wiring 130 can include a metal wiring formed of a material including copper (Cu) or the like. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. In order to prevent the connection wiring 130 from being visible to an observer, a decorative area can be provided on the edge (or periphery) of the display panel using a bezel, or a polarizing plate can be provided on the edge (or periphery) of the display panel. However, both the polarizing plate and the bezel are formed of materials that cannot be easily stretched. Therefore, when the stretching operation is repeatedly performed, the deformed connection wiring may be recognized by the user, thereby deteriorating the immersive experience of the user immersing into the screen. In addition, when there is a decorative area or a polarizing plate, due to the multi-layer structure, the total thickness of the display device may become larger. Therefore, in order to construct the multi-layer structure, the number of process steps necessarily increases. Thus, as the number of process steps increases, the possibility of occurrence of defects may also increase.

[0136] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even when stretching is repeatedly performed, due to the presence of the light-shielding pattern portion, the connection wiring or the like cannot be recognized by the user, and the total thickness of the display device can be reduced.

[0137] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the structure of the display device can be thinned by integrating a light-shielding pattern portion that shields (or hides) the connection wiring disposed in the display area or the non-display area of the stretchable display device with the cover window. Thus, a display device with a light weight can be realized. In addition, the cover window integrated with the light-shielding pattern portion can be provided on the display panel to prevent the connection wiring from being visible to the user (or observer) during the stretching operation or when the stretching operation is repeatedly performed.

[0138] In addition, due to the cover window integrated with the light-shielding pattern portion, a polarizing plate for preventing external light from being reflected by connection wirings provided in the display area or the non-display area can be omitted, thereby simplifying the structure of the display device.

[0139] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the light-shielding pattern portion can be integrated into the cover window. Thus, a decorative film that can prevent connection wirings provided in the non-display area or the outer portion of the display panel from being visible to a user (or an observer) can be omitted, thereby simplifying the structure of the display device. Accordingly, the total thickness and total weight of the display device can be reduced, thereby reducing the production energy consumption of the display device.

[0140] Figure 9 and Figure 10 FIG. shows a display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 in Figure 9 FIG.

[0141] Except for the position of the light-shielding pattern portion, Figure 9 and Figure 10 the display device has a configuration substantially the same as the configuration of the display device in Figure 7 and Figure 8 Accordingly, Figure 7 and Figure 8 the related elements in the display device in

[0142] are referred to by the same / similar reference numerals, and their repetitive descriptions are omitted or will be briefly given. Figure 9 and Figure 10 Referring to

[0143] the first plate portion 123 and the second plate portion 125 can be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction, which is the first direction of the substrate 110, when provided on the display panel 100. A plurality of sub-pixels (e.g., a first sub-pixel SP1, a second sub-pixel SP2, and a third sub-pixel SP3, but not limited thereto) can be provided in the first plate portion 123. The plurality of sub-pixels can respectively emit light of different colors to the outside through openings 330. In each of the plurality of sub-pixels, a light-emitting element ED and a circuit element including a transistor TR configured to drive the light-emitting element ED can be provided. Each of the plurality of light-emitting elements (e.g., a first light-emitting element ED1, a second light-emitting element ED2, and a third light-emitting element ED3, but not limited thereto) and each of the plurality of transistors TR can be electrically connected to each other via corresponding contact electrodes CT. The contact electrodes CT can include at least one metal wiring such as a source / drain electrode, a first connection electrode, or a second connection electrode. Figure 6 ​​the pad terminal 219 shown in Figure 1 ), and a panel driver 127 that sends various signals to the plurality of sub-pixels (see

[0144] . However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The connection wiring 130 may include a second connection wiring 135 extending in the X-axis direction as a first direction, and a first connection wiring 133 extending in the Y-axis direction as a second direction. The first plate portion 123 and the second plate portion 125 may be electrically connected to each other via the second connection wiring 135.

[0145] The back surface of each of the first connection wiring 133 and the second connection wiring 135 may be supported by the flexible substrate 203. When the flexible substrate 203 is used as a support member, the flexible substrate 230 may have the same shape as the combined shape of the first connection wiring 133 and the second connection wiring 135. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. Each of the first and second connection wirings 133 and 135 may include a shape in which irregular portions are continuously repeated or a concavo-convex shape. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, each of the first and second connection wirings 133 and 135 may extend in a wavy or zigzag shape. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0146] When the display panel 100 is stretched, the first connection wiring (or pattern) 133 and the second connection wiring 135 may be deformed. For example, when an external force is applied to the display panel 100 such that the display panel is stretched, the first connection wiring 133 and the second connection wiring 135 may be stretched such that their bent portions become flat or their curvature decreases. Therefore, when the stretching operation is repeated, the first connection wiring 133 and the second connection wiring 135 can appropriately perform the function of supplying signals.

[0147] A cover window 300 including a first cover member 310, a light-shielding pattern portion 320, and a second cover member 340 may be provided on the display panel 100. The second cover member 340 of the cover window 300 may cover the plurality of light-emitting elements, the first connection wiring 133, and the second connection wiring 135 of the display panel 100.

[0148] The light-shielding pattern portion 320 may include a first pattern portion 321 and a second pattern portion 323.

[0149] The first pattern portion 321 may have a shape corresponding to each of the first connection wiring 133 and the second connection wiring 135 (e.g., the same or a similar shape thereto). Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the first pattern portion 321 may have a shape in which irregular portions are continuously repeated or a concavo-convex shape, or may have a wave shape or a zigzag shape. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. Therefore, only the first pattern portion 321 of the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be selectively disposed to overlap the first connection wiring 133 and the second connection wiring 135. In addition, regions of the substrate 110 formed of a transparent material may be exposed except for regions overlapping the first pattern portion 321. Accordingly, a transparent display device may be realized.

[0150] The second pattern portion 323 may have a first width W1. The second pattern portion 323 may be disposed in a boundary region between adjacent sub-pixels among the plurality of sub-pixels (except for the openings 330 through which light is emitted). Accordingly, the second pattern portion 323 may prevent color mixing between light beams emitted from adjacent sub-pixels among the plurality of sub-pixels.

[0151] The first pattern portion 321 and the second pattern portion 323 of the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be formed by screen-coating a material on the entire surface of the substrate 110 and then performing an exposure and development process (or process) of selectively removing the coated material only in regions corresponding to the openings 330 of each of the plurality of sub-pixels. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0152] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be disposed on the entire surface of the display panel 100 to prevent connection wirings including metal from being visible to an observer or a user. For example or alternatively, the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be selectively disposed only in a region where circuit wirings including connection wirings that may be visible to an observer or a user are disposed.

[0153] Figure 11 A display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Except for the position of the light-shielding pattern portion, Figure 11 the display device has a configuration substantially the same as that of Figure 7 and Figure 8 the display device. Accordingly, Figure 7 and Figure 8 related elements in the display device in

[0154] are referred to by the same / similar reference numerals, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted or will be briefly given. Figure 11, a plurality of first plate portions 123 and a plurality of second plate portions 125 may be provided on the substrate 110. Adjacent first plate portions 123 may be electrically connected to each other via a first connection wiring 133 and a second connection wiring 135. The first plate portion 123 and the second plate portion 125 may be electrically connected to each other via the second connection wiring 135. Adjacent second plate portions 125 may be electrically connected to each other via the first connection wiring 133.

[0155] A plurality of sub-pixels such as a first sub-pixel SP1, a second sub-pixel SP2, and a third sub-pixel SP3 may be provided in the first plate portion 123. A plurality of sub-pixels such as a first sub-pixel SP1, a second sub-pixel SP2, and a third sub-pixel SP3 (see Figure 7 ) (each of which includes a corresponding one of a plurality of light-emitting elements such as a first light-emitting element ED1, a second light-emitting element ED2, and a third light-emitting element ED3) may emit light of different colors to the outside.

[0156] The cover window 300 may be provided in contact with the display panel 100. The second cover member 340 of the cover window 300 may cover the first connection wiring 133 and the second connection wiring 135. A light-shielding pattern portion 320 having an opening 330 defined therein may be provided on the second cover member 340. Light emitted from each of the plurality of light-emitting elements may be emitted through each opening 330.

[0157] The light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be provided to cover a boundary region between adjacent sub-pixels among the plurality of sub-pixels, the first connection wiring 133, and the second connection wiring 135. The light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be formed by applying a material constituting the light-shielding pattern portion 320 onto a boundary region between adjacent sub-pixels among the plurality of sub-pixels and an upper surface of each of the first connection wiring 133 and the second connection wiring 135 by inkjet printing.

[0158] Due to the light-shielding pattern portion 320 covering the boundary region between adjacent pixels among the plurality of sub-pixels, different color light beams respectively emitted from adjacent light-emitting elements among the plurality of light-emitting elements can be prevented from mixing with each other. The first cover member 310 of the cover window 300 may be provided on the light-shielding pattern portion 320. The first cover member 310 may cover the plurality of light-emitting elements.

[0159] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a light-shielding pattern portion 320 covering a boundary region between adjacent sub-pixels among the plurality of sub-pixels, the first connection wiring 133, and the second connection wiring 135 may be provided on the first plate portion 123 and the second plate portion 125.

[0160] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be configured to fill a space (or gap) between adjacent light-emitting elements among the plurality of light-emitting elements. Thereby, light of different colors respectively emitted from adjacent light-emitting elements among the plurality of light-emitting elements can be prevented from mixing with each other.

[0161] Figure 12 A method for manufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0162] Reference Figure 12 , at step (a), a carrier substrate C_SUB is provided. The carrier substrate C_SUB may include a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film whose surface has been treated so as to have no adhesion force. The carrier substrate C_SUB may be configured to fix the light-shielding pattern portion that will be formed later when transferring the light-shielding pattern portion. Next, at step (b), a light-shielding pattern portion 320 including an opening 330 may be formed, and at step (c), the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be disposed on the carrier substrate C_SUB.

[0163] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be formed by printing a material on the carrier substrate C_SUB. The opening 330 defined in the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be an area where each of the plurality of light-emitting elements is disposed. Light emitted from the light-emitting elements may be emitted to the outside through the opening 330. The light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be formed by patterning and curing a coating solution obtained by crosslinking a plurality of surface-treated black particles and a silicone solution with each other, and a related description thereof will be provided later with reference to Figures 13 to 15 Provide its related description.

[0164] Reference Figure 12 , at step (d), a first covering member 310 is provided. The first covering member 310 may include an elastomer such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) which is a mixture of silicone and a curing agent. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. Next, at step (e), the first covering member 310 and the light-shielding pattern portion 320 are bonded (or adhered) to each other. At step (f), the carrier substrate C_SUB is removed from the light-shielding pattern portion 320. At step (g), a second covering member 340 may be disposed under the light-shielding pattern portion 320 to form a cover window 300 including the second covering member 340, the light-shielding pattern portion 320, and the first covering member 310. Then, the cover window formed in this way may be bonded (or adhered) or attached to the display panel, and a display device may be manufactured.

[0165] The light-shielding pattern portion 320 in the cover window 300 may include a film formed of a mixture of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and an opaque pigment. In one example, the opaque pigment may be a black pigment. To prevent the metal wiring from being visible to an observer, the pigment used in the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may include carbon black pigment or titanium black pigment. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0166] Figures 13 to 15 A manner (or approach) of forming the light-shielding pattern portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0167] Referring Figure 13 , a plurality of black particles 405 may be uniformly dispersed in the silicone solution 400 to prepare a printing solution 410, and the printing solution 410 may be coated on a substrate 110 including polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to form a light-shielding pattern portion. In this case, the plurality of black particles 405 are only dispersed in the silicone solution 400 but do not crosslink with the silicone solution 400. For example, due to the reduced surface energy of silicon constituting polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), it may be difficult to print an opaque pigment on the substrate 110 including polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

[0168] Therefore, when an external force is applied to the substrate as indicated by the arrow such that the substrate 110 is repeatedly stretched, the light-shielding pattern portion formed of the printing solution in which the black particles 405 are dispersed in the silicone solution 400 may peel off from the surface of the substrate 110. When the light-shielding pattern portion peels off from the surface of the substrate 110 to create a gap, the light reflected from the connection wiring or the metal wiring is visible to an observer through the gap.

[0169] In addition, wrinkles occur in an area where the plurality of black particles 405 dispersed in the printing solution 410 are unevenly aggregated at a specific position, such that the light reflected from the connection wiring or the metal wiring is visible to an observer in an area where the black particles are absent or aggregated at a lower concentration.

[0170] The substrate 110 can be bent or stretched by bending or stretching the area of the connection wiring 130 located below the light-shielding pattern portion. The rigid regions that are not stretched, including the first plate portion 123 and the second plate portion 125, may occupy 50% of the total area of the substrate 110. Stretching does not occur in the rigid regions. Thus, as an example, the substrate 110 should be stretched by about 40% in the flexible region where the connection wiring 130 is provided, such that the entire area of the substrate 110 can be stretched by about 20% from its original shape. Therefore, when the substrate 100 is repeatedly stretched, an external force is repeatedly applied to the connection wiring 130, which may cause the connection wiring 130 to deform. Thus, it is necessary to prevent the deformed connection wiring from being visible or recognized by an observer due to repeated stretching operations. However, before the substrate 110 is stretched, a printing solution in which black particles 405 are uniformly dispersed in a silicone solution 400 can prevent light from passing through it, but when the substrate 110 is stretched by about 40% to generate a dispersive force of the black particles 405 dispersed in the printing solution 410, the connection wiring provided below the light-shielding pattern portion may be visible or recognized by the user due to the dispersive force of the black particles 405 dispersed in the printing solution 410. For example, the difference in transmittance of the printing solution 410 in which the black particles 405 are dispersed in the silicone solution 400 before and after stretching is large, making it difficult to compensate for the deformation of the connection wiring caused by stretching. Thus, when the substrate is repeatedly stretched, it may be difficult to prevent the connection wiring from being visible to the observer.

[0171] The light-shielding pattern portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be easily formed or coated on the substrate 110 by a coating solution obtained by crosslinking a plurality of black particles and a silicone solution, and no peeling phenomenon occurs, thereby preventing the connection wiring from being visible or recognized by an observer.

[0172] Reference Figure 14 , surface-treated black particles 415 can be prepared to promote crosslinking between the silicone solution and the black particles. The surface-treated black particles 415 can be formed by surface-treating the black particles 405 formed of nano black pigment particles using a vinyl precursor. The nano black pigment particles can have vinyl groups 420 as functional groups that can participate in a silicon (or silicone) polymerization reaction. The content of the vinyl groups 420 can be adjusted such that 3 to 6 vinyl groups are bonded to the surface of each nano black pigment particle. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0173] When one or two ethylene groups 420 or more than six ethylene groups 420 are bound to the surface of the nano black pigment particles, the binding may become stronger or weaker, which may adversely affect the stretching ability of the silicon (or silicone). Therefore, the effect of preventing wrinkles from occurring or preventing the connection wiring from being visible to an observer may be reduced. For this reason, three to six ethylene groups 420 can be bound to the surface of each nano black pigment particle.

[0174] To form a printing solution using the surface-treated black particles 415, a silicone rubber solution is prepared as a first solution, and then a second solution in which the surface-treated black particles 415 are dispersed in the silicone rubber solution is prepared. The surface-treated black particles 415 dispersed in the silicone solution as the second solution can be included in an amount in the range of 10% to 30% (e.g., weight percentage) of the silicone solution (in other words, the content of the surface-treated black particles 415 dispersed in the silicone solution is in the range of 10% to 30% of the silicone solution). However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. Then, the second solution is stirred and then degassed for 1 hour to remove the air bubbles therein, thereby producing a coating solution for forming a light-shielding pattern portion.

[0175] The coating solution can be coated on the substrate 110 and cured. The curing can utilize heat and / or ultraviolet (UV) light. As Figure 15 shown, the binding energy can be increased by crosslinking between the ethylene groups 420 of the surface-treated black particles 415 and the molecules 423 of the silicone rubber. The molecules 423 of the silicone rubber can increase the stretching characteristics because the chains of the molecules 423 of the silicone rubber do not entangle (or bind) with each other. Therefore, even when a force is applied to the light-shielding pattern portion 320 in various directions as indicated by the arrows or the substrate 110 is repeatedly stretched, the light-shielding pattern portion 320 formed by the coating solution in which the surface-treated black particles 415 and the silicone solution are crosslinked with each other can be prevented from peeling off from the surface of the substrate 110. Therefore, even when the substrate 110 is stretched by about 40%, the connection wiring or the metal wiring can still be covered by the light-shielding pattern portion 320, thereby preventing the connection wiring or the metal wiring from being visible to an observer. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the light-shielding pattern portion is provided (or disposed) in a deformable or variable display device having an elongation rate of 5% to 40% or an elongation rate of 40% or higher. Therefore, a deformable or variable display device that can reduce the visibility of reflected light can be provided.

[0176] The optical density (OD) value of the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be in the range from 1 to 3. In order to make the optical density (OD) value in the range from 1 to 3, the size (or dimension) of each surface-treated black particle 415 may be adjusted to be in the range of about 200 nanometers (nm) to 500 nanometers. When each surface-treated black particle 415 has a size of 100 nanometers or less, the optical density (OD) value may exceed the range from 1 to 3, which may reduce the effect of preventing the connection wiring from being visible to an observer. In addition, the thickness of the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be 5 micrometers or less. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0177] Based on the position where the light-shielding pattern portion 320 is provided, the optical density (OD) value may vary. For example, in a non-pixel region, the optical density (OD) value may have a value greater than 2.0. In this case, the region where the light-shielding pattern portion 320 may be provided may have a transmittance of about 10% or less. In order to maintain the optical density (OD) value greater than 2.0 in the non-pixel region so that the light-shielding pattern portion 320 has a transmittance of about 10% or less, the content of the surface-treated black particles 415 in the silicone solution should be adjusted. For example, the surface-treated black particles 415 may be included in an amount of 15% or more of the silicone solution. When the surface-treated black particles 415 are included in an amount of 15% of the silicone solution, the optical density (OD) value may be 2.1, and the transmittance may be about 7.5%. In addition, when the surface-treated black particles 415 are included in an amount of 20% of the silicone solution, the optical density (OD) value may be 2.9, and the transmittance may be about 1.5%. For example, as the content of the surface-treated black particles 415 in the silicone solution increases, the transmittance of the display device may decrease. When the content of the surface-treated black particles 415 in the silicone solution exceeds 30%, the optical density (OD) value may exceed the range from 1 to 3, which may reduce the effect of preventing the connection wiring from being visible or recognized by an observer. For example, when the content of the surface-treated black particles 415 in the silicone solution exceeds 30%, it becomes difficult to uniformly disperse the surface-treated black particles 415 in the silicone solution. On the contrary, the surface-treated black particles 415 may coalesce with each other. Thus, since the black particles 415 are not uniformly dispersed in the silicone solution, regions where the optical density (OD) value exceeds the range from 1 to 3 may occur, resulting in a problem of deterioration of optical performance. The non-pixel region may be a region that is substantially not stretched and may be a border region in the non-display region NAA surrounding the display region AA.

[0178] However, in the pixel region and the transmissive region, the optical density (OD) value can be 1.0 or less. In this case, the region where the light-shielding pattern portion 320 is provided can have a transmittance of about 40% to 55%. The pixel region can include a boundary region between adjacent sub-pixels among a plurality of sub-pixels such as a first sub-pixel SP1, a second sub-pixel SP2, and a third sub-pixel SP3 (see Figure 4 ) and a region where the connection wiring 130 is provided.

[0179] Figure 16 The light-shielding pattern portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0180] Reference Figure 16 , in order to electrically connect the first plate portion 123 where the light-emitting element ED of each sub-pixel is provided and the second plate portion 125 where the panel driver 127 is provided to each other, a connection wiring 130-1 can be provided between the first plate portion 123 and the second plate portion 125.

[0181] The first plate portion 123 and the second plate portion 125 can be covered by a cover window including a first cover member 310, a light-shielding pattern portion, and a second cover member 340. In this regard, the light-shielding pattern portion can include a first light-shielding pattern portion 320-1 having a first width WH1 and a second light-shielding pattern portion 320-2 having a second width WH2. The second width WH2 of the second light-shielding pattern portion 320-2 can be greater than the first width WH1 of the first light-shielding pattern portion 320-1. Therefore, the region where the second light-shielding pattern portion 320-2 overlaps with the edge (or periphery) of the first plate portion 123 and the edge (or periphery) of the second plate portion 125 can be greater than the region where the first light-shielding pattern portion 320-1 overlaps with the edge (or periphery) of the first plate portion 123 and the edge (or periphery) of the second plate portion 125.

[0182] The first cover member 310 and the second cover member 340 constituting the cover window 300 can have different elastic moduli. For example, the elastic modulus of the first cover member 310 can be maintained not to exceed a maximum value, and the maximum value is 5 MPa (in other words, maintained not to exceed a maximum value with a value of 5 MPa), in order to protect the display panel and minimize hysteresis. The elastic modulus of the second cover member 340 of the cover window 300 can be maintained at 1 MPa or less (which is lower than the elastic modulus of the first cover member 310), thereby maintaining flexibility. Thus, when the display panel is stretched, hysteresis can be minimized to facilitate the deformation of the connection wiring 130-1 and its restoration to its original form.

[0183] Figure 17 Examples of hysteresis characteristics according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.

[0184] In Figure 17In this case, the horizontal axis represents strain (or tensile) energy, and the vertical axis represents an external force. Hysteresis is a phenomenon in which when a material is deformed periodically or within a certain range in response to a specific external stimulus, the material does not return to its original state (or value), but changes from the original state (or value) to a different state (or value). Refer to Figure 17 , a film, pattern, or wiring is stretched by applying a force thereto, and thus when the force is removed therefrom, it does not return to its original state due to deviation. This can refer to hysteresis, which can be represented as a curve indicating the deviation, as shown in Figure 17 . Hysteresis can be the difference B between a first region A of a force corresponding to a range of strain energy from a first point (as a starting point) E1 to a second point (as an ending point) E2 due to deformation occurring when a force is applied to the film, pattern, or wiring and a second region A' of a force corresponding to a range of strain energy from the second point (as a starting point) E2 to the first point (as an ending point) E1 due to deformation occurring when the force applied to the film, pattern, or wiring, etc. is removed. As the hysteresis, which is the difference B between the first region A and the second region A', becomes smaller, the plastic deformation becomes smaller, such that the film, pattern, or wiring has good characteristics under which the film, pattern, or wiring can return to its original form. However, as the hysteresis, which is the difference B between the first region A and the second region A', increases, the plastic deformation becomes larger, such that the film, pattern, or wiring has poor characteristics under which the film, pattern, or wiring cannot return to its original form. Therefore, as the hysteresis of each of the first covering member 310 and the second covering member 340 is minimized, the connection wiring can be easily deformed and return to its original form during the stretching operation of the display panel.

[0185] The elastic modulus (modulus of elasticity) can be a value representing the ratio of the strain of a material to the stress applied to the material. When the elastic modulus is relatively high, the hardness (or stiffness) can be relatively high. In addition, when the elastic modulus is relatively low, the flexibility can be relatively high.

[0186] When the display panel is stretched, the first covering member 310 and the second covering member 340 having different elastic moduli can have different elongation rates at the first covering member 310 and the second covering member 340, respectively. For example, the second covering member 340 having a relatively low elastic modulus can be more easily stretched, and the first covering member 310 having a relatively high elastic modulus can have a stretching length smaller than the stretching length of the second covering member 340.

[0187] Therefore, when the connection wiring 130-1 that electrically connects the first plate portion 123 and the second plate portion 125 to each other is not sufficiently covered by the light-shielding pattern portion, the connection wiring 130-1 may be visible to an observer after the stretching operation.

[0188] For example, when the substrate 110 is stretched by about 20% from its original shape, the connection wiring 130 can be stretched, but the first plate portion 123 and the second plate portion 125, which are rigid regions, may not be stretched. Therefore, in order to stretch the substrate 110 by about 20% from its original shape, the connection wiring 130 disposed between the first plate portion 123 and the second plate portion 125 should be stretched by about 40%. Therefore, when the connection wiring 130 is not covered by the light-shielding pattern portion 320, the connection wiring may be exposed to the outside. The maximum amount of deformation by which the display panel can be stretched without damaging the substrate 110 can be about 20% from its original shape in the upward, downward, leftward, rightward, or diagonal directions. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0189] For example, referring to Figure 16 parts (a1) and (a2) therein, the first light-shielding pattern portion 320-1 having the first width WH1 can be disposed under the first covering member 310, and the connection wiring 130-1 can be disposed to overlap the first light-shielding pattern portion 320-1 in the up-down direction (or vertical direction). When the stretching operation is performed, the length of the connection wiring 130-1 can increase from the first length d1 to the second length d2 by the length Δd×2. However, the first light-shielding pattern portion 320-1 having the first width WH1 may not be able to cover (or encompass) the first light-shielding pattern portion 320-1 (or the connection wiring) in the region (resulting from the increased length Δd×2) between each of the first plate portion 123 and the second plate portion 125 and the connection wiring 130-1. The region not covered by the first light-shielding pattern portion 320-1 can be referred to as a gap. Thus, the connection wiring 130-1 may be visible to an observer through the gap not covered by the first light-shielding pattern portion 320-1. For example, the elongation rates of the first and second covering members 310 and 340 having different elastic moduli are different from each other, and the second covering member 340 having an elastic modulus lower than that of the first covering member 310 is more easily stretched. Thus, a gap may occur between the rigid region and the soft region. As a result, the visibility of the connection wiring 130-1 in the circuit region may increase.

[0190] Therefore, referring to Figure 16 parts (b1) and (b2) of [embodiment] according to the present disclosure, considering the difference in elongation rates between the first covering member 310 and the second covering member 340, the second light-shielding pattern portion 320-2 can have the second width WH2. The second width WH2 can be greater than the first width WH1. The second light-shielding pattern portion 320-2 having the second width WH2 can have an increased region overlapping the corresponding edges (or peripheries) of the first plate portion 123 and the second plate portion 125 compared to the first light-shielding pattern portion 320-1.

[0191] When a stretching operation is performed, the length of the connection wiring 130-1 can increase from a first length d1 to a second length d2 by Δd×2. The second light-shielding pattern portion 320-2 can have an increased area that overlaps with the corresponding edges (or peripheries) of the first plate portion 123 and the second plate portion 125 as compared to the first light-shielding pattern portion 320-1. Thus, even when the length of the connection wiring 130-1 increases during the stretching operation, the connection wiring 130-1 can be covered by the second light-shielding pattern portion 320-2. Accordingly, during the stretching operation, the connection wiring 130-1 is not visible to an observer. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even when the first covering member 310 and the second covering member 340 are stretched to the same length, the circuit region can be shielded by the light-shielding pattern portion such that the connection wiring 130-1 in the circuit region is not visible to a user.

[0192] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cover window integrated with a light-shielding pattern portion that shields connection wiring provided in a display region or a non-display region of a stretchable display device can be provided on a display panel, thereby preventing the connection wiring from being recognized by a user when a stretching operation is performed or when stretching operations are repeatedly performed.

[0193] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, instead of a cover window including a multi-layer structure composed of a polarizing plate, a decorative film, and a black matrix, a cover window integrated with a light-shielding pattern portion can be used. Accordingly, the total thickness of the display device can be reduced.

[0194] The light-shielding pattern portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can have an increased overlapping area between the corresponding peripheries of the first plate portion and the second plate portion. Thereby, even when the length of the connection wiring increases during a stretching operation, it is possible to prevent the connection wiring from being visible to an observer.

[0195] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the polarizing plate can be removed or omitted, but a light-shielding pattern portion that can be stretched by more than 40% can be provided. Thereby, a display device that can be stretched by more than 40% can be realized.

[0196] The display device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to mobile devices, video telephones, smart watches, watch phones, wearable devices, foldable devices, rollable devices, bendable devices, flexible devices, curved surface devices, sliding devices, deformable devices, electronic notebooks, e-books, portable multimedia players (PMPs), personal digital assistants (PDAs), MP3 players, mobile medical devices, desktop computers, laptop computers, netbook computers, workstations, navigation, vehicle navigation, vehicle display devices, vehicle devices, theater devices, theater display devices, televisions, wallpaper devices, sign devices, game devices, portable computers, monitors, cameras, video cameras, and household appliances, etc.

[0197] A display device according to embodiments of the present disclosure can be described as follows.

[0198] A display device according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include: a display panel including a substrate having a display area and a non-display area, the substrate being variable; a plurality of connection wirings disposed on the substrate; a cover window disposed on the display panel and including a light-shielding pattern portion disposed at least above the plurality of connection wirings; and the light-shielding pattern portion included (or contained) in the cover window. The substrate may be rollable, bendable, flexible (flexible), foldable, stretchable, bendable, etc.

[0199] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the light-shielding pattern portion may be arranged such that the plurality of connection wirings are not visible to an observer even when a stretching operation is repeatedly performed on the display device.

[0200] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the display device may further include a plurality of first plate portions disposed on the display area of the substrate and including a plurality of sub-pixels, and a plurality of second plate portions disposed on the non-display area of the substrate.

[0201] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of first plate portions may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other and configured to be relatively more rigid than the substrate, and the plurality of second plate portions may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other and configured to be relatively more rigid than the substrate.

[0202] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the cover window may further include a first cover member and a second cover member. The light-shielding pattern portion may be located between the first cover member and the second cover member.

[0203] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the cover window may further include a first cover member disposed above the light-shielding pattern portion (e.g., on the upper surface of the light-shielding pattern portion), and a second cover member disposed below the light-shielding pattern portion (e.g., on the lower surface of the light-shielding pattern portion).

[0204] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the second cover member may cover the plurality of first plate portions, the plurality of second plate portions, and the plurality of connection wirings.

[0205] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the first cover member, the light-shielding pattern portion, and the second cover member may be integrated with each other.

[0206] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the first cover member and the second cover member may have different elastic moduli.

[0207] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the elastic modulus of the first covering member may be greater than the elastic modulus of the second covering member.

[0208] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first covering member may have an elastic modulus not exceeding a maximum value of 5 MPa, and the second covering member may have an elastic modulus of 1 MPa or less.

[0209] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first covering member may be formed of an elastomer, the second covering member may be formed of an optically transparent adhesive or an optically transparent resin, and the light-shielding pattern portion may be formed of an opaque material.

[0210] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the light-shielding pattern portion may be disposed in a boundary region between adjacent sub-pixels among the plurality of sub-pixels and on the second covering member.

[0211] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the light-shielding pattern portion may be disposed on the entire surface of the second covering member.

[0212] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the light-shielding pattern portion may have an opening passing through the light-shielding pattern portion, the opening may be a light-emitting region from which light emitted from a light-emitting element provided in one of the plurality of sub-pixels is emitted, and the light-shielding pattern portion may be disposed on the entire surface of the second covering member except for the opening.

[0213] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of connection wirings may include a first connection wiring and a second connection wiring, wherein the first connection wiring extends in a second direction and is configured to electrically connect adjacent first plate portions among the plurality of first plate portions to each other and electrically connect adjacent second plate portions among the plurality of second plate portions to each other (in other words, electrically connect adjacent first plate portions among the plurality of first plate portions to each other and electrically connect adjacent second plate portions among the plurality of second plate portions to each other), the second connection wiring extends in a first direction different from the second direction, and the second connection wiring is configured to electrically connect adjacent first plate portions among the plurality of first plate portions to each other and electrically connect adjacent first plate portions and second plate portions to each other (in other words, electrically connect adjacent first plate portions among the plurality of first plate portions to each other and electrically connect adjacent first plate portions and second plate portions to each other).

[0214] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the rear surface of each of the first connection wiring and the second connection wiring may be supported by a flexible substrate.

[0215] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the light-shielding pattern portion may be disposed above at least a region corresponding to the first connection wiring and the second connection wiring.

[0216] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of connection wirings may include a shape in which irregularities are continuously repeated or a concavo-convex shape.

[0217] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of connection wirings may extend in a wavy or zigzag shape.

[0218] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the cover window may further include an optical functional film layer provided on the first cover member.

[0219] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the cover window may have a thickness of 250 micrometers to 350 micrometers, and / or the light-shielding pattern portion may have a thickness of 10 micrometers to 20 micrometers.

[0220] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the display device may further include a plurality of light-emitting elements respectively provided in the plurality of sub-pixels and spaced apart from each other. A part of the light-shielding pattern portion may be provided between adjacent light-emitting elements among the plurality of light-emitting elements.

[0221] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the portion of the light-shielding pattern portion provided between adjacent light-emitting elements among the plurality of light-emitting elements has a first width in the range of 1 micrometer to 3 micrometers.

[0222] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the light-shielding pattern portion may include a film formed of a mixture of polydimethylsiloxane and an opaque pigment.

[0223] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the light-shielding pattern portion may include a first pattern portion and a second pattern portion. The first pattern portion may be provided to overlap with the first connection wiring and the second connection wiring, and may have a shape corresponding to the shape of each of the first connection wiring and the second connection wiring. The second pattern portion may be provided in a boundary region between adjacent sub-pixels among the plurality of sub-pixels.

[0224] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the light-shielding pattern portion covering the boundary region between adjacent sub-pixels among the plurality of sub-pixels, the first connection wiring, and the second connection wiring may be provided on the first plate portion and the second plate portion.

[0225] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the light-shielding pattern portion is provided to fill a space between adjacent light-emitting elements among the plurality of light-emitting elements respectively provided in the plurality of sub-pixels.

[0226] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of light-emitting elements may include a micro LED.

[0227] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the light-shielding pattern portion may have a structure in which a plurality of surface-treated black particles and molecules of silicone rubber are crosslinked with each other.

[0228] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, each surface-treated black particle may include 3 to 6 vinyl groups at its surface.

[0229] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the light-shielding pattern portion may be coated on a substrate with a coating solution obtained by crosslinking a plurality of surface-treated black particles and a silicone solution with each other, and the surface-treated black particles dispersed in the silicone solution may have a content in the range of 10% to 30% of the silicone solution.

[0230] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the optical density value of the light-shielding pattern portion may be configured to be in the range from 1 to 3.

[0231] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the size of each surface-treated black particle may be configured to be in the range of about 200 nanometers to 500 nanometers, and / or the thickness of the light-shielding pattern portion may be configured to be 5 micrometers or less.

[0232] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of connection wirings may include connection wirings disposed between a first plate portion and a second plate portion adjacent to each other. The light-shielding pattern portion may cover the connection wirings disposed between the first plate portion and the second plate portion adjacent to each other, and may overlap corresponding peripheries of the first plate portion and the second plate portion.

[0233] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the display device may include a plurality of openings located in the light-shielding pattern portion. Each of the plurality of openings may extend through the light-shielding pattern portion.

[0234] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the device of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure should cover modifications and variations of the present disclosure that fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: a display panel including a substrate, the substrate including a display area and a non-display area adjacent to the display area, the substrate being variable; a plurality of connection wirings disposed on the substrate; a cover window disposed at least above the plurality of connection wirings; and a light-shielding pattern portion included in the cover window.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The light-shielding pattern portion is configured such that even when a stretching operation is repeatedly performed on the display device, the plurality of connection wirings are not visible to an observer.

3. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of first plate portions disposed on the display area of the substrate and including a plurality of sub-pixels; and a plurality of second plate portions disposed on the non-display area of the substrate.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein, The plurality of first plate portions are arranged to be spaced apart from each other and are configured to be relatively more rigid than the substrate, and the plurality of second plate portions are arranged to be spaced apart from each other and are configured to be relatively more rigid than the substrate.

5. The display device according to claim 3, wherein, The cover window further includes: a first cover member; and a second cover member, wherein the light-shielding pattern portion is located between the first cover member and the second cover member.

6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein, The second cover member covers the plurality of first plate portions, the plurality of second plate portions, and the plurality of connection wirings.

7. The display device according to claim 5, wherein, The first cover member, the light-shielding pattern portion, and the second cover member are integrated with each other.

8. The display device according to claim 5, wherein, The first cover member and the second cover member have different elastic moduli.

9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein, The elastic modulus of the first cover member is greater than the elastic modulus of the second cover member.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein, The first cover member has an elastic modulus not exceeding a maximum value of 5 MPa, and the second cover member has an elastic modulus of 1 MPa or less.

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